Still seeking stories to tell...
A new TV show is seeking people to tell his/her story as a source of inspiration for others. If you (or someone you know) suffered a major tragedy such as a major illness, sudden loss of a spouse or child, house fire or some other major set back and now you or that person is on the verge of recovery and making a comeback we want to talk to you/them! Reply today to this email with your story and contact information to be held confidential. Example: A woman who is close to graduation from nursing school when she is diagnosed with breast cancer, now in remission she needs help finishing her schooling. Example: A swimmer who lost an arm in an accident and is now in therapy and ready to get back in the pool. You must live within 3 hours of NYC. In the future the scope may broaden but to be considered at this time you must meet the above requirements. If you have previously submitted your story we have it on file and if the stories broaden we’ll be in touch thank you for sharing your story.
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Clear the Stacks of Magazines, Catalogs and Newspapers Today!
...before company comes...
This week’s Clutter Challenge should you choose to accept it is to set par levels and expiration dates for catalogs, magazines, and newspapers. If I walked in your home right now how many newspapers, magazines and catalogs would we find around? And with the holidays around the corner more are on the way. It’s all about par levels- how many magazines can one person read?
It’s all about expiration dates- are the newspapers coupons good? Is the news still current? Are you really going to make the time to read it? And getting a handle on these piles is probably easier than you think. Ready? Her are the steps! Catalogs first… 1. Make a block of 18 minutes available (notice I said make, not wait for or find an 18 minute block of time)
2. Have three containers on hand (bags, boxes, baskets you get the picture)
3. Label the containers, keep, recycle and get off the list
4. Set a timer for 18 minutes and dive in
5. Locate all the catalogs and do a quick sort, toss/recycle (you never order from them or you have more than one so you are keeping only the most current), keep (you know they have quality items and you want to look through it) and get off (you do not want another one to come and you need to call to be removed from the mailing list) for get off keep ONLY the back page with all your info., recycle the rest. Later you can go to the catalogs you kept and place a post it note to flag the page of something you might like to buy.
6. When the bell rings you are free, take the recycling where it belongs, store the ones you are keeping and carry the back pages with you so you can call the 800 numbers to be removed.
7. When a new catalog arrives, as it invariably will, replace the old one with the new one, recycle it immediately, or tear off the back page so you can call to get off the list.
THAT’S IT- catalogs down- next onto the magazines… 1. Make a block of 18 minutes available
2. Have a recycling container on hand along with one file labeled ‘to read.’
3. Label the containers, keep, recycle and pass along subscription
4. Set a timer for 18 minutes and dive in
5. Locate all the magazines and do a quick sort, love it want to read it, scan the table of contents and rip out the article, staple it together and recycle the rest of the magazine. Place the clipped article in your to read file. If you do not love it, consider calling and changing the address so the rest of the subscription goes to a local senior center, hospital, shelter, or day care.
6. When the bell rings you are free, take the recycling where it belongs, stash your to read file in your purse or briefcase. Place an expiration date on the file and if you do not read it in X number of days, recycle it.
7. When a new magazine arrives, replace the old one with the new one, recycle it immediately, or change the subscription address so someone else can enjoy it.
Note: you may consider stopping your subscriptions and buying only the ones of interest at the check out counter.
THAT’S IT- magazines tackled- now onto the newspapers… 1. Make a block of 18 minutes available
2. Have a recycling container on hand along with scissors
3. Set a timer for 18 minutes and dive in
4. Locate all the newspapers do a quick sort, love it want to read it, clip out the article and recycle the rest.
5. When the bell rings you are free, take the recycling where it belongs, stash your clippings in the to read file and carry them with you until you read them. If you need to hold onto them for reference, consider an accordion folder or a magnetic photo album.
6. When a new newspaper arrives, replace the old one with the new one, even if you have not read it yet. And you may prefer to just buy the Sunday paper.
THAT’S IT- catalogs, magazines, and newspapers tackled! Not done in 18 minutes, work in 18-minute increments until you are done. Disclaimer: these steps work in 99% of the situations. But organizing is very personalized. You may need to customize your system. For example, you may love to keep magazines for reference or you may need to hold onto professional journals. This is a starting point. The biggest thing is just to start. Unsure about what to keep?
Ask yourself these questions:
Can I get this someplace else?
Is this available online?
Is someone I know also keeping this?
When is the last time I looked at this?
Do I really need it? If you have to think about it for 60 seconds or more- chances are you can toss it. Still unsure? Try the box it, date it, tape it, toss it trick.
Place all the papers you think you might be able to part with in a box.
Label the box and tape it shut.
Put a date on it 1 week to 1 year in the future.
When the date rolls around toss the box if you have not needed to go to it.
Do not open the box! Simply let it go! Try this today, it is not as difficult as it may seem and it makes a huge difference. Happy Holidays, Jamie PS Get More Ideas/ Ask Jamie a Question Now! PPS To be sure you get our newsletter every week, please add "Jamie@JamieNovak.com” to your address book or list of approved senders.
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