OrganizingLA Blog

Steelcase Workplace Index Office Organizing Statistics

I was checking out Southwest Airline's Spirit Magazine on a business flight back from San Francisco on Friday, and read John MacIntyre's Office Worker's Trivia Facts on page 186:

• 33% describe themselves as "neat freaks"
• 27% describe themselves as "pilers"
• 12% call themselves "pack rats"

The most surprising number in the Steelcase Workplace Index Survey?

• 2% admit to being slobs

Readers-- where do you and your partner fall in these statistics?  Did anyone participate in the survey?

OrganizingLA Roadtrip to San Francisco

We've just returned from San Francisco, where we completed a residential relocation which took one week of planning, packing and managing.  In between, we enjoyed views of the Golden Gate Bridge, progressive politics and small-town charm.  On the last day, we braked for this great sign off the roadside.

Now, why can't Los Angeles have this sense of humor?

Lifehacker.com Files out of Piles

Gina Trapani, Lifehacker Editor-- wrote an extensive excellent post on Friday about her quest to make files out of piles.  You've gotta check Gina's post out.

I am killing to let Gina know some additional tricks, but I am afraid these secrets revealed will make her want to re-do her to-do.  Okay, I'm shameless!  But since she asked...

Organizing a Residential Move - Tips from an Expert

Sara Getzkin, a good friend and Professional Organizing colleague in the Toluca Lake section of Los Angeles, lent her relocation (moving) expertise to an article in today's Los Angeles Daily News.  Some of Sara's tips include:

• Pack fragiles in your own car:  "If items are fragile, and you're afraid to breath on them, take them in your car."
• Pack your bed linens seperately:  "Pack a duffel bag or suitcase with pillows, sheets and blankets so you can make your bed as soon as you get there.  You can deal with plastic utensils and paper plates the first night, but you have to sleep in your bed and you're going to be exhausted. Keep track of that bag."
• Pack a last-minute bag: "Have a box or bag intended to be the first thing you open when you get to the new place. This will contain must-have items such as: an alarm clock, pajamas, toothbrush, toothpaste."

Check out Diana McKeon Charkalis article on organizing a move here.

Related posts:

• At One Time Or Another, Everyone Has Lived "Off-Sweetzer" in West Hollywood
• 9 Tips for an Eco-Friendly Relocation (with Additional Comments from Sara Getzkin)
• Moving Seniors to a Smaller Home

Uma Thurman Struggles With Disorganization in February's InStyle

For some, being disorganized can be a shameful personal issue-- some keep it close, don't discuss and won't get help.  Others prefer to announce it from the roof of Griffith Observatory, like actress Uma Thurman:

"I'm very disorganized.  It's a great shame for me.  The only organizational skills I ever developed involved using a Filofax.  I was foiled by the cell phone.  Once I broke down and got one and discovered you could program it with numbers, the Filofax drifted away-- the paper and pens had given me some tiny grasp on my universe.  Getting the electronic version wouldn't help.  I don't know how to use it."

As you would suspect, OrganizingLA will be happy to schedule some time with Ms. Thurman-- our number is (323) 512-7039.  We offer customized, non-judgemental hands-on organizing and time management solutions (whether you use paper or micro-chip.)

Check out Joanne Kaufman's February InStyle article at your local newsstand.

Girls Gone Wild: Organize The Coat Closet

We're obsessed with organization, but it seems lately, playing Blackjack may be running a close second.

Svend Lindbaek from Style Magazine introduced me to these wild handpainted poker motif hangers from Lady-Bug Art.  $74 for four--- and perfect for Spring-weather coats.

Svend calls then "closet candy."  What would you call them?

Related posts:

Flying Coat Hooks