Click here each Thursday at 11am Eastern to join me LIVE

SUZANNA KAYE

Blog Store About Event Calendar Links Login Email Me

The Spark! Blog by Suzanna Kaye

You Are the Keeper of the Magic

Uncategorized Dec 09, 2019
By Ruth Zeman

As the holiday season rolls out the red carpet some of us sigh in delight. Just as many of us sigh, feeling "meh".  That feeling that the magic of the season just isn't what it once was. We look around and just can't seem to get into the flow of the season. Even when in your heart you're positive this is your favorite season. 

I had a friend, who is a blogger, mention that she had been looking for the magic of her childhood and she was coming up short. She finally realized that she was the keeper of the magic. The reason she was feeling a lack was because she wasn't creating the magic.

The parties, the baking, the decorating were all hers.

As mothers, wives, dare I say - grown-ups, we go through a transition that not all of us realized happened. We went from just experiencing the magic to actually being in charge of the magic. Before you want to curl up under the covers and hide from all the added work you've just imagined, let me reassure you -...

Continue Reading...

How to Create a Simple Bullet Journal

organizing Dec 09, 2019
 
 
Transcript

Come watch how I simply create a basic bullet journal. If you're new to the idea, it's a planner scheduler that you create around your needs and not a preprinted or digital system. Many of us prefer the act of writing things down and this is a way to collect your ideas, dates to remember, tasks and more.

In a nutshell, a bullet journal is a simple way to capture what you need to do.

Whether you're planning your entire year or simply brain dumping information a bullet journal allows you to come back to those thoughts. Many types of bullet journals have popped up on Pinterest and it's grown into a movement. However, don't let all the fancy stuff overwhelm you. The basic framework that I demonstrated is all you truly need.

Consider using a rocket book for your bullet journal. Check out my post on the magic of a rocket book here. 

bullet journal

Also, like I mentioned last week, if it doesn't fit on a sticky note, it won't fit into a day. I purposely put on my day...

Continue Reading...

Create Your Office on the GO! Be productive away from Home

productivity Dec 02, 2019
 
By Suzanna Kaye

Previously I covered how to use your car as your mobile office but now I want to share with you about working while traveling. It's more than just being in your car all the time.

Let's start with the tools you need to stay productive and organized.

Wifi - use a mobile device with your phone provider or tether to your phone. Using the wifi settings.  Grab a hard drive.  Save all your stuff on your hard drive so you're not dependent on your home office. We'll come back to this idea in a minute.

Envelope / Expensify - for reports that don't suck.  To keep your receipts in order.

Last Pass to have your passwords saved in a mobile location. Have your info super locked down, and fingerprint protected! Having this confidence is such a relief. Lynda.com to learn how to create amazing passwords, learn how to do so many wonderful business things! I teach courses on passwords, going paperless, business etiquette and more!

Google Drive -...

Continue Reading...

How to Store Kids Artwork

Uncategorized Nov 29, 2019
 

Kids are amazing creators. 

Add in a few school assignments and if you're not careful you could be swimming in artwork, science projects, and more. Each precious and not so precious. What to do? Watch Suzanna Kaye, Professional Organizer for some great tips and suggestions you can use now. 

Continue Reading...

49+ Easy Ways To Show Love Today and Every Day

kindness Nov 25, 2019
By Ruth Zeman

Simple acts that take little or no time or money

  • Let someone in while in traffic
  • Smile at someone
  • Bring an empty cart back into the store as you go in
  • Say thank you to someone
  • Call someone (especially an elderly or homebound person) just to say hi
  • Tell someone else about these ideas so they can do them too
  • Text someone to let them know you love them or are thinking of them
  • Pay for the person's coffee behind you at a coffee shop
  • Buy a small gift card to give to a random person
  • Talk to a homeless person and listen to their story
  • Tell someone they are doing a great job
  • Wave at someone
  • Give a hug
  • Send a thank you or thinking of you note by regular mail
  • Pray for someone
  • Donate to a charity
  • Hold the door for a stranger
  • Let someone else have a closer parking space
  • Bring your neighbor's trash cans up and put them away
  • Make someone laugh
  • Share a happy thought or quote on social media
  • Leave an extra tip in a tip jar
  • Leave a note for someone to tell them they're awesome
  • Pick up...
Continue Reading...

More Clever Travel Tips

Uncategorized Nov 22, 2019
 
By Ruth Zeman

While you're probably not preparing for Hogwarts you don't have to be a sad muggle when you travel. Although we'll both agree floo powder would make life much easier. Travelling can still be fun and enjoyable.

Here are some more clever travel tips you're going to want to start using immediately!

Make a quick fix tool bag.

Wrap a bit of duct tape or gaffe tape around a pill bottle or pen so you don't need to bring the whole roll. I ended up using a little flashlight I had on hand. Safety pins, rubber bands, binder clips. To fix a gap in the curtains, temporarily hem a pair of pants, fix broken luggage, create a finger splint, you get the idea.travel tips

Extension cord.

Admit it, I don't have to explain this in the time of cell phone chargers and stuff. These magical tools make us feel like wizards, it wouldn't do to let them lose power.

Suction cup hooks.

To hold your stuff in the shower. Way better than the floor or tub side. You went swimming? Hang your suit...

Continue Reading...

Clutter-Free Gifts for the Holidays (Give a gift they will love)

Uncategorized Nov 20, 2019

As an organizer, I deal with people's clutter year-round. Among this clutter is usually a TON of gifts my client has received from a loved one that isn't their style or they do not really have a use or space for, but they feel obligated to hold on to out of guilt or fear of hurt feelings.

 

The last thing we want to do when we give a gift is place pressure on that person and create guilt and negative emotions.

 

This year I challenge all of us to make a resolution early - to make our holiday gift-giving clutter (and guilt) free.

 

Here are a few ideas for some clutter-free gifts you can give the person who really does have it all (or wants to have less):

 

  1. Services to remember

Paying for services to improve the home, relax and de-stress them or help out with difficult chores can be a great gift that will be remembered for years to come. Professional Organizers, maids, carpet cleaners, handymen and more will often accept prepayment for services as a gift.

 ...

Continue Reading...

Time Management: The Best of the Basics

time management Nov 18, 2019
 
 
By Ruth Zeman

Step ONE: Do the biggest nastiest task first. Eat that frog!
I don't know about you but if I have a big nastiest ugly toad looming over my day.... it makes everything harder. I've built it up into something paralyzing.

Doing that tiny but nasty little frog first, I'm a success! I feel like a winner!

Also, you are already quite productive because you have to identify which task is the frog. It's amazing how wonderful this time management tip is!

BATCHING

Computer work, emails, phone calls, project work. This is four different types of work, requiring your brain to flip from one thing to the other. Draining your mental energy.
While it's not a huge amount of time, if you can be within one system you can complete more tasks altogether without brain drain. Allowing you to focus more.

I even schedule my batching so that I know the time I'm going to fill. Check out my bullet journal or rocket book posts to learn more.

FIRE TIME!!

A huge concept. Planning for things...

Continue Reading...

Fully Experience the JOY of the Season

Uncategorized Nov 15, 2019
By Ruth Zeman

Do you find yourself missing out on the Joy of the Season due to being run down, over busy, or just blah? You're not alone. For all the sparkle and presents, the Holiday season can be hard.

I previously mentioned the book The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin. Well, she's also the author of The Happiness Project. In that book, she mentions that the secret to fully experiencing happiness has three parts. Anticipation, being in the moment and then looking back with gratitude. Being in the field of professional organizing, I can add that all that is fine and good, but if your spaces are overwhelmed then you will be, too. Regardless of how hard you try to be in the moment.

How can you tell if your spaces are sucking all the JOY out of you?

Easily enough. Next time you're out, get into a peaceful frame of mind and then consciously step into your space.  Let yourself be open and listen to how you feel. Stepping into your home, are you welcome? Do you want...

Continue Reading...

Traveling with Kids

Uncategorized Nov 13, 2019
By Ruth Zeman

Traveling with kids is for the BRAVE. They present a whole new adventure. 

Kids come with extra details that you must absolutely pay attention to! I learned this the hard way..... Trust me when I say the story is too much for your delicate hearing. Plus if I told you we'd all need drinks and we're trying to stay sober for this, so pay attention....

Babies.

They need diapers, wipes, strollers, toys, the pack n play, a mommy strap on sling thingy, a car seat, or do they? While it's true you don't want to get caught without the diapers and wipes there are still ways around this.

Diapers and Wipes are available all over the world. You can buy them anywhere. You don't have to pack a month's worth in your suitcase. If you're visiting family you can easily ship to them from Amazon. Or ask them to go to the store in advance of your arrival. (send them a picture of what you need along with instructions)

This goes for formula and all other forms of baby food. Snacks...

Continue Reading...
Close

50% Complete

You don't want to miss out!

Want the inside scoop before everyone else? I'll sprinkle your inbox with the best organizing & productivity tools, tips and how-to's. And you'll get them first! 

Plus, exclusive content and offers only for my insiders. Being on the list has its perks!