Category: Get Organized

Categories
Decluttering Get Organized Organization

3 Steps to Clear the Clutter

In our last blog, we looked at how to set about making the switch from chaotic to de-cluttered and in this second blog, we’re going to take those ideas one step further.

We are all products of our environment.

The first point to understand is that the environments we create for ourselves reflect our physical, mental, as well as emotional selves.  As our lives become more muddled, so we become less energetic and less efficient.  Have you ever felt like you should clean the house/tidy the back yard or attack the laundry mountain, then talked yourself down because it’s such a mammoth task… and it will take so long…and suddenly, you just don’t have the energy to sort it? Sure, we’ve all done it at some point. Now, if we leave that chore for another day, we’re just compounding the problem (Spoiler alert: There is no such thing as a laundry fairy) But, actually, were we to start the chore, it wouldn’t take half as long as we predicted, and its accomplishment would increase our energy, vitality and happiness.

The 5-Minute Rule

As we have discussed previously, a small change is better than no change at all and you’d be surprised how a dedicated five minutes at the end of your working day can make all the difference.  Instead of rushing for the door at 5.30pm, block out five minutes to review your day’s productivity, tick off any tasks that have been completed and transfer any for review or action the next day.  Having a “clean desk policy” where you leave your desk clear at the end of the day can have a wonderous effect on your mental health and feelings of efficiency.  No more anxiety over what you have in store tomorrow at the office, now you know exactly where you need to be and what you need to do.  Your desk is a serene oasis of calm (at least at the start and end of the day!)  

Clear is Kind

The final step is to simplify. Over time, surrounding ourselves with clutter, either physical, mental or emotional can slow us down and make us feel drained. Instead, simplify procedures.  Simplify activities.  Simplify every aspect of your life as much a possible.  By removing the “clutter” of everyday activity, by focusing on the core of any activity and not the paraphernalia that surrounds it, you can attack any task with vigor and get to grips with it, without feeling exhausted before you even start!  Strip down what you are dealing with to its’ barest form and decide the steps to take in order to achieve success.

Over the course of these two blogs, we have discovered that the process of de-cluttering and clearing chaos involves as much clearing of the mind as it does physical action.  Change can be yours in just a few simple steps and a revitalized, energetic and organized you is just waiting around the corner.  Let me know how you do!

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Categories
Decluttering Get Organized Organization Planning Positive Thinking

From Scattered To Serene – How to change the habits of a lifetime

Some people are chronically disorganized.  For them, life pretty much resembles the college dorm of years gone, except now, instead of laundry littering the floor, dirty plates and study books, it’s their kids’ “stuff”, work papers and, oh wait…the laundry is still there. Please know that “neat” does NOT equal “organized.” But there is definitely some cross-over.

There comes a time when disorganization will catch up with you. In business, that late payment because you lost the payment slip could have disastrous effects.  That missed meeting could have been a great new contract, and in your personal life you might never get another chance to make those particular memories.

But, while a certain amount of disorganization can be kind of “cute”, if you live your entire life in this manner, you could be stifling any kind of growth, whether business or personal.

But, fear not!  Here are my 3 top tips to reining the chaos in and being the paragon of serenity (at least some of the time, at least)

1. Get to the root of the problem.

Before you stock pile sticky notes and download a multitude of apps, you need to ask yourself, “Why?”  Why are you disorganized?  What has triggered this situation?  It could be something from your childhood – perhaps your parents lived life in this manner, or it could be the influence of a partner, or ex-partner, years ago.  Examinining the root cause of habitual behaviour that does not serve you is invaluable. For some, it may be that you procrastinate as a result of feeling overwhelmed.  In some cases, when we feel like there are just too many options open, or too many tasks requiring our attention, it is easier to do nothing than it is to tackle them head on. Once you have understood your particular trigger, you can look at ways of “re-booting” that belief or behavior.

2. Surround yourself with organized people.

It’s so much harder to go against the grain when you surround yourself with super-organized types.  Believe me, their habits will start to rub off on you! As you see them easily locate their credit card statement and you know you’d still be shuffling papers frantically searching for yours, so you begin to see how much easier life could be.  These “neat ninjas” can also be a really great resource for you, too.  Ask that co-worker for her tips on managing your emails or call in a favor and get help with sorting your closet. 

3. Declutter to De-Stress.

Have you ever had to use brute force to close that closet drawer or to fit another coat hanger in? Do you really need to keep every single work of art Junior did in first grade? Be accountable for all your clutter and make a commitment to de-clutter every three months.  Donate, destroy and recycle your way to a clutter-free environment.  “I might need that one day” is not a good enough reason to keep something.  Be ruthless – if it’s not there, it can’t clutter.  Allow yourself one box of sentimental stuff – you’ll have fun deciding which items get to go in the box and you’ll know exactly where those precious memories are when you want to revisit them.  Once you have cleared the decks, make sure everything left has a place and is kept in that place. 

Finally, while it’s great to be organized, remember to be kind to yourself.  This kind of change can be intimidating and just a little bit overwhelming.  Don’t beat yourself up because you’re not perfect; cut yourself a break!  Even a small change can be a positive move in the right direction and if you follow these tips, the new, organized version of yourself could be closer than you think.

In my next blog, we will be looking at further practical steps to get you that de-cluttered mindset.  So, stay tuned!

—–

Like this? You’ll love the Club!

Try on the Lunchtime Club (monthly virtual coaching group) on us for 30 days FREE!

  • Quick answers to your current dilemmas…in real time. Don’t know what to ask? No worries, we have a new HOT theme each month.
  • The solution to the #1 issue for Entrepreneurs: Collaboration! You can Collaborate with like-minded individuals for additional support…in real time AND outside of the group. Did anyone say accountability partner?
  • And even more goodies: You get MUCH more than live calls once a month! You get unlimited Access to past and new group session recordings – to enhance your learning and growing OUTSIDE of our monthly calls.

Curious? Learn more about this low cost, low commitment, high results, high energy program:

  • Click here if you have not worked with us before
  • Click here if you have been a client of ours in the last 12 months

Let’s get you more focused, organized, and productive than you have EVER been!

Let’s see what might happen if you dare to just “read the blogs” to taking the steps to get you to where you want to go, but perhaps have not dared to…. until now.

I’ll be there! I can’t wait to meet you.


Categories
Accountability Get Organized Planning

Why we are afraid to fail and what it’s costing us

Failure.  One word guaranteed to strike fear wherever it lands. It happens to everyone.  Even those who we see as “living the dream”. But that doesn’t make it any less of a bitter pill to swallow when it comes a-knockin’ at our door.

So, you have two choices. Either, you can shrug it off, with an “Oh well, it wasn’t meant to be…” kind of approach, OR you can look for other ways to handle that F-word, a way to not only look at it more optimistically, but also to find clues within it for future success.

Now, for the purposes of this article, I’m going to assume that you’re all for taking option two.  So, how can you flip that negative to a positive and come out the other end oh, so much wiser?  Here are my three top tips:

1. “If I don’t start, I won’t fail” – how this mindset is killing you slowly

How many times have you caught yourself in this mindset?  You procrastinate over a task so long that it (in your mind at least) becomes so much bigger and more complex than it actually is. You set yourself up for failure before you even start.  You know, if we tell ourselves we are going to fail, then it becomes almost a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Remember, it is far better to do something imperfectly than nothing perfectly.  Inaction is the biggest risk you can take. You end up nowhere…fast.  Fear of failure is what keeps us rooted to the “now”.  But, like any other fear, the only way to get the better of it, is to stare it straight in the eye and remember that failure comes from productivity – fear from doing nothing, from inactivity – which is better?

2. The benefits of thinking ahead

We have all heard Benjamin Franklin’s quote, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail” – yep, that old chestnut – but it’s absolutely true in this scenario.

Many fail because they don’t take time to think ahead and plan for success. Without a plan, you have no roadmap, and wouldn’t you rather be on a super-highway heading to success, rather than a bumpy one-track road leading to who-knows-where?

Instead, head failure off at the pass by identifying risks at the planning stage.  By “shooting holes” in a plan (either do this yourself as part of a review, or, even better, get someone you trust to do this for you).

By planning ahead, you get to envision your success – what will it look and feel like? And this is an important part of the process.  By planning ahead, you switch from reactive to proactive, with a better view of any roadblocks or diversions in the path, allowing you to take action in plenty of time, and with confidence.

3. The hidden anchor of worrying too much.

We somehow think that one or two failures throughout our lives translates to us being a total failure.  And, with that sort of mindset, that set of self-limiting beliefs, how can we ever hope to succeed?

But, picture yourself in x years’ time, as an elderly person.  Wouldn’t you rather be laughing, remembering life’s hiccoughs, the bumps in the road and reminiscing about how things eventually played out, rather than lamenting the opportunities missed because you were too worried about “what could have happened” to accept them?

Failure is a fact of life, which everyone faces once in a while.  Some you win, some you don’t – all you can do is roll with the punches.  Change your mindset to one of reflecting on every failure as a lesson learned.  A means, perhaps, of opening up new potential and new opportunities to explore.

—

Like this? You’ll love the Club!

Try on the Lunchtime Club (monthly virtual coaching group) on us for 30 days FREE!

  • Quick answers to your current dilemmas…in real time. Don’t know what to ask? No worries, we have a new HOT theme each month.
  • The solution to the #1 issue for Entrepreneurs: Collaboration!  You can Collaborate with like-minded individuals for additional support…in real time AND outside of the group. Did anyone say accountability partner?
  • And even more goodies:  You get MUCH more than live calls once a month! You get unlimited Access to past and new group session recordings – to enhance your learning and growing OUTSIDE of our monthly calls.

Curious? Learn more about this low cost, low commitment, high results, high energy program:

  • Click here if you have not worked with us before
  • Click here if you have been a client of ours in the last 12 months

Let’s get you more focused, organized, and productive than you have EVER been! Let’s see what might happen if you dare to just “read the blogs” to taking the steps to get you to where you want to go, but perhaps have not dared to…. until now.

I’ll be there! I can’t wait to meet you.

Categories
Decluttering Get Organized Productivity

Can’t keep up with your home or finances? The secret to peace is simpler than you think.

In our last blog we looked at the process of de-cluttering and ridding ourselves of all the paraphernalia of modern-life, whether that is in a physical, emotional, mental or spiritual sense.

Now, let’s extend that further into our home life.

Have you ever paused in your everyday life and wondered, “How did we even get here?” “Why does this have to be so complicated?”

Why do we make things so complicated?  We place so many “ifs” and “buts” around our lives that it becomes like an assault course of stumbling blocks, caveats and conditions and to top it all, there’s no prize for reaching the finish line!

So why continue living that life when all you crave is simplicity?  For three easy steps to untangling, de-cluttering and uncomplicating your home and finances, read on…(After all, life really is too short, isn’t it?)

  1. First off, take a good hard look at your life. Go on, really evaluate it.  What are you doing just because “That’s the way it’s always been done” or “Because it’s simpler that way” – is it, really? You know, times change and maybe a new system, a new way of doing something is just what you need.  Maybe that slight change in perspective could be a launching pad to a more streamlined you!
  2. We all know the saying, “Less is more”, right? But, how many of us practice it? Do you really need all those bank accounts?  Wouldn’t one or two be enough? Let’s face it, it’s just more work at the end of the month to reconcile them, more passwords to store, more paperwork to file…more work, more hassle.  What about the other household systems or chores?  What can you do to reduce, eliminate or delegate them?  Maybe household chores take up too much of your time or energy.  What about the ironing – a whole lot of work and as soon as it’s done, a new pile magically appears.  You know, by employing someone for a couple of hours a week, you could tick those chores straight off your list and focus on some good stuff instead.
  3. Of course, this new-found simplicity isn’t going to work unless you practice it! All. the. time. It might take a while to see the benefits but, by actually acknowledging the changes that you are bringing about, by noticing, for example, that delegating X has resulted in extra time, or how you are now able to compete tasks which previously would have required more time, more patience, more application and you still have energy at the end of it! What a change this could bring! One that impacts on so many areas of your life.

If you crave a simpler life, then go get it!  It’s within your power and your control.

Categories
Confidence Get Organized Goal Setting Positive Thinking Productivity

Do you know what you want to do but you can’t do it? Here’s the first step.

GREAT! You’ve recognized some changes you want to make in your life.  You’ve set your goals and have a clear idea of what you want to achieve, when and how. Congratulations … there’s just one small hitch.  One tiny problem. Something is stopping you from achieving those goals and putting a massive “Detour” sign bang in the middle of “Goal Highway”.

Often, we find that, although we can identify those steps we need to take to help us reach our goals, we are held back because we are locked into unconscious patterns, which anchor us to how we have always been; the long-held beliefs we have had that this is the way we’ve always done it, so why change? The fears of upsetting or impacting others if we make that change, the guilt because we are putting ourselves, our own needs first.  Sound familiar?

So, let’s look at 3 strategies to help us achieve our goals:

  1. Start by envisioning what you want to achieve. How will this make you feel? What effects (positive and negative) will this have on your life, on those around you? What will life look like on the “other side”?  Write this down if it helps (remember it’s for your eyes only, so no stressing if it looks anything other than perfect!)
  2. Clear out. Now, make a list of what’s in your way. What’s stopping you from achieving your goal Nirvana? – Be sure to consider all aspects of your life and wellbeing – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual and be honest, even though this might involve looking deep within yourself.  It will be worth it, promise!

So, now you have your list of “road blocks”, which can you remove? Set about removing, deleting and clearing all those that no longer serve you.  Doesn’t that feel better? Sort of like a “soul spa”, right?!  Remember, if it doesn’t support your better self – ditch it!

  1. It’s time to notice how you feel, unencumbered by what was holding you back. By performing this de-cluttering process, you give yourself more space to achieve your dreams and to explore new energy and new ideas.  You may have removed physical clutter – “stuff” in your home, your office (what about that email inbox? How many spammy emails does one person need?) Stuff on your desk, your shelves, stuff in your calendar, or it may be more about ridding yourself of emotional clutter – old ideas, bad habits, feelings of “not being good enough”, that ugly imposter syndrome that shadows your working life; whatever form your clutter takes, how do you now feel having acknowledged and addressed those feelings?

By removing these self-limiting beliefs and practices, you will free up “space” and give yourself the tools to get more done. As the Buddha said, “What you are is what you have been, what you will be is what you do now”. So, take your fresh, newly-decluttered, de-complicated self and move forwards with purpose!  Go do great things!

In our next blog, we will be looking at the next step of the process.  How to simplify your home and financial life.  Be sure to check it out!

Categories
Confidence Get Organized Growth More time in my day Positive Thinking prioritize Time strategies Wellness

3 Ways To Make Sure Your Energy Is Not Wasted

In the last blog, we looked at ways to control our energy levels and how to discover what in our life affects them on a day to day basis.

But, what about those times when our levels are at a high?  How can we keep from wasting those precious feelings?

3 ways to keep your energy at the max:

 

  1. Be selective. Good intentions are one thing, but if you spread that energy too thin, there will only be one loser.    We all know someone, who, when we come away from a conversation or encounter, makes us feel drained.  Who, when we ask a simple, “How are you?” will give us chapter and verse on every little thing going wrong in their lives.  You know, the “glass half-empty” kinda gal?

 

These people simply suck us dry of any good vibes and leave us not only carrying our own concerns, but theirs too.  Don’t let them!  Steer a wide berth from these “Emotional Vampires”, these people who are just going to bring you down and say, “Not today, thanks!”

 

  1. Look at your goals. Funnel your positive, light-shining energy in to what YOU want to achieve.  Your goals.  Not anyone else’s, – yours.  Create a list of what you want to achieve and think big here – don’t limit your dreams and then focus that energy into a plan of action.  Remember, little steps achieve big things and don’t let your energy be depleted by set backs along the way.  You’re in this for the long-haul, remember?

 

  1. Do what you love. Why are you spending time and emotional energy on those tasks that you HATE? That’s a sure-fire way of depleting your energy tanks.  Instead, identify and recognise those tasks you dislike, or that you spend too long on and either find someone else who loves that kind of thing (and make their day), or eliminate them in some other way.  Can they be broken down into smaller, less onerous tasks, for instance?

 

Lastly, remember, you’re in control.  These are your energy levels, your resources, the things that make you tick that we’re talking about.  You wouldn’t run a car without fuel, so why would you run your body without investing some care and long-term maintenance on it?

Pay yourself some attention and, I promise, you’ll be reaping the benefits forever after.

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