Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Are you an organized fashion designer?

I don't know about you, but I have a really hard time keeping my work space neat and organized. I feel more creative when I have an uncluttered work area, but I rarely have one. When I do clean it, its right back to a mess within a week. Its weird how a disorganized or messy space can create "clutter" in your creativity.

My friend Amie is a feng shui guru. She is the Executive Director of Abundant Space, a feng shui and organizing service. Last summer she helped me organize my office and gave me some great tips for a creative studio. I asked if she would be a "guest blogger" today to share some organizing tips to help "creative types" work to their full potential.

Guest Writer: Amie Crouch, Abundant Space

If you are the creative type (which I m sure most of you are) getting organized is probably about as fun as getting a root canal. Try to change your perception of getting organized! Getting organized can be fun! Think of it as a creative outlet for self expression, instead of a task that has been hanging over your head for months. Also, it does make a difference. If I had a dollar for every time one of my clients has said “So that is where that is” I would be very rich. People spend a year of their lives looking for misplaced items!! Use your energy to create and design not to locate things you have misplaced.

Organizing can be a way to bring color, art and creative design into your office environment. Because you are designers you will have to think design when organizing. Remember the key is to get systems that work for you in place so you never return to an uncluttered state again. However, you want to keep visual stimulus to a minimum. This is what I call minimizing movie floor syndrome. If you go to see a movie, look at the floor and notice how carnival like it is and how it is hard to look at and keep your concentration. So, when you are organizing your like items together, select containers covered in neutrals. It will allow you to create without wasting energy looking at the contents of your storage bins. Martha Stewart claims she has to work in a completely neutral and white environment and gradually brings color in as she comes up with material for her show. That makes sense.

If you follow the Formula for Success below gaining and maintaining control of your space will be an easy task. So roll up your sleeves and move forward with enthusiasm. Keep a positive attitude, knowing you can accomplish this step by step. Empower yourself!
Formula for Success

S Space purpose

U Un-clutter all of the items that do not belong
C Clear out the items that do not belong
C Create systems using containers
E Each container is labeled
S Send unwanted items away: relocate, recycle, donate or toss
S Systems evaluation every quarter

Here is how to execute each step:

Space Purpose
Decide the purpose of your space. Most of the time this is obvious, but you will be surprised how many offices have become catch-all’s or multi-purpose spaces. If you have your studio or office in your home, do not to let other items clutter your creative energy. I remember consulting with one of my clients who was a financial advisor. She wanted to become a creative memories consultant. I looked at her space and 95% of it was financial materials and in a dark corner was a DUSTY stack of material for Creative Memories still in boxes. I asked her what % of business in the next year she wanted to be scrap booking and she said at least 80%. Her environment told another story! Be sure the message you are sending to the universe matches your intentions. (That is my feng shui certification coming through)

Un-clutter all of the items that do not belong
Start removing anything that does not belong in the designated room you are working on. Do this step quickly without thinking about where the items are going to be relocated. Do not get caught up in sentiment at this point~ just clear out what does not belong.

Clear out the items that do not belong
Start sorting like items together in another location. By sorting all of the like items together it will let you know what kind of organizational solutions you are going to need based on size. Find out what needs a home. For example, markers, stickers and scissors can all be placed in a large jar, small box or flat clear bin marked “Art Supplies”

Create systems using containers
A common mistake you can make is to purchase bins before you know what you are going to need. If possible wait until you get to this step before you buy anything. This step is critical because you want to evaluate what type of containers, pouches, crates, etc. you need to create usable solutions. Also, when you are deciding what you need think of growth. Pick solutions that will work for you at the stage you want to be! Organize for the future as if you are already there. For example, a client of mine I was working with showed me her client file. I could not have fit my pinkie in between any file it was so packed. The message she is sending to the universe is that she does not need any new opportunities or clients because she is already full. Plan for where you are going.

Each container is labeled
It is very important to label your containers and areas. Even if it is obvious at first what is supposed to be stored there, let the label clearly communicate your intent. Using a label maker especially for files really looks sharp and creates uniformity. The investment is small and the result is spectacular.

Send unwanted items on their way: relocate, recycle, donate or toss
One of the key components of the success model is to actually bring whatever items you are relocating, recycling or donating to the final destination. Having bags sitting in a pile in the corner or lined up in the garage is self-defeating and will create more stress. When you start each room have a plan that day to go to the recycling area or to the donation center. After you have completed a room-reward yourself! Self gratitude is extremely important because it will give you a sense of accomplishment! Live light!

Systems evaluation every quarter
Re-evaluating your systems you are currently using is really important. You want to find out what is working and what is not working. You might just need to tweak a storage solution or add another few files to your system but make sure you evaluate your progress. The best way to do this is to access the state of your office and find out what has fallen through the cracks. What can be better? What piles are starting to form again?

Here are a couple of Feng Shui Tips to use once you are organized:

1. In the SE corner of your desk (if possible) place a healthy, rounded leaf plant to symbolize prosperity and success.

2. On a red piece of construction paper create a prosperity board with images of what you want to attract for the year. You could have a picture of a fashion show or a great designers website.

3. The center of your desk should always remain clear so you can invite new opportunities in.

4. Add a water feature in your North corner of your office to represent career success!

Good luck and remember:

“Luck is the residue of design” Branch Rickley

Take care, Amie

*****************************************************************

Thank you Amie! BTW, she does online consulting if you are needing a little help getting yourself organized!

Have a fashionable day!

S



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