Just in case you missed some of my favorite posts from 2009, I’ve gathered a few here that you should definitely read or review one more time!

• Making lists is always at the top! Make sure to put your “to-do” list to work!
• Approach the new year with a clean slate - and that means freshening up and de-cluttering your make-up.
• There’s a place for all the books on your shelf that haven’t been read in months or years - support local reuse efforts by donating those bestsellers. Also make sure you properly recycle those old laptops and monitors.
• It’s a necessary household task, but these organizing processes can make laundry day more efficient.
• With flu season upon us, this post really emphasizes the importance of a neat and clean desk at home and the office!
• Techy electronic gadgets aside, this cool new product will keep you cooking and organized in the kitchen.
• Are you a “filer or a piler”? This fun cartoon post generated some great reader feedback . . . and laughs!
• Most importantly, an organized way of life comes from lots of practice, so don’t be too hard on yourself. Just keep these tips in mind.

Since we live our days on the go and use our mobile device for tracking everything from our shopping list to meetings to addresses, it’s a no-brainer to have some handy applications loaded onto your iPod touch or iPhone to help you monitor your new year’s resolutions!

Here are five that can keep you motivated and organized:

• Runkeeper - Using the iPhone’s GPS, this application maps where and how far you ran, your calories burned and average speed marked, and it can be searchable and/or synced to the RunKeeper web site.
• Weightbot - This nifty tool graphs your day-by-day progress against a goal weight, auto-calculates body mass index, and can be password protected from prying eyes. Learn more.
• Remember the Milk - This application reinvents the to-do list for your mobile device. Making lists and actually crossing off items will help increase your task management and boost productivity! And you won’t forget the milk ever again. See what else you can do.
• iOwn - Do you find yourself constantly buying things that you end up already owning? iOwn was designed to create detailed itemized lists of anything you own or to keep track of the stuff you always tend to buy more of. This is an awesome way to stop the clutter in its tracks!
• Mint - Carry a banker in your pocket with this application that lets you check your balances, browse your last few days’ cash flow, and peek at multiple budgets. Check out all the features.

When it comes to paper, you usually hear about how to get rid of the clutter it creates, but there’s still one major paper product that can keep you organized. If you’re partial to paper planners and its perks - no need to log in or wait for the computer, no batteries or wires, and completely mobile and sturdy - then make sure to check out this great article on a few of the most versatile and productive paper planners in the market today.

Also, one of my personal favorites is the Circa planner from Levenger. Whether it’s digital or paper-based, make sure you’re ready for an organized year in 2010!

December is obviously a good time to think about being more organized in the coming year, and this includes making sure your irreplaceable electronic files such as digital photos, legal documents, and business reports are secure, easily accessible, and BACKED UP!

One of my favorite tools is Carbonite - an online application that works seamlessly with your computer’s operating system to quickly and consistently backup files.  Carbonite installs a small software program on your computer and then automatically backs up new and changed files.  For a low fee, you don’t have to do anything - Carbonite does its work while your computer is idle and stays in the background when you’re working so it doesn’t slow your system down.  Check it out to ensure your electronic files are backed up and protected before entering the New Year.  It’ll be one less resolution you’ll have to make.

If you need help organizing your electronic files before you back them up, let us know.  We’re always happy to help with your organizing needs!

For friends, family or even coworkers, the Innovatively Organized Gift Certificate is an ideal gift for anyone who needs some special organizing attention.  It’s also a great way to show support for those New Year’s resolutions for being more productive and less stressed in 2010!

Order an organizing Gift Certificate now!

Or email us at [email protected] directly.

Sometimes it’s easy to forget how to just “be” when you’re so busy with everything you have to “do” and vice-versa.  I hope this illustration gives you pause during this hectic holiday season to remember that keeping balance is the key to keeping things in harmony!

(Thank you to Stephanie T. for sharing this with me.  I just love fun comics!)

Whether traveling alone or with your family this winter, you will probably end up waiting and standing with a crowd of people around the baggage carousel at the airport. Trying to find your bag amongst a sea of mostly black bags can be frustrating. It can also cause undue anxiety as you see other people picking up bags that look similar to your own. Recently, police in Arizona arrested a couple for stealing almost 1,000 pieces of luggage from the Phoenix airport! Read more here.

How do you secure the identity of your bag? Here are some quick ideas on how to label your bag and avoid confusion at the airport:

• Attach an eye-catching luggage tag in a bright color or shape. You don’t have to just stick to one. Place one on the handle and on the side or bottom so you can still identify your bag even if it’s turned around or upside down.
• Try a luggage strap or hugger. These straps actually go around the circumference of the bag, either vertically or width-wise. They are very easy to spot and come in a multitude of colors.
• Tie a simple patterned ribbon or thick piece of yarn to the bag. Make sure the knot is secure so it doesn’t come loose during handling or the bumpy trip on the conveyor belt.
• And don’t forget to make sure your name and phone number is clearly printed on a luggage tag so the airline can contact you in case your bag is lost.

I was recently quoted by Yahoo! in an article about how to help busy professionals save time and what kinds of gifts they may want for the holidays. Click here to read the full article, “6 Time-Saver Gifts for Busy Professionals”.

With time being such a precious commodity, my clients are always asking me how they can improve productivity and make more time.  One of my top recommendations is to utilize the timer on the coffee maker.  The average adult spends up to 15 minutes each day getting their morning caffeine fix - do you know how many minutes per week you could save by waking up to the smell of fresh brewed coffee at home?

When it comes to holiday shopping, as a professional organizer, my biggest tip is to buy consumable gifts. I’m not just talking about things that are edible, although chocolate and home-baked goods are definitely on the list! I’m referring to things that don’t take up any permanent space or add clutter to a room. Here’s a list of my favorite consumable gifts:

• Concert or theater tickets
• Restaurant gift certificates
• Movie passes
• Bottle of wine and tickets for wine-tasting
• Spa or massage gift certificate
• Local tour passes about history or architecture
• Airline travel vouchers
• Gourmet food basket
• Home-baked goodies or confections

Regifting is a topic I blogged about last year, and it’s still a great idea, especially since many of us are focused on being frugal and green this year.

What is my definition of regifting? It’s breathing new life and purpose into something that you’ve received in the past by wrapping it and giving it as a present to a friend, coworker or family member. The receiver never has to know that it wasn’t purchased specifically with them in mind. As long as the gift is thoughtful and is a fit for the recipient, it’s a wonderful way to clear your space and spread holiday cheer. There’s even a National Regifting Day - December 17th. Mark your calendars!

Regifting is not about giving away an item that you consider to be worthless or junk. That is called “clutter passing.” The only appropriate places for those items are donation centers, recycling bins, or the trash.

To learn more about regifting and how to throw a regifting party, check out this website.