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The Spark! Blog by Suzanna Kaye

Pets

Uncategorized Jan 03, 2020
 By Ruth Zeman

It was a bright and sunny day in Orlando Florida. You're hanging out at the local Publix and it's Just another day in paradise when you hear - "Organize Your Pets" from the girl next to you.

You mull this over. Organize my pets huh? So my dog could learn to like, clean up? Remembering that you saw a dog on YouTube vacuuming. "Yeah, I could totally go for that." You start nodding your head emphatically. So you ask her, "I can organize my pets?"

"You totally can." Says the delightful redhead from Spark! Organizing LLC.

The one they call, Suzanna.

"So is it like that other YouTube video where the dogs help bring in the groceries? Line up to go to dinner?" You ask, thinking quickly on your feet. You could really get excited about this.

"No", Suzanna replies with a grin, ready to explain.

"Why not?" 

"Cause I'm an  organizer not dog trainers?!" Suzanna quips. "Although if you know a trainer that is teaching that, I've got a Solo and a Elby ready to learn"...

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How to Identify Your Priorities

Uncategorized Dec 27, 2019
 
By Suzanna Kaye

Goals and values

Most of us are confident we could be amazing if we could just finish..... whatever it was that was so super important. However, just as many of us struggle with prioritizing what needs to be done and when. Ending up with nothing done because we never got started or we simply never finished. 

Often times we start with what we believe is going to be doable instead of the thing that ultimately matters the most to our goals. I can't tell you how many times I've started the laundry but managed to completely forget that I needed to stay on top of that task. Clothes that were very important to a good next day were, as I'm sure you can imagine, neglected. Yet, I couldn't quite stay focused on that goal. 

It's a simple example that proves even when we understand the need we don't always do what needs to be done most.

Yet, we do understand that we need to set priorities. Otherwise, we'd probably all find ways to Netflix and Chill more.

In order to...

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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 -...

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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...

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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 -...

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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. 

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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...
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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...

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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.

 ...

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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...

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