Do you have a closet full of unused and unwanted computer equipment? You wish you could use that closet for storing useful items, like the vacuum cleaner or your guests coats, but you haven't figured out what to do with that old computer, its monitor and the tangle of related cords and contraptions that go along with it. It's frustrating and annoying every time you open the door and see it sitting there, in the way.

To solve this problem, you must first determine whether or not there is important or valuable information on this computer that you need to retrieve. If you don't know how to do this yourself, contact a reputable computer technician* for help with this part of the project - it's not a complicated process and they are typically able to walk you through it. Once you have retrieved your important information there is just one step left: take your equipment to the local non-profit community technology center Free Geek and donate it! Your hard drive will either be destroyed beyond repair and properly recycled or the data will be overwritten and unretrievable. For more information about the services Free Geek offers to the community and directons to their facility in SE Portland, visit their website: http://www.freegeek.org/

Recap:
1. Make a decision to deal with the problem
2. Determine whether you need to retrieve information or not (if not, skip to #4)
3. Retrieve information
4. Donate

In just a few steps, you can take care of this problem and create a useful space in your home, while contributing to the greater community!

* Jeff Crocker can help you with your computer-related questions jeff@computerguyonline.com

One Step At A Time

If you feel overwhelmed by a house full of belongings, or even by a room full of belongings (or a drawer or a closet or a corner full of belongings) it is best to remember that any progress is good and that if you find a good home for one item in a pile, you have accomplished something positive. Perhaps you look at the problem area and say to yourself "I don't have time to deal with it today..." But if you look at the problem as a lot of small chores instead of one big chore, it becomes easier to wrap your mind around it. If you can identify categories within a problem pile, it can be helpful to get containers to sort into, label them with the name you choose (ie office, basement, donate, borrowed items to be returned, etc.) If this first step is all you can manage in one sitting, then you have accomplished something positive. Go and take a break, or do some work you need to do. Come back when you have a few more minutes and sort ten things into the containers. Repeat as needed and eventually you will be finished with a corner, a drawer or maybe even a whole room! You will be so happy with your success that you will want to keep going. It doesn't matter how long it takes, it's important that you simply feel a sense of accomplishment.

Here are some thing to consider as you sort:

• Do I use this item regularly? If I don't and I get rid of it, can I rent or borrow one when I do need it?
• If you tend to say "But I might need this someday" consider whether it's is likely you will need it someday.
• If you are saving things for other people because they "might need it someday" try to release this notion. They can take care of themselves, and you need to take care of yourself. Do not be the keeper of other people's stuff. (This goes for the child who graduated from college ten years ago too!)
• If you are cleaning out your clothes closet, nothing can substitute trying on your older clothes. You might think that classic black dress is still cute on the hanger, but nothing tells the truth like putting it on!
• Try to imagine what your life would be like if you didn't have those boxes in the basement with all your old school papers in them. Hmm...it might be the same as it is, but less cluttered. Those papers most likely aren't serving you anymore (if they are, by all means, keep them!)
• Remember - one step at a time. Be patient with yourself and you will see good results!

First blog

I feel as if I should write some earth-shatteringly interesting post for my first blog entry, but I think I will keep at simple. Keeping it simple is what I frequently advise my clients to do. I have been a professional organizer for over two years now, and have encountered clients with organizational problems ranging from loss of a loved one to ADD to just having a creative mind. All of these people were looking for some way to make sense of their surroundings, to work more efficiently, to be able to find something when they needed it, or sometimes just to be able to walk through a room! There is a certain amount of “creating an effective system” that goes on, but in the end what I try to impart to my clients is that they can take control of their piles of paper and belongings with a little change in their approach. They learn that it feels really good to recycle, donate or throw away things that no longer serve them in a positive way.

It’s not about having a house that looks like Martha Stewart’s, it’s about being comfortable and happy in your surroundings and finding a balance between your belongings and the life you want to lead.

Barely A Blog Entry!

Here I am hard at work.