From the Desk of Janet Barclay

There was a good article in the Star Tribune this past weekend entitled A Clutter-Free Workplace. 

It’s not the first time I’ve been quoted in an article, but I always get a kick out of it. Not only is it a good ego boost and some free publicity, professional writers have a way of taking what I’ve said and making it sound so profound.

The other expert quoted in the article is Don Aslett, who has written a number of books about clutter and related topics for both home and work, which are available through his website as well as at Amazon.com and Amazon.ca. He also offers a number of free resources through his site, including a Google group for packrats, so check it out!

I have known about this for quite a while, and finally I have the green light to share some big news with you!

OnlineOrganizing.com has selected ME as their expert on organizing with technology! After their new blog is launched on October 6th, I’ll be writing there every Thursday about either organizing electronic information, or using technology to organize some aspect of your business or personal life.

This means I’ll be writing for four blogs, including Introvert Retreat and my recently launched OrganizedArticles.com. By the way, I am always looking for articles for OrganizedArticles.com, so if you’ve written something related to productivity, time management or organization, please send it to me! (Don’t forget to check the submission guidelines.)

Wow, I can’t believe we’ve reached the end of summer. Yes, I know summer doesn’t officially end until September 21st, but we all know that Labour Day weekend and back-to-school are the true signs that summer is over. Time sure does fly when you’re busy!

Speaking of busy, I’d like to take some time out to talk about someone who is one of the busiest people I know! Wendy Hollick is a dear friend as well as one of my clients, and I’ve also had the opportunity to work with her on various organizing projects and seminars. Wendy operates two businesses, NEAT SPACES Professional Organizing Service and It’s a Girl Thing Spa Birthday Parties, as well as managing a family of five, so she’s very qualified to be helping others to manage their family schedules and homes!

Wendy has been nominated for the SavvyMom Mompreneur of the Year Award, and I’d love to see her win it! You can learn more about Wendy and show your support by voting for her.

Happy Long Weekend!

Registration is now open for Professional Organizers in Canada’s 7th Annual Conference in Vancouver this November - the first time it has been held outside Toronto. Although I don’t think a trip to Vancouver is in the plans for me this year (I’m going to Nova Scotia in September - my first real vacation since before I started my business) I thought I’d take a look at the registration package.

One of the seminars that caught my attention is How To Source Green Office Products, which will be facilitated by Gil Yaron, the Founder and CEO of Frogfile Office Essentials. Gil established Frogfile to provide business consumers with sustainable options to reduce their environmental footprint, and offers office products that are made with recycled and renewable materials and that can be recycled at the end of their life cycle. Although the company is based in Vancouver, they ship to clients in other parts of Canada and the US (shipping charges apply, of course).

I’ve recently stocked up on office supplies, but I will definitely be visiting their website again when it’s time to order more.

I’ve just found out about a new magazine dedicated to helping people tackle their organization needs. The premiere issue, which will be going to print this month, will include an interview with Peter Walsh, who is known for TLC’s Clean Sweep and his book How to Organize (Just About) Everything. The article is titled "You Are Not Your Stuff" and should be very interesting.

The magazine also includes a section called "Neat Stuff" which showcases exciting new organizing products such as the Eight Days-A-Week Planner, which offers an extra column for your "someday" plans, and WhoMi’s What To Do Pad, which is designed so you can easily keep separate lists for things to buy, calls to make, and things to do.

For a sneak preview of the magazine or to order a subscription, visit Organize Magazine’s website. (POC and NAPO members are eligible for a discount on their subscriptions!)