Welcome professional organizer Marilyn Bohn:

Last week I received a phone call from a local producer of an early afternoon “lifestyle” show. They asked if I would be on the show to talk about getting organized for the New Year. I did appear on the show and I had a lot of fun. The host talked about the 3 most popular goals people set for the New Year. He said they are: 1. Financial, 2. Health, and 3. Organizing. As an organizing expert I am always interested in organizing no matter what time of the year it is.

We showed up at the studio at the assigned time and as we sat observing the behind the scenes goings on before it was time for me to go on the show I couldn’t help but notice how focused everyone was on their various tasks. I thought I could learn a lot about goals from the people in this studio.

Decide what it is you want to improve or change
First, the studio people knew exactly what needed to be done and to be moved and changed to film the episode.

As we were sitting at a desk behind us a large, I should say huge teleprompter glided across the floor without anyone guiding it. We were hoping someone was behind the controls somewhere so we didn’t get hit by this machine. Soon another teleprompter came gliding across the floor to rest near the first one. Someone in the studio clearly knew what it was they wanted to change and move for the show to go on.

Be clear about the space or room you want to declutter. Just as in the studio they were very clear on what needed to be done.

Set Your Goal (s)
Second, the cameraman and sound people know that to have a successful show they must set goals. Another way of saying this is chart your course. Set a goal; break down your goal into daily, weekly and long-term steps. Write it down in a notebook where you can refer back to it every day and make notations and chart your progress. It is fun to see what you have accomplished.

I recommend setting a timer as you declutter so you don’t get overwhelmed. With well defined goals that aren’t vague success is yours! For example, “I want to do something about my closet”. (Definition of “something”: search for an outfit to wear to work that doesn’t have a stain, and it fits.) Instead, set a clearly defined goal: “arrange my clothes by category, everything in my closet will fit and will be in good repair.”

Action
Three,everyone has done their part on the set. They decided where each segment would be filmed in the building, who would be the guests, who would secure the mikes, who would do the introductions etc. I am sure there were a zillion more things they did that we didn’t see.

Next it was time for camera, lights, action. It was a lot of fun for me talking with the hosts and giving ideas for organizing for the New Year.

Knowing what area you need to declutter, setting measurable goals, and writing them down–now you are ready to move forward to success. If you have a family it isn’t only you who is responsible to organize your home. Talk to your family about your goals and tell them what you expect from them. Teach your children how to pick up their clothes, put dirty ones in a hamper, pick up their toys when they are finished playing for the day or where to put craft supplies when they aren’t being used.

Enlist your husband’s help in getting rid of clutter. Help him learn how to de-clutter so he will be excited to do his part. All of the shows we watch on TV have hundreds of goals set and lots of action behind the scenes we finally see. This same idea works to de-clutter your home. Before you know it you will be the star in your very own home.

Marilyn Bohn is the owner of Get it Together Organizing, a business dedicated to developing practical organizing solutions that help individuals and business professionals live clutter-free and productive lives. She is the author of “Go Organize! Conquer Clutter in Three Simple Steps” and is an experienced, enthusiastic public speaker, a member of NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers) and the author of hundreds of articles covering various organizing topics.

Marilyn takes the often stressful subject of organizing and breaks it down into a simple, easy to understand system. Her methods are both eye-opening and encouraging! She has a passion for helping others reach their personal goals and living a better, clutter-free life!

Marilyn also offers personal, private consulting to assist in organizing. She invites you to sign up for free organizing tips at her website http://www.marilynbohn.com for easy organizing.

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marilyn_Bohn

One of the New Year’s biggest problems is storage. What to do with all the gifts just added to the house? Not to mention all those Christmas decorations? No one wants to start the year with a house that feels cluttered and disorganized.

There are literally tons of solutions to this dilemma, but today I want to look at one unique idea: the coffee table ottoman. This is little piece of furniture is gaining popularity due to its range of functions. It can serve as a regular coffee table, an extra food-serving surface, a foot rest, a storage container, extra seating, and in some cases it can fold up and slide under the couch or bed when not needed. Who could ask any more of one little piece of furniture?

One of my favorites is found at Macy’s, with multiple pieces that form a circle; and a table in the center—a fabulous piece for entertaining.

Another beautiful option is the Richmond Espresso Bonded Leather Storage Ottoman, which offers a huge surface and large storage area.

Of course one of the most economical and versatile options is the HandStands Bench Storage Ottoman, which is durable yet folds down to just a few inches when not in use. They’re cheap enough that you can get two and put them side by side. Or get the matching cubes to use as end tables.

If you’d like more info, Overstock has an entire guide on coffee table ottomans.

Meantime, I’m off to figure out what to do with my new ottoman! Blankets? Books? Christmas decorations? Maybe the remote and game controllers? Hmmm. I might have to buy two.

There’s nothing like an advent calendar—joyfully updated by young children—to add stress to the parents of those little tots. The calendar at my house has the number 3 on it. Yikes. As in just 3 days to Christmas! And there are sooo many things that haven’t been done: card in the mail? Nope. Gifts for the neighbors? Uh uh. Gift for the boss? Nada.

So what’s a person to do when the holiday is almost here and you’re not prepared?
First and very foremost—relax. Christmas will come whether you have every bit of mistletoe in its place or not, and the only thing that will truly ruin it is if the Grinch moves into your house.

I know this because he was there this morning. In the form of me. And it was not pretty. I was making that list, checking it twice, and it was much too long. There was just too much to do in three days time and I was not going to make it. So when my little one approached me with two cheap snow globes in his hand and a broad grin on his face, I told him to throw them away. “I’m done decorating and those are just cheap and ugly.”

Ho, Ho, Ho.

Yep, that little smile disappeared in an instant. “My teacher gave me this one,” he said, deflated. And that’s when it hit me. I am not Santa. Or even Santa’s helper. I am Grinch, green and true. And that’s also when I started to put together this list.

Which leads to tip number two: Prioritize. There are some things that just have to get done, but lots of it will pass without the world collapsing. Figure out which is which. The boss probably should get a gift if you want a job next year, but it can be as simple as a note of gratitude. If cards haven’t been mailed, send an email with a promise to do better next year; or make it a New Year’s greeting. Send out a text to the neighbors and tell them much you appreciate them. They’ll remember that even more than a plate of cookies. It’s amazing how many things can get crossed off your list, or at least made simpler, when you prioritize and use a little creativity.

Tip number three: Take a look at the budget. It probably won’t be pretty, and that ‘ol Grinch may flare up for a minute or two, but the last few days before Christmas are when budgets are truly blown. If you’ve been good with your credit cards, don’t mess up now. If you have dug into your credit, keep the hole as shallow as possible. It may be hard to pass up those big last-minute deals, but your bank account will thank you next month.
Tip number four: Do some service. Whether it’s making a donation, visiting someone lonely, or even spending an extra few minutes with your children; doing something good for someone else is the best way to remember the purpose of the season and bring a smile to your face.

Tip number five is akin to tip number one, but it can’t be said enough: RELAX! Follow these directions carefully: Build a fire (or flip on the gas switch next to the fireplace); light a scented candle or put some mulling spices into a pot of apple cider; make yourself a warm drink; sit down; put your feet up; inhale as deeply as you can; and then exhale, long and slow, and send any Grinch thoughts away with that breath.

I’ve had photos on my mind lately. Partly because of the holidays and all the great memories I’ve been making. Partly because my computer crashed. Again. And just like last time, I had only thought about getting everything backed up, but hadn’t quite gotten around to it. So now I’m desperately shopping for some tech-savvy person who can help restore all that was lost. But it’s really just the pictures I care about. I can’t even think about the possibility of not being able to get them back.

So why didn’t I get them printed and put into books? I have no idea. It’s so simple and so inexpensive. Besides, I remember as a girl lying on the living room floor and going through the family photo albums–laughing at my parent’s 50′s hairstyles, cringing at my kindergarten picture with the pigtails my big sister made me wear.

But these days we store our pictures by the hundreds, even thousands, on our computers and phones. Technology that we know is going to blow up or become outdated someday. And technology that–just face it–is no fun to curl up and enjoy.

Patrick Garry said, “A person is neither whole nor healthy without the memories of photo albums. They are the storybook of our lives. They provide a nostalgic escape from the tormented days of the present.”

Stories. That’s what it’s about isn’t it? When all is said and done, our stories are all we’re left with.

So this year for Christmas I’m buying myself a bunch of photo albums, and printing out the pictures I didn’t lose in my big computer crash of 2010. I look forward to watching my little guy curl up on the floor with those books to enjoy the moments of his life. In fact, I think I’ll grab a cup of cocoa and join him.

So here’s wishing you happy holidays and happy memories from Hannah Handstand!

HandStands has teamed with BassGiraffe for a DVD Storage Binder Giveaway. If you’re not familiar with BassGiraffe, you’ve just got to head on over. She has great deals going on daily!

Now that Thanksgiving is over, are your halls all decked with boughs of holly? The stockings hung with care? It’s a beautiful feeling isn’t, but a lot of work to get there.

Charlotte Steill, Simply Put Organizing offers this idea to make next year’s decorating a little easier: Use your camera to document your decorated home. Next year you will remember what goes with what. Photos can also be used to label bins. Use masking tape and a marker to tag garland and light strings, so you’ll remember where to place them next year.

Here’s another great idea. Take a look at HandStand’s new Bellagio-Italia ottomans. You can use them as a coffee table or foot rest in each room of the house, AND put that room’s decorations inside. Swap those out in December for the non-Christmas decor that just needs a home for the month. No more hauling boxes out of the basement or attic! Each room’s decor is hidden away in the room where it belongs! I’m feeling more relaxed just thinking about it. And I totally know what I’m asking for this year!

Happy decorating to you all!

P.S. Don’t forget to go to HandStand’s Facebook Fan Page and find the coupon tab for a 25% off coupon!