By George Organizing Solutions

08/14/2020

Have you ever wondered where the heck to start when trying to organize your office? Your desk is the center of your work day and, therefore, is also a good p...

10/30/2019

Autumn is in full swing here in Houston - finally! The weather is turning cooler and the leaves are beginning to drop. It's time for costumes, fall festivals, baseball championships (Go Astros!), and everything pumpkin spice. Basically, it's another reminder that like life, seasons change.

And that's where I find myself today - in a season of change.

Like the leaves, I need to let go of what has been so I can prepare for what is yet to come. That's why I've made the very hard decision to close my organizing business. I've should have done it earlier, but I kept holding on "just in case"...
.. just in case I wanted to go back to that line of work.. just in case things didn't work out with my writing.. just in case I needed it to help me with my writing as "platform" evidence for agents and publishers

As I've taught before, "just in case" isn't a good excuse to hold on to things. Instead, we need to let go of the toaster oven, that beloved sweater, or even a wonderful career so we can embrace what we truly love and want in our lives.

It's time for the organizer to follow her own advice!

After working with many clients, I understand that letting go of something that holds special meaning in your life is not easy. It's like a part of us is dying. I've known for quite some time that I needed to shut things down, but I was afraid to "burn the ships". In reality, I was holding on because I feared that without a business, a social media following or an email list that I connected with regularly, I would be lost. But after much thought and prayer, I know that this is the right thing for me to do for now, and for the future.

Looking back, I would not be where I am today if it weren't for By George Organizing. From my desire to help others transform their chaos into lasting order, I was able to find my voice and reignite my true passion for writing. I don't think that would have happened otherwise.

As I close out this chapter of my life, I want to thank each of you for being on this journey with me. For every one of you who hired me, heeded my advice via blog post or video, invited me to speak to your group, or allowed me into your inbox, I am deeply grateful to have been able to serve you in this capacity. Who would have guessed that a girl who loved to create order would have turned it into a business that offered her some of the most incredible experiences and opportunities?

You and your unwavering support will always hold a special place in my heart. It is my sincere prayer that you will continue on your organizing journey. It is not an easy trail to blaze, but the rewards it reaps are so worth it!! If you need help, I'd be happy to recommend one of my amazing colleagues who can walk beside you. Whether you hire them, follow them on social media, or subscribe to their email you can't go wrong! I will keep my website up until the domain expires (sometime in March, I believe) so I hope you will go there in the meantime and check out some of my blog posts to help you with your organizing needs. Otherwise, please feel free to contact me via email at [email protected].

Rather than say "good-bye", I'll leave you with one of my all-time favorite quotes from Dr. Seuss: "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." Thanks and know that I'm smiling. I hope you are too!

09/04/2019

THE POWER OF ONE:

While the temperatures may not feel like it, September usually marks the unofficial start to fall. It's the time where we put the lazy summer days behind us and focus on the final three events of the year - Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

It's also the time where we put aside our organizing efforts so we can survive the holidays until the new year rolls around and we once again make the commitment to put our lives back in order.

Can I please ask that you not to fall into that rut?

I know, I know ... it's hard to keep things streamlined when you're busy shuttling kids around, fighting off shoppers as you search for that perfect present, and preparing for unexpected guests at your house. But what if I told you that even in the midst of the chaos, you can still manage an orderly life? It's true! All you need is the power of one.

For most people, the number one doesn't count for very much. One client, one dollar, one follower is usually a disappointment and not much worth writing home about. But I encourage you, my friend, to think differently.

What if you allowed yourself just one thing to do, either each day or each week, until the end of the year to stay organized? Could you do just one thing? I bet you can! In fact, I've come up with 10 - "one tasks" you can do to keep order at the forefront of your life:

1. Delete one email.
2. Remove one picture from your camera roll/one contact from your contact list.
3. Unsubscribe from one newsletter.
4. Get rid of one item you no longer love, use or want from your closet, desk, kitchen, etc.
5. Drop off one box or bag to a donation center.
6. Organize one small drawer.
7. Sort and declutter one small pile (of paperwork, clothes, etc).
8. Delete or delegate one task off your to-do list.
9. Complete one 15-minute pick-up and put back session in your space.
10. Write down one organizing mantra to motivate you to change your mindset.

If you can embrace the power of one by implementing some of these ideas, I promise that when 2020 dawns, you'll be able ready and excited for what's ahead. Your one small effort each day/week for the next four months will make a huge difference in your heart, your mind and your space!

Don't believe me? Then take the power of one challenge and see for yourself.

There's still lots of time in 2019 to bring peace and order to your life. Don't wait until the new year to claim it. Start today, using the power of one!

What's your one? Leave me a comment below and let me know. I'd love to encourage you on the journey!

08/20/2019

Receipts - we all have them. The question is how do you store them? In a shoebox, in your glove compartment, in a glorified filing system? Inquiring minds want to know!

If you're uncertain about the best way to organize those pesky, yet oftentimes necessary slips of paper, be sure to check out my latest Ask the Organizer post!

Ask the Organizer: How can I best organize my receipts? by bygeorge | Aug 14, 2019 | Ask the Organizer, How-To, Organizing Tips | 0 comments A few weeks ago, I posted this picture on my By George Organizing page: Sadly, it was the receipts I had haphazardly thrown in my purse. My intent in....

08/14/2019

Sending a child off to college soon? Download my FREE College Prep and Dorm Checklist - a resource guide to help you plan, pack and move your student into college!

Kids & School Home > Resources > Kids & School Corralling Kids’ Work and Play Content Upgrade College prep and dorm checklist Student Resource Guide for School

08/14/2019

Not sure which products are best for your student? Check out my favorite organizing resources for school with this pdf!

*Can't access it? Just visit my website and click on the Resource tab on the main menu and then click on Kids & School :)

08/13/2019

School supplies ✅
Backpack/lunchbox ✅
Clothes/shoes ✅
Extra curricular needs ✅

You’ve thought of everything, right? Maybe not!

The 2 essential back-to-school organizing tips you may not have thought of by bygeorge | Aug 20, 2016 | Organizing for school | 12 comments It’s that time of year again…..time for lunch boxes, backpacks filled with papers, and school buses! Before the first bell rings you’ll want to do a littl...

08/08/2019

Can you hear it? It's the sound of school bells calling students back to the classrooms! Are you ready for it? Here are 9 things you can be doing to prepare you and your student!

9 Things You Can Be Doing Now to Get Ready for School by bygeorge | Jul 25, 2014 | Organizing for school | 0 comments Believe it or not, it’s time to start thinking about the upcoming school year! Yes, in just a few short weeks the sounds of school bells will be ringing in your ears and you’ll b...

07/24/2019

Proof that professional organizers aren’t perfectly organized! All of these receipts were thrown into my purse over the last few days 😮

06/17/2019

Kids bored already?? Here are a few organizing projects that might help all of you steer away the boredom!

Soak Up the Fun: 7 Summer Organizing Projects by bygeorge | Jul 7, 2014 | Organizing projects | 5 comments When you think of summer you probably think of lazy days by the pool, vacation getaways, and fun-in-the-sun activities, right? But did you know that summer is a great time to organize your home...