With the increased activity and stress around the Holidays, we are exposed to more chances for catching something at the same time we are reducing our resistance. Are you prepared? Here are 3 tips to help you manage this cold and flu season:

1) Dispose of old medications. Check the dates on the medications you have available. If they are past their expiration date, they might not be as potent and effective. Most over the counter medications have the expiration imprinted on the bottom of the box. (Food and Drug Administration disposal guide http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm101653.htm .)

2) Replace any items you feel are necessary. Add them to your next regular shopping list.

3) Set yourself up for comfort. Is your vaporizer or humidifier functioning? Are you stocked up on easy to make (and easy to eat) food and drink? What about heating pads, bubble bath, cozy pajamas, robe and slippers?

Wishing you a healthy and happy Holiday season!

Part 2
We all have heard that we should get a “good night’s sleep ‘, right? But what is a good night’s sleep and why is it so important? Continue reading Sleep for organizing

School is back in session and fall is in the air, so holiday shopping can't be far off! This is often a difficult time for anyone, let alone the disorganized!

In order to bring some peace out of the chaos, here are some tools and skills you can use.

Make your list. If you're like most of us, you have quite a few people to purchase gifts for (family, friends, coworkers, toys for tots, etc.). Write down each person and next to the name write down what you know about them (sizes, favorite colors, likes and dislikes). Do this for every name on your list. Be sure to leave plenty of space by the names you have no information for.

Check your calendar. Go over your list with calendar in hand. This way you can decide when you will be exchanging gifts with each person. Make a special note of those that will require shipping, as you will need to post them early to be on time.

Schedule your shopping. Make sure that you carve out enough time and put it into your planner. Don't forget to add time for traffic, parking and meals while you are out. Also, remember that highly sought after items may require you to visit several stores. If you are an online shopper, schedule your time in your planner, as well. Keep in mind that many popular sites get bogged down and slow because of increased usage around the holidays, so try to go online at "off peak" times (really late or very early).

Never shop while hungry. This doesn't just apply to grocery shopping. The brain functions better when the body is properly fueled and you will be less likely to make poor choices or be pressured into making unwanted purchases. Likewise, all the thinking and stress of shopping can easily lead you to make costly dietary decisions. After all, its not just Thanksgiving dinner that packs on the pounds!

Take a decision break. When you have trouble deciding on an item, walk away for a short time. Go get a cup of coffee or shop for someone else on the list. Then come back to that decision with "fresh eyes".

If you take these steps, you will have a happier holiday!

I am not what anyone would call “technologically savvy”. So, why start a blog? Because I can see the direction the world is turning, and savvy or not, this IS today’s communication tool.

There are already many other professionals who blog about organizing, so why another blog? Because each of us is looking at organizing through a slightly different pair of glasses. One organizer may concentrate on the “situationally” disorganized, one may specialize in helping those with physical disabilities and another one’s specialty may be ADHD. There are as many variations of organizing as there are organizers.

My chief interest is in applying the ever increasing information about how the brain works to the individual’s ability to reach their goals. Understanding what is going on in our brain, body and environment is the foundation. Organizing skills are the framework.

So, what is the last, best reason to start a blog? KNOWLEDGE! Simply to give and gain information which empowers each of us achieve all that is possible. It is my hope that anyone who reads this blog will feel free pass along any new research which applies.