The sounds of happy celebrations and relatives reuniting are starting to fade, as have the leftovers from your holiday feast. After all of the joy and fun you experienced during the holidays, it’s about time for you to go back to work. 

It seems like you just started your holiday, but now you have to say goodbye to relaxing with family and friends. Soon you will be putting your nose to the grindstone again. 

Here are ways you can cope with returning to your job following the holiday season.

1. Declutter Your Space

When you get back to your job, you might feel a bit nervous because of so much clutter in your space. Get rid of all unnecessary items, including old paperwork. Any hard copy documents you have should go into folders that you keep organized in a cabinet. Sort through your inbox to remove junk. When your desk is clear of debris, you’ll feel better about being back at work.

2. Make New Goals and Set Your Most Urgent Priorities

This year can mark a progression in your career if all goes well. To get started, set some new goals to help you envision what success will look like at your job. You might aim for a promotion or ask to be cross-trained so you can work with people in different departments. It’s also a good idea to make a list of the most urgent priorities, so you can view them clearly and figure out a plan to attack each one.

3. Remember to Take Care of Yourself

Rather than becoming overwhelmed with a huge crush of new tasks when you get back to work, it’s a good idea to take things slowly at first. If you don’t take care of yourself, who will? A burnt-out employee is no good to anyone, after all. So remember to take breaks on a regular basis, especially the first week back.

4. Catch up With Colleagues

One great thing about coming back to work after a break for the holidays is that you have an opportunity to catch up with your work friends and share how your holidays have been. Catching up with colleagues is an excellent way to smooth out the process of getting back into your work routine after the relaxation of the holidays has ended.

5. Enjoy Your Work But Leave it Behind When it’s Time to Go Home

Employees will be happier when they are able to focus on work while they’re in the office, but then let it all go when it’s time to finish at the end of the day. Strive to leave your work baggage in the office, so you can relax and enjoy time with your family in the comforts of your home.

6. A Smooth Transition Back to Work, Post-Holidays

The transition back to work after some much-needed time off for the holidays can be a bit jarring for some. But if you take a moment to gather your thoughts and then try using these various ways to cope, chances are very good you will have a better time, coping with being back on the job after the holiday season.
 

New Year’s resolutions are a really common way to set goals. The beginning of another year seems like a great time to make a change, but the reality is that a lot of those resolutions don’t make it longer than a few weeks into the new year. Here are a few of the most important things you can do, to have the best chance of sticking to your resolutions, in January and beyond.

1. Choose a SMART Goal

Just wanting to be healthier, for example, isn’t really a goal. It’s more of a wish. Instead, choose something that’s specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound. In other words, a SMART goal. With a goal that fits these criteria, you have something more defined that you can work for and it’s easier to see whether you’re meeting goals or not.

2. Start With Small Steps

Trying to get up January 1st and be someone different isn’t realistic for most people. Instead of trying to make a huge transformation right away, choose some small things you can begin to do, that will move you toward your goal. Starting smaller also helps you reduce the risk of burnout, which could cause your resolutions to falter.

3. Learn From Past Mistakes

If you’ve made New Year’s resolutions before, but they haven’t been successful, it’s time to explore what’s causing them to fail. There may be some important changes you’ll need to make for this resolution, so it has a better chance of working for you. Learning from any mistakes in the past is one of the best ways to give yourself a brighter future.

4. Motivate Yourself

Willpower and discipline are both important when it comes to New Year’s resolutions, but so is motivation. If you can motivate yourself to stick to your resolutions and keep moving forward, you’ll be more likely to see your dreams come true, and your goals met faster. It’s not always easy to give yourself a pep talk, but it’s an important way to keep your focus on what matters.

5. Get Support From Family and Friends

Your family and friends can be a great support system when you have a New Year’s resolution that’s important to you. They can encourage you, give you tips, and help you feel loved, just the way you are. It also gives you someone to share your accomplishments and struggles with, both of which can help you stay on track and focused as you work toward your goals.

6. Keep in Mind That Change is a Process

Changing how you do things, whether for a New Year’s resolution or some other reason, takes time and effort. Some days will be easier than others, as well as some parts of the change you want to make. Understanding that it’s a process can keep you from getting frustrated, so you can continue to work toward your goals, even if some setbacks occur.

Don’t give up on New Year’s resolutions, even if they aren’t easy, or they take time. Permanent change can be difficult, but it’s generally always worth it.

The beginning of a new year offers a great opportunity to try new things and change for the better. Perhaps you’d like to become more organized, improve your health or have a beneficial impact on the world. This advice can help you make the most of these positive intentions:

1. Goals

Take the time to develop specific goals. Set a realistic deadline, find ways to measure your progress and write everything down. Choose something that really matters to you and would enhance your life. One person might benefit from losing weight while another individual achieves greater happiness by meeting new friends.

2. Variety

Every three or four weeks, try something genuinely new. You could play tennis, travel by train or eat at a Japanese restaurant. Maybe there’s a park you’ve never visited. Write down a list of ideas. These experiences will help you enjoy life and make a fresh new start.

3. Generosity

Find ways to help other people. You don’t need a lot of time or money to accomplish this. Donate useful things, offer to assist strangers and give compliments. You could clear the snow from a neighbor’s driveway or steps.

4. Exercise

Good health can help you feel better about life and achieve other goals as well. Consider jogging, visiting a local fitness center or riding an exercise bike at home. If you write your time and distance in a calendar or journal, it might motivate you and make it easier to track your progress.

5. Gratitude

As you strive to accomplish new things and better yourself in the new year, don’t forget to be grateful for what you already have. Think about your gratitude daily and remember to speak appreciative words. Don’t make the mistake of improving your life only to take it for granted.

6. Organization

Schedules and calendars play a crucial role in bringing goals to fruition. They can help you budget your time equitably rather than spending too many hours on one or two tasks. Try to select a planner that’s portable, provides ample writing space and stays open when you put it down.

Make an effort to banish unnecessary items from your desk surface. Shred or file papers, get rid of expired coupons and throw out pens that don’t work. You’ll appreciate having some open workspace, and the burden of clutter will be lifted from your shoulders.

7. Missions

Our “52 Organizing Missions” program could help motivate you to simplify and declutter in the new year. This affordable internet course consists of practical tasks that you can complete in 30 minutes. You may chat with fellow learners and track your progress online. Among other things, the course tells you how to streamline:

• A house or apartment
• Time, household chores
• Desk and office space
• Briefcase or purse
• Garage and vehicle
• Your to-do lists

“52 Organizing Missions” doesn’t just teach people to declutter places. It helps you develop the habits and mindset needed to organize your life in the long run. You can begin and complete the missions at any time of your choosing. Please visit the course page to get started.

As the new year approaches, it’s a great time to think about setting positive personal goals. Many people have recently shifted toward goals involving new skills, travel, family life, or paying off debt, according to People magazine. These tips can help you choose and achieve your intentions.

1. Affirmations

If you begin each day by saying or thinking positive affirmations, you may find it easier to stay enthusiastic and reach your goals. An affirmation is basically a positive statement about yourself or your life. Here are a few simple examples:

• “This is going to be an excellent day.”
• “I have the ability to overcome any challenge.”
• “There are many opportunities to succeed.”

2. Journal Writing

Write about your experiences in a journal at least once every week. Make a note of enjoyable moments, progress toward goals and interesting things that happened. As time passes, you’ll appreciate being able to read about past experiences in far more detail than you’d otherwise remember.

3. Avoid Complaining

Try not to complain for the next three weeks. Complaining causes you and others to feel negative. That negativity may gradually spread to every part of your life, making it harder to achieve goals or enjoy anything. If something really bothers you, try to change it instead of complaining.

4. Think Gratefully

You’ll feel better when you think about what you have rather than focusing on what you lack. Personal goals might not seem so far out-of-reach when you consider the amazing things you already benefit from. Remember the good people in your life rather than those who bother you.

Likewise, it’s important not to take things for granted. Nothing is truly guaranteed, including life itself. If you have caring friends, good health or a safe, comfortable home, don’t wait until they’re gone to appreciate them.

5. Enjoy Nature

Consider adding the enjoyment of nature to your list of goals. Even if you live in an urban area, there are probably birds, trees and perhaps a river or bay nearby. See the sunset or watch clouds pass the moon on a windy night. You may find it surprisingly uplifting after days of chaotic schedules.

6. Offer Praise

Like nature, a compliment doesn’t cost anything. Try setting a goal to give other people genuine compliments every day. You could praise how someone performed a task or comment on a positive trait, such as kindness, generosity or fairness. The person will feel better and be encouraged to continue behaving the same way.

As you work toward your personal goals, you don’t necessarily need to set a specific deadline to accomplish them. Just remember to think about your progress at least once every week in the year to come. This will help you make any adjustments needed to stay on course.

With the new year coming quickly, you may want to move into 2022 with a more organized home. Fortunately, there are some great ways you can do that. Here are a few ways to get organized and prepared for the upcoming new year.

1. Make Decisions About Holiday Cards

Those holiday cards can be heartfelt and touching, or generic and simple. Go through the ones you’ve received, and keep only the ones that really mean something to you.

2. Declutter Your Wrapping Paper and Gift Bags

It’s easy to want to keep all the gift bags and left-over wrapping paper, but you probably don’t need it. Save the best, reusable options, and recycle or toss the rest.

3. Give Your Mudroom a Makeover

Mudrooms can get messy really fast, especially when everyone puts their things down there but doesn’t always put things away. Clearing out the clutter and creating better storage options in that location can be very helpful.

4. Simplify Your Bedroom

Your bedroom should be your sanctuary, and you want to make sure you’re cozy and comfortable there. By going through the knickknacks and other clutter in your bedroom, you can remove and rearrange in ways that give you back the feeling of peace you’re looking for.

5. Rearrange Your Kitchen Pantry

Your kitchen should be one of the best places in your house. It’s often considered the heart of the home, but it doesn’t feel like that when you have to dig through a crowded, cluttered pantry. Organizing that space, and throwing away expired food, can help encourage you to make more meals at home.

6. Declutter and Organize Your Shed

A shed or other storage space is great for garden tools and similar items. But it’s also a place where a lot of things just get stuck when they don’t have another home. Decluttering and organizing your shed can help you get ready for gardening in the springtime.

7. Establish a Recycling System

Whether you put things into a can, have a reusable bag you fill up, or otherwise make a space for recyclables, the key is to have a specific space for them. That gives you the opportunity to keep them separate from the trash, and also encourages you to recycle because it’s quick, easy, and convenient to do.

8. Declutter and Organize Your Home Office

A home office needs to be free of clutter, so you can work in a space you feel good about. You’ll get more done that way, and feel confident about your ability to do your job. Some file folders, sorting, digitizing, and recycling can get your home office ready for anything.

9. Establish Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Routines

What you do every day, week, and month sets the tone for where you’ll be in the future. When you have routines you follow, you can see more success in working toward all the goals that matter most to you.

10. Set Manageable Goals

Goals should challenge you. But they shouldn’t be so difficult that you can’t accomplish them at all. That’s too discouraging. Set goals that are worth working for, and that you can accomplish, so you can keep meeting them.

With a little time and effort, your home will be 2022-ready in no time at all!

Keeping a journal or diary is one of the best ways to get your feelings and thoughts down on paper, or onto the computer screen, where you can evaluate and consider them more carefully. It’s also an excellent way to get organized, so you can get more done.

The Goals & Priorities Diary helps you do all of that, and also help you focus on what’s most important every day, which means it’s easier to advance your goals and accomplish your tasks.

1. This Diary Is for You

The Goals & Priorities Diary is for anyone who:

• Finds themselves overwhelmed with a daily to-do list.
• Is concerned about neglecting their true priorities.
• Wants a system to start moving forward on their goals.

2. How to Use the Diary

The Goals & Priorities Diary is 388 pages in a downloadable PDF. With its fully interactive capabilities, you can save, edit, search, type, and print. But that’s not all you can do with a diary where you’re able to journal your thoughts and track your progress. There are a lot of benefits to keeping a journal, including:

• Keeping your thoughts better organized.
• Tracking your progress toward your goals.
• Lowering your stress and anxiety levels.
• Creating a space for self-reflection.

3. What’s In the Diary?

There’s a lot you can do when you keep a diary for goal planning. With the Goals & Priorities Diary, you can get the benefits of tracking your goals for the current year on a yearly and monthly basis, along with looking at your daily priorities. You’ll also be able to see your achieved goals and find ways to reward yourself, as well as setting up your goals for next year, so you don’t lose momentum.

It’s an excellent way to keep your plans at the forefront of your mind, and see how your priorities are being handled every day, every month, and throughout the year. Here are some of the highlights to consider, for each section of the diary:

• Current Year Goals Planner — What you want to achieve over the next year, in all areas of your life.
• Monthly Goals Planner — Helps you to be more focused on the top goals on your list.
• Daily Priorities Planner — Focusing on three main tasks every day is the way to keep yourself moving.
• Goals Achieved & Rewards — It’s important to have a record of your achievements, and reward yourself for them.
• Next Year Goals Planner — Making this a lifelong habit can help you accomplish your goals well into the future.

Using the Goals & Priorities Diary can help you stay ahead of the things you want to do in life, and remain focused on what’s really important to you. Then, you can see yourself getting closer to your goals, by prioritizing smaller steps you can do every day.

It’s a great way to foster a valuable sense of accomplishment, and be sure that you’re spending your time in ways that are the most valuable to you and your future, as well.

Setting goal resolutions can be a very important way to get more done. It can also help you develop a sense of accomplishment, that you can really be proud of. But what are the best ways to set these kinds of resolutions, and how can you make it more likely to reach your goals? Here’s what to consider, so you can start moving forward today.

1. Write Goals Down, and Review Them Periodically

If you don’t have your goals in writing, it’s harder to keep up with them. Fortunately, writing them down isn’t difficult, and doesn’t take that long. Then just remember to review them on a periodic basis, in order to make sure you’re staying on track when it comes to achieving them. Writing them down and reviewing them can also reinforce their importance in your life, to help you stay focused.

2. Create Goals for Different Areas of Your Life

Setting goals for your professional life matters, but you also want to set some personal goals, too. It can be hard to work toward a goal in one area, if you feel like you’re neglecting all the other areas of your life. When you set several goals, and they’re all in different life areas, you’ll have the feeling that you’re working toward overall self-improvement, without neglecting anything.

3. Set Goals That are Realistic and Attainable

Some goals are very lofty, and would be great to achieve. But if they aren’t realistic for you, or you can’t actually attain them, they can end up making you feel depressed, and bad about yourself. It’s fine to set significant goals, as long as they’re truly possible for you to reach. They need to be important to you, and achievable in a reasonable time frame, so you can see progress.

4. Make Goals That are Measurable

Not being able to measure your goals means it’s very hard to see if you’re moving toward them. Those types of goals can be very vague, and might never be reached. Instead of taking that risk, choose measurable goals you have a good way of tracking. Then you can see if you’re on track to meet your goals, or if you need to make adjustments, so you can be more successful.

5. Design Goals That Can be Accomplished With a Partner

Having some accountability for your goals is one of the best ways to stay on track. Whether you want to work on these goals with a romantic partner, a good friend or family member, or an accountability buddy who’s working toward the same things, goals that you can accomplish together are goals you’ll be more likely to stick to. Giving and receiving encouragement goes a long way.

6. Reward Yourself for Achieving Your Goals

Rewards are very important throughout the process of achieving your goals. Make sure the reward is reasonable, and relates to your goal in some way. That will help it stick in your mind, that reaching goals means getting things you want and need. You’ll be more likely to continue to work toward the rewards, which means continuing to meet your goals.

Setting goal resolutions can be highly valuable, when it’s done the right way. With some effort and time, you can reach your goals and enjoy the improvement that brings to your life.

The holidays are a fun time of year, but they can also create stress if you allow them to clutter your home and schedule. You may be overwhelmed by the combined demands of things like cards, shopping, gift-wrapping, decorating, cooking and travel. Fortunately, these tips can help you get organized and enjoy the season:

1. Set Priorities

Don’t try to do everything; decide what really matters and focus on it. Is it really important to decorate the outside of your house or travel long distances for a party? The answers are different for each person. Some priorities to consider:

• Mailing paper cards
• Giving thoughtful gifts
• Preparing a holiday feast
• Donating to charity

2. Send Cards Soon

If you choose to mail paper holiday cards, be sure to buy, write, address and send them early. Otherwise, they might arrive late or create stress as you hurry at the last minute. It’s wise to mail them by December 17 (earlier if you send any overseas).

3. Be Flexible

Don’t be afraid to make adjustments to your traditions. Maybe it’s time for some new music, movies or decor. Around one out of four people decorate for the holidays before late November, according to Martha Stewart’s website. Do what works for you and your family, not what your grandparents or “most people” do.

4. Simplify Gifting

Take the time to plan ahead before you shop. Write lists, set a budget and resist temptations to overspend. It can be stressful to find one ideal gift for each person. Consider giving a few small presents instead. This way, it isn’t a huge problem if the recipient doesn’t like one item.

5. Wrap Efficiently

After buying gifts, wrapping paper and clear tape, set aside a special wrapping area in your home. It should provide plenty of space and be free of unrelated clutter. You’ll need scissors, labels and a pen or marker. Some pleasant holiday music might make the task more enjoyable.

6. Remember to Relax

Don’t let this time of year become too hectic. Regardless of how many things you still need to do, always devote some time to relaxation each day. You could watch an old film, read a novel, do yoga or draw with colored pencils.

7. Stay Healthy

It’s easy to forget normal healthy habits during the holiday season. Many people also eat and drink more than usual. You’ll feel better if you remember to exercise, prepare nutritious meals and sleep at least seven hours. Drinking enough water can also make a big difference.

8. Forgo Perfection

While perfection may seem common in magazines and TV shows, few people really have the time and money needed to achieve it. No reasonable person truly cares if your cards, gift-wrapping or decorations are flawless. A decent effort to make things presentable is quite sufficient.

Finally, remember to concentrate on the true meaning of this special time of year. The holidays weren’t created with retail “doorbusters” in mind. Reflect on what really matters in life, and take some time to brighten the lives of people around you.

Christmas is fast approaching and will be here before many people are truly ready for all holiday celebrations/activities. As a busy mom who is already stretched too thin at this time of the year, you can do yourself a favor by getting more organized with that in mind, here are tips to help you organize your Christmas shopping list for best results.

1. Plan Ahead for Your Christmas Budget

Knowing how much you want to spend now will make shopping much less stressful. Also, you will have a framework to know approximately how much you intend to spend on each recipient.

2. Make a list and check it twice

While you are probably not actually grading people’s behavior about who was naughty and who was nice this year to decide who will get presents, it’s prudent to make a list as soon as possible. That way, you won’t accidentally leave someone out and then have to scramble at the last minute to find them something nice.

3. Don’t “Shop ‘til You Drop”!

Holiday shoppers do not need to be heroes. While it might be fun to see how much shopping you can do in one day or during a single trip to the shopping center, doing so can be a recipe for burning out. The last thing you want is to grow resentful about the time and effort you’re putting into making Christmas a day to remember.

4. Choose unique gift ideas this year

Instead of giving people predictable gifts, look for something unusual that they might never have thought of getting for themselves. A great way to find one-of-a-kind gifts is to visit local artists’ shops in your area, or from their online storefronts.

5. Set aside gifts to mail and hide

Some gifts will have to travel a long way, such as across the country or even around the world, while others you will be handing out in person, under the Christmas tree. Organize your gifts ahead of time so you’ll make sure to get proper postage and hand them off to the delivery service as early as possible. Then hide the other gifts in your home so your nosy kids don’t stumble across them and ruin the surprise.

6. Make That Christmas List and Set That Budget

Part of your organizational process should involve finishing your Christmas gift list, and then allocating how much to spend in each category, for each person. Nothing will fall through the cracks when you have a detailed list.

7. Take a Break if You Feel Stressed Out!

Remember, even while you are focused on the many tasks ahead of you, the Christmas holidays are a time to enjoy friends and family, and to share joy with them. 

There’s no need for you to become stressed out over what still needs to be done or how much time you have to complete your tasks. So while an organized Christmas holiday shopping list will be immensely helpful, remember to pause and take a breath in between tasks, to relax and enjoy the holiday spirit.

Holiday decorations represent an important tradition in many homes. They revive fond memories and help make the season feel special. At the same time, decorations may become tangled and difficult to unpack. They can also take up a lot of storage space. These tips will help you avoid such problems:

1. Decluttering

As you unpack and set up decorations, throw away anything that’s broken and can’t be fixed (such as defunct string lights). An advantage of unpacking them early is that you’ll have plenty of time to buy any replacements you may need.

If a decoration remains intact but sits unused for at least two years, it may be time to give away or sell this item. Perhaps you no longer have the time and energy needed to put up outdoor lights. There’s no need to keep them in a box forever.

You might not have enough space to set up some of your holiday decorations. Take the time to look at them and think about whether you’re likely to ever use them again. You could donate these items or plan to use them next year by storing them more accessibly than other ornaments.

2. Packing Up

When you’re done with your holiday decor for the season – whether it’s December 26th or April 2nd – you can take steps to make it easier next year. For example, you could prevent tangles by wrapping string lights around rectangular pieces of cardboard. People often cut slits or notches in the rectangles.

When packing, you can use plastic bins or sturdy cardboard boxes. Consider sorting items by purpose. For instance, tree decorations might go in one box and holiday-themed tableware in a different bin. You could devote smaller boxes to seasonal music, mantelpiece ornaments and excess supplies (like unused greeting cards).

If you use a large box, you can pack tree decorations so that you’ll unpack them in the order you place them on the tree. Many people put lights on first followed by garland and then ornaments. Be careful not to store anything heavy on top of fragile objects.

Do you have an artificial tree? If so, you can extend its lifespan by carefully preparing it for storage. After removing ornaments and cleaning the tree, disassemble or fold it up. This process differs depending on the specific model. Next, put it in an artificial tree storage bag. Don’t use the original cardboard box.

3. Storage Area

Keep your holiday decorations in a seldom-disturbed space. Seal the boxes with packing tape for extra protection. Label each box or bin, and mark it as fragile if it contains delicate ornaments. Make sure your storage area keeps items safe from the likes of excessive moisture, very hot temperature, rodents and insects.

While these steps may demand some extra time and effort, they will help you have an enjoyable holiday season now and for years to come. Optimal storage and organization also reduces the amount of money you’ll need to spend on replacement lights and ornaments.

If guests knew how much work goes on behind the scenes to carry out a successful Thanksgiving celebration, they will marvel at your organizational skills. Whether this is your very first Thanksgiving where you are in charge or if you have been arranging holiday feasts for many years now, there is always room for improvement, in terms of staying neat and organized.

But if organization is not your strongest skill, here is some advice to help you get ready for Thanksgiving now, while still enjoying it.

1. Prepare Extra Room In Your Refrigerator

You’ll need a lot of space to accommodate the main dish, such as a turkey. Make sure there is room in the refrigerator now, so you aren’t surprised when it comes time to cook everything. And remember that you will need to allocate a bit of space to store leftovers at the end of the meal.

2. Start Getting Your Home for the Holiday

Go through your home, decluttering the common areas so your guests will feel nice and relaxed when they arrive. Take care of routine cleaning tasks, and prepare the guest bedroom now so you don’t have to rush at the last minute when friends or family arrive.

3. Straighten Out Your Kitchen Now!

A messy kitchen will make Thanksgiving meal preparation and cooking more complicated and it will take longer to do routine tasks. Get rid of items on your counters that don’t need to be on display, such as seldom-used appliances. Any food you are storing out on the counter should go in a cabinet or on a shelf. You’ll need plenty of space to prepare all the treats for feast day.

4. Buy All Non-Perishables Ahead of Time

Any dry and canned goods (or frozen) that are on your Thanksgiving list should be purchased well ahead of Thanksgiving. That way, you won’t waste time driving around to stores or find yourself nervously waiting for items to be delivered on time.

5. Devise a Realistic Cooking Schedule

Don’t try to be a hero when it comes to cooking dishes for Thanksgiving. Figure out how long it will probably take you to make the main course as well as the side dishes. Perhaps some visitors will be bringing items, such as a casserole or a pie to help. Once you have a clearer idea of what you’ll be preparing, you can set up a cooking schedule that will reflect reality. Any items that you can cook ahead of time and freeze will help you make a cooking schedule that gives you the least stress.

It’s More Fun to Be Organized When Preparing for the Thanksgiving Holiday!

You’re bound to enjoy the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday period if you get organized ahead of the big day now. You’ll feel better when your kitchen is nice and clean and there is plenty of room in the fridge for all of the treats you’re preparing. And having a schedule for all of the important holiday tasks will certainly make a big difference in how you enjoy Turkey Day.

It pays to be as organized as possible when you are preparing for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday feast. You already have plenty of tasks ahead of you as the nights grow shorter and your guests are due to arrive. It’s a good idea to start figuring out what you want to serve now, rather than later when you will be even more pressed for time.

Busy mothers who are on the go can use these tips to help them get more organized, to make this the best Thanksgiving ever!

1. Create Your Grocery List

If you start planning what you will serve at Thanksgiving, your life will be a lot easier. You can base your list on the same items you’ve been getting each year, but switch things out as needed, such as to accommodate someone’s food allergy or to make sure you have food to serve to someone with special needs, such as a vegetarian.

2. Pick Out Your Guest’s Favorite Beverages Now

You don’t want to be empty-handed when it comes to pouring out the libations. From wines, beers and spirits for adults to soft drinks and juice for the young ones, get your drinks squared away now since they will last on your shelves or in your fridge well ahead of the holiday feast day.

3. Simplify Thanksgiving Meal Preparation

The more you can do to streamline your Thanksgiving preparation, the better. This could mean making only two different pies (such as pumpkin and pecan) instead of five varieties. Pick dishes that you already feel confident in preparing, to minimize fuss and mess. It will also take less time if you stick with familiar foods.

4. Create Thanksgiving Side Dishes That Freeze Well

When you can prepare some side dishes now, well ahead of time, it will make Thanksgiving day go much more smoothly. From mashed potatoes to vegetable dishes to gravy, you can save precious hours by making some of these dishes now. Remember to label frozen dishes as being for Thanksgiving so no one in your family accidentally eats them before the holiday.

5. Take Out Your Fancy Serving Dishes and Wash Them Now

You already know you want to use certain dishes for the celebration, so it makes sense to get them ready now. It’s just one less chore on your to-do list that you can get out of the way now.

6. Devise a Thanksgiving Holiday Cooking Schedule

Figure out how long it will take to cook the main dish (such as a turkey or ham) so you know when you need to start preparation. The same goes for any side dishes or salads that you cannot prepare ahead of time for storage in the freezer

7. Have a Great Thanksgiving!

When you take a few moments to get organized ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, you will make more effective use of your limited time. This means you can actually spend more time enjoying the holiday and spending time with friends, family and neighbors instead of stressing out with all of the preparation and tasks before you.

Black Friday offers a chance to buy desirable products at great prices. However, it can easily become hectic and stressful. To make the most of this event while saving time and money, don’t forget to prepare a well-organized shopping list.

1. Getting Started

Learn about this year’s Black Friday deals as early as possible. Before creating your final shopping list, write down the names of items you might buy. Research the products online and consider visiting a store. Cross off any merchandise that doesn’t meet your standards; examine or test the products in person, read online reviews from several sources and find out if clothing fits comfortably.

Don’t wait until the last minute or even the last week. Some retailers have already published their Black Friday ads on the internet by late October. While you’re visiting their websites, think about joining any worthwhile loyalty/reward programs before the event.

2. Further Research

Find out where things are located, especially if you’re not very familiar with a certain shop. Some retail websites show aisle numbers on their product pages (make sure you select the nearest store first). Write the locations on your shopping list.

Rain checks usually aren’t an option on Black Friday, so what can you do if an item is out of stock? One solution is to visit another store that offers price matching. Be sure to find out what retailers carry the same products and match prices during this event.

You might also avoid this problem by shopping on a different day. Certain shops start Black Friday specials one or two days early (you may have to buy online). A few retailers provide even earlier access for customers with paid memberships.

3. Multiple Lists

Create separate lists for different stores so you can quickly and easily find the information you need. Paper lists are a simple, reliable option, but you could use a specialized smartphone app if that works for you.

Number your lists and items by priority. If you really need a certain product or one store offers much bigger discounts than the others, you should prioritize it first. Keep in mind that retailers with less shelf space may run out of popular items more quickly.

If you order any goods for curbside or in-store pickup, remember to print out the ready-for-pickup emails. Shoppers who don’t own printers ought to write down order numbers, store phone numbers and item names (to make sure you receive everything you bought).

4. Keeping Receipts

When you buy products to give as gifts, put the receipts in a separate file folder. Print out email receipts before they get buried in your inbox. This will make it easy to find them when someone has to return merchandise or request warranty service.

If you follow all of these tips, you’ll be ready for Black Friday and able to find the best bargains before time runs out. Thorough research and well-organized lists mean that you won’t forget important details or get slowed down by having to ask questions.

Making the decision to actually get rid of stuff you don’t want anymore may have taken you a while, but now that you’ve decided to eliminate unneeded things and make more space in your home, it’s worth giving the matter some consideration before you begin.

Here are 7 questions that you can ask yourself to get better results when you start throwing away your stuff.

1. Is an item broken?

Even if it’s for sentimental reasons, it’s not a good idea to hold onto things after they are non-functional. They’re just taking up space. If you can get them repaired, then do so immediately. Otherwise, arrange to have it recycled or toss it away as soon as possible.

2. Redundancy

Do I have more than one of the same thing? If it’s not something crucial that you need to always have backups for, be honest and check if you really need to own multiple versions of anything in your home. Allow yourself the luxury of letting local stores keep things in place for you until you actually need to go out and buy them!

3. Does this item fit me?

If you’re like many women, chances are good our closet is full of clothes that haven’t seen the light of day in quite some time. And with the passage of time, some articles of clothing may no longer fit you.  Whether they shrank in the wash or you have perhaps put on some additional padding, if an item doesn’t fit, give it to someone who can make better use of it.

4. Do I use this on a regular basis?

If you can’t even remember the last time you used a particular item, perhaps it doesn’t hold the significance in your life that you think it did. When something goes unused for extended periods of time, that’s a good sign that it’s not meant to stay under your roof. Wouldn’t it be nice to give it away or sell it to someone who can get more out of it?

5. Do I have vague plans that I will eventually use these items, but the plans never become reality?

If that’s the case, you can stop fantasizing about future use of these items. Give them a better place by donating them out of your home as soon as possible.

6. Am I holding onto this for sentimental reasons?

There’s no need to hang onto the past to make yourself feel better. If sentimental reasons are the sole motivation for owning an object, then the object really owns you.

7. Finally, is it something I love?

Definitely hold onto the things that you truly love.  They are an important part of your life and should always have a place of honor in your home. They’ll stand out much nicer when you reduce clutter by throwing away all the other things you don’t need.

Life Will Be More Pleasant and Relaxing When You Finally Throw Out Unneeded Items

Hopefully, these seven questions will be thought-provoking and help give you the inspiration you’ve been craving to help you start freeing up your home and tossing away unneeded items. A clutter-free home that only holds what you truly love and what is useful is an admirable goal you can start working towards today.

For many busy women, clutter is the bane of their existence. And if you just stay irritated about the level of clutter in your home (or workspace, for that matter), that’s no good for anyone. Here are some tips to help you get started with a program to declutter for good.

1. Visualize how you want the room to be

Before you begin decluttering, take a moment to imagine how your home will look when everything has a place and all things are stored correctly.

2. Make Categories

Some people have trouble eliminating clutter because they don’t have a system in place to figure out how useful or important things are. Use categories to signal importance, such as things to find storage for immediately, and things that you might want to donate or sell.

3. Figure Out Your Priorities

Look at the items that are cluttering up your home. Figure out which ones you can’t live without, which ones are nice but not necessary, and which things are hideous, broken or otherwise serve little purpose. Sort things out and it will be easier to see what needs to go out with the garbage and what can stay (albeit more organized now!)

4. Create a spot to put mail and other incoming items that need your attention soon

It’s easy for people who come home tired at the end of a long day to grab the mail and then just throw it down wherever they happen to rest, such as at the kitchen counter, on a couch in the living room, or on a counter in the bathroom as they remove makeup.

5. Clear out an area where you can start decluttering in earnest

Maybe the family room is the most cluttered since you use it for multiple purposes. There could be board games scattered around, toys for the kids or your pets, and so on. Once you pick the starting point, it will be easier to begin your decluttering regimen.

6. Make space on a countertop

If you haven’t seen the surfaces of your kitchen counters in a while now, it would be a good time to free them of debris. Just having a clear space in view will make you start to relax. They, you will be encouraged to remove clutter from the rest of the counters. The first clear counter will be a place to organize items from the other counters.

7. Arbitrarily select five different items today and figure out an ideal place for them all.

This will jumpstart your new cleanliness program!

8. Donate unwanted items now

Donating things you no longer want or need can do wonders for a person who has limited means. You’ll feel better, knowing that objects that once got in your way are now brightening the lives of their new owners.

9. Don’t Become a Fanatic!

There’s no need to go overboard as you practice keeping your space free of clutter. Perfection can become the enemy of the good. 

So in your daily and weekly efforts to cut down on clutter, avoid focusing on this aspect of home maintenance at the expense of other tasks, such as tending to your garden, going for a walk with your pet or preparing a lovely meal.

What do you do when you’ve grown tired of looking around your home and finding it messy, dirty, and disorganized? It’s easy for people to rationalize about not keeping up with their chores. For example, lately, you’ve been way too busy with duties at work or school, or you just don’t feel in the mood. That’s perfectly understandable! 

So, if it’s been tough to get motivated to clean up your room or your home, here are some tips to help you get started finding the motivation you need to beautify your home today.

1. Begin by adopting a more positive attitude

Grumpy people will not tend to be very motivated to make positive changes in their home or room, after all. But simmering in your own stressful emotions doesn’t get you very far.

2. Think small

You can begin by motivating yourself to do easy tasks that won’t take too much time. When you see how easy it is to get one thing done, this will give you the confidence to do more cleaning. Results build into new results in this way and before you know it, your home will become more immaculate day by day.

3. Open your focus

When you think of the bigger picture, it can be a powerful motivator. How about preparing for the next time your parents or in-laws are coming for a visit? Or, imagine how your life will be easier when your home or room is so clean and organized that you no longer lose things or feel grossed out by the mess!

4. Calculate your available time

If you only have about 30 minutes once or twice a week, such as on Saturdays and Wednesdays because of how your work schedule and other tasks are arranged, then this will give you the motivation to do as much as you can with the limited minutes at your disposal.

5. Go on a break when you finish cleaning a section of your room or your house  

Rewarding yourself makes your accomplishment more appealing. And when your home is nice and clean, it will be easier to relax as you take your breaks.

6. Finish what you start

If you only clean half of a room, how do you know when you’ll find time to complete the job? It’s best to do it all in one fell swoop. A good way to address this problem is to start your cleanup sessions by selecting the easiest tasks first. After you tackle those smaller ones, the larger ones won’t seem so daunting.

7. Give yourself a reward for a job well done

Go out for a night on the town with your friends, or enjoy dinner with your significant other after you have successfully cleaned up your living space.

It’s Not Glamorous to Clean Your House, But Neatening it Up Will Make You Feel Much Better! Motivation to clean up your home may not be the most exciting challenge, but it’s all the more necessary when you consider the alternative: living in a cluttered space that makes you anxious and less motivated to invite people over to socialize.

If you’re the type of person who has a bit of a challenge staying organized, a good way to tackle this problem is to focus on creating an organized morning routine. Starting the day off right with your tasks in mind, and a clear path to taking care of all of them will make life much easier for you.

1. Take care of yourself first

Oftentimes, busy moms who are juggling careers and families leave themselves little or no time for themselves. But this is a recipe for chaos (and becoming unhappy!). It’s best to carve out some special time to take care of yourself, such as by scheduling exercise, yoga, or meditation to help jumpstart your day.

2. Create a personal care bin

Keeping personal items at the ready, stored in a convenient bin will be enormously helpful. At a glance, you’ll find soothing creams, your favorite aromatherapy products, massage oil, and other items designed to help you live your very best life.

3. Make sure you get proper sleep every day

If you wake up too sleepy to think straight, it’s more difficult to get and stay organized.

4. Know how long it takes you to get ready

Be honest with yourself. If necessary, use the timer on your smartphone to see how much time it truly takes to get you out the door. You may think you can be done within 15 minutes, while this is just half of the time you typically require.

5. Work on changing your way of thinking

If you have fallen into a pattern of putting off things because your schedule will be freer the next day or later in the week, think again! Try to be more efficient with your available hours each day and you’ll stay organized more easily.

6. Prepare the evening before

An easy way to buy yourself some extra time in the morning is to simply prepare things the night before. Layout your clothing, have your gear charged and ready to go. You might even prepare lunch before bed, so it’s ready to grab and go when you arise.

7. Put your plan in writing

A tried and true way to motivate yourself to reach new goals is to actually put them into writing. You can tape a note to your bathroom mirror to remind you about your new organizational plans, as a reminder.

8. Once you formulate a plan, be consistent and stick with it!

If at first, your plan doesn’t succeed, give it some time. It takes a while to break old habits and create new ones.

Practice Makes Perfect When Getting Organized

If you slip from your new routine and find yourself getting somewhat disorganized as a result, don’t be hard on yourself about it. People need some time to get accustomed to a new way of doing things. Just think of all that you’ll be able to accomplish, so much more effectively, once you have your morning routine squared away.