A New Place to Call Home

You’ve searched and searched and now your search has finally come to an end; you’ve found a new place to call home! Whether you are downsizing or upgrading, you have to admit it is exciting to start a new chapter in your life. But what’s this? Your joy is suddenly replaced by overwhelm. Boxes, bags, and more boxes!

Last month, we wrote a blog post addressing the overwhelm that can come with preparing to move out, perhaps to a new city or even a different state. We have had more requests than ever for moving help, and this month, we want to share with you ways in which we can make your move-in less stressful.

So, how can we make your new transition a stress-free one?

1. Walk-through: We will conduct a thorough walk-through of any and all spaces of your new home with you to discuss in-depth where you would like items to go and how we can best make your move a pleasant experience, and how we can help you have an organized and functional space, right from the start.

2. Game Plan: Boxes randomly scattered about with no rhyme or reason? We will place all the like items together in their desired rooms and then go through each and every box in order to place items in their correct spaces according to frequency of use, best use of space, all the while taking into account your personal preference. We will ensure all kitchen items find themselves in the kitchen, office items find themselves in the office, etc.

3. Letting Go: There’s nothing like a move to make you realize how much “stuff” you really have. As we are going through the boxes, this is a great time to assess what you really need. Maybe you have less space then you thought? Maybe you are wondering why on earth you even packed some items? We are happy to set aside donation piles and take them with us-free of charge.

4. Checklist: As each room comes together, you will undoubtedly realize you still need certain items. Maybe you need more storage bins? We can help you go through each room, take measurements, and make a list of items you will need to purchase, if any to maximize space and maintain organization in your new home. We are even more than happy to go pick up the items for you, and help you put them into place right away. 

5. Labeling: We always come prepared with one of our favorite tools. Yes, you guessed it, our labelers! Whether you want us to label storage bins (i.e. halloween decorations) or shelves in a garage or closet, we are ready and equipped to make your life easier. Our goal is to simpify your life and enabling you to identify and find items more quickly is definitely part of that plan!

As we mentioned in our previous post, moving can be quite the process and does take a decent chunk of time. And time is something we could all use a little more of, right? We realize you don’t want to have boxes sitting around your home for months on end, so if you are looking to finish the project sooner rather than later, we offer several packages. Give us a call and ask us about our 12 and 24 hour packages involving 1, 2 or 3 organizers. We can recommend the right package for you based on your time frame and budget. 

Things to Keep in Mind:

A. Devise a plan: Don’t unpack randomly. Figure out where things will go and what makes sense.

B. Function Before Form: Arrange furniture and large, heavier items first. Then unpack accessories and personal items.

C. Priority: Make a list of all the rooms in your home and rate them in order of priority. Remember to focus on one room at a time, it will make the experience much less overwhelming. Start in the spaces you need to utilize the most ASAP.

D. Moving can be a daunting task, but you can get organized and cut stress! Ask for help to save time and stress and enjoy your new space sooner as opposed to later.

Still on the fence about bringing in a Professional Organizer to help you with your move? Check out some of our recent testimonials:

“Simply Placed was a life saver as I moved into a new home and needed to get unpacked and organized within a week.  Jessica and Sharon were so efficient and organized that the move in was virtually painless for my 3 children and me. My walk in closet is a dream now and I recommend them for any organizational work needed anywhere in the house!”

Jennifer Molloy – Sammamish, WA

“Simply Placed helped me PACK and UNPACK for a 3 year assignment oversees. I don’t know how I would have done it on either end without Debbie and Sharon. Packing is one of those experiences no one should have to do alone. Support=Sanity!”

Lauren Malinsky Lindheimer – Mercer Island, WA

If you or someone you know is looking to move, let us know if we can be a resource, we would love to make the process a stress-free one! And don’t forget about our referral program - refer a friend or neighbor and we’ll be sure to Thank You!

A Happy Packer

Yesterday we posted some of our favorite tips on how to best prepare and organize for a move. As nothing makes us happier than seeing our clients delighted with their results, we wanted to share a testimonial from a beloved client of ours. We miss her and wish her the best in her new home! Here’s what she had to say about her experience with Simply Placed:

“I just recently found out that we were moving due to my husband’s job and that he had to start immediately.  I was to stay in the Seattle area and manage my kids AND pack the house.  Needless to say, I panicked a little. Then I thought to myself these two magical words:  Simply Placed!  I was so thrilled that I ran to the phone with an S.O.S . . Do they help people pack?!  YES!  I was quickly connected with a wonderful and hard working young gal by the name of Jessica. . . very professional!

We went to town and packed my office and the toy room, and I immediately began to feel better!  It was the best thing that I could have done . . made that call.  I enjoyed their help so much that I signed up for more!  Whatever your needs may be . . . packing or simply sorting and “getting rid of things”, I know that Simply Placed would help tremendously.  It was a breathe of fresh air to be able to see my son’s closet floor!  My only wish is that I would have called them sooner!”

A “happier packer”

Jennifer Holt, Sammamish, WA

Thanks for sharing your kind words Jennifer!

Have you enjoyed or benefited from your experience with us? If so, we’d love to hear about it! What’s more, we’d be thrilled to put your testimonial(s) up on our website. If you wish to share what Simply Placed has done for you and feel comfortable allowing us to put your name and city on our residential or business testimonials page, email us at info@itssimplyplaced.com.

Thank you all, YOU are what makes this job that much more rewarding.

The Envy of His Peers

Today’s post comes courtesy of Insurance Agent, Joe Hailey. Joe is a client of Simply Placed and wanted to share his experience with a couple of the classes he’s taken and results received.

Those of you who have taken the GO System Seminar in particular will find the format in which Joe wrote the post meaningful. For those who haven’t, a book used in the course offers the following format for each chapter to keep it simple. “What?” is “What is the concept?”. “So What?” is “Why should I care?” and “Now What?” is “OK, now that you’ve got my attention, what do I do about it now?”

What?

I first took the GO System seminar in early 2007 followed by the “Multi-Tasking Makes You Stupid” workshop later that same year. The GO seminar is a rich potpourri of powerful yet simple productivity tips and techniques that one can implement immediately. “Multi-Tasking Makes You Stupid” challenges the widely-held notion that we must multi-task in order to be effective in this high-tech wired world and illustrates in very tangible ways how such multi-tasking may actually make us less productive. I repeated the GO seminar this past June for a refresher and found it just as beneficial the 2^nd time around.

So What?

The beauty of the concepts taught in these workshops is that by selectively implementing one or two high-leverage systems or behaviors, one can realize same-day, order of magnitude improvements in workflow, productivity, and stress reduction.  It isn’t necessary, nor is it encouraged, to try and radically change our daily routines all at once.

Now What? 

As demands on my time periodically ramp-up due to a perfect storm of high priority phone calls, email, unexpected drop-ins and high priority projects, the discipline and techniques learned through these workshops have enabled me to maintain focus and to be assured that important commitments won’t fall through the cracks.

Whether researching opportunities to improve a prospective client’s coverage or ensuring that current clients’ protection plans keep pace with life’s changes, the discipline and practices learned from Simply Placed give me confidence that my current focus is the right focus at that particular moment in time.

Joseph Hailey, Insurance Professional – AAA Insurance Agency

About the author: 

Joe Hailey is a seasoned insurance professional with AAA Insurance, the largest personal lines agency in the state of Washington. Joe provides expert advice on auto insurance, homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance, boat, motorcycle, and RV insurance. Joe’s primary objective, during initial and subsequent consultations, is to give his clients the peace-of-mind that comes from knowing that their families are thoroughly protected. His staff of licensed customer service representatives provide prompt, courteous service backed by 24-hour claims availability. The lessons Joe has learned from Simply Placed, and put into practice in his agency, have enabled him to earn a reputation for efficiency, effectiveness, and follow-up that’s the envy of his peers. AAA offers hard-to-beat discounts for its members and extremely competitive rates for non-members as well. Joe can be reached at (425) 456-3641 or by email at joehailey@aaawin.com.

Making a difference for those who make a difference

We love to hear stories about lives made simpler, business growth, and money saved as a result of the work we do with our clients. We often receive testimonials from our clients via email, phone or verbally.  Here is a great testimonial from one of our “happy clients”, Dellann Elliott, Executive Director of the Chris Elliott Fund.

I’ve been working with Simply Placed and I love it!  Last month when I went to my personal accountant to prepare my taxes, I can’t tell you how EASY it was!  I use the FreedomFiler system for both my personal records as well as CEF’s records.  What a difference it has made in my life!

Lacey comes in once a month to organize and update my papers and filing system. Because we use the FreedomFiler system, she knows exactly where to put everything.  She even pulled the files that I needed to take to my tax accountant for me.  When I walked into this appointment and simply handed him my nicely labeled and organized files, he said “WOW!  This is different than all the past years.  Great Job.”  I then proceeded to tell him about Simply Placed and the Freedom Filer system.

Usually, my tax accountant keeps asking me for more of my records during tax preparation time. This year he did not have to ask me for ANYTHING else to complete my taxes as all the records were given to him as they were all nice and neatly filed.  Thank you Debbie, Lacey and Simply Placed!!!

Thanks for your kind words Dellann! We’re glad we could make things easier for you so that you can do the important work you do for the CEF – advocating, education and fund-raising for patients with Glioblastoma Brain Cancer. We love the difference you make in the lives of others!

To learn more about the Chris Elliott Fund and how they make a difference, visit their website or their blog.

Let us know if we can help you set up a new filing system for your home or home-based business! We’d love to make your life easier and save you money on next year’s tax bill at the same time.

That was Easy

We love to hear feedback from our clients on our services, products and seminars.  We have recently been receiving some very positive feedback about our new Meal Planning Made Easy system. Here’s an example:

“I have been using Debbie’s Meal Planning Made Easy system for a few weeks now.  It’s very easy to use, and forces me to sit down and plan the week of meals.  I especially like the categories on the grocery list.  It makes grocery shopping so much easier, and keeps me from going back and forth through the store for things I didn’t see on my list.  I post the menu on the fridge, and my family likes seeing what we’re having for dinner every night.  I don’t use the breakfast and lunch blanks, but it works just as well for only dinners, because there is space to list side dishes as well as entrees.  With this system, I don’t dread the end of the day, wondering what to do for dinner, and I remember to thaw or prep things ahead of time.”

~ Patty Pacelli

Patty Pacelli is a Wardrobe Consultant and owner of Look Your Best Wardrobe Consulting.  As a busy professional, an active volunteer, a wife and a mom, she’s just who we had in mind when we created the product. We love to make your life easier through systems and organization. Thanks for sharing your feedback Patty!

If you have comments about how organization, systems, or particular products have made your life easier, we’d love to hear them too. 

The Gift of Time

I taught a GO System class to a group of Comcast employees last week and got a great email from one of the attendees the following day. He wrote,

Great Class,

There are not very many classes that you are able to start using immediately, and see results.

 Thanks for giving me the gift of time.

 Dan Littlefield

This is why we do the work we do at Simply Placed. We want to give our clients the gift of time.

I used to say that Simply Placed could help you get more done in less time (and we can), but that’s not what we’re about. We are about helping you get more of the right things done (the things that are important to you or that will get you the results you want) in the time you have.

What would you do with the gift of time? How would you spend it? Who would benefit? What are you waiting for? Let us know how we can help.

The Simply Placed Team