Utilizing a Personal Concierge During the Holidays

This time of year is super busy for so many people and you can get overwhelmed really quickly. I have many clients here in Houston who use me for various daily tasks and the holidays are no exception. Hiring a personal concierge is easy there are several in Houston and all over. Here are some things that they can help you with.

• Gift Research. I often times get hired to research various gifts, but have an extensive list of go to gifts that I like to give or that I know are a hit. Here in Houston there are various stores I know that I can find the perfect gifts.
• Shop. This is one of the biggest things I get utilized for during the holidays. There are so many gifts that get bought and given 
• Help Decorate. Sometimes you just can't do it all and need help. 
• Donation Drop Off. There is a ton of giving back during the holidays and I often drop off donations for others.
• Organize. Since I am a professional organizer, I often help with general organization in businesses and around the home. This really helps clients destress and not worry as much during the holidays. 
• Gift Wrapping. The key is to find stores like Kuhl-Linscomb that gift wrap for free, but if not then use a personal concierge. I often do this for clients and have so much fun.
• Shipping. I ship a TON during the holidays. The key is to ship early when lines are not as long. Many of personal concierges charge by the hour, so shipping early can save you time and money. 
• Write, Address, Stamp and Mail Holiday Cards. This gets outsourced a lot because usually when people send out holiday cards they send out a lot. 
• Corporate Gift Buying. Lots of companies give gifts to employees, clients and colleagues and this is something they use concierges to assist them with. 
• Party Prep. This is a big one because so many people host holiday parties. 
• Book Travel. A ton of people travel during the holidays and a concierge can help with flights, hotel reservations, car rental, booking activities, etc. 
• Grocery Shop. So many groceries to be bought during the holidays. 
• Guest Prep. If you have guests coming into town a personal concierge can help with prepping for their arrival from getting rooms organized to arranging pick up for them to buying gifts. 
• Basic Errands. I help clients with all kinds of basic errands they just don't have time to do. 

Virtual Concierge Help
I have had others hire me to help them with holiday tasks virtually as well. Here are some holiday things that I often get asked to help with virtually.

• Buy and Ship Gifts. If there are items that can be purchased and shipped online, then that is what I help with.
• Order and Mail Holiday Cards. This often times can be done anywhere.
• Arrange for Professional Services. I often help arrange for services like house cleaning, organizing, catering, etc. to come in and help during the holidays. 
• Book Travel. Just like above this is something that a concierge can help with.
• Send Alcohol and Flowers. I arrange for bottles of wine and liquor to be delivered for clients. As well as, flowers and plants. 

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2017 Goals

Where in the hell did 2016 go?!?! It is that time where I go over goals for the year. I have done so much and can't wait to see what is on the horizon. As a professional organizer and concierge in Houston, there is so much I want to do and achieve. You can review some of my past goals from 2016, 2015, and 2014. With personal and business goals there are things that I am constantly striving to do, so when I write goals for the year it doesn't necessarily cover everything I want to do. Below are a few things that I have been thinking about and just need to start doing them!

Let's first recap 2016 goals

Meal Plan. I did meal plan a good chunk, but totally fell off the wagon towards the end of the year.
Random Acts of Kindness. I love this one because I did do random acts of kindness like sending letters to individuals, donating items, helping people who looked lost wandering downtown, randomly sending gift cards to people who do a lot for others, etc. I still want to do MORE this year.
Learn to Use My Camera. I did learn to use my camera more this year in the manual mode, but still need to learn so much more.
More Me Time. This happened to a degree. I didn't get to take a solo trip, but still did stuff for myself like getting reflexology or just roaming the book store.
Try / Learn Something New. Yes, I did try and learn a lot of new things, but more than anything I am proud of myself for finally taking Spanish lessons!!

2017 Personal Goals

Read more. I am really disappointed in myself that I didn't read as much as I would like in 2016. I read a TON of magazines, but not very many books, which is a shame because I love reading.

Learn to play the freaking piano. This has been a goal of mine for many, many, many, many years. I need to really learn this year.

Be present. This was on my list a few years ago, but this is something that my husband brought up. When we are driving in the car the other person in the passenger seat is usually on their phone or if we are watching t.v or a movie one, if not both of us, are on our phone. Basically we need to PUT THE DAMN PHONE DOWN.

Make healthier choices. This is so cliche, but it is really something that I need to focus on this year. I consider myself ok healthy, but didn't really make it a priority last year and need to this year. I exercised ok this past year, but did not do nearly as much yoga or exercising as I would have liked.

Listen better. I know I listen, but a lot of times not everyone has my full undivided attention. I want to REALLY listen and not passively listen.

Get rid of toxicity. There are things that I do or people in my life that are just plain toxic and it is time to say bye bye to negativity. It brings me down and I frankly don't care to make time for it. I am going to start doing what makes me happy and maybe change my outlook. Put a positive spin on the negative things.

2016 Business Goals Recap

Collaborate More / Establish Relationships. I did establish a lot more vendor relationships, which was great, but still want to strive to establish more and connect with more people.
Write Down Successes (big & small). I did great with this the first half the of the year, but the second half not as good. Nonetheless, I did keep track of successes. Becoming a WBENC - Certified Women's Business Enterprise, becoming an approved vendor for Super Bowl 51 and getting a small office space in Downtown Houston were some highlights among many.
Teach/Write More Articles. I did write a little more, but didn't teach much. Teaching is still something that I am interested in, but need to find the right people who want to learn about the profession or certain skills and how-tos.
Join More Professional Organizations. I did!
Up My Promotional Material Game. Well, I sucked at this, last year. Here is to a new year. It is really hard to find local, eco printing options in Houston. If you know of anyone let me know.
Blog / Create an Editorial Calendar. Yes! I did a lot more of this if you have been reading the blog. Scheduling posts has been a life saver.


2017 Business Goals

Up My Promotional Material Game. I'll put this one on here again because I really need to do it. I have already started and created a plan.

Streamline the Accounting. Accounting is something I absolutely do not like, but obviously need to get paid :). I do most things by hand or in spreadsheets and the hard way when it comes to accounting for whatever reason and it's not great because I am a professional organizer and all about streamlining. Plus, I have helped tons through the years streamline. As the saying goes, the cobblers kids......

Improve SEO. I need to work on this and have been thinking about it for many, many years. I have had some recommendations of companies to check out, so I plan on doing something in 2017.

Gain new clients. This has come naturally through the years, mostly word of mouth now, but I always want new clients. I absolutely love what I do and truly strive to do my best for my clients. This is a goal every year even though I don't necessarily put it on the blog every year.

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2017: Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! 2017 will be amazing!

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