ETA: The giveaway has been postponed.

If you have been scouring the internet for information on how to get organized, then you have probably come across my special guest, Krista Colvin- lifestylist; organizing maven; and media personality. She is the brain behind The SHEbang, Organize in Style, and The O Myth (BlogTalk Radio)- all great tools for helping everyone take control of their lives.

A Little Background

I first met Krista at The Integrated Mother Network, when I frantically called on my fellow mothers to help me get it together. Krista was a calming voice in a very turbulant storm and cautioned me, with warm but stern word, to “Slow Down!” It was then that I realized that she was someone who could definitely help. Not only is she chock-full of resources, and funny, she was generous enough to offer some cool deals to my readers.(see below the interview for details).

In this interview, Krista tells us what it means to be organized and gives everyone (even men) insight into what it takes to “get it together.”

MOTR: What does it mean to be organized?
Krista: Your “things” have a place to call their own! That makes finding + putting things away soooo much easier.

MOTR: Organizing always seems like a daunting task What is the best way for one to get started organizing his/her home?
Krista: Start on a small and emotionally low risk project. Then work your way up to more emotionally charged areas. A kitchen pantry is a great example. It’s simple to sort, purge and put back together. The emotional risk is low because no one is attached to expired food. Your clothes closet and childhood keepsakes… well those are filled with emotions and are best dealt with after tackling a project or two!

MOTR: In general, who do you believe is better at organization? Men or women?
Krista: Wow, I’ve never been asked this before! Hmmmm, a loaded question and I don’t even have a strong opinion on it! I’m going with “Depends on the individual”… how’s that for a politically correct, good-for-nothin’ answer

MOTR: A friend told me that she is very organized at work, but her house is a mess. Why do you think it is so difficult for us to organize our lives both in and out of the home?
Krista: I see this a lot. First cut yourself some slack because a girl can only handle so much . You need to be able to chill somewhere right? It’s difficult to maintain the whole shebang… we are busy living life. I have 10 items that if knocked out each month help you stay on top of it. It’s available via an email I send out to my newsletter peeps.

MOTR: What item do you think is the most important tool needed to organize one’s life?
Krista: A plan! I believe you can do it all… just not in one day.

MOTR: What five items would you feel lost without?
Krista: Lipstick, wedding ring, iPhone, glasses, coffee.

MOTR: The economy has everyone in a pinch. How can you make organization inexpensive?
Krista: I’m amazed at how many unused organizing products clients have laying around! Also peek in your cupboards because so many items can serve a dual purpose. A ceramic bowl or the crystal dish you received for a wedding gift can be used to house your keys + sunglasses. I suggest gathering these up in one locale to assess what you already have. Then pick the best product for the job.

Plus… you’ll be amazed how much space you really have once you purge all those “not so loved” items from your drawers, closets, and cupboards. So workin’ with what you’ve got is by far the least expensive way to get it together!

MOTR: I know that breaking bigger things down into smaller jobs is better at times because it is less overwhelming, but sometimes it is hard to do that when everything is a mess. Is it more effective to tackle one problem at a time or to try and organize everything all at once?
Krista: Oooh girlfriend… one thing at a time! Truly you can do it all… just not in the next 5 hours. You can tackle an entire kitchen at once but not the kitchen, the pantry, the linen closet, the master bathroom. You’ll wind up feeling Overwhelmed (yes with a capital O) and want to just curl up and take a nap in the nest you created.

MOTR: I have to ask because I really am trying to convince my husband that we can afford to do this. What are your thoughts on hiring a housekeeper?
Krista: I’m ALL about hiring someone to help you keep your space clean… ain’t nothin’ wrong with calling in the ladies. A man WOULD never hesitate to hire help… so why do we. Personally I hired ‘the ladies’ because it was way less expensive than couple’s therapy… and girlfriend you KNOW what I’m talkin’ about!

MOTR: I am trying to teach my daughter to be organized now while she is young. Do you have any tips for teaching children (as young as 2) to be organized?
Krista: Dedicate a home for their items- for example:

• Bunny + Blanky sleep here and you can find them when you want to nap.

• If you spill something here is the place the rags are in… then they can help clean up.

• Sippy cups live in this drawer… Bring me one and I’ll hook you up with some juice!

Wow- how’s that for a starting point? Before I get to the Giveaway, I have to say “thank you so much, Krista, for agreeing to do this interview and for your patience (I am really turning into a goober).”

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