Have you ever pictured what your week was going to look like but when you got to Friday you wondered what happened? That’s me this week. I had so many plans and projects. I’d even written a few blog posts – in my head. And somewhere in my posts, I was going to drop a hint or two about my Friday Give-Away!
Like Forest Gump explained so many years ago, life really is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.
This week, I didn’t get what I hoped for. I’m still trying to figure out what happened. I don’t know if I had too many things to do, or if I didn’t organize my time and my to-dos well. Although I got a lot done, I didn’t complete all I needed and wanted to accomplish.
Ever since summer ended and school started, I’ve felt like I’m trying to catch up and like it’s not going to happen any time soon. Honestly, I feel like my life’s chocolates are melting, and I’m not enjoying them as much as I’d like to.
It’s kind of ironic. Me needing help organizing my time and my life. You see, it fits perfectly with my Friday Give-Away, and I wasn’t even trying to drop hints. Today’s give-away is all about getting organized by making the most of the time and tasks God has given each of us!
introduce you to my good friend, Karen Ehman, who is the author of “The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized”. You will have a chance to win her book, a $10 gift card to buy some time-saving, life-organizing tools from Target and a box of chocolates in today’s give-away!Karen recently shared with me why she wrote this book:
Even though organizing my “stuff” and managing my time came pretty naturally for me, I was completely thrown for a loop when I became a mom. It is one thing to get all your ducks in a row. It is quite another to keep them that way when you have a family. Just as soon as you line them up, along comes one of your kiddos (or your hubby!) knocking them all down again!
I wrote this book to walk alongside other women, helping them to understand their unique situation–their season of life, the stage of their kids, their personality type–all of those components that go into finding an organizing style that “fits” them. Then from there, I help them set the bar where they want it set.
Karen, what is unique about your book?
I don’t offer a one–size–fits–all method because I’m convinced we all view success in organizing differently. One gal may HATE a junk drawer with an assortment of items tossed in. Another thinks such a drawer is a staple of life. The second gal might really be driven nuts by dust, but not by clutter such as unfolded, clean laundry. On the other hand, her friend might not mind a thin layer of dust on her furniture but cannot stand having unfolded laundry in view. This book helps gals decide what organization looks like to them and then helps them to get there.
Also, being a women who manages her time well and organizes her home and office isn’t an end in itself. It has to be about something more. I like to teach women how to take care of the ‘have tos’ of life–the cleaning, menu planning, grocery shopping, laundry, errand-running and such, so they can actually get around to the ‘want tos’ of life—connecting with God, spending time with their husbands and kids, hanging out with that friend or pursuing that passion. This book helps them get there!
What will women gain from reading your book?
Again, the key to good organization is not a one–size–fits–all method. It is a unique plan that considers personality type, lifestyle, income level, and family schedule. I offer a simple step by step process to help women recognize their own personal style of managing their households successfully and develop a unique plan that gives them the freedom to:
- manage their time wisely
- de–clutter and organize their homes
- plan menus, shop more efficiently, and become more comfortable and creative in the kitchen
- get children involved in pursuing an ordered life and home
- avoid the trap of over-commitment
- use practical tools to assist in organization
Getting and staying organized means more time for the important things in family life—concentrating on cultivating a close, personal relationship with the Creator, drawing His word into every aspect of living, and ultimately tying their children’s heartstrings to God.
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If you would like to win a copy of“The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized”, a $10 Target gift card and a box of chocolates, today’s your day!
You can enter to win by clicking on the word “comments” below and let me know your biggest organizational challenge. I’ll share mine on Monday with some photos. I’ll also be back later to list some other give-aways and links below this post so you can visit and enter to win other Friday Give-aways over the weekend.
If you would like two chances to win, leave a comment and a link to any give-aways you know about that go through the weekend. I’ll be back Monday to announce my winner and share my biggest personal organizational challenge.
After you enter to win by leaving your name, email so I can reach you if you win, and your organizational challenge by clicking on the word “comments below, be sure to visit Karen’s blogwhere she’s also giving away a copy of her book as well as a $10 Target gift card and some dark chocolates!
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Wow, where to start. I am trying to become better organized, but no one else in the family really cares. I have my older kids' stuff who are out on their own, and one college commuter who is living at home and a lovable messy, and a wonderful hubby who is overworked and exhausted. It's so hard finding time between work, chores, cooking, etc. Mail clutter, closet clutter, garage clutter, help!!!!!
My biggest organizational challenge is keeping my house clutterless (I don't mind it but in 850 square feet I don't have room for it 🙂 )
YES, PLEASE! My biggest organizational challenge (out of a list of big ones) starts with me resisting a morning routine. I hardly ever even get a shower (ssh) because it's not planned into my morning. We all get crabby and I see it stemming from my lack of ability to steer the ship of my household well. krista (at) cyburdine (dot) com.
My biggest organizational challenge is the toys! I have a system and a plan, but my husband and boys only understand about half of it. I'm grateful that they at least try, but, oh, how I would love some additional resources!
Probably my biggest organizational challenge is me. It is my inability to make a quick decision on anything. I will pick up an article of clothing and think, "I don't know if this fits anyone now. I'll have to have them try it on sometime." Then I set it down where it stays until the next thing gets laid on top of it. I do the same thing with mail, school papers, etc.
Aside from my car, the "stuff" that always, always accumulates on our bar. Mail that needs attention, small toys to go back where they belong, bags and papers for school the next day… even when it gets cleaned off, it usually just gets moved to another location, usually our bedroom, which is another issue all together. This is all a tie with TOYS! I have got to get a method of organizing these that doesn't cost an arm and a leg! 🙂
Sign me up for this awesome giveaway, please.
My biggest challenge is our masters bedroom. Because I am one that likes to put on that mask of perfection I alway make sure the common areas of our house (den, kitchen, bathroom, etc) so it seems I never have the time to make it to the bedroom. We also very limited storage areas so trying to find a place for everything is an added challenge.
I am challenged with clutter like magazines, books, yarn/knitting supplies, cards, stationery, music CDs, etc. It's hard for me to let go of things and stay organized. I have too much of everything, and I feel overwhelmed much of the time. I admire people who are organized, stream-lined, aren't emotionally attached to stuff and can let it go!! I could sure use this book! thank you!
Kelly
Should have left my e-mail, I guess! It is [email protected]
Paper! Mail, magazines anything dealing with the office. Blessings, Karen
I have two! The daily influx of mail that gets dumped on our kitchen table AND my closet. I just need to get rid of clothes, but that is very hard for me to do. Thanks for your ministry.
Getting organized is my goal for this new year. It is overwhelming me. Stuff and more stuff and papers and egads how can I do it?
Started out with baby steps selling a few things on Ebay. That was a learning experience.
I will reach this goal just have to keep putting one foot before the other and press forward.
My biggest challenge is paper! It may be in the form of magazines, recipes, pictures the grandkids drew and colored, etc. I am working on it! Thanks for the giveaway.
[email protected]
Renee,
I have enjoyed your blog since I found it. What a blessing you have been and will continue to be as you walk with the Lord as you minister to women.
I would like to win Karen's book. I sure could use some suggestions on getting rid of stuff.
Thank you for considering me.
Hugs and Prayers,
God Bless You!
My biggest challenge is my office (@ work). It is TINY and has all the filing cabinets in it. Over the years I have added organizing tools so I could utilize almost every surface, even wire cubes on top of the cabinets. Now I need to get rid of a lot of non-essential "stuff" but can't find the time.
I am organizationally challenged in the biggest way! My biggest obstacles are keeping things way past their time (aka clutter), making time to become organized so I can try to stay that way (procrastination), and motivation.
Biggest organizational challenge is my back door/kitchen area. This is where everything gets dropped and we have a limited space to catch it all! Still trying to find a system that works for the space I have.
My life has changed in the past few months…taking care of my granddaughter and my Dad (who recently moved here) is making it harder to take care of my own home. I know God will provide me with all I need…
My biggest challenge is my son's bedroom. He has too much stuff and no where to put it!
[email protected]
Mail, paper clutter and closet clutter, all are huge challenges for me. I pull out the bills and stack the other items to go through, but then finding time to go through them? What is that? I have started de-cluttering and have donated a lot of items and clothing but can't seem to find the time or organization to just get it finished! I need help! [email protected]