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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 21 to 45 of 49. Go back in thread:
Posted by yaya on January 21, 2003, at 11:21:31
In reply to Re: Disaster Area Develops Dent, posted by coral on January 21, 2003, at 8:12:24
Oh my! I guess I'm not alone in this area. I do manage to get the kitty litter box cleaned, but there are times when I can't face the chore (like right now) so I filled my sink with Pine Sol.
Posted by IsoM on January 21, 2003, at 12:50:32
In reply to Re: Disaster Area Develops Dent, posted by yaya on January 21, 2003, at 11:21:31
I'd just like to tell you, Noa (in all seriousness but also with a goofy, crooked smile on my face) that you must've been an inspiration to me.
When I read your original post, I thought "she's a great writer with a real sense of humour & should be writing a column for a local paper & work up from there to greater things". Heck! You're every bit as funny, or more, as Dave Barry & Erma Bombeck (is she even around any more?). If they can make money from it, so should you.
After sending off a quick (not so funny) quip to rayww, I went into my kitchen around midnight. What with stress lately & an upset stomach from it, I couldn't sleep. So I stayed up till 3 AM & cleaned. Wow! I now have clean dishes, both sinks clean & empty, & can find stuff. Well, at least some stuff - those I washed.
Go, Noa!! You may serve as the beacon for all of us disorganised, anxious slobs who are afraid someone may actually drop in to visit.I looked up the meaning of Noa (even if it's not your real name) & it says it's an Arabic version meaning "light". Yes!! That's our Noa - a light for all "wanna-be tidy & organised" slobs.
Posted by IsoM on January 21, 2003, at 13:15:00
In reply to Re: Disaster Area Develops Dent LOL » Phil, posted by noa on January 21, 2003, at 5:44:53
Would you believe it, Noa? That's the one area in my place that's clean, VERY clean! I love my kitties but I loathe the smell & dirt of a litter box, so I scoop it a number of times a day. Plus the fact, if I didn't, they'd find a unsuitable place to go. They're more finicky than I am about cleanliness.
Posted by OddipusRex on January 21, 2003, at 16:10:45
In reply to Re: Disaster Area Inspiration - for Noa, posted by IsoM on January 21, 2003, at 12:50:32
I did all my laundry! It was an inspiration for me too.
> I'd just like to tell you, Noa (in all seriousness but also with a goofy, crooked smile on my face) that you must've been an inspiration to me.
>
> When I read your original post, I thought "she's a great writer with a real sense of humour & should be writing a column for a local paper & work up from there to greater things". Heck! You're every bit as funny, or more, as Dave Barry & Erma Bombeck (is she even around any more?). If they can make money from it, so should you.
>
> After sending off a quick (not so funny) quip to rayww, I went into my kitchen around midnight. What with stress lately & an upset stomach from it, I couldn't sleep. So I stayed up till 3 AM & cleaned. Wow! I now have clean dishes, both sinks clean & empty, & can find stuff. Well, at least some stuff - those I washed.
>
> Go, Noa!! You may serve as the beacon for all of us disorganised, anxious slobs who are afraid someone may actually drop in to visit.I looked up the meaning of Noa (even if it's not your real name) & it says it's an Arabic version meaning "light". Yes!! That's our Noa - a light for all "wanna-be tidy & organised" slobs.
Posted by noa on January 21, 2003, at 19:15:57
In reply to Re: Disaster Area Inspiration - for Noa, posted by IsoM on January 21, 2003, at 12:50:32
Thanks for the kudos, Iso. And YAY for you and your late-nite cleaning spree!
I have to say, as much as what I did IS only a dent, it was nice to come home from work today and actually see the surfaces, like the kitchen table.
Posted by noa on January 21, 2003, at 19:17:14
In reply to Re: Disaster Area Inspiration - for Noa, posted by OddipusRex on January 21, 2003, at 16:10:45
Posted by coral on January 21, 2003, at 20:07:34
In reply to Re: Disaster Area Inspiration - for Noa » IsoM, posted by noa on January 21, 2003, at 19:15:57
Dear Noa:
You could FIND your kitchen table? I think we have one but I'm not sure........
BTW, keep up the good work. We're all marching toward ... (dare I say it?) neatness......
Posted by shar on January 21, 2003, at 23:13:42
In reply to Disaster Area Develops Dent, posted by noa on January 20, 2003, at 12:46:21
"It's really only a dent," said the bewildered noa, "but I hope it is a good start, at least I can see some of my surfaces."
Noa,
I believe the latest research in this area concludes that if you can see surfaces, it is officially more than a dent....8-)Heartiest congratulations on your success.
Green with envy,
Shar
Posted by coral on January 24, 2003, at 5:08:45
In reply to Re: Disaster Area Develops Dent » noa, posted by shar on January 21, 2003, at 23:13:42
I have a new computer that won't be installed until I get my office cleaned. I'm concerned that the new computer will be obsolete by that time. HELP!!!
Posted by noa on January 24, 2003, at 5:29:50
In reply to Re: seeking inspiration!, posted by coral on January 24, 2003, at 5:08:45
LOL.
YOu can do it. Focus on just the area where the computer stuff has to go. Janice, who used to frequent PB, had suggested the egg time approach--set it for 10 minutes or 15 and clean just that much time once a day.
Just starting is the hardest, I find.
Posted by coral on January 24, 2003, at 13:43:34
In reply to Re: seeking inspiration! » coral, posted by noa on January 24, 2003, at 5:29:50
Thank you, Noa.
Cleaned off a chair today!
:)
Coral
Posted by IsoM on January 24, 2003, at 13:55:40
In reply to Re: seeking inspiration!, posted by coral on January 24, 2003, at 5:08:45
Coral, I'm trying to do a major clean & organisation of my house. After a grueling 1 1/2 months of reading, numerous phone calls (many of the numbers given me weren't even the right ones), talking to realtors, & the most kind helpful mortgage broker I've ever seen, I (well, actually my son) will be the owners of our own home - at last!!! Plus I've been dealing with a very sick kitty for the last 3 weeks. I'm hoping to finally get organised & maintain it. I've been stressed to the max & I handle stress very poorly.
I'll suggest something for your office I'm going to use for myself. But don't make the mistake of trying to accomplish this in one day. Pace yourself. A good marathon runner always paces himself - consider this a marathon.
1. Get a number of large cardboard boxes. An excess is better than running out & needing more.
2. With a large dark marker, label each box (e.g. letters, or papers to look over, or pens/pencils, paperclips & paraphenilia - whatever you need to label).
3. Then starting in one corner, just drop in each item you pick up. Don't bother checking it over - that can be done once the office is cleared. Don't make the mistake I sometimes do of starting to pick & choose from here & there. Start in that corner & move your way progressively through the rest of the room.4. I would suggest having a separate box for garbage & another for items you're not quite certain where they fit. In half a day, the office should be clear & empty except for boxes.
5. Move all boxes out of the room, & vacuum, dust, & wipe. Your office will now be ready for your new computer.
6. It's maddening to have all those wires & cables that are attached from your comp to printers, scanners, speakers, etc. Most office supply depots have inexpensive flexible tubing you can run the cables & wires through to keep them tidy. You can also buy some vinyl coated hooks in different sizes & attach them to the side of your desk or wall to hold some shorter cables & wires out of the way.
7. Then choose one or two boxes a day to sort out. Pick the needed things first like paraphenelia & papers.
8. I have a few inexpensive magazine holders to keep papers in.
http://www.schoolsupply.com.au/images/2010001.jpg
It takes up less room than in & out trays, & it's easier to leaf through the stack to find what I need. If you have lots of papers, I'd suggest about 5-8 of them with labels of A-D, E-M, N-S, & T-Z on each one to keep them in order. Be frugal, don't buy anything until you need to, otherwise you add to the clutter. Make sure it has a real use in your office.9. If you have a computer hutch, keep related books on top of it, & software you don't need often in the small cupboard or shelves. Keep what's needed the most in easy reach & quick to find.
10. Have your phone & phone book on a small table or shelf beside you.
I'm really a whizz at organisation. I don't think it's fair to say ADD people aren't good at organising. It's just I'm 200% better at disorganising!! If only I could remember to put everything back when I was finished with it!
I hope these steps are helpful to you. Pick & choose what may apply best. It's tailored for my needs, not yours, so I'm not certain if it'll work for you.
Posted by coral on January 24, 2003, at 15:45:30
In reply to Got A Solution For You!!! Longish Post » coral, posted by IsoM on January 24, 2003, at 13:55:40
Dear Iso,
Thank you so very much for your thoughtful post. I've printed out your post and that's exactly how I'll tackle it, starting Sunday. (No, that's not procrastination --- I'm working tonight on a project and all day tomorrow at a client's!) We're also going to repaint my office and new drapes (these types of projects I can really gravitate to --- it's the clutter that gets to me). Again, thank you!!!!
Posted by IsoM on January 24, 2003, at 15:56:26
In reply to Re: Got A Solution For You!!! Longish Post ISO, posted by coral on January 24, 2003, at 15:45:30
Posted by noa on January 24, 2003, at 22:01:19
In reply to Re: seeking inspiration! Noa, posted by coral on January 24, 2003, at 13:43:34
Go Co-ral! Go Co-ral! Go Co-ral! (Try to imagine the chant and the arm movements)
Posted by shar on January 25, 2003, at 2:07:20
In reply to Re: seeking inspiration!, posted by coral on January 24, 2003, at 5:08:45
Coral,
Even in a 'messy' office there is some organization. You (I would bet) know where to look for something, or what stack a document is likely to be in, where your favorite pen is, etc.Identify the system you now have, what the features are, what implements you like to have handy, what you like to use to keep papers in, where you keep phone numbers and notes to yourself, what you have by the phone...and also, the things that create problems by their absence, such as never enough paper at hand, or having to search for scissors, etc.
By consciously recreating what works, you can get the best containers for the job, even if they aren't pretty. Come to terms with your own ways of operating.....hey! you know this stuff...you train people on it!! But, I think trying to implement a system that isn't you is going to ultimately be frustrating and won't work.
I've been sharing my living space for going on 7 weeks, and there's been a fair amount of organizing happening. My WHequivalent said he'd never seen so many redundant systems (he may or may not know that this occurs because I am powerless over pens and other writing implements). He set about collecting them all (I forget his point in doing so) AFTER I came home and found my sacred pen box in THE TRASH!!! if you can believe it. It is a Starbuck's box, very sturdy, attached lid (so no taking the lid off and laying it down and losing it amidst the general chaos), and perfect size. So, we had an interesting discussion about whether I had any Klingon blood in me because they also have a lot of redundant systems (such as two hearts and duplicate other organs).
The redundancy is that I do things in different areas of the house (like I pay bills and grade homework at the dining room table, write in my journal while sitting on the futon with the tissues handy, have to make notes if I'm doing research and stuff on the computer, etc.) and I want office supplies already there when I go to do whatever I'm doing. So, every area has scissors, pens, pencils, paper; some areas have tape and stapler also.
I have, at different times in my life, tried to do all these different things at a desk, but I always migrate to other areas--always the dining or kitchen table, usually the futon or sofa, always the computer area. And it is a big hassle if I've moved all my stuff to the desk because I'm always going back and forth.
So, I tip my hat to organization by leaving each area with supplies, but keeping them in decent looking containers that I can move out of the way when needed (I have a nice basket by the futon, two covered plastic containers near the dining room table that I can slide into the china cabinet, and a box and pen holder by the computer). Most other supplies are in plastic drawers on wheels (I know it sounds weird, but they're like little chests of drawers, and some are big with 6 large drawers, and one is small enough to fit under the desk and has six small drawers).
Am I rambling yet?
So, that's my recommendation. Before you change anything, look at what's there, make it official, get aids to help keep it that way but better.
Also, if paper is one of your problems, I recommend using not regular file folders, but those kind that have the little expandable bottoms, so you don't hate getting out the file on something. That trick helped me really start using files for the first time in my life. And, I get the colored ones, and it can help keep track of things (on a couple of routine files I can just look for the yellow one or green one instead of reading all the little titles on the folders).
There, I've probably said 1,000 times more than you want to hear. Good luck! It'll be great to have a new computer!
xoxo
Shar
Posted by noa on January 25, 2003, at 10:17:16
In reply to Re: seeking inspiration! » coral, posted by shar on January 25, 2003, at 2:07:20
I think sometimes efficiency and streamlining is overvalued. Redundancy helps for the reasons you mentioned--convenience adn accessibiltiy, etc. But redundancy is also important as back up. Airplanes are relatively safe because they have redundnat systems--such as multiple engines. When something goes wrong, having an extra piece of equipment to kick in is really important.
Posted by IsoM on January 25, 2003, at 15:31:57
In reply to Re: seeking inspiration! » coral, posted by shar on January 25, 2003, at 2:07:20
That's funny, Shar, 'cause I do much the same. People think I'm nuts because I own about a dozen or more scissors. Some are speciality scissors (huge fabric shears, barber scissors, & kitchen meat cutting scissors) but the rest are in diff sizes for paper & plants. I keep pens & paper in odd spots where I'll need them too. I like those peel off stickers that I can label things with & keep them about the place too. Otherwise, I'll look at all these little boxes & have no idea what's in them till I hunt through one after another. I like having little work islands too where I do certain things, like you suggest. And like you, I want a box or two with flip lids that can't get lost.
But I have a question. What are these folders you mentioned? (I recommend using not regular file folders, but those kind that have the little expandable bottoms, so you don't hate getting out the file on something.) Can you give me link to a pix of one so I can look for them at a store?
Posted by shar on January 25, 2003, at 18:05:51
In reply to Re: organizing tricks » shar, posted by IsoM on January 25, 2003, at 15:31:57
Iso:
I'm sure you've seen them, they're just hard for me to describe. They're known as file jackets or file pockets (see description below). The link to office max may or may not work, but I got there by going to office max, clicking on 'file folders and accessories' and then 'file jackets and pockets.' They have expandable files, but that wasn't what I was thinking of (expandable files are great big honkin' things).
Shar
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Smead Letter Size Color File JacketsClosed on the bottom and sides to keep documents safely inside, these file jackets are perfect for photos, documents, charts and x-rays. File jackets have full-height side gussets to keep materials from slipping out. Jackets with 2-ply top are thumb-cut to access contents easily and are closed on 3 sides. Contain at least 10% post-consumer material.
Posted by noa on January 26, 2003, at 13:11:58
In reply to Re: organizing tricks » IsoM, posted by shar on January 25, 2003, at 18:05:51
Shar, I was curious, too, so I followed the link, but it went to a general page. Is it something like these:
0r these?
Posted by IsoM on January 26, 2003, at 17:54:32
In reply to Re: organizing tricks, posted by noa on January 26, 2003, at 13:11:58
The best way to show a pix is to right click on the image & then select "Properties" on the pop-up menu. By cutting & pasting the URL of the image that's given in the Properties box, you can directly link to the image. Most web sites don't like this done routinely as it steals bandwidth from them without linking to their site. But i this case, it's to show what someone wants to buy & isn't something we're going to be doing all the time.
Here's the link to the image of the file folders:
http://images.officemax.com/images/kreb_large/20113477.GIF
Posted by shar on January 26, 2003, at 23:06:43
In reply to Re: how to show pix of folders, posted by IsoM on January 26, 2003, at 17:54:32
Posted by noa on January 27, 2003, at 4:45:19
In reply to Re: how to show pix of folders, posted by IsoM on January 26, 2003, at 17:54:32
Thanks for the trick, Iso. But I wonder why the links to the product descriptions didn't work.
Any way, I bought a few of those last year to hold thick files. I like them.
Posted by bozeman on January 29, 2003, at 0:25:04
In reply to Re: Noa is an inspiration » coral, posted by noa on January 21, 2003, at 5:49:00
> >>I'm sure everyone understands why a broken file drawer would prevent me from tackling the dust bunny herds that occupy ..... well..... everywhere.
>
>
> OH YEAH! In fact, I bet we could generate a wonderful list of "halt screechers", ie, things that make it impossible to go on with the task.Today's biggest "halt screecher" . . . .
Purring kitty in the lap
Can I say "delta waves"???
:-)
Posted by coral on January 29, 2003, at 8:32:44
In reply to Re: Noa is an inspiration » noa, posted by bozeman on January 29, 2003, at 0:25:04
LOL Absolutely!
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