news

Creating Command-Central

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 14:38:39 +0100

The older my children get the more I seem to need to keep tabs of. I actually thought (stupid me) that when they got older, it would be easier to manage their lives. I was very mistaken so recently I decided to tame the paper clutter on my fridge and try to create a kind of 'command-central' for my family.

What is a command-central? Many refer to this idea as a launch pad - a common space to store small, important items you use everyday. These items can include your keys, cellphones, mail, handbag and school bags (to name a few). You want to take the guess work out of looking for things you use all the time and who wouldn't want to do that (unless you like it when everyone is screaming at each other because they've misplaced something again)?

Step 1: As with most organising, the first step is to declutter the area you'd like to use as well as sort through the items that you'd ideally like stored there (in this case, items you use every day). Purge, recycle and toss all the bits that have accumulated over time.

Step 2: Now that you know exactly what you need in your command-central, you need to group things together by person. Although some families find it easier to group their children together or have one tray for the family, I tend to think that each family member should have their own command-central to avoid confusion and encourage responsibility.

Step 3: What you use as storage needs to function properly. The options include a box, wall-mounted pockets, cubes, trays and wall organisers. Remember to choose something that is practical and will help you create the order you're searching for.

Step 4: This is often where the wheels fall off - the MAINTENANCE of command-central! This is an area you will be using every day so keep it clutter free by taking the time to constantly throw things away that aren't required. Do a little each day and you'll reap the rewards of less chaos in the home.

My command-central:

I don't keep a lot of stuff lying around at all but communication coming in and out of the home is always where I get frustrated. I simply keep losing track. My solution was to get basic run-of-the-mill clipboards and cover them with lovely paper. I then labeled each clipboard. Underneath these I mounted one the hook/basket combos (available online). I love getting things off a surface and off the floor so this does both and gives me a space for incoming mail and bits and pieces as well as 6 hangers underneath for keys, bags, jackets etc. The basket can't get too full before I am forced to deal with what is inside it. This is such a simple solution that is really working for my family (click here if you'd like to see what I did).

Your challenge this month is to bite the bullet and create your very own command-central. Don't procrastinate - be creative as you want (and send us your fab solutions so we can share on FB)!

Happy organising.

Isabelle
Head Chiquita

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Neat Freak new owner of BE ORGANISED

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 14:37:01 +0100

Keep your eye on the ball

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 12:33:58 +0100

The last couple of years have been hectic. So much personal drama and so many things I've wanted to do. But despite my best intentions, in the last 4 years, by mid-Feb I am in a panic. This year I vowed it would be different by going back to my tried and tested way of planning ahead and keeping my eye on the ball.

And it hasn't been easy because who likes planning and budgeting? The pull for me is to be creative. Develop new ideas. Find new products. But since I want the business to grow and my family life to be more balanced, I have had to face all the tasks I keep putting off so that in the long-term, I am working smarter NOT harder! This is how I'm doing it.

Archive and start afresh. I always need to start with this step in the beginning of the year and it relates to my home and office. I find it extremely liberating to toss out items and paperwork that are no longer required. For the last couple of years, I have neglected this step and I am convinced that this is why I have felt frustrated and out of control.

Sacrifice time out of the office. I have slowed down on all my consults in the last month and will continue to hold off big projects for the foreseeable future.. This has affected my income potential but it's a sacrifice I'm prepared to make because I know the dividends it will pay to stay in the office and plan.

Use blocks of time. Whether you're planning for work or your household it isn't going to happen automatically. You have to block out the time first and stick to it - don't be a traitor to that time. If Monday's are your admin days, then keep it that way. You might curb your earnings a tad but you'll be so ready for the other days, your income potential will probably double.

Learn how to brainstorm. It is essential to see the bigger picture when planning for the year. You might not know every detail right now, but you do know what you want to achieve. Brainstorming allows you to see the relationship between activities and ideas, eliminating duplication of efforts and wasting energy on a one-way track.

Write it / Type it / Own it. I am a writer by nature. I feel it necessary to have plans and thoughts written down or printed out. My marketing plan for the year is a big piece of paper that is now printed and next to me at all times. This keeps me focused and also dictates how I plan the blocks of my time. Writing/typing your plans also makes them more official - own it and go for it.

Keep your eye on the ball. The best laid plans can often land up being just that - a plan. They do not translate into action. This year, make it all about ensuring that the investment of your time and energy isn't wasted. So go to the gym. Take that course you've wanted to do. Sacrifice time in order to make time. Employ a business coach or speak to a mentor. Do whatever it takes to keep your eye on the ball.

Have a wonderful month ahead.

Simplify in 2013

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 11:03:39 +0100

Dear budding neat freaks,

It’s January and you’ve decided to make some changes. This year, make it all about simplifying your life and your spaces.

Simplify your clutter by examining if all the ‘stuff’ you have is adding value to your life or causing you stress. It’s wonderful to buy new things and keep old souvenirs but if it limits your capacity to be happy, be brave and get rid of it. You can give to charities or sell the items if that helps.

Simplify memories. We all have those 'things' that we can't bear to part with and that’s ok unless it’s taking over your life. Remember memories aren’t held in things so this year archive old letters, wrap and box the trinkets in the house that aren't your style but you want your children to have, box up clothes (with moth balls and tissue paper), and if you have an attic/garage with space, store the items in labeled boxes. But remember, to avoid high drama, make sure you have a list of who is getting what!

Simplify family life. To prevent clashes in schedules and missing important events, set up a message system that your family can adopt. A magnetic board or clipboards for each family member would do the trick and would surely save you the stress of finding out at 8p.m. that you have to supply goodies for cake & candy the next day.
Simply your to-do list. If you make tasks part of your daily routine (and don’t procrastinate) you will simplify your daily life. File regularly, do the laundry more often or weed the garden whenever you can. Do this for a week or so and soon it will be routine and ‘piles’ will be banished.

Simplify your time. Start saying no to events and activities that hold no interest to you and your available time will multiply in a flash. For those activities you do participate in, start scheduling realistic pockets of time towards them. Planning ahead will also simplify your time.

The Neat Freak Team wishes you all the best for 2013. May this be your year to shine.

Isabelle
Head Chiquita

Bowled over (Newsletter - November 2012)

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 07:51:04 +0100

Bowled over

Dear budding neat freaks,

I simply cannot believe that 4 years ago I decided to start this business. And to think of the lessons I've learned along the way and the wonderful people I have met and been able to help. I am bowled over by all the support!

But here's the deal. When you start a business, you think that you're superhuman. You can do it all and you know better than anyone. NOT. Invariably the aunty down the street might have better business savvy. So what are the biggest life lessons I've learned in the last 4 years that might be of benefit to you?

Starting a business (or even a project) isn't for ninnies. You have to invest a lot of time and energy to achieve your goals. There is no such thing as luck.

Use your skills to the best of your advantage and when you realise you aren't skilled in a necessary part of your business, outsource and don't second-guess yourself.

Get involved. Network and help in the community. If you don't open up and help, you aren't ready to receive because your hands are closed.

As much as you get involved, learn to say NO to people who might want to use you to fulfill their own agendas.

Put you 'big-girl-panties-on'! I don't mean to offend but I have had to get tough and stick to the game plan which isn't so easy when you're generally an accommodating person.

Keep your eye on the prize. There are no handouts in life and although I have often thought of throwing in the towel, I keep focusing on the prize (which isn't always a monetary one).

Stay true to who you are. The Neat Freak brand mirrors my take on life. I don't pretend to be perfect (because I'm not) and hopefully people appreciate that and learn from my mistakes.

Try and figure out how to balance your life (and when you do let me know the secret). Again, I don't profess to have all the answers but I'm happy to keep learning.

Life's curveballs are there to test you. I've had a lot of these in the past 4 years and because I don't shy away from them, they are merely there to teach me something about myself. It's best to embrace that and see it as a detour.

You can't succeed on your own. You have to allow yourself to rely on people and to let them help you. I could not survive without family and friends (and even clients) who have supported and counselled. Again, I am bowled over by the support.

And further to the support received is the belief that people have in me. As of January 2013, I will be taking over as President of the Professional Organiser Assocation Africa (POAA). I am honoured to have been chosen and am looking forward to growing the awareness of the profession in South Africa. It's going to be such fun and I'll keep you posted on developments there.

Now in honour of you all and with the festive season speeding towards us, here is the updated version of the Festive Season Survival Pack for you to download. The festive season is a fun (and exhausting) time and hopefully this will help a little.

Enjoy the month ahead and the SPECIALS below!

Isabelle
Head Chiquita

Advice is Mahala (Newsletter - October 2012)

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 07:48:49 +0100

Advice is mahala

Dear budding neat freaks,

It has been a busy month (what with all the spring cleaning going on) and rather than give you loads of information, this newsletter will be short and sweet and to the point.

We are excited to announce that the Neat Freak family is growing - no I am not with child - but Melissa Breed has joined us as a Product Chiquita. Melissa is based in Umhlanga and the proud mom of two is very motivated to get going in her new venture. Call her to arrange a 'shindig' or to invite her to an open day. Click here to read more about Melissa and for her contact details.

Our 4th birthday is fast approaching and in celebration of this, I want to give you the heads up to look out for our specials in November (one listed on FB every second day). Fortunately for you, our birthday is just before Christmas so you can stock up on presents at our discounted prices. I haven't quite started singing jingle bells but I hate to say it, Christmas is a mere 73 days away.

Although we had scheduled to hold another workshop in October, we have decided against this as our clients have so many events during this time, it would be best to hold another in 2013. However we will be having our end-of-year OPEN DAY on 2nd November and look forward to seeing you then.

If you are a regular visitor on our Facebook page, you will notice that we have added a new banner inviting you to Ask Neat Freak for some advice. I often have people remarking to me that they ask themselves; "What would Neat Freak say?". Apart from that being an awesome compliment, it occurred to me that they might say that to themselves but not actually ask. So herewith formal invitation - ask away - advice is mahala (although I am no 'agony aunty' so advice on your hairdo and relationship woes are best sorted elsewhere) :)

For those wanting tailor-made advice, this can also be arranged by booking our 1-hour advice consult. Sometimes you really want to get organised but just don't know where to start. I am an expert at finding easy solutions and giving people the push they need. Contact me to book your consult now or to enquire. Start 2013 on a positive footing.

Enjoy!

Isabelle
Head Chiquita

Recycle & Reorganise (Newsletter - September 2012)

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 07:46:26 +0100

Recycle & reorganise

Dear budding neat freaks,

I have been recycling ever since I got married. We lived in a flat and even then I loved trying to find a way to make the most of my space. I found toy containers that stacked and used them behind our kitchen door. It was a small kitchen but I made it work.

Over the years it became easier and now I have a recycling station in my courtyard that consists of three 95L rubbish bins for plastic, cans and glass and a separate box for cardboard and paper. It is part of our routine and 16 years on, it is something I proudly continue to do. But what I am really starting to enjoy, is looking for ways to repurpose what I have at home in order to organise and decorate. I don't always succeed because storage has to be functional, but it is amazing what can be achieved.

When I started organising, I realised that there are many people that aren't recycling and repurposing what they have so in celebration of spring, below are some visuals found online of people that are creatively organised and click here to view one of my repurposing projects!

And before you start a project of your own, we've been busy at Neat Freak, sourcing new products (outlined for you below) and thinking of new ways to connect with you:

View and subscribe to our new YouTube channel. We will continue to add to it and will be filiming tips and ideas that you can use in your home and office.

You can repin and follow all our boards on Pinter est and let me know if there is a board you think we need to create and we'll do it.

Follow our activities and get our daily pictures and tips on Facebook.

Plus, for anyone wanting to spring clean and get organised, give us a call to book a 'Spring' consult. You'll get expert advice to get you started (at a reduced rate until end-September) and available online or in person.

Enjoy!

Isabelle
Head Chiquita

Superwoman has landed (Newsletter - August 2012)

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 07:43:07 +0100

Superwoman has landed

Dear budding neat freaks,

I don't know about you, but lately I have been feeling a little like the proverbial hamster on the wheel. It's spinning and I am still moving forward but the end of the wheel isn't there. I can't jump off because it's spinning and I can't slow down too much in case the wheel stops altogether. Know the feeling?

I bet many of you do because I am often out networking and talking to people, and I am hearing this scenario being described to me by more and more women. I know why though - it's because we're so busy trying to be superwomen. We are racing around everywhere we go making sure that anyone who will listen knows that we are not part of the Stepford wife club of the 1950's. Committee here. Training there. Appointments and meetings and boardrooms. Children. Partners... yada yada.

Now I am not saying there is anything wrong with working hard and being busy. Anyone that knows me well would immediately say to me, "Now there's the pot calling the kettle black"! I love to work and I thrive on coming up with new ideas. But there is this nagging feeling in my gut that sooner or later, whether I want to stay on the hamster wheel or not, it is going to spit me out and the superwomen I am trying to be will land with a thud. After loosing my father two years ago and many other personal travails later, at one point you have to stop and take stock.

So now I am trying to consciously slow down. Appreciate things a little more. Not sweat the small stuff quite as much. Stop and smell the roses.

I am not going to be defined by how much I jam into my day. I am not going to be less of a suffragette if I take a 'sick' day once in a while. In the grand scheme of things, no one is keeping score except me.

So this Women's Day, take some time to really think about the superwoman you want to be. Celebrate your uniqueness and love yourself dearly.

Much love,

Isabelle
Head Chiquita

p.s. I know my ramblings have nothing to do with being organised but as Head Chiquita, I thought I would allow myself some poetic license and if you have anything to share, I'd love to hear it. Email isabelle@neatfreak.co.za

Money doesn't grow on trees (Newsletter - June 2012)

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 07:40:33 +0100

Money doesn't grow on trees...

Dear budding neat freaks,

When I decided to make changes to my offices in May (i.e. close the home shop and create an admin area and take over my awesome home laundry to make way for a stock room), I knew I certainly didn't have the money-tree recipe. I had to find a way to do it without spending lots of money.

I set about challenging myself to recycle everything I could for new shelving and literally only wanted to pay towards the labour. So, my husband helped me do what he could over a week-end and then I hired DIY Dad to do the rest. He was given strict instructions to save whatever he could. The result was that I got the rooms I wanted and literally only paid R1000 towards additional materials and the rest was labour!

Not bad when you consider that my first instinct was to pay R30 000 and bash down walls and make it look pretty! I had to (dare I say it) admit my husband was right and expand conservatively. I saw this as a challenge to see how I could actually recycle. And the truth is, we all can if we think out of the box.

Here are a few tips to organise any space by recycling:

A free-standing bookcase can be hung up in a cupboard that has no shelves.
Use old baby-food jars to hold spices. Stash them in a drawer upside down so it looks more uniform.
Use an old wooden stepladder to hold bath and hand towels.
Create a butcher block for your kitchen from an old table. Simply add shelves, baskets and castors. Repaint and mosaic the top to make it strong.

These are just a few but for loads more, visit our Tips page on our website. We'd also love to know your tips. Visit our Facebook page, LIKE us and share your brilliance!

PLUS REMEMBER, we're looking for 'chiquitas' to join our family! If you're interested in selling our products, then you need to let us know.

Have a great month ahead!

Isabelle
Head Chiquita

Happy Homes, Happy Moms (Newsletter - May 2012)

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 07:38:41 +0100

Happy moms, happy homes

Dear budding neat freaks,

I am one of many busy moms who need to be organised to function at our optimum. Because May is 'mom's-day-month', I wanted to share with you some tips that I found recently. I truly hope they help.

Get a great planner to help organise your schedule. If you're a techno-junkie, try managing your time online with Google Calendar OR if you're a techno-phobe, go with a diary. Even a basic notebook with lots of room to jot down notes will help you manage your time more efficiently.

Get your kids in on the act. If you color-code your calendar, even your kids will know which schedule to follow. Try attach incentives for them to help you. Raising a responsible child is going to help keep you on track.

Get a great tool to organise your stuff. This can be a filo-fax, a concertina file or a labeled container that you have on hand. Just make sure it works for you and keep it accessible.

Set up a filing system and keep your papers in order. If pretty files float your boat than make them pretty but the trick is to really use them; one for business things and another for household paperwork. Keeping your paperwork organised can make a big difference to family life. There is nothing worse for anxiety levels than constantly losing school notices and accounts.

Make a to-do list. I find that writing down what I have to do each day is keeping me from getting distracted so if you're jumping from one thing to another, this is highly recommended.

Cut out the clutter. One of the biggest obstacles to overcome when organising is cutting back on clutter. If you don't use it, love it or need it then it's time it got tossed.

Try a timer. Multi-tasking doesn’t always work when it comes to keeping yourself organised. Sometimes, you need to be able to focus on a single task in order to really get it out of the way. Using a timer can help. It's amazing how much you can get done if you’re trying to beat the clock!

If all else fails, don't forget we're holding our Slam Dunk your Home workshop on 12th May in KZN. You can spoil yourself or someone you love. We'll be tackling why you can't get organised and give you tips on how to start organising a room in your home. CLICK HERE for more information or to book.

PLUS see our big annoucement below. We're looking for 'chiquitas' to join our family! If you're interested in selling our products, then you need to let us know.

Have a wonderful, richly deserved Mother's Day.

Isabelle
Head Chiquita