GO Month 2014 - Operation Preschool Phase 1

A few weeks ago, I told you about a project I am working on--the organization of two storage closets at my son's preschool.  Because of the snow and bad weather we've been having, the project is going slower than expected, but I wanted to share it's progress with you.

On Martin Luther King Day, my hubby had the day off from work and offered to help me with Phase 1 of organizing the storage closet. He came in very handy as a second pair of eyes and a pair of strong arms. Thanks, Hubs!

Here's what the closet looked like before we started:

Two and a half hours later here's what it looked like:

Before we opened the closet door, I gave my hubby two rules to follow that day:

Work SLOWLY.

Work SAFELY.

We opened the door and started getting things off the floor.

When I work with a client in a space like this, we begin de-cluttering the floor first for one simple reason: SAFETY. It's very easy to slip on or trip over an object on the floor. Getting injured really slows down the organizing process...

What did we do? We...
• stacked all the chairs together
• created a temporary area for the custodial supplies that share this space
• removed anything that was broken beyond repair, yellowed, and crushed under the weight of heavier items
• grouped all toys, papers, classroom items that were in good shape in one spot so the teachers can look through them at a later date

Before, during, or after the school day the teachers can take a few minutes to go through the supplies and make decisions--keep or toss. Now, they can actually step into the closet safely to accomplish this and move the project forward!

So if you have a room in your home that looks like this, follow my two rules above and here's a third:

Wear CLOSED TOE shoes while organizing. 

Even the lightest object falling on your foot can hurt if you're wearing open toed shoes, walking around in socks, or are going barefoot.

Once the weather gets better, we'll be forging ahead with the next steps in organizing the closets--I'll keep you posted!

Get Organized Month 2014: Operation Preschool

What is January is known for?

Blizzards.

White sales.

Lots of award shows on TV.

January is also a time for setting goals for the new year. Maybe you're looking to lose weight or get your finances in order. Or maybe...just maybe...you're thinking of getting organized!

Well, if that's the case, you're in luck because January is Get Organized Month (also known as GO Month).

In 2005, the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) proclaimed January as Get Organized Month. They developed a national campaign to stimulate public awareness of the profession and the importance of getting and staying organized. Local chapters of NAPO as well as individual professional organizers use this month to help individuals, businesses and schools bring time management, organization, storage solutions and productivity into their lives.

The last chapter-sponsored GO Month event I participated in was when I was seven months pregnant with my second child. It was held at the IKEA of Paramus and my job was to walk around the store answering questions and taking pictures of my colleagues giving demonstrations and workshops. Instead of walking, I was waddling and most of the questions I was asked by shoppers were less about organizing and more about my pregnancy!

NAPO started sending out emails about GO Month in late 2013. At around the same time, the director of my son's preschool approached me for assistance. She knows I'm a Professional Organizer and mentioned to me that the two storage closets designated for the preschool were disorganized and could use some TLC. Could I help? "Sure," I said.

When I told the teachers I'd be organizing the closets and they all asked, "Have you seen them lately?" To which I replied, "No. I'm sure they just need a little organizing and some love."

Then I took a look...

Here's another view...

Then I walked into the other storage closet...

OK...maybe they'll need a little more TLC than expected...

This is my personal 2014 GO Month project--to get the storage closets of my son's preschool organized.

What will result once these storage closets are organized?

• The teachers/director will be able to find the supplies when they need them.

• There will be no need to buy extra supplies because what they need is not accessible or can't be found.

• It will de-clutter and free up space in the classrooms and office.

• It will bring smiles to the faces of the people who have been so good to my children (and it will make their jobs A LOT easier).

I'll keep you updated on my progress!

NAPO-NNJ's Get Organized Project

Seven years ago, The National Association of Professional Organizers declared January as Get Organized Month. NAPO chapters across the nation organize public events to inspire and educate people to better organize their lives.

This year NAPO-NNJ (Northern New Jersey) is hosting a free 'Ask the Organizer' panel at Restyle Renew, a clothing and furniture consignment shop in Denville, NJ on January 22, 2011 from 11:30am-2:30pm. NAPO-NNJ members will be on hand to teach how to de-clutter and organize a closet and address all organizing needs presented to them.

Win a 4 hour home closet organization session scheduled in April including a $500 gift certificate to California Closets.

So drop on by, get solutions to your organizing challenges, and make 2011 the year you 'Get Organized!'

Restyle Renew
27 East Main Street
Denville, NJ

NAPO-NNJ's Get Organized Month Event

On Saturday, January 30th over 25 Professional Organizers (including myself) gathered at the IKEA of Paramus to educate their guests on the benefits of getting organized with IKEA products in honor of 'Get Organized' Month.

It was amazing to see so many people coming out to shop and learn about organizing on such a frigid day. We met hundreds of people who wished for better organization in their homes and in their lives. We gave out tip sheets, did presentations and gave advice on helpful IKEA products.

A few pictures from the day:

Our Tips Table in the Cafeteria

Greeting IKEA guests

Organizing a Kitchen presentation

Helping out an IKEA customer

What will NAPO-NNJ do next year for 'Get Organized Month?' Who knows--but whatever our event may be, we hope it is a s successful as our day at the IKEA of Paramus in 2010.

Get Organized Month

I know we haven't gotten through 'the holidays' yet but I'd like you to start thinking about an event that occurs in January--'Get Organized Month.' It is the professional organizing industy's national event dedicated to raising awareness of the benefits of getting organized and of hiring a professional organizer. It's not a coincidence that 'GO Month' (as we organizers call it) comes at the start of the new year. It's a time when many people make resolutions to get their homes and lives more organized and NAPO is here to help.

If there's a local chapter of NAPO in your backyard, chances are there's a GO Month event planned. If you're in and around Northern New Jersey between 11am and 3pm on Saturday, January 30, 2010 take some time to attend the NAPO-NNJ Get Organized Month Event at IKEA of Paramus, NJ. We're calling it 'Organize to Economize' in the New Year with IKEA Products. And the event is FREE!

There will be professional organizers on hand to greet you as well as staffed 'Tips Tables' in the Restaurant and Marketplace area. We'll also have members of our NAPO-NNJ chapter giving presentations on organizing closets, home offices and kitchens as well as mini-workshops for kids. I'll be there early to greet IKEA guests and I'll be photographing the event for the chapter.

For more information go to: http://www.naponnj.org/news_special_bulletins.html

So come on down, grab a famous IKEA cinnamon bun and get your organizing questions answered. It may not fulfill your resolution to lose weight but you'll be on the road to getting and staying organized in 2010. See you there!