Organization

Do you set goals in your business, for your family, or for personal accomplishments? Goals are a great way to move forward, provided you have supported the planning process with a specific action list, broken down into individual steps. An action planner is a great way to do this.

A good action plan will help you create SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-based) goals that can be broken down into bite-sized action items you can knock off one-by-one. It’s not only organized in a way that helps you keep track and make progress, but it also can be motivating because it allows you to build momentum. ...read more

July – the month of celebrating independence.   Here at Out of Office, we thought we’d stretch out the “independence” theme and bring you a new twist on the idea – achieving independence from your office and your usual routines. ...read more

I remember how much fun stencils were when I was a kid. They helped you be creative while teaching you how to draw. I created a craft project to do with your kids, or even to advertise your business. The possibilities – and fun - are endless!  ...read more

It almost seems counterintuitive but summer at our house requires more attention to a family schedule than any other time of the year. Unlike the school year, where my kids have a fairly consistent routine, summer is a jumble of fun activities like going to the lake, parties, mini vacations and camping. It can be hard to keep track of what is happening from week to week. This year, I thought it would be a great idea to implement a large calendar the whole family could add to and check on a regular basis. Rather than rely on a traditional paper calendar, I wanted something large that we could write on with dry erase markers while still having room for additional notes. ...read more

There’s nothing worse than losing track of your drink at a party. It happens to me all the time, especially at family gatherings where everyone is milling about and engrossed in conversation. There’s the tried and true permanent marker method, where everyone writes their names or initials on their cup, but let’s be honest – it doesn’t look very polished and sometimes if you don’t have the right kind of marker it rubs right off.

Here is a fun idea for storing small objects, and a great way to re-use coffee cans!   ...read more

I love simple, homemade gifts that are unique, serve a purpose and look like they took a lot longer to make than they actually do! To that end, I found a great idea on Keep It Simple for DIY bubble magnets. After I saw this project, I just had to recreate it for my desk. See below for my take and how to replicate it! ...read more

In 2012, I want to keep my home and family organized, so I went all out with calendars, to-do lists, and an amazing resource binder. I knew by starting the year off with all the right tools, I’d be setting myself up to keep what could otherwise be a pretty tough resolution! FedEx Office® was the ultimate one-stop shop for getting everything in order. I used them to make all the items that I hope will make 2012 my most productive and organized yet!

Video: 

custom-notepad.mp4

By now, most of you have probably realized that I really enjoy creating personalized things for myself and others (see my previous posts on personalized sticky notes, custom banners and branded pens). One reason for this is that it’s nice to know that no one will have the same thing that I do. An added bonus is that it’s fun to see my designs turn out just the way I envisioned. ...read more