Happened on a very cool website today that I just have to share with everyone!  Check out Bluelounge.com for office organizing products that you have just been waiting for someone to invent..Good-bye electirc cord clutter!  Check it out, you’ll see what I mean!

I was flipping thru the Williams-Sonoma catalog just now and it occurred to me how many products there are for the kitchen.  So many of these products have only a sole purpose yet they take up so much room in the kitchen.  For instance, a new gadget I had never seen before, the “mushroom slicer.”  While I’m sure it does an excellent job of creating perfectly sliced shrooms, I couldn’t help but think; “doesn’t a knife do the same thing?” 

Some things may seam like they will make your life easier, but really they are just creating more clutter.  Sticking to the basics is the easiest way to simplify your life.  If you can’t decide, ask yourself “is this necessary?” You may be surprised how often the answer is “No!”

What “amazing” kitchen time saver do you have in your kitchen taking up space?  Let us know on Facebook.

I read this quote today on the back of a t-shirt…

“No matter how bad it gets, there’s always someone out there who would love to have your problems.”  -Fort

Remembering this may not make us feel better or make our problems go away.  However, it does give us some great perspective!

What?  You are having trouble staying motivated?  Well, my friend, I promise you are not the only one!  This is around the time people will begin to forget about their New Year’s resolutions and slowly go back to doing what feels comfortable.  Here are a few things to remember that might help keep you motivated and working toward your goals.

Most things in life are a process not a single event.
Often we want things to happen “now;” we want to see results to feel like we are accomplishing something.  Whether you goal is to be more organized or you are trying to be more healthy this year, it will not happen over night.  Try to find motivation in the small things you accomplish each day. 
If your goal is to run a marathon, you aren’t going to go out tomorrow and run all 26 miles.  You will make small goals like running 4 miles without stopping, then 10 miles.  Eventually you will make the 26 miles!  Likewise, if your goal is to keep your closet clean, start with keeping your shoes in order.  When that becomes habit, make your new goal keeping your clothes hung up/folded.  Your closet will be clean before you know it.

“Nothing great has been and Nothing great can be accomplished without passion” - G.W.F. Hegel
I have found that when people enjoy what they are doing they are more likely to keep doing it.  Therefore, if you want to stay motivated, you have to find a way to make what you are doing fun and rewarding. 
If your goal is to be more organized and you have a habit of leaving your keys in a different place every time you return home, pat yourself on the back and make a big deal out of commending yourself when you actually put them in the bowl or on the hook where they belong.  For those of you that are trying to be healthier this year but are not enjoying exercising, you have to find a way to make it fun!  Get some of your favorite music loaded onto an iPod, find a friend to exercise with, or join a class that keeps you motivated.  The more fun you have, the more likely you will stay on track with your goals!

Download the Simplify App to help you track and accomplish your goals!
If you don’t already have it, you need to check out the Simplify app at the Apple store.  Simplify was created by Harmony at Last to help you stay motivated and accomplish your goals.  With daily quotes for motivation and a goal tracker, you have a partner right at your fingertips.

What are your goals for this year?  More importantly, how are you staying motivated?  Let us know on Facebook!

Earlier this week I met Hanna Jane.  Where and why is not important; it’s what I learned from her that I hope I remember for the rest of my life! 

Hanna Jane turned to me and very seriously asked “wat yur favrut part tuday?”  Thankfully I am fluent in toddler so I was able to translate that to “what was your favorite part of today?”  I thought for a split second and rambled off some superficial thought.  My answer was sufficient enough for Hanna Jane.  She told me that “playing with the buttons” was her favorite part of the day.  I still am not really certain what that meant.  However, if was her favorite part of the day, it must have been really fun! 

It wasn’t until later that evening when I was lying in bed waiting for sleep to come that Hanna Jane popped into my head again.  I though of her question and really thought about my day.  What was my favorite part about the day?  

Over the past few days I have made it a point to ask myself this question before bed.  It really is a great question to ask yourself.  An amazing thing happens; regardless of what kind of day you had, you start to think of all the good things that happened.  It’s a wonderful way to end the day!  Try it.  Let me know what you think on Facebook!

I know for certain that my favorite part of last Saturday was meeting Hanna Jane.  I will never forget the valuable lesson she taught me!

On the desk of a new client sat a clear pickle jar, all tags removed, filled with golf balls.  The task at hand that day was to begin the process of de-cluttering her workspace.  While there were many things on the desk, the jar captured my curiosity.  This client did not strike me as a golf enthusiast, but I could be wrong.  When I enquired about the jar I was confused at first by the answer I received. 

“Oh, those are the important things in life.  They have to go first.”  Noticing the confusion that was very likely strewn across my face, she continued. 

“The golf balls are the important things in life, like family and time for myself.  I can fill in the space with marbles and then sand; things like work and errands, but if I fill the jar with the marbles and sand first, there will be no room for the golf balls.  When I am frustrated with something, the golf balls remind me that what I am dealing with is probably a marble, if not sand, and I can handle it.  They also remind me that I shouldn’t spend too much time on the small things; if I do the golf balls aren’t going to fit!”

Needless to say, the golf balls made the cut that day.  However, they found a place on a nearby shelf.  After all, it isn’t clutter if it has a purpose.  How do you remind yourself to focus on the important things?  Let us know on Facebook.  I can’t wait to read your responses!

In the Harmony at Last December newsletter we talked about Christmas cards.  Send them? Don’t send them?  This is probably a debate for the ages.  What is the route cause for sending Christmas cards?  To let people know we are thinking of them; to foster friendships that we don’t want to lose; or because we feel it’s what we are “supposed to do” in December? 

I’m not sure what it is that propels those of us that do send out Christmas cards to do so.  My guess is the reasons are different for everyone.  I got to thinking about this while I was taking down all of the Christmas cards I had received (an entirely different blog subject could be written on what cards should be kept or thrown out). The main idea that kept going thru my head as I was doing this was; “If these people are so important to me, (and I to them) why don’t we keep in touch all year long?”  That’s when I decided to make keeping in touch with the people that are important in my life one of my New Year’s resolutions. 

Everyone gets so busy with what’s going on in their own lives that we often forget that friendships/relationships take fostering.  My plan is to call, send a short email, or quick note to someone each week.  I am interested to see if going out of my way to connect with someone each week this year will bring me more or less cards in December.  Likewise, will I send less or more?  Either way, I have a feeling 2010 will be full of wonderful memories.

How do you keep in touch with friends and family through out the year?  Let us know on the Harmony at Last Facebook page. 

If you don’t already have the Women’s Advantage 2010 Calendar, check out the text below.  Harmony at last was not just included in the calendar but Julie’s quote was picked as one of the Top 10 quotes for the year! 

“Over 3,500 women from around the world submitted their advice to The 2010 Woman’s Advantage Shared Wisdom Calendar. Here are the publisher’s Top 10 Ideas.

1. “Focus on moving 3 things a mile, not 100 things an inch.” Angie Katselianos, Platinum Performance International
2. “You can’t change yesterday, but you can ruin today worrying about tomorrow.” Tana Greene, Strataforce
3. “Keep your thoughts positive. Where your mind goes, your life often follows.” Robin Baron, Robin Baron Design
4. “Drama drains. Stay away from the people that add the wrong kind of drama to your life.” Rebecca E. Boenigk, Neutral Posture
5. “The happiest women don’t have the best of everything; they make the best of everything!” Susan Boyd, ProConcepts, Inc.
6. “Take full credit for your success and responsibility for your mistakes.” Jacqueline Becerra, Greenberg Taurig
7. “What single daily action drives your business? Determine that and do it!” Ellen Delap, Professional-Organizer.com
8. “Success is not measured by how well you execute plan A, but by how well you adapt to plan B, C, D…” Gail Monica Dent, Provanti Designs, Inc.
9. “How much time do you spend trying to make everything perfect without actually getting anything done?” Julie Cubino, Harmony at Last
10. “Deal with what is, not what you wish was.” Marian Madonia, Madonia Communications.

For 355 additional thoughts that will make 2010 your best year ever, see The Woman’s Advantage Shared Wisdom Calendar at www.WomansAdvantage.biz/calendar“

Today was a trying day for me.  Nothing seriously wrong; just busy with life and sometimes things don’t go as we plan.  As I sat in my car at a stop light on my way home, I was aggravated, frustrated, and exhausted from some of the day’s events.  My mind was swirling around what happened in the past instead of looking forward to what waited in my future…. my husband and wonderful children to hug me when I arrived home!
I’m not sure what caused me to glance at the car to my left.  However, it only took a few moments for me to be humbled and reminded that my day was not nearly that bad.  The woman in the car to my left sat motionless, both hands on the wheel; arms fully extended.  She wore a wedding ring on her left ring finger and down her face poured a river of tears.  A child, close to 3, sat sleeping in a car seat in back.  I found myself wondering what had happened to her.  I thought; “now, she had a bad day!” As the light turned green and she pulled away I realized that she may have been having more than a bad day.  On the bumper of her car, pasted to the right of her license plate, was a magnet with the following words; “Half of My Heart is in Iraq.” 
My heart sank for her as I thought about Thanksgiving and her 3 year old son sleeping in back.  I wondered how long her husband had been away and if he would be home for Christmas.  Most importantly, I instantly forgot about whatever it was that had been so upsetting in my day.  And, when I got home, I hugged everyone very tightly.
There are many things to be thankful for every day; sometimes we are just looking too hard!  I am thankful for my family and that we are together for Thanksgiving.  I am also thankful for the woman in the red Subaru and her family.  I hope they are not separated for much longer!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Named for the outrageous profit margins retailers experience during this 24 hour period, the Friday after Thanksgiving is commonly referred to as “Black Friday.” However, with the economy in its current state, it is more important then ever that we realize that Black Friday for the Retailers actually means Red Friday for the consumer.  The term actually stems from the old accounting practice of using Red ink for debts and Black ink for profits.

For those of you planning to brave the crowds (more then 147 million last year), here are a few things to keep in mind while hunting for those once in a lifetime sales and impossible to pass up deals. 

First, have a plan.  If your purpose for shopping is to complete your holiday gift list, make sure you actually make a list, and bring it with you!  Stores make a considerable amount of money on impulse buying.  By making a list of the people you need to buy gifts for and what you plan to buy them, you can combat the urge to splurge and still get the gifts you need without sliding into the Red.  If you are unsure of what you want to get someone come, up with an appropriate amount that you would be willing and able to spend and write it next to their name on your list.

Second, make a budget.  It is easy for shoppers to get carried away in the moment.  After all isn’t that what the entire day is built around?  Some of us may already have our holiday list complete so Friday will be more for the thrill of the hunt.  Regardless of who you are buying for, having a budget can keep you calm while the world around you is whirling with “last chance deals.”  The key to a budget however, is to keep track of your purchases.  If you buy mom the video camera she asked for make sure you write down how much it cost you next to her name (on your gift list).  No matter who you are buying for, you should keep a notebook handy to tally your receipt totals as you go.  This will keep you aware of what you have spent and how much of your budgeted money you have left while a also keeping your bank account in the black.

Third, make sure to ask yourself one very important question before each purchase.  “Do I need this?”  If there is a chance that you are buying something for the thrill of the sale instead of the quality of the item or the fact that you actually need it, rethink your purchase!  Don’t let yourself get so caught up in the moment that you start to impulse buy.  Asking whether you really need something will prevent you from purchasing items you do not need.

Fourth, do your research.  How will you know if 30% off of that IPod is a good deal if you haven’t looked at what it goes for normally?  If you have made a list, you should have some things in mind.  Spending a little time researching the things you want to buy can save you a lot of money.  Many stores provide prices for items on their websites so there is little effort needed to do a little research.  For instance, if I wanted to get my sister a new camera, I would check its price at Best Buy, Circuit City, Wal-mart, and Amazon.  If I’m prepared with a list of comparable prices I am less likely to spend more then I have to in the stores.  To aid in the researching process there are many websites dedicated to helping consumers find good deals.  To preview the sales, try visiting www.bfads.net or www.blackfriday.gottadeal.com

If you can’t find the perfect gift on Friday, stay calm there are more sales.  Many stores extend their sales throughout the weekend to maximize their profits.  And, if you are not one of the 147+ million people who will be hitting the stores on Monday, you can still take part in the savings.  Many retailers cut prices on their products thru their online the Monday after Thanksgiving.  To take advantage of these deals go to www.cybermonday.com or www.bestcyermondaysales.com.

So, cut your coupons, create your itinerary, and fill out your budget.  This year black Friday will happen as it always does for the retailers.  However, this year make sure it doesn’t become “Red Friday” for you.