Do you ever wonder how some business leaders are so productive? They are incredibly busy yet accomplish what they want in less time than many others. As a Professional Organizer, I’m lucky to meet many inspiring individuals who fall into this illustrious category. In this Productivity Pointers from Productive People segment, I am pleased to interview Cy Naumenko, President of Spot Solutions, to learn what makes an organized and successful individual. What are the biggest time wasters in your life? What do you do to manage them? My biggest time management challenge is an overflowing email inbox ..read more

After over two decades of working in the organizing and downsizing business, we’ve learned that people usually come across these categories of items when they clear out their parents’ house. Brown Furniture An example of brown furniture. Brown furniture is a term furniture dealers use to describe items constructed from solid wood. Some brown furniture items are antiques; others are reproductions. Generally, antique pieces fetch a high price at auction or on consignment. High-quality reproductions by well-known manufacturers may also sell for a reasonable price. Unfortunately, auction or consig ..read more

As a professional organizer with over 20 years of experience, I frequently help clients in private areas of their homes. But before we embark on the delicate art of decluttering and organizing our collection of discrete devices, it’s important to acknowledge that this article is for adults only. Firstly, adult-only pleasure products are typical in many homes. However, this topic is rarely discussed openly, and many people might be uncomfortable or embarrassed to talk to a home organizer about their collections. That’s why I’m writing this guide to tidying up your sex toy collection. In fact, o ..read more

It was a fitting first day of the season for me to talk about springtime decluttering with Dan Burritt (subbing for Michele Eliot) of BC Today. We covered a few of the issues surrounding decluttering and downsizing. A clear space promotes a clear mind. If our space is filled with clutter and we can’t see the floor, we don’t know what items we have. Searching for what we need becomes stressful. When we declutter, it’s easier to function in the space. Dan asked me, “People of a “certain vintage” are downsizing to a smaller home. How do we start the process?” Of course, decluttering is the first ..read more

The first email tip on my blog was in 2005 when I did an interview for Chatelaine magazine. Since then, I’ve written many articles on email management, and the tips I included are still applicable today. Email is an indispensable communication tool for almost everyone, and since our inboxes fill up so quickly, here are my seven best email hacks for productivity. 1. Separate Business and Personal Email Keeping separate business and personal email accounts is essential. It reduces distractions because you don’t see personal email during working hours. Additionally, you won’t feel obligated to an ..read more

Whether from childhood sports leagues, academic achievements, or professional milestones, old trophies and awards often pose a dilemma. They represent significant achievements in our lives and, as such, often hold sentimental value. However, as our lives evolve, there comes a time when we must let them go. Here is some advice on disposing of old trophies and awards while still honouring their legacy. Choose What to Honour Not every trophy or medal is worth keeping, but some are. Before diving into downsizing, please read my post on organizing school memorabilia. The B-C.L.E.A.R. process I outl ..read more

I was very pleased to be interviewed by Richard Forzley of Kitsbeach Vancouver Magazine this month. The article gives an overview of my dad and his Chinese-Western food restaurant, The Woodbine Inn. His goal was to provide top-notch hospitality and memorable moments for his clientele. For example, he ensured every child received a free Shirley Temple or Rob Roy cocktail. Imagine an Asian food restaurant celebrating Robbie Burns Day by serving haggis!  I took these lessons in hospitality with me. Then, I incorporated them into my professional organizing and move management business, Out of ..read more

I was honoured and delighted to be interviewed by Patricia Barnes for the Neighbours of Edgemont magazine for their January Edition. The magazine features iconic neighbours, past and present, who have contributed to the community. I’m proud to say that my father was one of those iconic neighbours. My Dad operated The Woodbine Inn, a Chinese-Western restaurant in Edgemont Village, from 1977 to 1987. During that time, I worked in his restaurant and learned the value of high-quality customer service from my father. This experience inspired me to follow in his footsteps. I received my Hotel and Re ..read more

It’s that time of year again – spring cleaning. As a professional home organizer in Vancouver for over 20 years, I see the same decluttering tips and tricks offered time and time again. Many websites provide helpful advice even though it might not apply to everyone. However, I believe that some information is misleading – simply advertisements in disguise. Let’s do some spring cleaning myth-busting. Spring Cleaning Myth 1: All You Need to Do is Clean Fact: C.L.E.A.R. first, then clean. The ritual of spring cleaning originated many years ago. Back then, people heated their homes with wood and c ..read more

In our fast-paced world, effective time management is essential to achieving success. I have plenty of articles on this topic, but these are my top strategies to help you become a productivity pro. Track Your Time In the personal finance realm, advisors often ask people to track where they spend their money. It helps them understand where they should cut back and where they can afford to splurge. The same is true with time. Tracking your time allows you to identify what you spend the most time doing. Then, you can decide where and when to change your focus and priorities. Check out my article ..read more