ARE YOU A NEW SIESTA MAGAZINE READER?
If so, then the message below if for you!
Since the STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED newsmail began in January of 2006, it has grown in length and popularity, now reaching multiple states in the US as well as several European countries. As SPM strives to offer a fresh look with each issue, Siesta Magazine has moved all contents to this blogspot site, which was created back in the spring of 2009. For those subscribing to Siesta Magazine through standard e-mails, reminder e-mails for the Siesta Magazine link discontinued in 2010. All subscribers who wish to continue reading each issue may keep this website address in their favourites and refer to it on the first of each month.
www.siestamagazine.blogspot.com
SIESTA MAGAZINE
Thank you for understanding about STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED simplifying! It just proves that SPM practices what it preaches!
=====================================================
~COVER ART~
"OFFICE SHELVING NEATENED UP" -DeNitto ©2008
NEW INFORMATION ABOUT FOLLOWING STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED on FACEBOOK and TWITTER !!
=====================================================
TABLE OF CONTENTS
+ BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS!
+ SPEAKING OF SIESTAS!
+ THE BOOK CORNER
+ PICK OF THE MONTH
+ SPECIAL FEATURE OF THE MONTH
+ RECIPE OR COOKBOOK OF THE MONTH
+ GREEN LIVING TIPS
+ TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS
+ MOM TIME
+ QUOTE OF THE MONTH
+ PHOTO OF THE MONTH
+ VIDEO OF THE MONTH **NEW!
__________________________________________________
+ BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS!
With another year hitting, 2012 marks thirteen years for STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED's Professional Organizer, Madeleine DeNitto in the organizing industry! With each issue this year, watch for special discounts, stories of experience, and special thank yous and spotlights to come!!
In May, 2011, the STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED website was redesigned and updated!! Check out the fresh design at www.stressedpressedmessed.com.
For LATEST ANNOUNCEMENTS click here!! Check out the *DESK DISORDER MESSY WORKSPACE MAKEOVER CONTEST* with this link!! STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED is accepting applications for one lucky winner to be chosen to receive up to FIVE FREE HOURS of ORGANIZING and several prize products!!::NEW YEAR:: FRESH 2012 ANNOUNCEMENTS!!
__________________________________________________
+ SPEAKING OF SIESTAS!
{ Pictured: Ulysses resting from his little kitty journey. DeNitto © 2006 }
A siesta /siːˈɛstə/, original Spanish pronunciation [ˈsjesta] is a short nap taken in the early afternoon, often after the midday meal. Such a period of sleep is a common tradition in some hot countries. The word siesta is Spanish, from the Latin hora sexta - "the sixth hour" (counting from dawn, therefore noon, hence "midday rest").
At SPM the true definition is taken a bit further. If a nap is not possible, but there is enough time allowed for any other type of break, it is strongly encouraged to take advantage of that precious moment. As long as the mind and body can rest for a short period as often as possible during the work week, it can only enhance the quality of living.
Each month, learn more facts about SIESTAS and how you may benefit from taking them into your daily routine.
Below are January's SIESTA TIPS/FACTS:
CRASHING AT THE OFFICE? TEETERING IN THE STUDIO? SLOUCHING DURING COMMUTES?
Taking a nap during the day --away from home-- is a heartbeat away in Manhattan and other major cities!
TAKE A SIESTA AT YELO SPA!
__________________________________________________
+ THE BOOK CORNER
This section offers ideas for books related to various subjects including organizing, designing, lifestyle improvements, humour, business, psychology and green living. During the year, the occasional novel or biography may also slip into an issue.
: BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS FOR JANUARY 2012 :
POTTERY BARN: WORKSPACES
__________________________________________________
+ PICK OF THE MONTH
Need a great link for your office, studio, craft room or library? Choose from the ones listed below or visit the SPM LINKS PAGE at the STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED site!
OFFICE
THE CONTAINER STORE
DOCIT
FIELD NOTES
MOLESKINE
NEW PRODUCT SPECIALTIES GROUP
OFFICE SUPPLY GEEK
PENDEFLEX
POTTERY BARN OFFICE
RUSSELL & HAZEL
SEE JANE WORK
STACKS & STACKS
STORABLES OFFICE
STUDIO
VISUAL ARTS
A I FRIEDMAN
ARCHIVAL METHODS PHOTO SUPPLIES
B&H PHOTO STORAGE
DICK BLICK ART SUPPLIER
EXPOSURES
GREAT USEFUL STUFF[KANGEROOM STORAGE]
KATE'S PAPERIE
KOLO PHOTO ARCHIVING
LEE'S ART SUPPLIES
PEARL PAINT ART SUPPLIER
PRINTFILE PHOTO SUPPLIES
UTRECHT ART SUPPLIER
MUSIC
HERTZ MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STORAGE
JW PEPPER SHEET MUSIC STORAGE
WENGER CORP SHEET MUSIC STORAGE
CRAFT / SEWING ROOM
AC MOORE
SCRAP BOX
SIMPLY RENEE
LIBRARY
GAYLORD LIBRARY SUPPLIES
LEVENGER
TALAS
__________________________________________________
+ SPECIAL FEATURE OF THE MONTH
- - - - - ORGANIZING WORKSPACES - - - - -
- - - COMFORT - - -
E-R-G-O-N-O-M-I-C-S
After years of repetitive digital photography work and typing, STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED found out how it feels to not have proper workspace in 2011, in spite of the fact that a poor desk situation was a temporary setback. Upon a recent and urgent transition from a home that became fairly infested with mold as a result of Hurricane Irene, we left behind productive office spaces and began a search for new desks for our new place. Our search was lengthy in finding just the right size, design and quality and ended up having to have two desks custom designed from a Shaker furniture company in Pennsylvania, taking nearly six weeks to be completed, shipped and delivered to our new place. For about 8 weeks, STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED was run from a folding table, so small that it fits into the trunk of my sporty car. It was a scream of "less-than-ideal" and with the torture of poor posture, eyestrain and vitually no surface space to use for writing, filing, reading or storing supplies, it literally became a painful experience. And with such poor conditions came not only a long bout with carpal tunnel syndrome, but another injury extending into what seemed to be repetitive strain injury, know as RSI. In spite of taming the carpal tunnel pain, the pain began to move and change, where it lingered into the spine and threw soreness into the opposite arm. The RSI could have been extended from physical exertion with client work, but there is no specific cause from how one led to the other. In any case, the pain extending to other parts of the body became too painful to contain without the aid of a doctor and a prescription who also gave me *homework* of dealing with the inconvenient hot and cold therapy several times a day. The situation lingered on for weeks.
The *other* homework was to stay away from the computer and Blackberry, which was certainly a bit challenging when working and responding to e-mails. But, in the end, the pain finally went away and having been forced to make phone calls to respond to e-mails was actually a welcomed and pleasant "old school" experience!
Now that the new desk is set up, there are still some adjustments to make, but it has certainly made a difference in posture and levels of productivity. However, in fear of ever having a repeat of that level of pain with carpal tunnel, computer sessions are more carefully monitored with time span limits, as well as proper breaks of stretching and other helpful activities to chop up the sedentary moments of office work.
Below is a great link for information about proper care and comfort in the workplace, click here! WORKSPACE ERGONOMICS
- - - AMBIENCE - - -
When working, you want to like the space you are working in. No one wants to be in a space that is not visually appealing or smells funny or is too dark. Not only can these issues affect mood and productivity, but some of them can also lead to health risks, including that of airborne respiratory conditions to depression.
Clutter is an issue that can cause anxiety and drain a lot of energy and positivity from the mind. By simply neatening up a workspace, the mind can be released from stress and frustration and productive thoughts and actions can replace procrastination and poor attitude.
EXAMPLES:
Here is the office of a musician's home studio where clutter had become an issue due to procrastination and raising small children.
After some clearing of items which were not needed and the shelving unit was used more to an advantage with the items that were needed, the space became more of a joy, rather than a frustration and eyesore. It certainly became more productive for being able to return to teaching music students.
Here is a craft room with so much accumulation that it became temporarily impossible to find anything, much less create anything handmade.
Here is the space after organizing the supplies into appropriate storage containers which are not only accessible, but pleasantly appealing.
- - - PRODUCTIVITY - - -
PAPER CRAZY!
In spite of our wonderful technology, the complaint remains that we are still inundated with loads upon loads of paper. To keep afloat, dealing with paper must be a regular routine-- much like a routine such as brushing one's teeth-- as in daily. I don't know of a single Professional Organizer who would argue about dealing with mail as immediately as possible upon its arrival into the home or workplace. Creating action and filing systems is a must so that each paper that makes its way to a surface is dealt with by a quick method. There is no set rule as to how to label files or in/out boxes and it's best to create titles that best fit the person's memory. When it comes to files, there have been some creative clients who choose file names as unique as...
*ex-wife problems*
*keep-me-out-of-trouble*
*idiocy*
*stuff I hate*
*I have to do this crap once a year*
*Hello Kitty obsession*
*proof that this doctor is nuts*
*I need to fire this person*
Whatever it takes to keep it in the memory bank!
Once categories and sub-categories are set, the filing can begin by use of standard filing cabinets, wicker file baskets, file totes or clear plastic hanging file boxes.
Paper management is often thought of as overwhelming, particularly if dealing with legal or medical records. However, if tackled initially with logic, it can be handled more easily than expected, lowering those levels of anxiety.
For a large project involving numerous boxes or stacks of paperwork, the simplest way to begin is to follow the steps listed below.
1. Set up your sorting station. This can be done easily by setting up an area of a room with a shredder, recycling bin, trash can and by clearing a flat surface for sorting papers by category.
2. It's best to set up simple categories on the first sorting session before setting up a new sorting area for the sub-categories. Begin with only three to four categories, such as
HOME | WORK | PERSONAL | MISCELLANEOUS
For the first sorting, personal can include anything not related to the home or work, but not thought of as miscellaneous. For example, *PERSONAL* can include greeting cards, letters, childrens' artwork or medical records. Later these will become sub-categories and separated away from the first collection.
3. Remove whatever appears to be unusable, such a junk mail, advertisements, expired deals or coupons, etc. Place such items where best suited, such as recycling for those coupons or shredding for items with personal information.
4. Once this first round of sorting has been completed, a second round of sorting can begin by taking one category and creating sub-categories. For example, the *HOME* stack can be made into several smaller stacks, including such sub-categories as
UTILITIES | INSURANCE | DECOR | MANUALS & WARRANTEES | MAINTENANCE | MORTGAGE
5. After completing all sub-categories, decisions can then be made as to what might be the best way to file such information. In many cases, a combination of the suggested filing cabinets or boxes with binders is a great way to go.
6. Following such a large paper management project, a system for daily paper handling is necessary in order to help prevent paper accumulation from reaching a level so high that it causes files to be misplaced or inadvertently thrown out.
With these simple steps, paper management can be brought to a certain level of control. Yet, with really large paper accumulations lasting over a year, having a professional assist with the sorting can be the best way to deal with such large quantities of files. A professional can also point out the latest filing methods or materials that would best suit the space or decor, so this is a great thing to keep in mind.
- - - STORAGE - - -
Want great storage ideas? Scroll back up to the *PICK OF THE MONTH* section for many links to find just the right type of containers, furniture and other supplies to keep your supplies easily accessible and tidy.
__________________________________________________
+ RECIPE OR COOKBOOK OF THE MONTH
STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED welcomed in the new year with a most delicious homemade pizza! It's a *must-try* recipe!
ALASATIAN PIZZA
__________________________________________________
+ GREEN LIVING TIPS
It's time to Greeganize!!! (an official SPM term!)
January Tip: Hurry! Catch these e-waste dates!
Is one of your resolutions to properly dispose of your old or non-working electronics?? If you live in New York City, catch one of these dates in January closest to your location and make a date with yourself... or ask friends to join you!
Make sure to also read the guidelines of what items are accepted and what items are not before you carry anything cumbersome across town!
E-WASTE DATES!
Now is the time to embrace the green.......
>>In future issues, Siesta Magazine will offer more tips or product guidelines with the latest information on how to adopt routines of green living!
__________________________________________________
+ TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS
Here are five tips that keep the day rolling when working at a desk with a computer.
> If your mouse and keyboard are wireless, it's handy to keep a supply of fresh batteries nearby. This is especially helpful when in the middle of an important document or digital project and the mouse suddenly dies, with a fairly instant relief for what could have been a more lengthy interruption.
> Home office? Have a business address stamper handy for any snailmail correspondence, saving writing time and keeping things neat and professional.
> Create a list of tasks on a daily basis, including time limits for each task, if necessary. Cross each task off as completed, boosting confidence and decreasing anxiety of needing to get everything done.
> If still receiving paper invoices, keep a *paid* stamper handy when payments are made, proving to yourself later, the date, amount and method of payment made to that bill. This also comes in handy for online or draft payments when a hard copy is requested by an accountant.
> Keep surface areas as clear as possible at any given time as this helps in finding what you need in a matter of seconds. Clear stacks of files and documents regularly, idealy at certain times of the day or week, in order to come back to a tidy workspace, rather than face disorganization when needing to catch a deadline.
__________________________________________________
+ MOM TIME
FORWARD: A note from SPM MOM...
During the early 1990's, as a mother raising two children through their first years, I now learn of many new products that are thrilling to me, even with my empty nest. I often find myself wishing that some of them were available as long ago as 24 years! Below are neat links and ideas to products or educational items currently on today's market for parents to explore for their children-- babies through college and beyond!
WORKSPACES FOR KIDS
With so many people working from home these days while raising families, there can be issues with interruptions and space boundaries. While it's wonderful to be close to family members, it is often challenging to stay productive in a home office, studio or workshop if there are interruptions. Another challenge is that items that do not belong in the workspace, such as jackets, a long lost lunchbox, homework or toys, find their way to surfaces, chairs and floors. This can be frustrating as some of these items can land on top of important documents or materials or be hazardous if tripped over on the floor.
When it comes to young children, if the act of compromising can be taught, it can be one of easiest ways to handle such a work dilema inside the home. If a certain corner of space can be allowed for a child to use as their own workspace. This will give a child a better understanding about keeping their own materials in their workspace and they can begin to recognize when not to interrupt. Introducing timer bells with children in a workspace can be helpful, as the child can watch a timer to see how long they might need to wait before they can have your attention.
Children grow from learning how it might be to be adults. So much of what they do as children is to pretend to be grown up when they play imaginative skits with friends, dolls, robots or stuffed animals. They play post office, pretend to be doctors or cowboys, or play chef with their kitchen sets. Part of the reason they interrupt is that they are curious as to what Mommy or Daddy *do* as working adults. A great way to enhance their learning experience is to allow them time and space to grow in with special terms. The terms are showing them where their space ends and yours begins, explaining about time issues and interruptions as well as explaining that when they use their special space, their activities should be quiet, such a reading, artwork projects or mastering their homework assignments after school.
There are so many wonderful play tables and shelving unit that will give children some productive space of their own--- from toddlers through about fourth grade, at which time they are out more with friends or prefer to be in their own rooms more and more--- also known as the time when they no longer thing their parents are all that cool afterall.
You can view some small *workspaces* for children by clicking on the direct links here!
LAND OF NOD
POTTERY BARN KIDS
LAKESHORE LEARNING
TOYS TO GROWN ON
SCHOOL BOX
IDEA PAINT
__________________________________________________
+ QUOTE OF THE MONTH
A hard beginning maketh a good ending. --John Heywood
__________________________________________________
+ PHOTO OF THE MONTH
Work Coffee Break -DeNitto ©2010
__________________________________________________
+ VIDEO OF THE MONTH **NEW!!
And now for a selection of vintage lounge music to propel everyone's level of happy spirits and productivity!!
ESQUIVEL
__________________________________________________
