Get Organized Now! Newsletter by Maria Gracia http://www.getorganizednow.com Issue: March 9-15, 2008 Number of Subscribers: 181,999 ============================================ Hello {!firstname_fix} ============================================ ** Finally! An Affordable and Easy to Use Filing System for Your Home ** Are you drowning in the paper flood that pours into your home every day? You know...the endless stream of bills, warranties, receipts, important documents, user manuals, bank statements, letters, promotions, insurance papers, employment and medical information, school papers. Need I go on? How you deal with that paper determines whether you live in an atmosphere of calm and control or clutter and chaos. Along with chaos comes frustration, tension and conflict-- all because of the never-ending paper flood. But have no fear. Now you can easily gain total control of your vital paper information -- instantly, easily and happily-- with My Oh-So-Organized Filing System (just released and hot off the press!) Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/filing.html P.S. Find out how you can get a BONUS Tickler file system-- complimentary! ============================================ IT'S OK TO SAY NO SOMETIMES So many of us are overextended, but we need to remind ourselves that there are only 24 hours a day, 168 hours a week. If you sleep the recommended 8 hours a night, you're left with 112 hours in a week. Imagine if you work a 40 hour week--you are down to 72 hours a week. Okay, now factor everything else into those 72 hours. At some point you need to make a judgment call and realize you can't do everything all the time, or you will burn yourself out. Saying 'No' is an art form. There are many reasons why we have so much trouble saying it, even if it’s in our best interest to do so. Some of the reasons include a) we don't want to hurt the other person’s feelings, b) we don't want them to think negative thoughts such as we're being unkind or c) we avoid it in order to try to avoid confrontation. Many of us lack daily refusal skills. 'No' may be a mere two letters--but it is a powerful word. 1. What's or Who's at the top of your list? The starting point for deciding to retake your time is to make and set your priorities. Write down what is most important to you. Remember to include yourself and your health on the list. You can't care for others if you're not feeling well. It is often hard for most of us to be honest with ourselves. Display your list on a bulletin board, wipe board, your computer or in your journal-- anywhere as long as you will look at it often. Make sure your list includes those who need and deserve your time. 2. Take time for yourself everyday. You are important and YOU deserve to take priority on your to-do list. Make sure you give yourself some free time to pamper yourself, just relax, or work on a hobby or craft--however you like to relax and decompress. Include rewards after completing tasks. Saying 'no' is not selfish. Plus, it may allow you the time to pursue new hobbies and interests. Saying 'no' can be very good for you and your well being. 3. Be brief, direct, and honest. Do not make excuses. People respect honesty. Be fair, and most of all remember to be fair to yourself. Treat yourself right and you can't help but treat others right too. If you need to use humor to lighten the 'no', do it! 4. Do not make commitments you are not prepared to keep. Saying 'no' is only a refusal of that particular request. Take a minute and breathe before answering a request. Sometimes in the case of volunteer organizations, instead of tackling the entire world maybe you can volunteer to do one small task, like making a flyer or writing an article for the newsletter. ----- P.S. Get organized once and for all! You can be Finally Organized, Finally Free. Get 2,175 organizing tips, ideas and techniques to help you organize your home, your time and your life! Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/foffhome.html P.P.S. You can be Finally Organized, Finally Free at the office too! Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/foffoffice.html ----- 5. If you feel that you are unable to say 'no', especially to someone’s face, say you 'need to think about it.' Call after you have thought about it for a day or two before you answer, but be honest with yourself. It’s so easy to say 'Yes' at first, but remember 'No' is all right too. It will take time to get used to saying 'No.' Many of us are people pleasers so we want to say 'yes'. We want people to like us. 6. Remember you don't have to give a reason. We don't give reasons when we say 'yes' so why should we have to give a reason for saying 'no.' A simple 'I appreciate you asking, but no thanks' will often do the trick. Kick your guilt to the curb! 7. Set limits. If you are only available to help a friend for 4 hours on Saturday, tell them that and stick to your limits. Keep in mind to be firm but polite. You need to recognize how much you can reasonably do. 8. What are you to do? Before you make a commitment, make sure you understand what exactly is expected of you. Are you expected to organize the entire party or just cook a dessert? 9. Think ahead. Organize yourself. Have clear to-do lists and a calendar in order to allow you to know what is coming up and whether you are able to make another commitment. Is it a long term or a short term commitment? Do you honestly have time for it? An agenda to organize your life is key! 10. Give some away. If nothing else works, remember to delegate some of your commitments to others. Delegation is the key to being a good leader. Break up things among family members, friends, organizations, or co-workers. Allow others to help you. ============================================ New Stuff and Site Updates Everything below is accessible by visiting: http://www.getorganizednow.com Please note that we update our site on a weekly basis, so the new stuff and site updates below may only be available for one week. ** Get Organized Now! Blog: Department 2 Read my personal comments, stories tips and observations about getting and staying organized in today's hectic world. You don't want to miss it. Newest entries: * 03/04 - Warm Weather Clothing Inventory * 02/26 - Where is my pink sparkly barrette? * 02/21 - My Son Doesn't Want My Scrapbooks! * 02/12 - Scrapbook Layout: The Little Gym * 02/12 - Eat, Pray, Love * 02/05 - Turn Your Bathroom Into a Spa-Like Sanctuary http://getorganizednow.typepad.com/get_organized_now_weblog/ ** Featured Article: Department 3 Along with Spring comes thoughts of crisp, fresh air, newly budding flowers, singing birds and a sense of renewal. Getting organized and doing a bit of spring cleaning, helps to bring that wonderful fresh feeling into your home and office. Here are 10 tips to help you start the season off right. Go to the link below and look for the Easter lily. http://www.getorganizednow.com/#article1 ** New Quick Tip: Department 4 Many people have a tendency to resort to buying unhealthy, fast food--often for the simple reason that they have not planned a meal for that evening. Meal planning can be very easy and much more flexible than often imagined. Go to the link below and look for the fruit mixture. http://www.getorganizednow.com/#quicktip ** March Monthly Checklist: Department 1 March right into a new month, fancy-free and organized! Start today with our new March Monthly Checklist. You'll LOVE your new organized life! Go to the link below and look for the shamrocks. http://www.getorganizednow.com/#checklist ** March Web Poll Our featured multiple choice question is, 'What best describes your daily morning eating habits?' Go to the following link and cast your vote. It only takes a minute, and your opinion can be heard. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/#webpoll * * * * * * * * * * * * * * AOL Users Link ============================================ Goodies to help you get organized! Tired of being disorganized? You can be Finally Organized, Finally Free BOTH at home AND at the office. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/newbook.html JUST RELEASED! My Oh-So-Organized Filing System. You won't believe how organized your papers are going to be. You'll have a filing label for every category you can imagine, ready to peel and stick on your file folders. It's basically an awesome home filing system in a box! Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/filing.html The 2007 holiday season is behind us, but it's the perfect time to start getting organized for holiday season 2008! The earlier, the better. Plus, find out how you can get a copy of Maria's latest e-book, 101 Holiday Tips and Ideas. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/holidayp.html Are you looking for the perfect organizer that can help you keep track of your schedule, birthdays, to do's, home inventory, groceries, and more? If so, visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/ezorganizer.html Discover how to start, manage and grow your very own professional organizing business. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/ultimateguide.html Have a business? Thinking of starting one? Visit our Give to Get site and get your complimentary idea-kit. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/marketingsolution.html Give your aching shoulder a break. TuffBaggs are super tough, but light as feather. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/tuffbaggs.html Pay your bills on time, and have an organized place to put your statements afterwards? Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/ezbill.html Access details for all of our products by visiting: http://www.getorganizednow.com/orderdet.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * AOL Users Link ============================================ An Organizing Tip From One Of Our Readers When washing small items of clothing (e.g. socks, tights), put them into a nylon laundry bag and put the whole bag into the machine. This will prevent small items getting stuck to the drum, or discovering that something small and blue made its way in with the whites. Embroider or mark each bag with the name or identifier of each person in the family to make subsequent retrieval easier. Gwyneth Parker Chatham, Kent, UK * * * * * Submit your favorite organizing tip! Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/readertip.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * AOL Users Link ============================================ A Few Words From Our Sponsors . . . ===== ** Discover Your True Purpose, Passions, and Path to Lasting Happiness and Fulfillment ** Learn . . . * The twenty specific areas of your life that can be slightly adjusted or dramatically changed to provide you with unending joy and happiness. * How measuring your reaction to these 66 words can open the door to dozens of goals proven to give you exactly what you want. * The six proven needs of every human being that must be met in order to mentally and emotionally experience pride, joy, and fulfillment. and much more! Visit . . . http://www.motivation123.com/cmd.php?ad=318491 ===== ** Are You Tired Of Dieting? Then STOP . . . because real people don't diet! ** 'Real People Don't Diet' is the story of how one busy couple lost over 60 pounds and 8 inches of waistline in one year--without dieting! Learn how you can do the same and still enjoy the foods you love. It's simple, it's easy and it's NOT another 'fad' diet. No counting, no special foods, no exercises and no busting your grocery budget! Visit: http://getorgnow1.budgexpert.hop.clickbank.net ===== ** Dog Obedience Training Secrets to Stop Your Dog's Behavior Problems ** Do you have a generally disobedient dog? Does your dog embarrass you in public? Are you sick of excessive biting, barking, whining, etc? Are you sick of dealing with dog aggression issues? Do you want to know how to fix virtually any dog behavior problem? Or, perhaps you just want the best relationship that you can possibly have with your dog? Visit: http://getorgnow1.sitstay.hop.clickbank.net/ ============================================ An Organizing Tip From One Of Our Readers I recognize the value of de-cluttering as a way to live more serenely. I'm happy to say it has finally become easier to get rid of things that clearly are just taking up valuable space in my life. But, it can be so hard to part with sentimental or nostalgic items, however tattered or out-dated they may be. My best solution so far has been to take photos of the item before bidding it farewell. A photo, especially a digital one, takes up lots less space than the thing itself, but I can have peace knowing that my sentimental something has not completely left my life, destined to be forgotten over time. If I worry that my computer might crash and lose the image, I can just back it up to a disc or print it and store it. For those who think a photo won't quite cut it, consider also writing a paragraph or two in a journal about your memories surrounding the item you're about to part with. You'll enjoy revisiting the memory without bemoaning your lack of closet space! Joanna Hathcock Dallas, TX * * * * * Submit your favorite organizing tip! Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/readertip.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * AOL Users Link ============================================ On the Calendar . . . Palm Sunday Sunday, March 16, 2008 On Palm Sunday, Christians celebrate the Triumphal Entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, one week before his resurrection. For many Christian churches, Palm Sunday, often referred to as 'Passion Sunday,' marks the beginning of Holy Week, which concludes on Easter Sunday. The Bible reveals that when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds greeted him with waving palm branches, and by covering his path with palm branches. Immediately following this great time of celebration in the ministry of Jesus, he begins his journey to the cross. The biblical account of Palm Sunday can be found in Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; and John 12:12-19. Source: http://christianity.about.com/ ============================================ Happy Customer! Your My Oh-So-Organized Filing System has been an answer to my filing prayers. For years I have been trying to find a filing solution that could work for me. Well, now I found it. You have laid everything out very simply and it was a snap to put together. I can find whatever I am looking for at the tips of my fingers. Keep the wonderful products coming! Amy Pollaro Phoenix, Arizona For more information about My Oh-So-Organized Filing System, visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/filing.html ***** P.S. If you would like to share your very own 'Happy Customer' comments, we'd love to include them in our newsletter or web site. Just reply to this newsletter and email us your thoughts. Optional: We'll even include a photo of you if you'd like. Send that along too. Thank you in advance for taking the time to do so. ***** ========================================== In Closing The art of leadership is saying no, not saying yes. It is very easy to say yes. --Tony Blair And remember . . . there's no better time to get organized, than to Get Organized Now! Warmly, Maria Gracia Get Organized Now! http://www.getorganizednow.com ============================================ (c) Copyright 2008 by Maria Gracia, Get Organized Now! * Copyright, contact and reprint information: http://www.getorganizednow.com/contact.html * You signed up to receive our Idea-Kit and/or our Newsletter at our Get Organized Now! Web site. We never add names unless you have voluntarily opted in. * We never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone. You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as a result of joining this list. * To subscribe, visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/free-ezine.html * To unsubscribe, click the link at the bottom of this e-mail. You are subscribed to our list as: {!name} {!email} ============================================