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Digital Declutter For a Clutterfree Business

Posted by Carolyn on
 September 27, 2020
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What a year 2020 has  been….

What a year 2020 has been.  With the world in the grip of a global pandemic, I hope that you have stayed well.

Like many people, lockdown during the pandemic has offered me a time for reflection.  And again, like many people, I have reshaped my business to make more sense in the increasingly digital world in which we live.

With changes afoot, it was time to give my audience an update. Here is The update from 2020 thus far.

Too Much Stuff!

Following the establishment of Caldwell Evolution Inc in 2016, I used the brand Altered Organization to represent the organizing side of the business. Caldwell Evolution became the brand for coaching, productivity and all my other professional work.  A tremendous idea at the time. It ended up, however, creating a lot of digital assets to be managed including a couple of Facebook pages, groups, Instagram accounts and so forth. The result was a lot to look after and it wasn’t being handled very well.  I had digital clutter that was making it hard to focus and get anything done at all.

Simplifying and Decluttering

What does a productivity coach and professional organizer do with too much stuff in their life?

Declutter

It was time for digital and brand decluttering.

Taking a page out of my own client handbook, I have spent 2020 decluttering the business and online presence of Caldwell Evolution Inc.  Here are some changes that you may have noticed:

1. Caldwell Evolution Inc services are all consolidated under one brand.  Altered Organization as a brand has been retired. You can find information on all services one website www.caldwellevolution.com. 

2. Instagram has been consolidated.  You can find Instagram stories and Instagram posts all under the one brand Caldwell Evolution.

3. The @wellrich Twitter account has been brought in line with the Caldwell Evolution branding.  You can find me there @CaldwellEvolutn.

4. The Altered Organization Facebook page has been merged with Caldwell Evolution Organizing and Productivity. I invite you to join us in the new Caldwell Evolution Facebook group, Mastering Clutterfree Living.  Here you can find tips, strategies, challenges and conversation with other individuals seeking a more clutterfree, productive life.

5. On Pinterest, you can find me @caldwellevolution
Check out my LinkedIn profile which has also had a declutter fresh look.

All these changes are designed to help you find resources and information more easily. This will support your efforts to create clarity, create space and accelerate your evolution to the best version of you. I hope you find this simplified, decluttered digital presence helpful.  I would love you hear your comments.

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Done in ’20 Offer

Posted by Carolyn on
 November 27, 2019
  ·  No Comments

Use Promo Code SMALLBIZSAT at checkout for $100 off.

Done is 20 with Certified Professional Organizer and productivity coach Carolyn Caldwell is the 55 minute coaching that will turn 2020 into the year  you get stuff done and see your To Do’s become Done’s.

Booked in December 2019, Carolyn will walk you through creation of a dynamic, get it done To Do List. Done in 20 includes a work sheet, a recorded Zoom call and sample lists to ensure your success in getting things done in 2020. From brain dumps to time deepening, you will be planning like a productivity pro.  Done in 20 provides the direct support and encouragement available with a live coaching call.

Take advantage of Black Friday weekend offer; save $100 if booked by December 2, 2019.

Use Promo Code SMALLBIZSAT at checkout for $100 off.

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Managing clutter is a journey.

Your Clutterfree Journey

Posted by Carolyn on
 November 25, 2019
  ·  No Comments

Being Organized is a Journey

When I first meet a new client, they frequently talk about “getting organized”.  Often, clients are looking for that perfect organized state that will never need any further work..

“What do I need to do to get organized?” they may ask. They look for that perfect tool or piece of furniture or perhaps the perfect filing system for their office. There is one organized way to set up a wardrobe or closet and if they could just figure out what it is, they would never again be disorganized.

My experience demonstrates that in fact, getting organized is a journey.  It’s not the perfect closet set up from the magazine or the perfectly labelled jars from a social media platform.  Labelled jars and beautiful closets might be a stage of the journey. 

Your Clutterfree Journey Changes

There is a natural ebb and flow of things throughout our life . Objects come into our life, they spend some time with us and us with them. Their role in our life is complete at some point. Objects naturally move on to another life with another individual because we no longer need them.

For some that Journey is one that twists and turns with many hills, valley, mountains and bridges.  The Journey is harder at some times in our lives than others because of the nature of objects. For example, some mothers have alot of trouble parting with their babies clothes or toys. Some individuals have more difficulty avoiding accumulation than others. Some individuals have more trouble parting with objects.  Even those living a minimlaist lifestyle have a Journey with twists and turns.  Sometimes the journey take alot of concentration and othertimes, hardly any attention at all.

Thoughts and Actions Can be Clutterfree

It isn’t just the objects that make up clutter. Our thoughts can have clutter. Our activities can have clutter. Ever get to the end of a busy, exhausting day and wonder why your top priority for the day didn’t get done? Hmmm, maybe some clutter got in the way on your To Do List! A Clutterfree Journey can include an action-oriented List. An action-oriented To Do List gets stuff done.

More Information, Tips and Strategies

I invite you to come back and share your Clutterfree Journey. This blog is designed to help you navigate it successfully. You can look forward to information, tips and strategies and some company on your Journey.

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How to Stay Sane and Organized for the Holidays!

Posted by Carolyn on
 October 29, 2018
  ·  No Comments

Enjoy Organized Holidays

The Holidays are Coming!

Wow, how did we get here so fast? It”s almost Hallowe’en and right behind that is the Holidays.  Overwhelmed?  Totally normal.  Staying organized for the holidays is challenging and overwhelm is common for many people.

Don’t panic.  An organized holiday  schedule and plan is possible.

Stay Organized using the Breaking Down Solution

Try the breaking down solution. Do you have an overwhelming job at hand? Grab a piece of paper and pen/pencil and start writing down, in no particular order, all the small tasks that go into the larger project.

Stay Organized with Verbs

Verb up your list of To Do’s. If your children will be trick or treating, it might include: buy children costume, brainstorm costume ideas with kids, schedule trip to thrift store to buy costume pieces, buy candy, rebook meeting for Oct. 31 evening, decide on supper for Oct. 31.

Stay Organized by Ordering

Next, give a number to each task depending upon the importance and order that each needs to be done. For example, scheduling the trip to the thrift store and rebooking your appointment for the evening of Oct. 31 might need to come before brainstorming with the children.

Stay Organized by Estimating Time

Finally, estimate and assign an approximate time to each task. It doesn’t matter if the estimate is perfectly accurate it just has to be close to accurate. This will help you recognize how your time will be used by the items on your list.

 

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Top 3 Tips for an Organized Car

Posted by Carolyn on
 April 18, 2017
  ·  1 Comment

,Top 3 Tips for an Organized CarLet’s Get Organized, Car!

Welcome spring with an organized car.  With an organized car, you will be ready, to hit the road this summer!  The warmer weather and clear roads make many of us start to think about smartening up that car.  if you live in Canada, like I do, you’ve just taken off the snow tires, had the car serviced for breaks, oil and whatever else is on its schedule.  Now a car wash is on the agenda for a warm sunny weekend in April.

Once that beauty is clean and purring, what about keeping it clean and organized?  Here are the top 3 tips for you to follow to keep that and smart looking and organized car.

1. Get rid of the Garbage!

To keep your 4 wheeled baby looking beautiful, managing the garbage is key.  Nothing says, “I’m not organized” like a car full of old fast food coffee cups, bagel wrappers and other debris.  Grab a garbage bag – check through the car and load up that bag. Most of the clutter in cars is associated with garbage that just didn’t make it to the bin.  Kids can help; give them their own garbage bag for their part of the car. Next time you fill up with gas, get them to toss it in the bin.

2. Contain the Car Accessories

Put a box in the back for wandering gear – this can be as fancy as a “car gear box” available at many retailers or as simple as a cardboard box. Toss all the bits and pieces that have to stay with the car in there – cables, hitches, wrenches (for the hitches), roof rack accessories and the like.  This will accomplish two things for you and your car.  First, the car will be clutter free.  Second, you will be able to find the accessories when you need them.  Nothing kills the joy of packing for a weekend fishing trip like searching high and low for the hitch ball.

3. Clear the Glove Box

 Our winters are cold.  There were a lot of trips for coffee and tea en route to ski weekends and ski races this winter.  Our glove box gets full of random napkins and occasionally, if i’m not watching carefully, ketchup sachets and straws. Those who know me know there will be no ketchup, or any other condiment, sachets in my car.  Take only what you need for those chips and, when you are done, throw them out!.  There are lots of napkins and straws that wander into the glove box.  Get rid of the old ones and put in some fresh new ones, along with a fresh package of hand wipes for when water isn’t available.   While you are at it, use the old napkins to wipe of the console and dash of dust and winter debris.

Now the next time you and the family want to hit the road, your shiny, organized car will be waiting in the driveway.

Organizing Travel Uncategorized
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website launching

Great Day for a Website Launch

Posted by Carolyn on
 February 13, 2017
  ·  No Comments

website launching

What better day than Valentine’s Day to launch a new website.  Have a look around and leave a message.  Sign up for tips, tools and strategies on getting clarity, doing more with less, getting focused, and productivity.

So glad you stopped by. Check us out also on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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Letters to Clutter

Letters to Clutter: Tell it how you Really Feel!

Posted by Carolyn on
 February 5, 2017
  ·  4 Comments

The Clutter LettersSend me your letters to clutter.  Does this sound like you?

You’re standing in front of your desk, staring at the stacks of paper, frustrated and overwhelmed.  “Why are you still here?  Why can’t you find a file to climb into and make yourself available when I need you?  Somewhere in there is the invoice I’m trying to get paid for – how will I ever get paid if I can’t even find the invoice?”

You open the closet door and glare at the contents.  “I hate you and I love you.  Ugh, how am I ever supposed to make this closet work when a bunch of you don’t fit, some of you I don’t even like and I don’t even know what’s at the back?!”

Your youngster is finally in bed and hopefully soon asleep.  You return to the family room and flop into the chair realizing you can’t even walk on the floor any longer because of the piles and piles of toys.  “Just put yourselves away, why don’t you! [bctt tweet=”Can’t you find a nice basket or box and do the Mary Poppins thing – jumping right into them?” username=”@wellrich”]  And while you are at it, sort yourselves out and take the toys that no one has played with for the past 6 months to the donation centre.  I’m going to bed.”

If you’ve ever talked to your clutter, or think you might like to say something to it, I’d like to hear from you.  Consider writing a letter or letters to clutter and tell it how you really feel.

Why Letters to Clutter?

You letter or letters to clutter will be considered for inclusion in a project being published later this year.  Your letter doesn’t need to be long, 200 – 400 words is perfect although longer or shorter is also welcome.  Start your letter off with “Dear ________ (item or items of clutter i.e. Paper, Baby Clothes, Garden Tools), What am I going to do with you?” and tell the clutter what you are really thinking.

Types of Clutter

Your clutter might include one of the following items or you might have your own version of clutter.:

  • Costume jewelry
  • Inherited jewelry
  • Inherited dishes, flatware, glass/crystal
  • Paper
  • Sports equipment
  • Particular sports equipment e.g. A bag of balls, an old croquet set, a bag of hockey equipment
  • Clothes that don’t fit
  • Clothes that aren’t liked
  • Clothes in general
  • Childhood books
  • Memorabilia
  • Photographs
  • Someone else’s items e.g. a spouse’s sports gear, clothes or other items
  • Tools
  • Leftover renovation material e.g. tiles, paint, fabric
  • Craft goods

How and Where to Send you Letters to Clutter

Identify yourself only by your initials and your town of residence.  Individuals will not be identified in their submissions and any particular identifying information will be removed.

Send letters to me, Carolyn Caldwell at [email protected].

Looking forward to receiving your letter or letters to clutter and seeing what you have to say to those trinkets collecting dust on the shelf.

Organizing Challenges Organizing Resources Organizing Strategies Uncategorized
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Keep Small Business Organized: 5 Strategies

Posted by Carolyn on
 September 23, 2015
  ·  4 Comments

5 Strategies to keep a small business organized

Stay clutter free to keep a small business organized

Is Your Small Business Organized?

We live in a changing world where small businesses must stay nimble of foot and focused on their goals.  Sometimes those imperatives seem to contradict each other.  How can we stay flexible, nimble and organized as a small business while staying focused on goals and strategies for business growth.

Its probably easier than you think.  There is, however, no room for clutter in a successful small business; no room for extra stuff, tasks or costs.  Here are 5 strategies to help keep that business clutter to a minimum and your small business organized for success.

  1. Make “clutter free” a priority for the business.  By letting employees know this is important, you set the performance expectations for your staff.
  2. Be clear how you define clutter.  Unnecessary paper is one thing but unnecessary emails is equally distracting clutter.  The same goes for unnecessary meetings.
  3. Be a role model and set the standard for your employees.  If your office is a pile of disorganized papers, your employees will believe that’s an ok standard for your business organization.
  4. Give staff the tools they need to be organized.  Include shelves for vertical storage and  immediate access to a blue box for recycling.  If you aren’t sure what is missing or why an employee is so disorganized, consider having a professional organizer conduct an assessment of the work environment. There may be more complex organizational issues that the employee is struggling with.
  5. Schedule a semi-annual clear out day. The rules for the time are simple. Everyone participates in a clear out of their work space on this day. Order lunch.
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Re-used Bags and Kon Mari’d Socks

Posted by Carolyn on
 August 21, 2015
  ·  No Comments

Take a pile of socks....

Take a pile of socks….

I’ve read Marie Kondo’s book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up; I’ve helped clients find joy and packed up non-joyful items in my own home.  Since I am usually spending my organizing time with clients taking items – lots of them – out of their homes, I am reluctant to try any new method of organizing that requires the purchasing of new gadgets or tools.  Recently, however, I had the chance to try out a KonMari Method technique and was pleasantly surprised at the results.

My client and I were sorting through several drawers of socks, stockings and pantyhose.  The pile of non-joy-inspiring items was growing into two bags headed for Goodwill while the cherished, comfy, favourites awaited return to the drawer.

... use scissors and a clothing store bag....

… use scissors and a clothing store bag….

I remembered Kondo’s guidance about socks, rolling rather than turning down the tops on each other, and wondered if we might try the strategy.  We had previously liberated a dozen or more better clothing store, rigid bags which I retrieved from their home.  Using scissors, I cut down the bags to just shy of the height of the drawers and inserted several into each drawer.  The shortened bags fit perfectly into the drawer and were narrow enough that we had enough for each colour grouping of socks.

You can see the result in the drawer.

...and voila. A joyful, organized sock drawer.

…and voila. A joyful, organized sock drawer.

Unfortunately you can’t see how pleased my client was to be able to see her socks, laid out by colour, making her dressing experience easier.  The technique worked very well in this application and I like to think the socks were happy too.

 

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An Interesting Minimalist Conflict

Posted by Carolyn on
 August 20, 2015
  ·  No Comments

Owning Less

www.katrinaleechambers.com/owning-less/

Recently, I have been on a journey of social media exploration as part of a marketing/program development/self education/re-branding exercise.  My newest foray was into Pinterest from my relatively new iPhone.  While cruising through the myriad of visually stimulating material, and practising posting, I came across a re-post by a colleague on her Minimalist board.  With my new-found social media/iPhone techie confidence, I cheekily posted this picture about owning vs. organizing to our local professional organizer Facebook group asking about conflict of interest.  I left out the LOL since I sincerely believed everyone else would join me in the irony of professional organizers endorsing minimalism.  Several hours later while discussing marketing strategies over lunch, I became aware that with 7 comments already logged on my post, not everyone saw it with the same ironic perspective as I.  By 10 comments, I also had an email asking me if I might like to write a post on the subject for the group.

Now the real irony was hitting me like a sledge hammer and I felt compelled to clarify my position.  You see, amongst other volunteer activities in the industry, I sit on an industry task force which will be soon be redeveloping a Conflict of Interest policy for the Canadian association for professional organizers, Professional Organizers in Canada.  I had no real interest in making a political statement for or against minimalism.  In fact, as a professional organizer, I believe it is important to clearly understand any new trends that have an impact on our industry.  I believe this so strongly, I have founded an annual think tank, The Organizing Summit, to this end.

In reading the posts, however, I learned some other interesting information about my colleagues that has left me with renewed admiration and humility.  I learned, for example, that not only are my colleagues ensuring that they are educated on new trends (Minimalism) but that they are finding related topics and trends (Essentialism) on which to educate themselves.  It was evident that even relatively new professional organizers are concerned about conflict of interest in their professional lives and can write eloquently about it.  There are also different ways of defining minimalism so even the irony is not straightforward.  Finally, it was very apparent that many of my colleagues are tracking their social media accounts carefully and taking time to comment, like, re-post and share quickly and efficiently.

Bottom line for me?  1. No haphazard posts: be clear on your intention and if an LOL helps to clarify, add that in. 2. I still have some catching up to do on social media education. 3. The professional organizers in our group are a)sensitive to discussions on conflict of interest and b)making sure they are up to speed on new trends.

All good.

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