Tan Bing Song

By: Tan Bing Song First off, you need to know organizing your home is different for you than it is for someone else. Some folks don't have a lot of clutter and junk but need to know how to maintain organization and have a place for their stuff. On the other hand, some homeowners have piles upon piles...a big mess, and still think it's just a matter of needing storage. When, in fact, storage is the last thing you need. The first step is getting rid of clutter, rather than adding more storage just to keep more stuff. The thing is, once you start organizing your home, you'll see how great and real the benefits are: -It's reducing stress by having order and discipline. -It's having more space by keeping clutter out for good. -It's simplifying the way you live at home by creating useful systems that work for you personally. -It's a way of being on time, and not feeling the strain of running against the clock. Quite simply, when you finally sta...

By: Tan Bing Song Do you walk in the house after a long day at work and just sigh at your cluttered house? Have you planned to organize one morning but do not know where to start or are just not in the mood? Are you caught in a vicious cycle: as soon as you organize one room another one has turned to chaos? Maybe you just need to prioritize, find motivation, and ask for help. Easier said than done J? Prioritize As with most goals in life, you want to strive for progress and improvement, not perfection. Most of us do not have time to achieve perfection in everything we do and still live a happy, fulfilling life. When you set goals, make them achievable, attainable. When you make that progress, create a visual way to track it or remind yourself of all you have accomplished (i.e. stickers on a chart, a check list, a flower/penny/or other item to represent each task you have completed). Since we will never have more than 24 hours in a day, we may have to say “no” to some activities and...

By: Tan Bing Song You know what the real problem is with getting organized? We have too much stuff!  I'm willing to bet you have some things you (or someone you live with) keep without having a good enough reason. So why DO we keep so much stuff? The thing is, it's easier to find excuses for why you should keep something and delay making a decision rather than making a firm (and sometimes difficult) choice to say goodbye to your "stuff." Here are four of my favorite excuses... 1. "I might need it someday." Yes, you might. But the thing is most of the items we keep can easily be found or replaced within a day or two. Lots of men (my dad included) keep every screw and nail created and store it away like a squirrel with his nuts. But what happens is these little tiny items create more and more clutter and it gets to a point where you can't find that little screw anyway because it's like finding a needle in a haystack. 2. "I'...

By: Tan Bing Song High gas prices, wedding presents, graduation parties, July 4th picnics, activities, vacations. Who has the time or money to organize? YOU DO! Organizing does not have to take forever or cost money. Don’t believe me? Keep reading.  How much time do you have to organize? A half a day or whole day or a week would be great, but most of us are not that lucky. If you want to get organized as quickly as possible, it is worth setting aside a large chunk of time to achieve that stress relief. To get twice as much done in the same amount of time, enlist a friend, family member, or professional organizer (bonus: experience, ideas, answers). If that much time is not a possibility (at least at the moment), then utilize pockets of time. Do you watch TV, watch commercials, ride the bus, wait at the doctor’s office, take car trips, wash the laundry, arrive early for meetings, lie awake at night, etc.? If so, take a reading file with you, sort a drawer, go through your magazi...

By: Tan Bing Song Do you get hit with late fees because you forget to pay your bills on time? Do you constantly waste time searching for that cable bill you left somewhere in the house?  Spend an hour organizing your personal bills and papers now, and this will save you time and frustration in the future. Plus, this helps make tax time easier because you already have everything in one place. First of all, have a place where you sort your mail every day.  Junk mail gets trashed or recycled right away.  Magazines and catalogs should go in a rack to read later. Open your bills, make a note of the due date and immediately put them on your desk in a small file until you write the check. A small letter file that sits on your desk works well- no need to buy any fancy tickler file unless you think that will work better for you. It’s best to start in January, but you can begin to set up your filing system at any time during the year. Use a filing cabinet or plastic storage b...

By: Tan Bing Song Are you always digging around for the right tool?  Hammers abound, but why are the flat-edge screwdrivers always missing?  Wouldn’t it be great to have everything in an easy-to-find space?  Here are some steps and tips to get you on your way.  Step 1:  Inventory.  First, start by gathering all your tools.  Make a list of the locations where you found your tools.  Garage, kitchen, basement, car, truck?  Lay them all out on a bedsheet or blanket.  Sort them by type to get an idea of how many different kinds of tools you have.  Next, examine each tool and decide what to keep.  • Is it a duplicate?  If so, how many of this tool do I need? • Have I ever used it?  Some tools passed down thru the family should be kept for sentimental reasons, but others that you’ve never used can surely go. • Is it broken?  If it isn’t usable and can’t be repaired then discard it. • Have I replaced it wi...

By: Tan Bing Song If you are looking to attract positive change and seriously move  stale energy out, start with your neglected clutter.  Getting rid of all the things you are not using will create space for new energy and movement. I’m a firm believer that * if it doesn’t work… * if you can’t remember when you last used it....or… * if it doesn’t make you feel good …then… MOVE IT OUT! Now, I know… sounds easy doesn’t it? Then why do we all have so much clutter? Here are some tips and techniques that have worked for me to move unused items from my life. You see I’ve tested them on my own personal clutter and I know they work.  First you will need some bankers boxes (you can get these anywhere you purchase office supplies).  Bankers boxes work the best because they have lids and are stackable. And a hand-held recorder (you can get one cheaply at any electronics department). Here’s what you do to quickly eliminate your clutter: (1) Label the boxes an...

By: Tan Bing Song What are the best times in your life when it’s sensible to clean house and get rid of stuff you don’t use? Take advantage of these opportunities to clean out your home and downsize your belongings. When you move from one house to another is the best time to get rid of things you no longer need.  Why move stuff you haven’t used from one place to another where you won’t use it either? Think kitchen gadgets and closets as your best place to start.   Do you have a wok but can’t remember the last time you cooked anything stir-fried? If you rarely entertain, do you really need all those wine glasses and extra sets of dishes? How many plastic containers are in the cupboard and how many do you really use on a weekly basis?  Get rid of the sizes you never use.  Spend a little time to consider how much of your stuff you really use and make up your mind to let go of what is just taking up space. Of course, when I say here to get rid of something, ...

By: Tan Bing Song Organizing the content of your life based on your needs is a best practice for managing your time, resources and money and is an essential first step if you are to fully achieve your potential in life. The reasons for this are simple. An organized clear mind leads to clear and objective goals, which in turn leads to you being able to achieve what you set out to do. A critical first step then in staying organized is to set up a system of resource planning and clerical needs that allows you to plan out your time effectively, and allocate where you are going to spend it. In short this means such steps as getting a day planner so that you can plan ahead. Getting appropriate stationary systems and office space in place, and also getting yourself a filing cabinet, or at the very least some kind of filing system! It would certainly be true to say that staying organized then is not something that lots of people do naturally! At first it can even seem slightly stifling...

By: Tan Bing Song Spring-cleaning: for some a chore for others a joy. I learned about this ritual at an early age. Now, the thought of spring-cleaning evokes precious memories. When I was a young child, back in the land of four seasons and none of them rain (Manitoba), the cold inhibiting days of winter were ushered out with a yearly farm ritual: spring-cleaning. No corner of our home was left untouched by brooms, dusters, scrub brushes, rags and other cleaning weapons. Every inch of closet was emptied, inventories were taken, value was assessed, surfaces were washed and cleaned, and then those clothes that were still 'good' were organized in a useful and efficient way. Beds were moved, dressers emptied, ceilings dusted. My memory of choice is the window cleaning. After windowpanes were removed for cleaning, the windowsill became a place of pure ecstasy! I can easily recall those moments: sitting on my perfect perch, watching the ice break up in the creek behind our h...

By: Tan Bing Song Let's be honest. Nobody likes rules. But the thing is, if you're serious about home organization, then there are some specific rules you'll want to follow. You'll see how much easier organization will be by taking the following simple steps... Home Organizing Rule #1:  "Touch it Once!" This is a form of procrastination and it causes piles because something is being put off until later. It could be a little laziness, but more often it's due to lack of time. The thing is, this rule will save you time. For everything you put off until later, you're touching it twice when it should be just once. You (or someone you live with) is procrastinating and putting things off until later. Why? To save a couple of seconds today, you're wasting five minutes tomorrow. For example... You come home, throw the shirt on the bed because you're going to  hang it up or throw it in the laundry basket later. Or you shove it...

By: Tan Bing Song A lot of people ask me if it's really worth hiring a professional organizer or if you're better off doing it yourself. Both are valuable options, but either way you should understand the specific steps and strategies to having a more organized home, making little changes gradually to simplify life at home. Well at first glance having someone do things for you can certainly seem better than doing it yourself. But there are some big IF's that need to be considered. Remember, you are typically going to pay by the hour (the going rate for a professional organizer can range anywhere from $35 to $250 an hour. So you have to be selective in which small part of the process they'll help you with. Just a few weeks ago I got an email from a customer of mine who recently hired a professional organizer and paid her for a full day. And all she did was hang pictures for 8 hours! Which brings me to another point ... how do you know, once the service ...

By: Tan Bing Song Take some of the stress out of the holidays by getting organized now. The key to holiday organizing is to start early, take baby steps, and make lists (i.e. gifts, budget, meals, cards, etc.). Now is also the time to go through clothes, toys, and other household items to make room for the presents soon to come. Greeting cards can almost cause as much stress as shopping. Plan to complete your cards over a week or two. Gather all your letter-writing materials before you start, and keep them in one place until you finish. If you like to send a general update along with a personalized note, write that first. Then add a personal touch to a couple cards a day, and you will be finished in no time. Before you ever step foot in a store, have everyone make gift lists (including stores). This way you can give to others what they want instead of something that will become clutter to them. Plus, you have one less decision to make. Make shopping easier by setting a deadli...

By: Tan Bing Song It's great when the family gets together, but you know that it'll be much greater if all family members can get to know each other and share the family history. Much interest had been given to genealogic researches in the past years, but still, the most common form of genealogic research remains to be the family tree and its branching out. A family tree is a cinch to make if you intend to include only members of your immediate family (parents, sibling, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins) but what if you aim to include the three generations before you? Or what if you intend to find out who your ancestors are? This entails a much larger scope and therefore a more thorough research. This also means more extensive notes, files, pictures, interview transcripts, and other documents. To save you from disorganization and make your research easier, Carolyn Billingsley and Desmond Allen have devised an efficient filing system specifically for genealogic research. ...

By: Tan Bing Song Over the years, I’ve tried it all, different ways to get organized, with much trial and error.  Some worked, some didn’t.  I tried some of those fancy looking matching desk sets.  They looked beautiful and for some, I’m sure they are perfect.  But for me, they took up too much valuable space. Space I needed to proof my work, keep my reference books, or keep those essentials that I use on a regular basis.  For me, when I work I want everything within an arms reach.   I want to have immediate access to the tools I need to complete my assignments. I have a corner desk, and on it I have my computer, printer, fax, phone, etc.  Beside my desk I have a two-drawer filing cabinet.  This was possibly the greatest thing I’ve ever done to organize my business.  In it I have my files and supplies that I use on a regular basis, such as, client stationery, client files, a file for my receipts, all personal correspondence, paper, f...

By: Tan Bing Song How important is it to organize life? Everything in our life comes from how we organize it, right? When everything is organized we can do more, achieve more, become more, and enjoy everything more too, can't we? Can't you? Are you Overwhelmed? Frustrated? Dissatisfied?  Life throws a lot at you.  How are you managing it all until now? Those who organize life will excel far beyond those that don't because Life Organization is the biggest frontier of development opening up this decade. Are you ready for that?!  But what is it exactly that you are searching the net for regarding how to organize life? What does it really mean to organize life? Do you want a solid grand system to totally organize life? Do you want some temporary techniques to apply now? Would you like permanent principles for how to organize your entire life? To organize life you will capture every worth while thought to efficiently choose your actions for all that is importa...

By: Tan Bing Song Tips to organize files in real-space If you have a system that isn't working, it's probably because it is not the system outlined below. Simplicity of effectiveness is vital for a real-space filing system. To organize files in real-space it should take no more than 1 minute to add so me thing new to your system and no more than 30 seconds to retrieve something. Organize Files - Preparation: Get a large sturdy metal filing cabinet. Get box files and card files. Get an electric label maker. Chuck out hanging file guides. Organize Files - Implementation: 1. Grab a card file as soon as you have paper work that you want to reference for later use. 2. Create a label with the electric label maker with a word/phrase that very obviously identifies what the papers are about. 3. Put the labeled file in your filing cabinet in A to Z order. Maintenance of Organized Files: On computer start a file listing everything that's in your real-space filing ...

By: Tan Bing Song H-A-B-I-T...When 95% of people hear this word, a negative thought pops up  in their minds. Typically, most people think of a habit being negative.  The secret to your future lies in your daily habits so ask yourself  right now, "Are my habits today going to help me achieve my WHY in life?" This is a life-empowering question if you truly ask it and listen for the answer. I received the following excerpt from a very dear friend of mine and  felt that it is definitely the best explanation of a habit that I have  ever heard: I am your constant companion. I am your greatest helper or your heaviest burden. I will push you onward or drag you down to failure. I am completely at your command. Half the things you do, you might just as well turn over to me, and I will be able to do them quickly and correctly. I am easily managed; you must merely be firm with me. Show me exactly how you want something done, and after a few  lessons ...

By: Tan Bing Song I've spoken to quite a few people over the years who say they have very nice clothes they love but the don't wear them anymore. But my question is this: If you value something so much...then don't you think you should be wearing it? The reality is we are a society who likes to accumulate and, dating back to the Great Depression, we tend to keep everything we believe has monetary value when, in reality, it really doesn't. For example, a pretty dress or a nice suit you bought ten years ago went for what can be considered a lot of money. And the problem is you haven't touched it in nine years because, as most clothes do, it went out of style. Could it come back in style someday? Maybe. Styles do often return. But this is not a reason to hold onto things you don't use..."just in case." You feel like, because you spent "good" money on it, you are throwing money away. But ask yourself this... is it putting money in...

By: Tan Bing Song 1. Tell yourself that no matter what, some level of clutter with a child is going to happen. 2. Begin with messes and clutter that you see every day. Get organize your kitchen, garage, and family room before your hallway closet. 3. Use drawer dividers for socks, underwear, lingerie, and tiny items, to keep them separated and organized. 4. Use this same principle to organize your silverware, with clearly defined places for every fork and knife, or drawers for ties and socks or, underwear. Think in this same way for every aspect of your home. This will save many hours of searching for things. It will dramatically cut down on the clutter of items left out "for now" or "until I find a place for it." Develop a new mantra: everything has its place and a place for everything! 5. Allocate everything in your house a place. This way your family will know exactly where to find it and where to put it away, when they searches for something they n...

By: Tan Bing Song A pact, according to Dictionary.com is "a formal agreement...such as one between nations." Well, I want you to have A-Pact with your clutter. Although this turns into more of a battle (that you win)...it's a great way to remember the steps to organization. Here's what it means and how it works ... A-->ASK Ask yourself what you want out of the room or area you're going to organize. What are the goals of the room? What are you shooting for by getting organized? And the thing is, you want to dig a little deep into how you want to benefit. This will help you get motivated and work towards the final goal. For instance, if you're going to start the process of organizing paperwork in your home office, the question is "why do I want to organize this space?" The answer could be "I don't ever want to have a late bill again" or "I want to find any document in less than two minutes." Once you'...

By: Tan Bing Song The first step is finding room for the stuff. Kids come with a lot of gear, from the time they’re babies until they’re out the door and into their own place. In the meantime, you have to find ways to accommodate everything from strollers and building blocks to hockey sticks and Barbie collections. When there’s a place for everything, there’s a better chance that the stuff will get put away. Don’t waste closet space. Add a shelving unit and storage bins, and put up hooks on the back of the closet door wherever possible. The small dresser that served your young child can be put into the closet at a later age. Children’s beds often come with storage compartments underneath, and nightstands can have either drawers or shelves. When children share a room, bunk beds and sleeping lofts are obvious choices for saving space. Teenagers, especially those 6-footers, may very well need a full size bed rather than the standard twin. Again, think storage space underneath or h...

By: Tan Bing Song The most common problem most people have with getting rid of clutter and getting organized is not knowing how to begin or where to get started. So it gets put off until...later. Of course, the reasons are usually decent. For one, there's a lot going on in our lives. We go in so many directions and there never seems to be enough time to get anything done. And it's easier to put organizing off because you think it'll take up too much time right now. The other priorities -- like eating and sleeping (minor things, right?) of course take first on the list. But getting organized doesn't have to take a lot of time every single day. And if you don't start getting organized, even just a little bit at a time, there are some very real negative affects that, well, could kill you. A little drastic... I know. But the affect clutter and disorganization has on your health is very, very real. It adds stress to your already busy life. It ...

By: Tan Bing Song Is your house so messy you can never find what you’re looking for?  Are you often late for work because you can never find your car keys?  These tips will help save time and keep you more organized. Keep things in a place that makes sense.  Drop your keys in a dish by the front door so you won’t waste time looking for them throughout the house.  Put anything you need to take with you by the front door- outgoing mail, your briefcase or the library books that need to be returned.  This will save you time in the morning because you won’t be running around trying to gather what you need for the day. Straighten up as you go. Pick up the newspaper and put in the recycle bin instead of leaving it on the coffee table. Fill the dishwasher after every meal instead of once a day. Put your groceries away rather than leave them on the kitchen table.  How can you possibly know what food you do or don’t have if last week’s haul is still in the ...

By: Tan Bing Song Professional Organizer's are becoming increasingly popular, for a very good reason. The past decade has seen life become increasingly sophisticated yet far less labor intensive for most of us. If you want to get and stay ahead, make use of professional organizer services, or what I call 'efficiency services'. We outsource more and more tasks in our home to other companies just as if our home life was a business. A few of the efficiency services that you probably use include: Delivery services, car wash, launderette, various home maintenance, etc. Now more of us can afford for those chores to be taken care of by others, what is there left for us to do? How can we use our money to maximize the opportunity of our time? That is where professional organizers come in. Imagine what a professional organizer working for you could do for you personal organization. Everything comes from organization. As a professional organizer I consult with many people to...

By: Tan Bing Song T he sciatic nerve is located from the end of your spine to your leg and all the way to your toes. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve located in your body. A bulging disk often causes Sciatica pain. When the disk bulges it irritates the sciatic nerve,which in return causes the pain. Some people may have bulging discs but not feel any pain,however when they do have pain its usually severe. Usually the pain only occurs on one side of the body. People are frequently diagnosed with sciatica without proper research and any back pain is labeled as sciatica. Many problems can cause back and leg pain,but it doesn't necessarily have to be sciatica. It's important to get properly diagnosed for sciatic,not to be confused with other pains that may effect the back or legs or both. A doctor can run some tests to help determine if your pain is because of sciatica or another ailment. In order to get proper treatment you need to get proper diagnostics. Anyone who has...

By: Tan Bing Song Acne is probably the most common skin ailment. While there are no concrete figures, it's safe to assume that it affect millions of people around the world. Furthermore, it can affect anybody, regardless of age or gender. To make matters worse, acne scars can be visible long after the acne itself has cleared up. There is some good news in that you can choose from more than one treatment for acne scarring. However, you should know that not all acne scarring is the same, and that means not all treatments will work in all cases. Therefore, you should be sure to talk to a qualified medical professional about the options that are best for you and your particular situation. Note: What follows should not be considered medical advice. Instead, it is meant to be informational so you can have a better conversation with your doctor when discussing your options. Dermabrasion has been around for a long time, and has been used successfully by many people. This basically in...

By: Tan Bing Song If you have spent any amount of time looking into getting fit, then you know that there is a near-endless stream of advice about the best way to do it. Perhaps you have even tried several different plans to help yourself get into shape. It can be quite confusing trying to decide what works, and what doesn't. However, when it comes to getting healthy, body building programs should be incorporated into your routine.  Of course there is no shortage of various body building programs, either. The problem isn't that there is too much information, the problem is that far too much of it is made for a general audience. Now, that may not be a big deal if you happen to stumble on a plan that is targeting somebody like you, but that's a gamble at best, and can do more harm than good at worst.  Before you get the wrong idea about body building, you should know that it doesn't mean you will end up looking like some muscle-bound man who is more a freak of natur...

By: Tan Bing Song Everyone has three different ages.  First there is the chronological age which is the age in number of years since being born.  Then there is the biological age which is the age of your body system at a specific time and is affected by a person’s health, their brain, heart, cardiovascular system and skeletal system.  Lastly there is the psychological age which is how old you feel.  You may be 60 years of age but you only feel 40. You can't change your chronological age no matter what you do but you can make some changes to the other two types of age.  Your lifestyle, such as diet and exercise, can alter your biological age and the age you feel can also be changed when you feel better biologically. To improve your health you should eat a balanced, nutritional diet.  Reduce the amount of fats and sugars in your diet and avoid fried foods that only add excess fat to your body and clog up your arteries.  Eat more lean meats, white m...