Thanks Chef for the "Welcome". Now let's see if I can cook something up!
Greg

Hi! I'm returning after a long while gone~ The fire for starting my own organizing biz is still HOT within me- so here I am to participate in this wonderful forum again

~ I learned so much before and it really helped to boost my self confidence in something I love to do!

Looking forward to posting with everyone again~

Hello, I just joined the forum and also just bought the EO from Maria. I can't wait to get started. This clutter and having "stuff" has been a lifelong problem for me and one I am constantly trying to overcome. I find as I get older, the clutter gets worse

and I get more overwhelmed. I promised my kids I would get it taken care of so they wouldn't have to do the same thing I had to do at my parent's house!! I am looking forward to reading all the suggestions from everyone.

Hello and welcome to the forum and Gon Momtofive. Glad you joined us. I am glad to see you are taking your promise serious to your kids but also that you are trying to take control of your stuff. You can do it! Feel free to join in anywhere and everywhere, there really are some amazing people on the forum.

HI Momtofive:

WELCOME TO GON! I'm so happy to meet you.
You have come to the right place.
You will get a ton of support her.

Here is a link to Master List, ETE and Baby Steps.
It will help guide you through the possess and help you to make sense of what we are all talking about.

Master List, ETE and Baby Steps.

I'm so glad you have joined us.
Again a big warm cozy WELCOME.

This is my first time on the boards, however, I visited the website about 6 years ago. I found myself taking care of not only my husband and my paperwork, but also his elderly parents and my elderly mother's household paperwork and bill paying. Then two years later his sister was in an automobile accident and we helped with all of her finances and paperwork. I was overwhelmed to say the least. I typed "help to get organized" in the search on google and found this site. I ordered the file wise system along with the easy organizer and was it a lifesaver. Our parents have passed on now but I still use the systems daily and my life is so simple. Just wanted to say thanks and anyone overwhelmed hang in there and give it a shot.

Hello, everyone! All I can say is "WOW"! There is SO much information on this site that I could spend literal hours looking through it and never accomplishing any of the wonderful and practical ideas. I am so organized at work but feel like such a failure on the home and personal front. I would love any suggestion(s) on how to begin to balance the scales!

Thanks for all the great postings,

Joannie

Hi Debb:

WELCOME BACK TO GON! I am so glad the site has helped you so much. It is good to hear success stories like yours.

Please don't wait another 6 years to join.
Visit us daily and see how everyone is doing.
You can post your daily TO DO list on the site and then check it off as your go. The camaraderie on the site is amazing. Join the fun.
I'm so glad your back.
Again a big warm, cozy WELCOME BACK.

Hi Joannie:

WELCOME TO GON! I am so happy to meet you.
You have come to the right place.
We are all here to help each other on our organizational journey.
I’m going to post the basic instructions on how to start. It is how most of us do it here so it will help you understand what we are all talking about.

MASTER LIST:
First you will need to make a Master List. Grab a pen and paper and walk around the house. Write down everything that needs to be done. Be specific. This list will be long so don't let it overwhelmed you. We will be with you every step of the way.

When I made my list I made a separate list for each room. Then I put them in a binder. This way I only had to deal with one at a time but I knew where the rest were when I was ready for them. It kept me from getting overwhelmed.

As you do something on the list, Highlight it. Don't throw the lists away, keep them in the binder. They will become your accomplishment list. They will be invaluable on the days that you don't feel like you are accomplishing anything. You can go back and see just how far you have come.

BABY STEPS:

The next thing to learn is Baby Steps. We work in 15 min. sessions. Set the timer for 15 min and play Beat the Clock. See how much you can do in 15 min. You will be surprised at how much you can get done. When the timer goes off stop and REWARD yourself for 20 min. (cup of coffee, browse a magazine, something you enjoy) After all you have worked hard and you deserve it. Then you can set the timer again or quit for the day. Your choice.

ETE:
We also practice ETE (Eliminate The Evidence). That just means to clean up after ourselves as we go. Make a sandwich - put away the fixings and wipe down the counter. Then when you eat the sandwich no one knows you were there.

ETE just helps you keep the rest of the house under control while you Focus on one room at a time.

You can do your Master List in Baby Steps too. When you have your list done I would suggest that you join the ROTM (Room Of The Month) on the Motivation, Goals, and Achievement Forum. There we pick one room at a time and work on it till it is done.

This helps us to FOCUS. Be sure to post often and let us know how you are doing. Then we can guide, encourage, and cheer you on. We love to cheer. LOL.


I am a Moderator on the Motivation forum too so I will be watching for you. This way you will have a friend there and there are many more new friends you haven't met yet waiting too.

I’m so glad you have joined us.
Again a big warm cozy WELCOME!

Oh, my goodness! Thank you for such detailed instructions. I'm at work (my PAID work!) right now, so I will begin tackling this when I get home. Thanks again!