ORGANIZE IT! is a professional organizing service supporting individuals, businesses, and residential clients to organize their lives, homes, offices, and companies. Dorothy Madden, professional organizer, offers individual consultations and training, hands-on organizing, seminars and professional speaking, and on-going coaching.
She has been published in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester Business Journal, Messenger Post Newspapers, Business Strategies Magazine, and Rochester Woman Magazine.
Her numerous television and radio appearances include the local TV station affiliates of ABC, CBS, and NBC; ROCHESTER YNN (formerly RNEWS); RCTV; and WARM 101.3 radio.
Area Wins Three Small-Business Awards, Democrat and Chronicle, 2004
"Rochester-area businesses cleaned up in this year's U.S. Small Business Administration Buffalo District (14 counties in western NY) awards ... the best showing since 1990 .... Dorothy Madden, owner of Organize It!, won the Home-Based Business of the Year Award ... 'The fact that I'm the CEO, CFO, administrative assistant, custodian and everything else can be overwhelming at times. However, convenience, flexibility, independence and being the sole decision-maker are the rewards that energize me and keep me going,' she said...”
Women Hail Three Stars, Democrat and Chronicle, 2004
"For the first time in the seven years that the National Association of Women Business Owners' Rochester chapter has staged an annual gala, it decided to honor three women as "Inspiring Businesswomen of the Year." The winners honored ... are Laurie Broccolo, owner and president of Broccolo Tree and Lawn Care Inc.; Helene Diederich, founder of Pactech, a Rochester packaging company; and Dorothy Madden, owner of Organize It!, a business that helps people organize their businesses and their homes...”
Radio Interview, ESPN Radio 950AM, The Property Source with Steve Hausmann and Patrick Coyne, 2011
"Dorothy says 'Live your life by choice, not by chance.' She is a professional organizer here in town, the founder and owner of ORGANIZE IT! What do you do? ..." Listen to the radio segment.
Don't Just Wait for Things to Happen, Democrat and Chronicle, 2011
"Live your life by choice, not by chance. Those eight words, the theme of a national conference, captured my attention. It made me realize how simple the words are and yet how meaningful if accomplished. ... Here are some workplace choices you may encounter. Only you can make choices that are right for you. ..." Read the full article by Dorothy Madden.
Don't Wait Till Tomorrow to Read This, Democrat and Chronicle, 2011
"Do you know anyone who procrastinates? Do you know anyone who does not procrastinate? Procrastination in the workplace steals productivity, creates unnecessary stress and projects a poor self-image. Here are some suggestions for overcoming procrastination ... " Read the full article by Dorothy Madden.
Strive for Excellence, not Perfection, Democrat and Chronicle, 2011
"Perfection does not exist in our offices, homes or lives. Striving for perfection is unrealistic, unattainable, self-defeating and slows us down." Read the full article by Dorothy Madden.
Certain Habits Can Improve Office Efficiency, Democrat and Chronicle, 2011
"Habits happen. Some we just have. Some we don't want to have. Some we would like to have to help us be our best. Whether you work at home or away from home, are you aware of your workplace habits? Are there some you would like to change or eliminate? Are there new ones you would like to create? Are you motivated to make it happen? Here are some habits that can help you become more efficient, effective and productive...." Read the full article by Dorothy Madden.
Young Professionals Scramble to Juggle Work and Family, Democrat and Chronicle Media Group, 2011
"Dorothy Madden, founder of the organizational business Organize It!, has a variety of tips for new parents who want to minimize chaos. She advises assigning a home for everything in one's living space and planning simple menus for the week or month. Making lists is also important. 'Things in our brains weigh us down and cause us to lose sleep,' she said. 'Write things down.' She also advises new parents to have reasonable expectations. 'When the baby first comes home, choose one household task per day to accomplish. There is certainly more than one task that really needs doing. However, if you choose one thing, you can really work toward getting it done and feel you have accomplished something.'" Read the full article.
How to Kick Clutter in the New Year, Brighton-Pittsford Post, 2011
"For many, the resolution to get organized tops many lists of things to do in 2011. But how do you begin to scale the stacks of unsorted mail, cluttered closets or basements bursting at the seams with junk? The task can be overwhelming, but as it turns out, there may be help just around the corner. Enter local professional organizer, Dorothy Madden of Penfield." Read the full article.
Here's Help for the Disorganized Among Us, Democrat and Chronicle, 2010
"An organized office simply makes you feel good. No doubt about it. When you enter an organized space, whether it is your office or your home, you experience a sense of calm, peace, order, and you can breathe. This visual and emotional sensation is a terrific way to begin the day." Read the full article by Dorothy Madden.
Craft Your Own Paper Management System, Democrat and Chronicle, 2010
"Are you inundated with paper and thinking of going paperless? Is it even possible? Managing piles of paper is a major challenge for nearly everyone in the workplace. Did you know that since the Internet began, printing and paper usage has increased 40 percent? E-mails, documents and information from the Web all present a printing temptation. Today it is common to see a message at the end of e-mails asking you to consider the environment and think before printing. It is a reminder that often goes unheeded. And there are times you really do need to print." Read the full article by Dorothy Madden.
ORGANIZE IT! Brings Organizing Solutions to Chaotic Lives, examiner.com, 2010
"Most of us know the difference that being organized would make. Knowing it, however, and doing it are two totally different things! ... Professional organizer Dorothy Madden describes those first important steps that can help you get your office (or home) in proper working order. Dorothy, founder and owner of ORGANIZE IT in Rochester, New York, is an expert at helping people in both the business and private sectors to organize their lives and be efficient." Read the full article.
Lower Stress, Be Productive ... Get Organized, Democrat and Chronicle, 2010
"Have you seen your desk lately? Are you drowning in paper? Do the piles on your floor create a safety hazard? Do you have hundreds of e-mails waiting to be processed? If you’re buried in piles of files, stray papers, and endless e-mails, you’re not alone." Read the full article by Dorothy Madden.
Take Time to Plan, Prioritize, Organize, Democrat and Chronicle, 2009
"Happy New Year! The leaves are turning and it's not snowing, so why are we celebrating a new year now? Autumn launches a new year for children returning to school as well as for business people who have taken a bit of vacation to enjoy summer. You may look at the beginning of a new year as an opportunity for a fresh start and a time to evaluate your goals. Consider what you want to accomplish, then generate specific strategies and actions to execute your goals." Read the full article by Dorothy Madden.
Coping with the Stress of Holidays, News10NBC, 2008
"Every year many people look forward to the holidays but along with the fun comes a great deal of stress for some. So how can you reduce the stress and get more enjoyment out of the holidays? ... Professional organizer Dorothy Madden said, “I think the secret is to do less and try to have a little more balance in our lives, a little more time to enjoy the family rather than have everything be perfect. There really is no such thing as perfect.” Madden says work from a list and delegate. “If you're having a party or if you have the budget to do it to hire a caterer. Hire someone to clean your home, hire a babysitter so you can have time to yourself.” She also recommends that you get enough sleep, eat well and work out. Read the full article.
She is an Expert in Getting Organized, Messenger Post Newspapers (Penfield Post), 2007
"Emergency chaos" was how part-time grants writer Cheryl Testa would have described her home office and filing system up until a few years ago when she contacted Dorothy Madden of ORGANIZE IT! "I knew I had everything," she said, "but where was it?" Tired of being disorganized, Testa decided to call Madden, whom she had read about in a local publication. Madden helped her organize her office, come up with a new filing system, cleaned out her sewing room and even organized her coupons. "Now everything has its home, and it's clear and easy to see," said Testa. Being more organized has saved her time and reduced her stress level, Testa said. "If you go into your office and it's chaos, you're not going to get anything done," she said. Read the full article.
Being Messy Is a Neat Idea, Democrat and Chronicle, 2007
" 'The authors' definition of mess is based on function — that functional messes are beneficial and save time,' observes Dorothy Madden, a professional organizer and owner of Organize It! in Penfield. 'My definition of organization is also based on function — that functional organization is beneficial and saves time. Whether you call it mess or organization, if it works for you and you like your space, feel free to call yourself messy or organized, whichever you prefer.' Perhaps that's the lesson to be learned, if any. If organizing your tissue boxes works for you, go for it. But if piles work for you, well ... stick with the piles." Read the full article.
Bursting at the Beams, Democrat and Chronicle, 2006
“Fall seems a good time for clearing out the clutter. Perhaps we feel that, with the trees losing leaves, it's time to shed whatever's past its season. Or maybe it's the thought of bulky sweaters and holiday trappings that makes us clear the way. Whatever it is, the options have expanded when it comes to finding new homes for our castoffs. ‘Agencies have seen they can make a profit or use the items to help the community,’ says Dorothy Madden, owner of the Organize It! organizing service in Penfield. ‘If you're not using an item and it's collecting dust, you might as well give it to someone who can use it.’" Read the full article.
Avoid Fights Between Heirs, Democrat and Chronicle, 2005
"Dorothy Madden can't remember what started the rift. She only knows that her mother's twin brothers, who live a mile apart, do not speak to each other today because of what happened 35 years ago while settling their parents' estate. And she knows that she never wanted "stuff" to come between her and her sisters." Read the full article.
Make Organization a High Priority, Democrat and Chronicle, 2005
"MaryLee Bucci chronicled her progress in organizing her enclosed porch in Webster. Here are some excerpts of the conclusions she came to in the process: 'Making an appointment with yourself is important. After doing that, you need to commit the hours and stay with it until it's done, no matter how long it takes to fit in the hours needed ... Lastly, it needs to be done your way. Dorothy could've come in and done the job herself and I would've loved the look, but I wouldn't have been able to keep it that way.'" Read the full article.
Let the Sunshine In, Democrat and Chronicle, 2005
"With help from a pro, a Webster woman whips her cluttered porch into shape ... It's a completely different place in here. Sunlight, no longer obstructed, floods the 9-by-15 foot room. The floor, completely clear, now accommodates the kitchen table. Wooden storage boxes, topped with a tablecloth and lamp, have replaced the gray file cabinets used to store pans ... 'I thought it would be functional,' remarks Dorothy Madden, 'but not this beautiful.' ... Madden, owner of Organize It! in Penfield, helped MaryLee Bucci organize her enclosed porch last month ... Bucci stated, 'You continue because there's a little piece of you that wants life to be a little more orderly and because you have a professional telling you that you're doing great and talking you through the questions. She's the positive drive behind you and it empowers you... '." Read the full article.
Reclaiming Order, Democrat and Chronicle, 2005
"Frustrated with her cluttered porch, Webster woman turns to a pro for help ... When MaryLee Bucci was in third grade, she lost everything she owned in a fire except her Bible. Maybe God knew she'd need help later on. A loss of possessions early in life made it hard for her to part with and organize what she had. Other factors made the problem worse: her scattershot approach to keeping the house orderly, advice from others that didn't really help, and a view that family time trumps endless straightening. Help - or was it divine intervention? - brought Dorothy Madden to Bucci's Webster home...” Read the full article.
Problem Solved! Entrepreneurs with Specialized Services, Business Strategies, 2005
" 'I like to say that we have filing systems, not piling systems,' Madden smiles. In the same breath, she points out that people who do operate well with piling systems can't be faulted. The key is to learn their style and understand what works for them. 'First, I get to know a person's operating style,' explains Madden. 'I learn to think like my clients think. My job is to make recommendations after I listen and learn. And everything we discuss is confidential.' "
Owners Need to Master the Fine Art of Marketing, Rochester Business Journal, 2004
"In 1997 when Dorothy Madden launched Organize It!, a professional organizing service for corporate and residential clients, the former teacher turned to networking to spread word of her business. Specifically, she joined 13 different organizations and associations ... But her most prideful marketing technique involved taking on the big guys...”
Turning Chaos into Order, Democrat and Chronicle, 2004
"Here are 20 ways to streamline and simplify, compliments of Dorothy Madden, owner of Organize It! in Rochester ... Live with less. 'The less we have, the less we have to take care of,' says Madden. Adopt the principle of 'one thing in, one thing out.' If you buy something new, give away an equivalent item...”
Women Find Opportunities in the Service Industry, Rochester Business Journal, 2002
"As an organizing consultant, Madden works side by side with clients who want to organize their offices. Clients come from a variety of professions including attorneys, doctors, and homemakers. Often, they are inundated with paperwork and overwhelmed with projects, and are seeking a sense of order and balance in their lives. 'My typical client is one who wants to change because they have reached a point where disorganization has led to ineffectiveness,' Madden says...”
The Art of Uncluttering, Messenger Post Newspapers (Brighton, Pittsford, Penfield, Fairport, Webster), 2002
“Clutter—it’s a plague of our times. It’s infected our offices, kitchens, closets, garages—worst of all, our minds ... Madden goes into homes and offices and asks the questions clients aren't asking (or answering) for themselves. She said it's not only her questions but her presence and non-judgmental support that help them see an uncluttering project through...”
Finding Right Network is Crucial for Succeeding, Rochester Business Journal, 2001
“Five years ago, Dorothy Madden pondered the idea of launching a home and office organizing service. Her first step? ... Hopping on the Internet, discovering the National Association of Professional Organizers and contacting NAPO members around the country to assess the viability of running such a business...”
Room for a New Look, Democrat and Chronicle, 2000
“Weeding out possessions you don't really need can create fresh living space ... Is it worth the amount of space the item consumes? What's the worse that can happen if I toss it?...”
Organizing Time, Democrat and Chronicle, 1999
“If you haven’t done it already, next week is your chance to get things in order...”
Managing the Mess, Democrat and Chronicle, 1999
“Admit it. You've got mail - only it's scattered all around the house. Old photographs are stuffed in shoeboxes in the closet. You'd be lucky to find the lids for even half of your Tupperware containers. And if that mountain of magazines by the bed ever toppled, it would kill your cat. For some of us, the offspring of packrats, being disorganized is a genetic curse...”
Managing Time, Democrat and Chronicle, 1998
“What exactly is time management? Other than a popular term of recent years, it's actually a misnomer. You can't really manage your time. You can, however, manage yourself and what you choose to do with your time...”
Get Organized, Democrat and Chronicle, 1998
“Businesses, small and large, have found they must get organized to cope with information overload and demands on their time ... Organizing and prioritizing are key to reducing the overload in your office. And since this is National Get Organized Week, there is no better time to start...”
Organizers Create Space in Hectic Lives, Messenger Post Newspapers (Brighton, Pittsford, Penfield, Fairport, Webster), 1998
“For those who lack organization skills or just do not have the time to sort their belongings, professional organizers can help put them on the right path...”
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