As a Professional Organizer I normally wouldn’t recommend using a storage unit. One thing I tell my clients is, “If you don’t have room for it, maybe it needs to go.” However, there are those times when a storage unit comes in pretty handy. Take for instance when, about a month ago, the sewer backed up into my basement. We had 12 inches of water when we woke up that Monday morning. What a mess! Once the water was cleaned up and the ruined items were removed the real clean up started. One of the first things I did was get a Mobile Mini set in our driveway. It was very helpful in getting all the salvaged items and furniture that wasn’t ruined out of the way while we cleaned, painted and got our basement restored.

Here are 4 other innovative ways to use storage.

1) Urban downsizing: Storage is often a challenge in the big city, but it doesn’t have to be. Free up much-needed space by storing non-essential items.

2)Salvaging: Hurricane, fire, basement flood or other unfortunate event? Speed up recovery time with a delivered unit. Store the salvaged items on site where you can reach them, and have them delivered to a secure, climate-controlled warehouse while your home is restored.

3)Renovations: Spring and Summer are great times to embark on a home renovation. Rather than clutter up the house while you are putting down that new floor, store your valuables, electronics, furniture and more in a portable storage unit to know that they are safe.

4)Archiving: Make record-retention and safety a priority by utilizing a storage unit at your business.

Stay away from messy or hard to eat food. It’s hard to shake hands or talk to people if your hands are sticky or your mouth is full. It’s best to stick to a beverage. (A word to networking event sponsors-try not to provide hard-to-eat food for this very reason.)

Don’t park yourself in one place. The idea behind networking events is to build business relationships. Move around and initiate casual conversation. Be real and feel free to talk about things other than work. Believe it or not, it’s what we have in common with a person that builds the best business relationships.

Save your easiest tasks for the end of each day. You’ll be able to complete them, and end each day on a positive, rewarding note!

Have your 20-30 second commercial ready at all times. When someone asks you, know what you do and state it as confidently and concisely as possible. If you can tell others what you do quickly and clearly, the perception is that you’re probably good at it as well.

Look for things you can combine to save time and accomplish more. Walk your dog and you’ll be exercising at the same time. Go to the beach with a motivational tape, and you’ll be relaxing and getting inspired simultaneously! I like to call it multi-tasking.

Color-code your boxes with a self-stick yellow dot for those that go to the kitchen, a read dot for the office, a blue dot for the garage and so on. Go to your new residence ahead of time, and place a corresponding colored dot on the door or entrance to appropriate rooms.

Create a pleasant, well-equipped work area. Whether it’s a nook, cranny or a large office, your work area should be conducive to performing your daily work. It should contain all necessary supplies and equipment within arm’s reach or in easily accessible areas.

Kansas City Wants Google!

And we need your help!

Google is planning to launch an experiment that they hope will make Internet access better and faster for everyone. Google plans to test ultra-high speed broadband networks in one or more trial locations across the country. Their networks will deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today. They’ll offer service at a competitive price to at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people.

Kansas City Wants Google!

And we need your help!

Google is planning to launch an experiment that they hope will make Internet access better and faster for everyone. Google plans to test ultra-high speed broadband networks in one or more trial locations across the country. Their networks will deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today. They’ll offer service at a competitive price to at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people.

This message is to tell Google that Kansas City wants them rolling out their upcoming Fiber Network in our communities.

Come to the Heartland Google, we’re up for a little fiber action. Click NOW to see our message to Google

How You Can Help:

1: Get started by visiting http://www.KansasCityWantsGoogle.com and clicking on our message to Google over Kansas City’s Skyline.

2: Sign the GoogleKC petition.

3: Contact your City Council person or County Commissioner urging them to submit a government nomination: http://www.kcmo.org/CKCMO/CityOfficials/CityCouncilOffice/index.htm

4: Tell your friends about our message to Google. Facebook it, Tweet it, email it, YouTube it, say it – If Kansas City is going to convince Google to build here, it’s going to take a strong community response and forward thinking.

Help us make a big push for Google’s attention and let’s make this happen!

Ask others, such as family, friends, co-workers, for their best organizational tips. Be specific when asking for good tips on organizing bills, passwords, birthdays and the like. Best-case scenario, they have a great method they can teach you. Worst-case scenario, you two put your heads together to come up with organizational systems that are simple and effective for everyone involved.