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http://simplyorganizedsolutions.biz/

Simply Organized Solutions, Maryland, 8054 ROUND MOON Circle, Jessup, MD (2025)

09/29/2025

Productivity

1-3-5 Rule
A productivity technique that gives structure to daily tasks or focus for a main goal.
Identifying 1 major task that takes lots of energy and focus. It is the main goal of the day.
Identify 3 medium tasks that are less demanding but still contribute to a goal, can relate to major goal or an unrelated goal
Identify 5 small tasks that can be done quickly and can jumpstart a project or goal or are just part of daily chores that need to be done daily.
Using this technique can reduce the enormity of your goal but increase focus.

Time Blocking
This method can include things you categorize as ‘need to get done’ and ‘want to get done’.
Needs and wants can be different for everyone. Needs can be appointments scheduled for meetings, doctors, or contractors. Wants could be go to the gym, take a walk or go to lunch with a friend.
Priorities can be things you have put off for a long period of time or items that are important to you everyday.
Use your electronic calendar to schedule events as they come up and add items as time permits. Spread out appointments to allow for your other needs. This method protects a block of time for specific items.

The Rule of Three
This productivity method focus is outcome not a list of tasks. Hone in on the 3 truly important results you would like to accomplish in your day.

Deep Work
If you are writer, a teacher or creative, getting in the zone can be very important The Deep Work method structures longer periods of concentrated effort, reducing distractions. Put your phone on silent and letting important contacts know of your ‘do not disturb’ time.

Each of these productivity methods uses some of these components with different focus.
The Basics
Task List
Ranking Tasks by priority
Schedule tasks in your calendar
Estimate time for each task
Expect the unexpected
Minimize distraction; Phone on mute
Focus on outcome and results:
results-immediate good/bad
outcome-long term impact

Finding your productivity mojo is an important part of getting stuff done. Experiment and find what works for you.

08/24/2025

Clean up your Digital World, a daunting task!

Start Small
Pick a category to work on. Start with 15 minute increments. Set a timer if your time is limited. This approach helps prevent burnout allowing you to see some progress.

Reduce Folders on your desktop
Having too many folders on your desktop can slow your computers performance. These files use computer memory. They can also be distracting.

Great tips to reduce number of folders on your desktop:
https://www.frameworkit.com/knowledge-base/how-to-minimize-desktop-clutter-to-improve-computer-performance

Organize your files
Create/Edit your filing system: There are plenty of file conventions. Use what makes the most sense to you.

Clean up your browser
This is fun for me. This action keeps your computer humming and reduces lag. You can also do this on your phone.

Mac
Open Safari
Click on Safari in the menu at the top of the screen.
Click on Settings or Preferences (depending on the version of macOS you are running).
Go to the Privacy tab.
Click on Manage Website Data.
Choose Remove All or select websites individually to remove.

Windows
On your computer, open Chrome.
At the top right, click More
Delete browsing data.
Choose a time range, like Last hour or All time.
Select the types of information you want to remove.
Click Delete data.
If you delete cookies while signed in to Chrome, you won't be signed out of your Google Account.

Manage Your Emails
Unsubscribe from newsletters and promotional emails that you no longer read. Create filters and folders to automatically organize incoming emails.

Update Your Software
Ensure all your software, including operating systems and applications, are up-to-date. Regular updates improve security and performance, helping you maintain a more efficient digital environment.

Review Your Apps
Go through your apps and uninstall those you no longer use. This will free up storage space and reduce distractions on your devices.
You can also do this on your phone. In the app section you can also clear the cache of each app to free up space and increase efficiency of your phone.

Steady consistent progress is the goal to keep your digital life ‘smooth sailing’.

07/30/2025

Summer Fun

Home Bound
Not ready for a road trip yet? You want to get outside and stay there? Chores are a drudge especially when there are lots of fun outdoor activities to do.
Do you still want to be somewhat organized while having fun? Compromise! Maybe you can organized in ‘big picture mode’ during summer break; not too much detail.
Keep the pool bag ready with sunscreen, lip balm, clean towels & bathing suits; aim for one load of laundry each day.
Check the cooler: Cleaned & Restocked.
Figure out the dinner plan with your eyes closed at the pool.

Plan Vacation
Sorry no way around it....you have to be detailed here; create a checklist and add to it as you think of details.
Talk about a vacation plan while at the pool; conference call with your spouse & include the kids in your decision.

Are you flying or driving?
If you do not like to plan the details, invest in AAA

https://cluballiance.aaa.com/?zip=21075&devicecd=PC

or another travel agent that is recommended to you. I use AAA. I can get maps anytime, expert travel advice, and roadside assistance.

Driving gives you added flexibility

Chose your destination (s), and chose your route but allow for changes due to traffic back ups. I actually print a few detailed maps for my rural road trips because GPS can lose signal.

Bring snacks and plenty of water for those long hot car trips and plan plenty of stops for restless kids. Pick out audio books for the drive; this is what gets me thru 12 hour trips. Make sure kids have their favorite car games, craft, & books.

Flying
Add passports and drivers licenses to your travel checklist. Check them twice; once while packing and once right before you leave for the airport.

Travel requirements & restrictions have changed in 2025.

TSA/Visas
Changes in baggage requirements to streamline transfers from domestic to international flights.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all

New requirements by country concerning visas and travel taxes:

https://www.usa.gov/visas-citizens-traveling-abroad

Last minutes decision can lead to increased cost on your preferred destination when booking a flight.

-Be flexible about flight dates/times/destinations; expect delays
-Flights with layovers can give you an unexpected place to explore and reduce costs

A little research, organization and planning can reduce anxiety and make for a more pleasant relaxing trip.

Safe Travels!

06/23/2025

Back To Basics

Do you ask yourself, why can’t I find anything around the house? Why is every room cluttered? Life is busy with work, kids and life’s routine. Do you want to step off the Merry Go Round and take a breath?

Stop and take a breath. Think about your greatest frustration; just one. How will you change that frustration into ‘problem solved’? Overwhelmed with it all? If we think about everything that is wrong, we cannot focus on any one thing. Start with an easier problem, it may gives you energy to tackle more. Baby steps.

A key to success is to create a new habit. Chose one.

Example: Process Mail
Is mail on every available surface? You have no set pattern for getting the mail and processing until completion?

Try these steps:
Pick up mail at least once weekly
Process: Processing tools would include a container for trash, a small bin for recycle and a shredder*. Open the mail and immediately put all unneeded paper in recycle bin or shred bag. the remaining mail is the action pile. Save time later, add a note to mail that needs attention. Action items could be ‘to be paid’, needs a phone call or conversation with partner, or simply needs to be filed.

No shredder? Check out free shred events in your county or drop of at your local Staples or UPS store; they will shred for a fee.

Shred it yourself? Use a paper bag to collect your shredding, staple it closed and add to your recycle bin.

Creating a habit, one at a time with practice.

05/27/2025

Find Your Happy Place

Work is necessary, but the daily grind can get to anyone. Sometimes it is hard to step outside the daily routine. Everyone needs a Happy Place. Your Happy Place maybe a safe space to explore, or a relaxing space or place.

A Happy Place can be an exotic vacation spot, a favorite restaurant, a special place to take a walk, or a state of mind. Chose your budget. What is realistic? Any of the ‘lofty places’ will take planning and organizing.

You can have several levels of your Happy Place. Some will take more time and money. Make it attainable. Visualize what your Happy Place (s) are. Your Happy Place should rejuvenate you, bring you peace and joy because life is more than work, chores and routine. Routines ground us, but we are surrounded by a wonderous world that begs to be explored.
You can have several ‘Happy Places’. You might have to save the exotic vacation for every 5 years or once in a lifetime. Pick a place, and set a goal, stash the money in a vacation account.

Your Happy Place could be simple-
Reading a good book in your favorite room in the house
Taking a walk at your favorite local park
Eating at a waterside restaurant
Make a favorite meal with friends

Closing your eyes and visualizing your Happy Place. If you are a thrill seeker none of the above may appeal to you. Your Happy Place may be jumping out of a plane, hiking to a mountain top, or surfing in Bali.

Whatever your Happy Place may be, visualize it, plan it and go for it!

04/29/2025

Emergency Plan! Do You Have Yours?

All sorts of emergencies have been in the news: Fire, Record breaking tornados, Earthquakes, Job Loss, State of the economy.
Any of these catastrophic events can cause us to pack our bags and leave our homes for a safer more stable environment. Some events are temporary, some could be permanent.

Do you have an action plan for you and your family? How would you ‘operate’ your lives and businesses if you had to leave home? Does it make sense to take all everyday items with you so there is no ‘out of pocket’ expense, or just replace them later. Do you have room in you car(s) for all these items? The answers may not be apparent. Create a list of must haves within an action plan. The action plan broadly would be who is going? Where would you go to set up house either permanently or temporarily. You may want to pack your bags and essentials to see what fits. Do you need to rent another vehicle or a trailer?

Start by having everyone in your family make a list of their ‘must haves’. This will be a tougher for kids. Help them pair down once they complete the list. Let’s not lie, its tough for adults to.
An easier way to make a list is to go thru your day. What are the clothing, snack and tools you use every day. This can include items needed for your business. What are the important items you should take you cannot do without.

Here are a few obvious items:
Clothing and toiletries
Safety items such as flashlights and first aid kit
Airbnb: sheets, blankets, towels
Electronics: Laptops, phones, flash drives, cords, chargers
Important papers, passports, credit cards, check books, pen and paper.

Some paperwork you may need with you. Err on the side of caution, scan and put all paperwork in the cloud even if need to have a copy with you.

Your list can be overwhelming, but if you have a framework you can make the harder decisions later. Planning can help alleviate stress in an uncertain world.

03/23/2025

Stolen Passwords in the News: Be Aware

Cyber security is more important than ever. Take the time to read these articles and upgrade your digital protection.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2025/02/24/hackers-share-39-billion-stolen-passwords-what-you-need-to-know/

https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-personal-data-removal-services

If you have Windows, updates have critical security patches but sometimes they are flawed and cause problems for some users. You can also learn how to move back to a previous update to mitigate this issue.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/fix-problems-that-block-programs-from-being-installed-or-removed-cca7d1b6-65a9-3d98-426b-e9f927e1eb4d

Phishing: Hackers have a work around for 2 step authentication. Protect yourself by adding important email addresses and phone numbers to your contact list. If in doubt, do not respond to email requests or phone calls.

Public Wi-Fi: If you use your laptop in a public space, use your phone as a hot spot. Make sure you are connecting to the right network. Bad actors may create networks that look harmless but are in fact directing you to connect with a network set-up to see your internet surfing. This means if you enter login credentials or passwords into websites, the hacker will be able to steal your information.

To combat online hackers, Google and MS are moving away from SMS text and on to passkey and QR codes.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/signing-in-with-a-passkey-09a49a86-ca47-406c-8acc-ed0e3c852c6d

https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/1066447?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid

Did you know you can also lock your Social Security Number?

https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10220.pdf

Having a good antivirus and VPN should be standard protection for your computer and phone. PC Magazine is a good source for applications and product recommendations. Stay informed and vigilant. It seems now it’s a full-time job.

02/24/2025

Home Renovation

If you are looking to boost your home value or you want to update a room, use a cost vs value report. With high interest rates, trends are keeping people in their homes and they are choosing to renovate. What to choose? How to prepare?

This US News Article is a good guide for current trends.

https://realestate.usnews.com/real-estate/articles/11-popular-home-updates-that-are-worth-the-money

Key Points:
Critical Systems in good repair: HVAC, roofing, plumbing
Curb appeal: New Garage Door, landscaping
Mid-range materials instead of ‘high end’

Once you choose your project and schedule companies to give you bids then the difficult part begins.
How do you reorganize your home to remove items for the renovation?
Sort/purge items in that area that you may not need or want.
Find temporary homes for the items that will remain.

I have renovated my kitchen and bathrooms. Timing is key. No entertaining happened during these renovations.
The process of storing all your kitchen items is daunting. The boxes from the kitchen lived in my son’s room; he was away at school.

A professional organizer can help you through the process of sorting, purging, and packing up items, and reorienting your items post-renovation. As a professional organizer, I love helping clients through this process. The end result is great.

Living through a renovation is a major inconvenience and may seem like your life is on hold, but focus on the goal and visualize the outcome.

01/21/2025

Happy New Year!

In 2025, the new year, we think of New Year’s Resolutions. They do not have to be complicated.

Identifying and safely disposing of Hazardous Waste is probably not on most people’s list.

Old chemicals, paint, and cleaning supplies do degrade and then leak. I address this topic a lot in my work. It can be a hazard to you and your home. The leaking chemicals can make a mess and cause unhealthy fumes and even a fire. Transport these old chemicals in a leak proof tray or container.

Your county landfill can either take these items or suggest a company that will. My landfill takes hazardous waste every Saturday from April to Nov. They have also started taking them in the ‘off season’ periodically. Do you know where and when your community takes old chemicals?

Keep your home safe and healthy. Dispose of chemicals, cleaning products and paint responsibly. Store chemicals in a plastic or metal tray in case there is a leak.

Bonus! Free up valuable space in your home and garage.
Have a Happy and Safe New Year!

11/25/2024

Give Thanks

It’s Autumn, a time to reflect and give thanks.

We easily complain about work, family, and the things we want and do not have. If life were different we could......fill in the blank. We make choices every day; some seem inconsequential some daunting. We have regrets.

The intentional changes and decisions we make every day can set our path in life. Sometimes life sends us hardship we would rather not face. It’s how we handle those hardships that can help us later. We can be resilient.

If we give thanks for all our blessings, some mundane some spectacular, we can then appreciate that we have a lot to be thankful for.

I am grateful I live in a country, though very flawed, I can speak freely. I have a home that is sound. I can go to the grocery store and I have so many choices that I take for granted. I can make my own choices about many things. I am healthy and can walk, bike and explore for hours. I can get in my car and go where I want, when I want.

There are many people do to financial circumstances, political circumstances, or disaster that cannot do any of the things I mentioned.

If we count our blessings every day instead of once a year it could make a difference in our attitudes towards others, our outlook on life and daily living.

10/27/2024

Reorganize Your Health & Beauty Products

It has come to my attention, for many clients, health and beauty products can overload the bathroom and eventually your home.
Do you have too many of every type of product imaginable? These products can expire, or be ineffective.

Do you have product on auto ship from Amazon? If so, it may be time to deactivate auto ship.
If you shop at Costco, one trip can last you a very long time with large quantities in each bottle, sold in multiples. Every household is different. Six months’ worth is a good guideline.
Rethink off storage; if it is too inconvenient to check before you order. Before you shop take a pic of your storage area to remind you what you have on hand.

Sort and remove old product, or product you do not use anymore. ‘Containerize’ each type of item, make product easily accessible. Use an appropriate size basket that has no lid and is shallow enough to grab what you need, that easily fits in a designated space. Smaller items, smaller basket. One basket for each type of item. Lids help you forget what is in the container so you buy more than you can use in a reasonable period.
Be able to view items and have them easily accessible. If the box is already open, take them out of the box.

Donate excess product to a food bank or homeless shelter.

Recycle Old Product:
http://www.terracycle.com/en-US

Happy sorting!

08/25/2024

Update Your Digital World, Changing an Email Address

Do you need to open a new email account? Too much spam? Has your email address been compromised?
Creating a new email address especially for security reasons is important. Your email address and your phone are the gateway to your digital life. It is not a quick or easy task to accomplish but doable.
Here are a few tips to make the process more tolerable:
Be patient with yourself and the process.
Using your pc or laptop for this process; it will be easier than using your phone. You will have to verify your accounts with 2 step authentication if you have it set up.
Have a list of priority accounts; work on those first.
If you have a password manager, use it as your check list. Notate any changes to the account as you go. You may need to change your password. You may have email notifications for an account that is not used for logging in. For example, a utility company that uses one email for logging in, and another to send payment due notifications.
Use your credit card statement for recurring charges.
Check these accounts for email changes
Review your current email account folders for clubs and associations and other important communication.
Change reminders to new email address.

You should not close the original email account for a while to make sure you capture everything that is important to you. Diverting all the highly sensitive information 1st will limit vulnerability. If you have important email folders, those can be downloaded to your computer and sent in an email to your new email address.
I know from personal experience this is not a pleasant process, but with patience and determination you will feel better when it’s done.

Simply Organized Solutions, Maryland

09/29/2025

08/24/2025

07/30/2025

06/23/2025

05/27/2025

04/29/2025

03/23/2025

02/24/2025

01/21/2025

11/25/2024

10/27/2024

08/25/2024

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Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm