Best Life NOW! Blog

So - are you?  In control?  I know I don't feel like I am always in control - all the time.  Sure I plan and I prepare but life is unpredictable.  That's what makes it interesting.  Some days are more interesting than others of course. The question is - do you feel like your life is more  out of control than   in control?  As a coach this would be a topic I would LOVE to coach around.   She looks like she's in control......of her collection of hats? Let's start with another question.  Where do you feel in control?  You want to go with your strengths and, as the old saying goes, "it ain't broke don't fix it."   You want to go with what works.  For example, do you have a system in place that works for you?  That system could be as simple as having a hamper in the exact spot that your laundry tends to land.   Next question.  Where or when do you feel out of control?  Make a list.  Is i...

I have a new system for my portfolio that I carry to client assessments and to meetings.  The old system worked fine - except that I sometimes had several different papers in the folio and it got a little disorganized.  (I really hate that).   I was searching Amazon and found the I-Organize system from Pendaflex .  I'm very excited about it! The I-Organize system from Pendaflex. My old portfolio.  In the left pocket were various papers and my business cards.  The right side held my notepad. A look at all of the various papers stored in the left pocket of my portfolio. This is what comes with the I-Organize starter kit.  1 media file,  1 envelope. 2 secure file folders and 1 clipboard. All assembled.  So far I am loving this system.  It took me maybe 10 minutes to set it up and transfer my papers into it. I will be ordering at least two more secure file folders.  I'm going to use those the ...

February 7th is Send a Card to a Friend Day.  A real card.  In the mail.  Imagine that!  What a wonderful way to keep in touch. To make it really easy and fun for you to send those cards to your friends I would like to show you how I have organized my greeting cards. The box that you see below is my greeting card box.  I purchased this from Current many years ago and it has served me well.  I think I paid around $12.00 for it.  They provide you with labels and dividers which work great.  I did add one category to the very back of the box marked Assorted.  In that category I have some extra envelopes and some oddball cards.  For example - an Easter, Halloween and a St. Patrick's Day card.  Now I've never known anyone to send out St. Patrick's Day cards but you never know when I might have the need for one.  I also have a Valentine's Day Card for my husband that I forgot to give him a few years ago - so I'm all set for t...

A dream is a wish your heart makes.   Walt Disney January 13th is Make Your Dreams Come True Day.  What dream do you want to come true today....this month....this year? More time, a less cluttered environment, a dream vacation? Have you considered creating a vision board?  I have had a vision board now for 6 years.  I read about vision boards in J ack Canfield's book The Success Principles .  I heard Jack Canfield speak at my first NAPO conference back in 2007 in Minneapolis, MN.  To say he was compelling is to put it mildly. During that conference I also got to see Sarah Jessica Parker who happened to be promoting her new perfume line just down the street.  So just for the record - professional organizers are not just all work and no fun~! Anyway, back to the vision board idea.  If the mind visualizes something enough it will eventually come to fruition.......or something along those lines was the jist of the vision board ide...

I've recently been through a crash course on emergency planning - as it relates to my mother.  On September 10th (I remember the exact date - it changed my life) my mother fell for the second time in a year.  Same scenario as last time - a trip to the hospital and stitches.  Prior to this I had been noticing that she was having difficulty with things that used to be easy for her such as doing the dishes or preparing meals.  This was a wake up call.  The day after her fall, we had a conversation about living in an independent living facility.  Surprisingly my mother wanted to look into it.  Fearing another fall, or something much worse I wasted no time in operation keep mom safe. We were lucky because the facility mom wanted was available and was offering a move in discount.  It has many activities and outings for residents.  Meals are provided as well as laundry service and a cleaning service.   Mom no longer has to shop for meals or ...

Saving money is a priority. An easy way to cut cost is by planning your meals around weeklycircular ads.  Creating a list and planning meals also has an additional benefit.  Less trips to the store equals more gas in your tank. Just remember: it's not a bargain if you buy something you'll never use. Here are the five easy steps in preparing a menu without emptying your bank account. 1. Draw four columns on a piece of paper. Label the columns; meals, produce, dairy, canned goods, bakery. 2. Look at your calendar for the upcoming week. This dinner will need to be quick and easy. If you have a late night at the office or a sports event to attend designate that on your paper.  (You can circle, highlight or draw a star next to the day.) 3. Gather your circulars and search for items and brands that you usually purchase. 4. Sale items are then written in the appropriate category and placed in the meal column  as well. 5. Fill in the blanks fo...

One thing that irritates me is not being able to find something I need.  While digging for my favorite rubber scraper I noticed most of the tools I have are not being used.  The garlic press, zester, cheese grater and dull pizza cutter are just taking up space.  I have acquired too many tools and gadgets that just add clutter, not efficiency. Re purpose and assign double duty to household items.  Simplifying the amount of gadgets you own gives you more time to enjoy the things you love. Here’s a list of multipurpose items that will help reduce clutter. I already own attachments to my Kitchen Aid that slice and shred.  So multiples of these items can go. Inexpensive dish pans replace: Toy bins Ice and beverage holders for a gathering Easy to carry snack and juice boxes for the team CD storage Kitchen Knives replace: A garlic press Citrus peeler Apple slicer/corer Clothespins-­‐ Keep bags closed (Ditch the chip clip.) Display cards,...