August 17, 2007
The Monthly Organizer
September 2007
Monthly Motivation
I spend a good amount of time participating in various organization forums, learning from others and providing answers when I can. Forums are really a wonderful way of getting the information you need while developing a sense of community with the other forum members. One piece of advice that I have seen provided on several forums lately is this: Done is better than perfect.For all of you Type A personalities out there, this may be a difficult concept, but it is good advice, especially when it comes to procrastination. You can procrastinate without even realizing that you are procrastinating. If you have several projects in your life that are in varying stages of incompletion for one reason or another, you are probably procrastinating.
Following this advice will require you to think outside the box a little bit. As an example, you may be waiting to donate items to charity because you haven't gotten around to getting cardboard boxes to put them in. Put the items into a garbage bag and stop procrastinating. Done is better than perfect.
This month let's stop procrastinating and just get it done.
I challenge you to think of five projects that you have been putting off because all conditions have not been perfect and find a way to just get them done.
Monthly Organization Tip
Being organized is fantastic, but I firmly believe that there comes a time when too much planning turns into a bad thing. When it appears that your system of organization needs a second system just to keep your first system running smoothly, you might be over-planning.So often, we get this idea into our heads that nothing can happen until all conditions are perfect. That kind of thinking is exactly what keeps us treading water instead of moving forward. Organization works best when it occurs in its simplest form.
For example, you may have a system for storing your important household documents but you may find that you continually procrastinate when it comes to actually working the system and putting the documents away. Due to your procrastination, you may wind up with a desk so covered in paper that you now feel overwhelmed when it comes to sitting down to pay your bills so you put off paying your bills and a snowball begins to form, the ability to complete one project depending upon the completion of another.
This is the time that you need to recognize that while you may have developed a stellar system of maintaining your household documents, it is clearly too complicated or you would not procrastinate about it. Maintaining a truly organized system should require very little effort. Bring your system to its simplest form and prevent the snowball from forming. Don't tread water, move forward.
It's about time for a change of seasons. Find out what you can do around your home to make seasonal organization a breeze.
If you have kids, get all the tips you need to get ready for back to school.
Money Saving Tip
Did you know that writing things down makes you more accountable to yourself and helps you to achieve a goal? It's true. It is the reason that so many diet plans suggest that you keep a food journal. If you have to write down every bite that you take, you are more likely to think about those bites. The same logic holds true for your budget.This month, learn how to make a simple budget. Once you have your budget written down you will be more likely to think about the money you spend, right down to the smallest purchases. This act, in and of itself, will save you money.
Become more accountable to yourself when it comes to your budget and watch your savings grow.
Recipe of the Month
Everybody is familiar with Ambrosia Salad. If you are going to a party, you can almost bet that somebody will bring one. Let's take that Ambrosia Salad and give it a new twist with this Red, White and Blue Gelatin. Don't be fooled by the colors of this sweet and delicious dessert. It's not just for Americans. Give it a try the next time you are looking for something easy and sweet that will please everybody from the toddlers through the great-grandparents and everybody in between.Ingredients:
- 2 (3 oz.) envelope raspberry gelatin
- 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
- 1 cup half & half
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
- 1 (16 oz.) can blueberries, undrained
- water
Directions:
In a medium mixing bowl, combine 1 envelope of raspberry gelatin with 2 cups boiling water. Stir until all of the gelatin is dissolved and pour into a prepared gelatin mold or a 9 X 13 glass baking dish (use glass so you will be able to see the beautiful colors of this dish when it is served). Chill 1 to 2 hours, until firm.
Soften 1 envelope of unflavored gelatin in 1/2 cup of cold water. In a medium pot, over medium high heat, warm the half & half and sugar until hot, but not boiling. Add the gelatin into the half & half mixture. Pour the mixture into a blender and blend until smooth. (Note: whenever blending hot liquids, hold a dish towel over the blender cap to prevent splatters). Pour the blended mixture over the chilled raspberry gelatin and chill again for 1 to 2 hours or until firm.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine 1 envelope of raspberry gelatin with 1 cup boiling water. Stir until all of the gelatin is dissolved. Add in the canned blueberries with their juice. Stir to combine. Pour blueberry mixture over the first two layers and chill 1 to 2 hours or until firm.
If you have prepared this in a glass casserole you are ready to serve. If you have prepared this in a gelatin mold, dip the mold into a bowl of hot water to loosen and unmold onto a serving platter. Enjoy!
Entertaining Idea
The first Monday in September marks the celebration of Labor Day in the United States and Canada. The holiday began as a celebration of the working class but over the years it has evolved into more of a celebration of the last fling of Summer. This year, whether you are entertaining friends or just enjoying dinner at home with your family, take Labor Day back to it's roots with a good, old fashioned, working class supper of:- meatloaf
- corn pudding
- and mashed potatoes
My family loves mashed potatoes, the real kind, made from actual potatoes, not out of a box. Most people that I know only make mashed potatoes on special occasions because the seem so time-consuming and difficult to make. Really, they are quite simple. Try adding mashed potatoes into your family's weekly menu once in a while. I'll bet your family will love you for it. Here is how my family likes their mashed potatoes:
Ingredients:
- 6-8 medium Idaho potatoes
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 - 1/2 cup sour cream butter
- salt, to taste
Directions:
Peel the potatoes and cut them into one inch pieces. Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover them with water. Bring the water to a boil and continue to boil until the potatoes are very soft with pricked with a fork. Drain the potatoes and either return them to the pot if you are using a hand masher, or place them in a mixer bowl to whip them. Add all remaining ingredients to the bowl and mash or whip. Start slowly with the sour cream, adding a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
Enjoy this good old fashioned meal with your friends and family.
Have you picked up your copy of Tips to Organize Events yet?
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For more tips like these, visit Tips to Organize Life