WELCOME
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Each month in this newsletter
I share organizing tips to use in your home and office. Try some
projects by yourself or ask for help from my friendly professional team.
We have great ideas for improving the use of all sizes of spaces and helping you become more productive.
Happy Organizing,
Pierrette Ashcroft
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Pierrette Ashcroft,
founder of getOrganizedDC, has more than 20 years of business experience
organizing events and providing innovative solutions in homes and
offices. She is committed to continuing her education and training to
best serve her client's organizing and productivity needs.
As
part of the inaugural class to receive credentials as a Certified
Professional Organizer, CPOÆ, Pierrette earned a top distinction in the
organizing industry.
In 2010 she completed her training to
become a Certified Productivity Coach. Through her Productivity Boot
Camp she is able to increase the productivity of busy professionals. Pierrette will clear your piles of paper, overloaded inbox and cluttered life so you can be more effective in your business and career.
To learn more, call or write for a free telephone consultation at: 202.537.9705 or Pierrette@getOrganizedDC.com. Or visit our Web site.
The
hardest part of organizing is developing an attractive plan. We are
happy to help you with any challenges, large or small. Expect efficient
and reliable service from our team, who promise to keep your personal
information confidential. Read what our clients are saying about us.
I
love what I do and my business thrives on referrals. Please keep me in
mind if you should hear of friends, family or colleagues who could
benefit from my organizational expertise or who would like to take their
productivity to a whole new level. I'm never too busy to help them get
organized. Thanks!
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STARTING ANEW
| | Keep Your New Year's Resolution to Get Organized
Organizing is the number two New Year's resolution after loosing weight. Both goals are a downsizing of sorts.
That is probably why the National Association of Professional Organizers designated January as Get Organized Month.
Organized does not mean 'perfect' but it will help to lower your stress and make it easier to find what you are looking for.
This is a great time to select an area in your home to get more organized.
Be realistic
- and cautious - in planning your goals. You are more likely to succeed
if you start out trying to organize one room, one closet or even one
drawer.
Create a plan in writing,
describing each goal and your steps to get there. Choose a certain
day/time per week to work on your steps and write it on your calendar.
For big projects, get help
from a friend or professional organizer. Trained organizers save you
lots of time and recommend improvements you may not have considered.
Make yourself accountable.
Tell others your home-revision goals. Then, when someone asks: "How's
your home organizing going?" you can smile and tell your success story.
Tracking progress is easier when keeping a detailed journal and/or taking periodic photos.
Keep working
on new ways of organizing for at least 3 to 4 weeks, which is how long
behavior experts say it takes to change old ways. Set a reward for
yourself to spur you toward completion. |
Share this newsletter with friends and family who will find it useful.
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LESSONS LEARNED
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| Practice What I Preach
 Sometimes I come home from work and realize I could use the same solutions I offered to a client.
That happened the first time I recommended the Elfa free standing closet.
I'm not a clothes horse but my tiny closets don't hold much. So, I
decided to turn a very small 'bedroom' that wasn't really being utilized
into a dressing room.
A free standing closet that was not attached to the wall was a great solution.
In the future if I want to change the purpose of the room it will be a
quick and easy fix. Plus, if I ever sell my house I could easily remove
the closet and 'stage' the room as an office, bedroom or what-ever room.
Free standing closets can be the answer for renters or anyone who wants to be able to take their investment with them.
Coincidentally, during the month of January The Container Store holds their annual 30% off Elfa sale. Take advantage of it!
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COMMUNICATION TOOL
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| Tips to Make Your Calls Efficient and Effective
 The telephone can be a convenient tool;
it can also be a great time waster if you aren't paying attention to
how and when you use it. Learn to take control of your calls with a few
behavior modifications.
Establish when you will take calls and check your messages.
Update your phone message
to set the caller's expectations. You can say "This is Jane. I check my
messages at 10am and 2pm. If you call after 5:30pm I will return your
call the next business day." Or you can say "My open call-in hours are
between 1-3pm." Whatever rules you set be sure to follow them or they
will not be effective.
Let the phone go to voice mail when you are in the middle of a project. Return the call during your defined telephone time.
Use you Caller ID to screen calls.
Keep a pen and paper by the phone - don't waste time looking for a pen to take notes.
When you make calls have all the supporting materials
that you may need to refer to on hand, plan what you're going to say
and know what information you need to get from the other person.
At the start of the call let the other person know how much time you have to talk. Use a timer to keep track and stick with your schedule.
When the call is finished transfer any appointments that you made to your calendar.
Recognize when you are avoiding other tasks by talking on the phone and when other forms of communication such as email would be as effective but more efficient.
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ORGANIZING SOLUTION
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| Getting Human Help
Challenge:
Unfortunately, we have all been there. You need to call customer service but end up in the option menu maze. You just want to talk to a real person who can solve your problem.
Solution:GetHuman is the ultimate consumer tool with phone numbers, shortcuts, reviews, tips, and more for companies worldwide. They not only give you the telephone number but also the steps needed to reach a real person on the phone. You can see the average wait time to talk to someone and read the experience others have had with the company both good and bad.
Result: You will save time and frustration
when calling customer service. It may not improve the service offered
by companies but at least you will know what to expect before you call.
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