Make Today Matter Mini Makeover Catalog

Mini #143
15 pages

The Pursuit of Paper Perfection Mini series is edited by MTM member, SherrieBeth. It is a compilation of extracted material from Brook’s two online paper courses– Managing Everyday Paper and Paper Piles and Files–put into manageable minis for members.

Filing…the very thought of it can fill one with dread and anxiety.  “Now that I’ve done the sorting, categorizing, trashing, and learned how to process my active paper…where does it all go when I’m done?   What do I do with it NOW??”

The objective of this mini-makeover is to answer these questions for us so that we now have a pile-less, stash-less, efficient paper management system that serves our needs.  We need to be able to find something if we need it.  We need to be able to put something away when we are done with it.  We need to never have a stash of paper, lurking behind the shadows, and mocking our effectiveness, ever again.

We review both short term and long term filing as well as different filing systems. We also create our filing categories to set up our system.

Mini #140
The Pursuit of Paper Perfection #4
Processing Active Paper

In the fourth mini of our Paper series, we will look at building new habits for
processing your active paper. Active Paper is any “new” paper with which you need
to take action. In this Paper mini-makeover, we will tackle new mail delivery, weekly
maintenance, and your active financial papers.

Mini #138

In the first two installments of this series, we have unpiled, catalogued, sorted, classified, purged, shredded and recycled…and now we move on to setting out our area for managing the paper of everyday living!  We create a home to manage those ‘incoming’ bills and items needing our responses.  We establish a working station for the paper for everyone in the home.  We get ready to process our paper as these active pages get A Home Of Their Own!

Mini #135

In Pursuit of Paper Perfection Mini-makeover I, we started the process of eliminating paper piles and stacks from our lives and homes.  The first mini-makeover focused upon our “initial sort”, getting us ready for the “Big Job” at hand…the detailed sorting, categorizing, purging, and elimination process!

When we start going through stacks of idle and backlogged paper, often we begin my making more and more piles. Then something happens and we have to scoop them up and put them away, or we return later and cannot remember what each stack is for.  This often leads to repeating the pattern, and indefinitely, creating new ingenious hiding places.

In order to avoid repeating this ‘paper pattern’, we need to set up a working system for managing paper throughout this series.  The focus of this installment is sorting, categorizing, and purging of the piles so that we can develop and maintain our Perfect Paper Management System.

Pursuit of Perfect Paper Perfection
Assessing Needs and Finding Recommendations
Mini #133

(Part 1 of an 8-part mini-series)
If saying “My paper situation looks likes an episode of ‘Hoarders’ on TV” describes the current circumstances in your home, you are in the right place.  Welcome to the first installment of The Pursuit of Paper Perfection mini-series.  It includes an introduction to the Perfect Paper management system design and implementation.  We assess our personal requirements, and follow up that assessment into decision making for those changes which our paper management (or lack thereof) NEED in order to be an effective, efficient system.  We cover both new and longstanding paper issues, and discover where our demons live, so that we can rid of them…and paper piles…forever! You’ll complete a comprehensive evaluation, use the Decision Tree tool to help you find the best ways to make progress now, and learn how to set up your Paper Station and begin taking positive action through this Mini.

Mini #131
** To-Do Overload, a session created by Lyn Witter, was a popular favorite at our 2010 conference and Lyn has been kind enough to put it together for us as a Mini**

I love Brook’s system for planning!  I have completed my monthly, weekly, and nightly planning more often than not since 2004.  However, about twice a year I get this sick feeling in my stomach when I miss something, or I feel totally overwhelmed knowing that the ‘stuff I have to do this week’ can’t be shoved into a month during the current season of life that has swiftly overtaken me.  I find for the most part this happens after a major life event or a long bout of the flu when I just need to get myself back on track, and organize my thoughts.  These are the times when I collect everything, and re-start my planning from scratch…hence, the creation of this To-Do Overload mini-makeover.

By completing this mini-makeover, you are not replacing your planning system; you will simply re-create a solid foundation of lists from which to move forward.  Once finished, you should be able to move smoothly back into your planning system and feel comfortable that you have everything listed, and prioritized in the right place.

Mini #122

In 2009 I held a Saturday Morning Workshop where we focused on breaking down our goals into milestones and achievable steps over a 16 week period. This Mini builds on that workshop by offering a year-round “goal club.” For each of the four quarters of the year (July-Sept; Oct-Dec, Jan-March; April-June) we will choose a goal to work on. (Or you can choose a big goal to work on over multiple goal periods). Using the Mini materials you can break your goal down and share your progress in the Mini forum. Additionally, the first Thursday of each month we will have an online work-sessions where we can share our progress, our goals, our obstacles and help each other to achieve and be accountable.

#116 Audio Mini (Featured Mini)
Opens 5/5/2010

Finding the balance between planning and action can be a challenge for many women. In this Mini you’ll learn about how to properly and proactively plan, and then make sure you have created a plan that allows you to move into action and get it done. We will also cover the biggest mistakes people make when planning that can impede action and momentum. Includes worksheets.

Mini #115 - April Featured Mini

One of the ways to maximize your time in the Make Today Matter program, and your time in general, is through a routine of Priority Planning. While it takes a little time, this planning is key to helping us stay on track throughout the month. Done thoroughly, this planning allows us to stay focused in  spite of adversity and to focus on what truly matters.  Priority Planning also reduces stress and helps us manage our time better. The five steps of Priority Planning can be accessed by all MTM Members in Phase II by following the link in the blue “quick links” menu. This Mini is an additional workshop that provides an audio version of each of the five steps, and also provides a location to share and encourage one another with our plans!

Mini #114

The list of chemicals found in most household cleaners can be overwhelming! Learning to “Clean Green” can help us move forward in our eco-green goals, while also saving money and creating a more healthy environment.  In this Mini we explore simple household cleaning solutions that you can make–many with supplies you likely have on hand! We will also cover some cleaning solutions and shortcuts.

Mini #110 Make Ahead Meals: Tips, Recipes and a How-To Plan for creating 7-10 days of storage-friendly, tasty meals in one day

Perhaps you have heard of “bulk cooking”, “cooking for the freezer,” or “once a month cooking,” but have been hesitant to try it. This Mini gives you a great opportunity to learn about this cooking technique. With a little planning and some bulk cooking knowledge, you can greatly reduce nightly meal preparation! This Mini offers tips for freezing, a step-by-step approach, and sample recipes with freezing and reheating instructions. (Opens March 6)

Mini Makeover #105

If you are ready to do an in-depth analysis of your strengths and weaknesses to help you “go beyond the Snapshot” then this is the Mini for you! Brook developed the Life Profiler Mini to help people pinpoint what specific steps they can take to improve life areas of concern. The Profiler includes over 200 questions and can be downloaded in Microsoft Excel format. After answering the questions, you will be able to see how well you score in 17 different life areas as well as learn what MTM solutions and strategies can help you improve! This is a great in-depth review to do once or twice per year.

Mini #101 (You may also like Mini #95)

Eco, earth-friendly, recyling, green-living… all buzzwords of recent times.  What’s it all about? The Green Initiative shares some hard realization about they way we are currently growing and consuming resources… “According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the world population is expanding at a mind-boggling rate. The world reached 1 billion people in 1800; 2 billion by 1922; and over 6 billion by 2000. It is estimated that the population will swell to over 9 billion by 2050. That means that if the world’s natural resources were evenly distributed, people in 2050 will only have 25% of the resources per capita that people in 1950 had.”

Going green is a step each of us can take to help preserve the earth for our children and their children. It is a great example for any parents with children at home to set. Beyond the global impact, becoming “greener” offers additional benefits–primarily by improving your health and providing many ways to save money.

The big challenge is deciding where to start! What steps can you take that improve health, help the environment, and save money that don’t cost an arm and a leg? Mini #95 introduced a 30-day action plan for getting greener. This Mini builds on the first, adding additional effective green-strategies that help you save instead of spend, and promote a healthier, greener lifestyle.

Mini #102 - Audio Mini 30-45 minutes

One common thread can be found in the hundreds of women Brook has coached– the desire for effective, sustainable, routines to help life go smoothly. In this Audio Mini, Brook reviews the routines covered in the MTM Toolbox and covers tips for refining, honing and maximizing their use to create the life you desire. Topics include: Building balanced routines, the Nightly Reflection, Good Morning, and Priority Planning.

Mini #97
14 pages
*November Featured Mini *

Note: If you are taking the 10 Weeks of Christmas course you will receive the information in this Mini in the week’s prior to Thanksgiving. If you are not taking that course and would like to visit www.maketodaymatter.net and choose CLASSES or visit the Member Link in the Library for your exclusive MTM Discount.

When I was younger, I was not nearly as enthusiastic about Thanksgiving as I am today. When I was younger, I thought Thanksgiving paled in comparison to the fanfare and excitement of hristmas (and my birthday, which falls in December). As I became a young woman, Thanksgiving soon became one of my favorite holidays. An entire day edicated to being thankful and celebrating the joys in our life!

I don’t know about you, but I have made a few observations. (1) A lot of people like to complain – they almost seem addicted to complaining, chaos or negativity.
(2) Often we are too busy to just “stop” and be thankful! (3) Being thankful around the actual Christmas celebration, can be more challenging because there is so
much going on!

Having a day devoted to gratitude, without the stressors of presents, high expectations, and the like, is a welcome relief. It reminds us all to STOP and
celebrate what is here. In this Mini we will explore ways to celebrate thankfulness throughout the month, activities and ideas, ways to involve children, a Thanksgiving Menu and shopping list, and a thanksgiving prep-checklist.

Mini #95

Eco, earth-friendly, recyling, green-living… all buzzwords of recent times.  What’s it all about? The Green Initiative shares some hard realization about they way we are currently growing and consuming resources… “According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the world population is expanding at a mind-boggling rate. The world reached 1 billion people in 1800; 2 billion by 1922; and over 6 billion by 2000. It is estimated that the population will swell to over 9 billion by 2050. That means that if the world’s natural resources were evenly distributed, people in 2050 will only have 25% of the resources per capita that people in 1950 had.”

Going green is a step each of us can take to help preserve the earth for our children and their children. It is a great example for any parents with children at home to set. Beyond the global impact, becoming “greener” offers additional benefits–primarily by improving your health and providing many ways to save money.

The big challenge is deciding where to start! What steps can you take that improve health, help the environment, and save money that don’t cost an arm and a leg? This Mini will walk you through a 30 day action plan in effective green-strategies that help you save instead of spend, and promote a healthier lifestyle.

Mini #92
Includes worksheets to build your action plan

WikiHow suggests that a well staged home can sell 30-50% faster than a home that is not stage (or not staged well). Staging your home can be simply defined as: Preparing your home, in detail, to make it more attractive, welcoming, inviting, and appealing to the potential buyers. If a buyer is interested in more than one home, eight times out of ten, the chosen home will  have been a staged home. Staged homes are welcoming, warm, and open.

The process of staging a home is not only for home-sellers. Staging techniques are valuable for streamlining, organizing, decluttering, and creating a welcoming atmosphere for any residence–home, condo, apartment, etc. For those of you who own your residence, in the event you need to sell down the road, performing a “staging sequence” periodically will have you many steps ahead in the competitive real estate market. 

Statistics reveal most of us will sell at least two homes– or be in charge of selling a home (such as a parents house). While there are professional home-stagers for hire, you can easily learn to work through the staging sequence on your own by learning the skills and process outlined in this Mini.

This Mini is divided into seven sections:
1. Initial Prep Work and Walk Through
2. “Updates” Check
3. Decluttering
4. Arranging Furniture
5. The Entryway
6. Curb Appeal
7. Master Plan

For each section you will work through a walk-through exercise and then in the seventh section we create an action-oriented

Mini #90
Available 9/3/09

In Mini #85 we completed a Master Spending Diary to help consolidate information and begin taking control of spending. In this Mini we will work with your Master Spending Diary to find the best deals, clip smart, and organize coupons. You will also learn some “coupon collecting secrets”–such as manufactuerer’s coupon lists, printable online coupons, online-swaps and more.

Since this Mini refers to terminology from #85, it is strongly recommended you complete #85 first, or in conjunction, or you will not have the tools to make the most of this Mini.

Mini #88 - September Featured Mini
Available 9/3/09
Includes Audio
and Month of Magic Worksheets

Special online event with Brook Noel: Join Brook Noel from 7:00PM-8:30PM on September 23rd for a special chat event.

Often when we think of making change we think BIG. Sometimes SO BIG that we paralyze ourselves from taking action. This Mini is designed to show you how simple taking positive steps can be–and how a well thought-out plan can help you promote and maintain balance, contentment, joy and organization.

In this Mini you will create a special set of “10 Minute Cues” using a template that encourages you to give a little focus to several important life areas. These cues will then become a grab bag for creating a month of magic. Each day you will choose a 10-Minute Magic Prompt at random and paste to a calendar. You will be amazed at how much magic you can create in a single month with a little concerted effort!

Mini #87

Perhaps it was the recent move that made me realize just how much “stuff” we acquire! WOW! As I looked at going from 6,000 square feet to 1,500 it became apparent that at least 75% of our home contents would need to be donated or sold. In this Mini I have put together information to help you maximize “selling your stuff.” We will look at online options like Craigs list, Ebay and lesser-known sites as well as specialty sites. You will also find tips for consignment and resale shops as well as garage sales. Lastly, tax information is included for items you donate. (For many items, donation is the best choice–saving time and money.)