your bulletin/magnet board

                        

I am of the firm belief that sticky notes have a purpose — none of which occur on a board.  They are useful to adhere on a memo communicating something to someone else which will be recycled when completed.  They are not to be used to schedule things, make notes for yourself, create lists on…etc.

Your boards serve two purposes:  1) to keep a visual display of what you are working on — with some things; and 2) an illustration of that which calls forth action. 

Take the 5 minutes and start by gathering any phone numbers that you want in your Rolodex/Contacts.  Enter the information immediately and throw out the paper notes.  Next go to dates and appointments, or R.S.V.P.’s

Get your recycle can out and get to it!

and clean the refrigerator

Start by tossing the items that are no longer good or that you will never use again. Create an empty space of at least 25% of the size of the shelf. The theme is”Out with the old, and make way for the new!”

On the inside, take the time to wipe down each shelf with a little dishsoap on a very damp, warm cloth. If you need more time, break it down to do it one shelf at a time and then next time, do the door shelves.

On the outside, arrange the magnets if you have any, and get rid of at least 10% of them. Unless you have a sophisticated system to manage your family’s goings-on, I recommend you deal with your refrigerator as an appliance, and not a bulletin board or a giant sticky note.

And last would be to wipe down the handles, front, top and “grill” at the bottom.

If you’re skeptical of this idea, I challenge you to just do it, and see how it feels right afterwards, a day later, a week later. There is no downside to this! At least one benefit is that It keeps your food inventory fresh and you know exactly what you have to prepare meals. Breaking this down and doing it more frequently will save you a big project.

a coffee table drawer

The oft forgotten about, still-there-where-you-left-it drawer.  You put things in it that don’t have a high priority, but somehow you aren’t ready to toss. 

Dive in during a commerical break or while you are on the phone.

If you were surveyed now, would you have any idea what’s in yours?     Batteries, coasters, remotes, a deck of cards? Maybe a dog toy, or a flash light… 

Drawers vary so much in size, so I have only the following recommendations to give without seeing the physical space, or having a conversation with the client.

1.  Remotes

2.  One Pen, one pencil and some paper (or a rare stack of Sticky Note)

3.  Coasters

Good luck!

your board games

It may not be high on the priority list, but it only takes a moment of glancing at them to have it create a blip on your radar screen and add to the list of things to be done.

If you have less than 5 and they are in one area, get rid of at least one. 

If you have several and they are located in multiple places, start by gathering them into one location.  This alone may take 5 minutes; in which case, schedule either more time or a different day to complete the purging.  In the interim, schedule a game night with several friends, dust them off and have a great time before you  pass them on for someone else to enjoy. 

There are some specific Salvation Army locations, which will not accept them as donations, so you may want to contact your local donation center first.   I recommend finding a few options, such as GoodWill or an afterschool kids program or a pediatric wing of a hospital…

GOOD STEWARD TIP:  Find a senior center in your area like the ones here http://www.thecareexperts.com/contactus/default.asp and find out what their specific policies are to send or drop them off personally.  If you go, schedule some time to sit down and offer to play with residents for an hour or so.  Everyone will walk away a winner.

your “glove box” – Part 2: in your car

I subsribe to the “less is more” theory.  You have to draw the line somewhere, otherwise you’ll have your entire medicine cabinet or cell phone accessory kit or maps for where you are actually not traveling to at the moment.

So, what should be in your glove box?  (If you have no central console, put a ball point pen and limited tissues/napkins on your list)

1.  Car registration

2.  Owner’s manual

3. Auto Emergency Waterproof Flashlight,  Window Breaker and Seat Belt Cutter.  You can find them at http://www.sportsimportsltd.com/auemwaflwibr.html4

Everything else should have a respective home in your home.

your “glove box” – Part 1: by the front door

Whatever your style.  it requires little skill.

Matching.  It’s all about matching.  If you have a 5 year old around, let them do it and be your champion, if not, simply take 5 minutes and put all the hats in one pile, mittens in another, scarves in another…try things on, and tell the truth about whether you “need” it. 

Criteria for retention:  Allow yourself  per category two items for casual, one for formal.  Two casual items allow for one set being either lost or soaking wet!

GOOD STEWARD TIP:  Contact the Faith Fellowship Offices at 740-967-0148.   Coats, gloves, hats and scarves are now being collected to help children in need stay warm this winter.  Faith Fellowship Church of Johnstown, Ohio is sponsoring its annual “Gallons of Gloves” drive that includes the donation of winter outerwear that will be given to those in need.  “The last couple of years, we have been able to take hundreds of pairs of gloves and a lot of hats and coats to places that get these items into and onto the hands and heads of kids who need them,” said Pastor Dan McLaughlin of Faith Fellowship.  “We also help supply area shelters and homeless missions in central Ohio an d we’re told that these items are really appreciated,” he said.

your bra/lingerie drawer

I think it’s fair to say that every woman with a bra drawer has at least one bra tucked in the back that they wore once - which is never going to see daylight again.  That is until something intervenes…

If you did a mini-purge one time a year, or quarterly depending on your preferences, for 5 minutes, it would free up space for new items and make your daily use of the drawer that much more pleasant.  In addition, it’s been proven that body image and self-esteem improve when a woman has on the right bra.

A bra, especially the right bra, can even change a life; which is why Oz du Soleil founded a fantastic non-profit, Support1000 to donate new and gently used bras around the world to women in need.  It is an inspiring project that makes a difference for those who can donate (whether it be bras, time or money) and for those on the receiving end.  http://www.support1000.org/