Mission: Organization

Do you know how hard it is to get your hands on an accordion file folder at this time of year?  I mean, what the heck?  I just wanted a file sorter to keep my stuff organized.

I did find a pretty cool organizer though.

 

What I like about this is that it's only 8 pockets but each pocket doubles as an envelope section to hold smaller things. My front pocket, for example, is for miscellaneous information with the pocket envelope at the bottom holds my thank you cards to be sent out.  Then I've got a folder for Powder Blue stuff, Zumba stuff, Shakeology stuff, BeachBody stuff, Push challenge material and bills and personal documents.

It was starting to get cumbersome hauling around random pieces of paper to various places.  I can just toss this in to my bag and pull out my cheat sheets for Hustle, my new Zumba choreography cheat sheets, information for people interested in Shakeology or BeachBody challenges and not be searching through random stuff to get what I need. 

I also spent some time organizing more stuff in my workout central.  I threw out documentation I didn't need, found some additional documentation to go with my taxes (I had the amounts from my check book but now I have the formal receipts) and threw away some extrameous packing materials that were hanging around.  

All in all, not a bad days work for trying to get organized.  Tonight, after I teach Hustle at the Y, I'm going to finish going through all the stuff in the drawers next to my side of the bed and try to come up with an organizational structure for my gym bag as well.  It's so hard because I need a lot of space for clothes when I do double or triple classes in a day but I also hate lugging around my large duffel bag.  Ugh!

I also need to buy a new purse for all the stuff I need to carry.  Currently my bag isn't big enough to even hold my calendar.  I'll find something, I'm sure.

Today I also started reading Chalene Johnson's new book PUSH.  It's a lot like the 30 Day Challenge I did last October but a little different and a bit more focused and I'm excited about it.  Today I did my priority worksheet and I went back and compared to the last challenge and wow have things changed in just that time! I'm excited to see what new stuff I learn about myself this time around!

30 Day BeachBody Challenge: Results!

HOORAY!

Weight: -9.8 pounds
Chest: -.05 inches
Waist- -1.5 inches
Hips- -2 inches

Almost 10 pounds and 4.5 inches in 30 days?  Bring on the next 30!

Pictures to come... eventually!

Simplifying Office Space

I'm almost finished with the Chalene Johnson 30 Day Challenge. I'm loving the tips and tricks I'm learning for managing my to-do lists, my goals, my priorities and getting my life in order.  Her challenge is one of the things that actually gave me the nerve to start this blog.  

The challenge for Sunday was to work on organization in a space that will aide in moving me towards my goals.

I picked the space in my office because I've noticed that I've been spaced out and distracted by people walking back and forth past my office door a lot lately.  The lack of concentration has impacted how quickly I complete my tasks and has often led me to feeling rushed to meet deadlines.  So I did it! I moved furniture, reorganized and made my office a better environment for reaching my professional goals.

 Before:
 




After:

It's amazing how much moving my furniture around and finding new places for supplies has done for my state of mind.  I did the rearrangement on Monday and between yesterday and today I have completed 3 major projects that I had been working on off and on for a few weeks.  All 3 of them are now off my desk and no longer weighing on my mind.

I still have a few things I need to do like get a new vase for my bamboo and new pots for the tiny plants on my window sill.

I love the new set up! Facing the wall keeps me from being distracted by people going back and forth to the printer.  I love being able to look out the window when I'm thinking and I love that the natural light helps my eyes hurt less from the monitor and the lights above me.

It also is a more welcoming office.  I can talk to people without peeking over my monitors.  I can sit and have an actual conversation with people sitting in the chairs in my office now.

I also spent a good amount of time cleaning out my drawers and making sure everything is filed away correctly.

Little changes. Major impact!