The Posh Blog

In last week’s post Are You Too Organized I discussed how sometimes we can create over complex systems or ways of doing things that actually cause us to steer clear from using them rather than encourage us to use them.  I received several comments and e-mails about that article so I wanted to take that thought a little bit deeper. 

Here’s something you don’t hear every day, did you know that perfectionism can actually lead to disorganization?  Yes, it is commonly perceived that someone who is a perfectionist is meticulously organized, but many people don’t understand that what perfectionists want more than anything is for things to be “perfect”.  If a perfectionist cannot create the “perfect” system for doing something in many cases they would rather not do it at all.  This can lead to the exact opposite result of organization. 

Let me give you an example.  When I first start working with clients I asses their personality as it relates to organization.  After seeing their space and interviewing them I am usually able to tell if they are a perfectionist.  This person will often tell me that they really want to be organized but have tried and it just doesn’t work.  Also at a quick glace there are usually piles and piles of paper or clothes or whatever the case may be.  The perfectionist often self sabotages her or himself by coming up with multiple things that need to get done before he or she can actually do the simple task of filing a piece of paper or hanging up an article of clothing.  If they can’t do those other things first, then things won’t be exactly perfect and therefore they just should not be done at all.  Which makes perfect sense really, because who would want to do 11 things prior to doing a one minute task? 

As mentioned in my Are You Too Organized article.  The perfectionist needs to embrace simplicity.  Part of staying organized has to do with how flexible you are.  Your systems are going to have to change as your life changes and as your needs change.  You cannot create a filing system when you are single and in your 20’s that will still be effective when you are in your 40’s married with two teenagers. 

Embrace simplicity, flexibility, and the power of a deadline!

Angela

Copyright (C) 2010 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com.

I am so excited because I just started using Send Out Cards and it is SO cool!  I signed up so I could quickly and easily keep in touch with clients by sending cards.  I completely blew away my expectations. The first reason I love it because you can go online and choose any kind of card you want at any time day or night.  You don’t have to make a special trip to the card shop.  This is a great time saver. Second, the cards cost less then what they cost at a card shop.  Third, I can schedule the card to go out immediately or in several months, which means no more missing birthdays! Finally, Send Out Cards mails the card for you, so you don’t have to worry about whether or not you have the correct postage on a card or not.  You don’t even have to put the card in the mail box! 

I love this service!  This is such a time saver!!!  If you would like to try out Send Out Cards and send a card for free click here to set up your gift account on me!  There are so many other cool things you can do I would be happy to tell you about.  Give me a call at 512-252-2866 or send me an e-mail at info@theposhspace.com.

If you’re busy but you want to keep in touch with friends, family, or clients this is a fantastic tool!

Simplify your life and don’t worry about buying stamps anymore!

Enjoy effortless card sending!
Angela

Copyright (C) 2009 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com.

Happy Monday!

Last week I had my Make a Difference Girl’s Night Out where we discussed goals and putting ourselves on the top of our priority list.  We had an amazing time!   If the topic of goals, priorities and life balance interests you then you may want to take a peak at my article 5 Steps to Life Balance that was published today on w2wlink .  This article discusses using goal setting strategies to reach work/life balance.  The article is featured in the Work Life Balance section of the site.   

I will be contributing a monthly column to w2wlink.  W2wlink is an online community for professional women.  It gives them the information they need to grow as a corporate CEO, an entrepreneur, a fast paced employee, and how to balance it all at the end of the day.   

I hope you find the article and the web-site to support you and your growth. 

Enjoy! 

Angela  

Copyright (C) 2008 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com. 

February is officially Archive Your Files Month.  How funny is that?!  I actually think this is a little premature.  With the majority of my clients I use a filing system called the FreedomFiler.  This filing tool is unlike anything else available, trust me I have looked.  With the FreedomFiler you file things based on the length of time you need to keep them.  What an amazing concept!  The FreedomFiler also reminds you when it is time to purge paper and in many case you are easily and effortlessly tossing paper each month.  I love this because it keeps your filing cabinet from getting stuffed with old out of date information and it prevents you from having to do an annual purge of your files or from having to archive many files at all.  

In fact, with the FreedomFiler the only files you are archiving are your old tax files.  These files are also saved based on the length of time you need to keep them.  So each year after you file your taxes you will then add your completed tax records to your archived files and you will also be removing old records and purging them.  Again, this is great because it keeps you purging items each year.  This promotes archiving your files after your taxes have been completed. 

If you don’t have a FreedomFiler, I highly encourage you to get one, but I would advise you to be very selective on the files you are archiving.  Why are you archiving the documents?  Do you really need them?  Will you ever reference them again?  Keep in mind that 80% of the papers we file are never referenced again.  My second piece of advice is to store the files you are archiving in a filing cabinet or in plastic file boxes.  If possible do not store your archive files in cardboard boxes.  The chances of you paper withstanding pests and water damage is higher if the paper is stored in plastic file boxes or in metal filing cabinets.   

In honor of Archive Your Files Month I am extending a special discount to anyone who purchases a FreedomFiler in the month of February.  This is the only time I have offered this discount! Call or e-mail me for my special coupon code if you would like to order your FreedomFiler online. 

Also, now through February 28th only, if you purchase a four hour FreedomFiler Session you will receive your FreedomFiler at no charge!  You will also receive a special bonus, the POSH Space Favorite Products Guide.   Savings and bonuses worth $67!   

A file cabinet that actually closes, now that’s the good life! 

Enjoy,

Angela  

Copyright (C) 2008 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com. 

So Clean Our Your Computer Day was officially Monday, but who’s counting?  I would like to declare it Clean Out Your Computer Week!   

This is a great time to purge old files that are no longer relevant, clean out your e-mail inbox, or to clean out your contact list.   

I don’t know about you, but sometimes as I am going through my contacts I run across a name and I have no idea who that person is. I also run across names that are a blast from the past.  These are people that I knew 10 years ago when I was in another job and who may have been great contacts at the time, but are really not relevant to my life today.  Both of these are examples of contacts you can delete.  Here are three sure fire reasons to hit the delete button on a contact:  1. The contact information is so old you don’t remember the person.  2. The contact information is so old you know it is not accurate and you have no way of contacting the person.  3. The contact is no longer relevant in your current life.   

As the old saying goes:  when we clear out the old we make space for the new.  This could be the new person or contact that you have been waiting for.  You never know.   

Take some time this week to purge some old e-mails, contacts, or computer files.  Remember, this doesn’t have to take all day, just try 10 minutes a day or 30 minutes on a Friday afternoon.  You will feel much better with less computer clutter.   

Enjoy the good life, 

Angela 

Copyright (C) 2008 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com.

 Many of us have a love hate relationship with office supplies.  We love them and have to have them, but where do we put them?  Even if you have a home office you may not have much room to spare.   

One thing I have found to work well are clear over the door shoe organizers.  Shoe organizers are not just for shoes!  This fantastic tool is versatile, affordable, and easy to install.  The pockets hold just the right amount and can be used to hold things from highlighters, pens, note pads, batteries, staples, push pins, binder clips, cords, you name it!  I like using the clear organizers shown in the photos because you can see exactly what you have and if you need to buy more.  If this does not appeal to you there are also opaque organizers that are made of canvas or other fabrics.  If you decide to use a fabric organizer then be sure to label each pocket so you don’t forget where things are.   

 You can get over the door shoe organizers at The Container Store, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Target. 

Finding a Sharpie® when you need it…now that’s the good life.

Enjoy, 

Angela

Copyright (C) 2008 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com.