Out of Chaos
an organizing newsletter
September 2005 - Issue No. 11
Carpe Diem
Back in my actress days, acting teachers were always telling me to stay in the moment. Truthfully, I didn’t know what they were talking about. I was too busy madly working towards my future, or compulsively scrapbooking the triumphs of my past. Later on I ran into this idea of “staying in the moment” in a more spiritual context, but it wasn’t until the birth of my son that I really got it. The reason it is easy for me to pitch most of my mail and delete most of my email is that I know what I am doing today, and I have faith that if I decide I need new sheets tomorrow, another Company Store catalog will arrive soon. I try very hard not to save things that I just “might” want.
I either make the plan right away or let it go. I know my life well enough to know that if I save things I might want, I will end up with a big stack of catalogs and flyers that will not only look messy, but will mock me. It is so much nicer not to feel chastened by inanimate objects, and I am so glad that I finally get “living in the moment.”
Also, it seems no sooner than you subscribe to a magazine, than they are offering to renew at a “special” rate. Don’t fall for it. Keep a list of subscriptions either on a piece of paper in a folder labeled: SUBSCRIPTIONS or on a document in your computer.
Subscriptions
Many of you subscribe to too many magazines, newspapers and newsletters. If you don’t have time to read them all, then you are getting too many. Maybe because they are relatively inexpensive, maybe because they come right to your door, they seem to be an easy thing to ignore and yet they are things that can quickly spiral out of control. September always feels like a new beginning to me. The heat abates, people come back from vacation… it is a perfect time to take a look at our lives and our habits and make some changes. So often as our lives expand and grow, we hold onto the old stuff, while at the same time embracing the new. Maybe you need that new subscription to Martha Stewart Kids, but maybe Vogue just depresses you these days (okay, okay- that’s me). Take a moment to re-evaluate what subscriptions you really enjoy and have the time to read. Even though it may be more expensive to buy a magazine at the newsstand, a single issue of Atlantic Monthly bought for an airplane ride may bring more enjoyment than that entire stack of unread magazines sitting in your living room.
THINGS I’VE BEEN READING:
In a recent House & Home section of the New York Times there was a great article on “artful clutter.” The piece intrigued me because so many of you have such amazing stuff, and such a strong aesthetic, and often it is unrealistic to try to make your places look like a Pottery Barn catalog. Not to mention, your places are much more interesting than Pottery Barn’s room sets. The Times quoted Ilse Crawford, former editor of Elle Decoration, who has recently written a book, Home Is Where the Heart Is. Crawford recommends that there be a theme to a collection. This is a technique I have often used, though generally I have thought: Which of these things is not like the other? For example, an atelier-style wall of artwork looked more artful when my client and I swapped pictures around from a more haphazard arrangement to a wall limited to just black and white photos and sketches. Similarly Crawford advises that things should be “touched regularly.” This makes sense to me; I always think a layer of dust is a good indicator that an area or arrangement has become stagnant.
If you still need to de-clutter, a recent New York Post story mentioned several interesting services. One is Garde Robe Inc., a service for high-end clothes storage. They will catalog, inventory and store your clothes. The service is quite expensive, but if your space is limited and your clothes expensive, they may be a good solution. If however, you want to get rid of things, the Internet has made is easier and easier to sell your own stuff. Some of you have been successful at selling designer clothing on Ebay, but for those of you who don’t want to hassle, or aren’t so computer savvy, the same article in the Post recommended a service called Found Value, which will come to your house and do it for you. While you have to pay a commission, their experts will advise you as to what is and is not worth selling online and will handle the whole process for you.
Inside Story Headline
The purpose of a newsletter is to provide specialized information to a targeted audience. Newsletters can be a great way to market your product or service, and also create credibility and build your organization’s identity among peers, members, employees, or vendors. First, determine the audience of the newsletter. This could be anyone who might benefit from the information it contains, for example, employees or people interested in purchasing a product or requesting your service. You can compile a mailing list from business reply cards, customer information sheets, Business cards collected at trade shows, or membership lists. You might consider purchasing a mailing list from a company. If you explore the Project Gallery, you will find many publications that match the style of your newsletter. Next, establish how much time and money you can spend on your newsletter. These factors will help determine how frequently you publish your newsletter at least quarterly so that it’s considered a consistent source of information. Your customers or employees will look forward to its arrival. Your headline is an important part of the newsletter and should be considered carefully.
You can also research articles or find “filler” articles by accessing the World Wide Web. You can write about a variety of topics but try to keep your articles short. Much of the content you put in your newsletter can also be used for your Web site. Microsoft Word offers a simple way to convert your newsletter to a Web publication. So, when you’re finished writing your newsletter, convert it to a Web site and post it. The subject matter that appears in newsletters is virtually endless. You can include stories that focus on current technologies or innovations in your field. You may also want to note business or economic trends, or make predictions for your customers or clients. If the newsletter is distributed internally, you might comment upon new procedures or improvements to the business. Sales figures or earnings will show how your business is growing. Some newsletters include a column that is updated every issue, for instance, an advice column, a book review, a letter from the president, or an editorial. You can also profile new employees or top customers or vendors. Selecting pictures or graphics is an important part of adding content.