http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogList.asp?sort=organizer&schedule=121 The only way I know to describe this blog is to say "Get real, folks!" There are so many of us who are deluded by the idea that we can have it all, do it all, be everything to everyone, and not have a nervous breakdown in the process. Well, I'm here to slap you around a bit and remind you about how things really work -- one week at a time! This blog is dedicated to addressing the many ways that we complicate our own lives, and steps we can take to make things a bit easier. It's not meant to be an indictment or an accusation -- because I used to be right there with you! But as a Professional Organizer and full-time RVer, I've dedicated my life to radically simplifying -- clearing out the clutter, cutting back on the obligations, reducing my need for material possessions (and subsequently my footprint on this earth), and making space and time in my life for my true priorities. If I can do it, so can you... Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:45:02 EST en-us http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3756 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3756 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 11:30:00 EST I have been working extensively with a coaching client who is trying to dig herself out of a black hole -- she's facing medical problems, unemployment, financial worries, and a claustrophobic sense of having too much stuff. Finding practical solutions for each of these issues is part of the solution, but the bigger challenge is trying to deal with the sense of overwhelm and inertia my client is experiencing. Regaining A Sense Of Perspective It's easy to become a little ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3755 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3755 Tue, 9 Oct 2012 11:30:00 EST I got into a lengthy discussion the other day with a coaching client about intelligence -- she was severely frustrated with her son, because he studies and studies for these standardized tests at school, and still does poorly. But I know this kid, I've worked with him, and he's not stupid -- he just has different kinds of intelligence than those required to memorize facts for a multiple choice test. What Is Intelligence Anyway? Memorizing facts is not the same thing as ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3754 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3754 Tue, 2 Oct 2012 11:30:00 EST I got into a rather lengthy discussion the other day with a woman I didn't even know (I do that a lot!) about our responsibility for leaving a legacy to future generations -- exactly what each individual on this planet should be giving back to the larger community in order to be considered a "contributing" member of society. Let me invite you to board my train of thought (now leaving on track 12), and then offer your opinions on this matter. What It Means To "Contribute" This ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3753 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3753 Tue, 25 Sep 2012 11:30:00 EST Matt and I recently visited my elderly in-laws -- and I was amazed at the completely ridiculous number of telemarketing solicitations they receive during the day. Their phone rings off the hook with calls from all kinds of sleazy and predatory companies trying to convince them they have won a free cruise or talk them into burial insurance or scam them with a reverse mortgage. I personally don't get these calls anymore, so I didn't realize this was even still going on! ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3752 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3752 Tue, 18 Sep 2012 11:30:00 EST This week I got a notice in the mail telling me that a lien had been filed against me for non-payment of state taxes. Turns out the Maryland comptroller never cashed the check I sent in 2007, and in three years' time, no one had called me to clear up the problem or sent me any notice prior to the lien -- yet that court filing is probably going to go on my credit report (this is part of why we now domicile in a place WITHOUT state income tax.) What a flipping joke! Things You ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3751 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3751 Tue, 11 Sep 2012 11:30:00 EST Part of simplifying your life is thinking globally -- making personal shopping and consumption decisions based on their larger long-term impiact, rather than immediate convenience. But when you talk to people about the state of our planet, they are more concerned with their own jobs, their own bank accounts, their own family matters. Why is that? It's all thanks to "the monkeysphere." It's Hard To Focus On the Big Picture The problem is not lack of concern -- it's ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3750 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3750 Tue, 4 Sep 2012 11:30:00 EST All of a sudden, nearly two years after her death, I have been missing my mother terribly these past few days. But when I mentioned this to an acquaintance (who has never lost a parent and hasn't got a clue what I'm going through, by the way) -- she said, "Still? I thought you'd be moving on by now. Your mother's in a better place. Rather than grieving, you should be counting your blessings." I know that she meant well, but give me a freaking break! Find A ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3749 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3749 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 11:30:00 EST I have been thinking a lot about my mother this week. I officially became an orphan at the age of 38. My father died more than 10 years ago, and my mother just passed away two summers ago. I'm supposed to be a mature, responsible, highly-functioning adult -- but in many ways, I still feel like a lost motherless child, nonetheless. All Alone In The World My folks were in their 40's when they had me, so I always expected to outlive my parents. I knew on an intellectual level that ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3748 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3748 Tue, 21 Aug 2012 11:30:00 EST As I sat here today, trying desperately to be witty and engaging in my latest blog (my poor, tired brain fighting me all the way), I thought about the mixed blessing that is my job. Being self-employed means that I'm not allowed to simply punch a time card and go home. I have to always be creating, producing, doing something different than the day before. And it's exhausting! Some days, I wish that my biggest responsibility involved nothing more challenging than serving up hamburgers! ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3747 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3747 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 11:30:00 EST The other evening, Matt and I ate at a casual waterfront restaurant. Nothing fancy -- plastic plates, disposable napkins, and paper tablecloths. The kind of place that provides crayons to keep the little ones occupied. Of course, we don't have children, but I still wanted the crayons -- Matt and I amused ourselves (and the waitress) by decorating our entire tablecloth with original (and mostly abstract) artwork. I haven't done that in ages, and it was the best kind of stress-reliever! ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3628 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3628 Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST As a Professional Organizer , I am (of course) entirely opposed to clutter and excess. I help my clients clean out for a living -- if you're not using it, let it go! Some people think clearing the decks means tossing a lot of stuff in the trash. But I am mortally offended at the core of my being by waste -- living in an affluent society does not give any of us the right to use up and throw away resources like there was no tomorrow! It ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3627 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3627 Tue, 10 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST Are you addicted to your cell phone? One of those people who carries it with you everywhere, and just HAS to answer the moment it rings (even in the middle of a meal or conversation?) My favorites are the human Cyborgs -- Bluetooth headsets sticking out the sides of their heads, mumbling to themselves like a crazed homeless people as they shuffle down the sidewalk. Does it cause you stress to be out of touch for even a few hours? What would happen if you had to give up your phone for a ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3626 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3626 Tue, 3 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST When Matt and I hit the road as full-time RVers , I thought it would be an interesting sociological experiment for a Professional Organizer -- to see how simply we could live, how little "stuff" we could own and still be truly content in life. But I got even more than I bargained for in the practicing-what-you-preach arena! Really Living With Less After a few years of living the American Dream, Matt and I found ourselves, shall we say, "encumbered." Our living environment, ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3625 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3625 Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:30:00 EST Most folks have no clue how to draw the line with people who ask too much of them -- unfortunately, it's not something you really learn in school (why don't they offer a class called "Boundaries 101"?) In fact, parents and teachers often instill the exact opposite values in kids -- teaching them to automatically say "yes" to any request under the guise of being ambitious and accommodating (and we wonder why they turn into overwhelmed adults!) Healthy Boundaries ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3624 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3624 Tue, 20 Mar 2012 11:30:00 EST A number of years ago, I was introduced to a way of viewing time (developed by personal coach Dan Sullivan ) that really resonated with me. It offers a very simple system for using your time in the most efficient way possible. He suggests that you break your schedule into three distinct segments. Balance Your Free, Focus, And Buffer Days "Focus days" are those in which you do nothing but focus on your job, on those activities that bring home the bacon (seeing clients, making ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3623 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3623 Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:30:00 EST I can't tell you how often I hear my friends, colleagues, and clients complain about how other people just don't respect their time. You've probably experienced it too -- either at home or at work. But really, whose fault is that? Misplaced Blame People simply assuming that you are free to help with a project or attend a meeting, without asking first. Folks dropping by your home or office to "chat" during work hours, not giving a thought to the fact that you ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3622 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3622 Tue, 6 Mar 2012 11:30:00 EST I just re-watched " My Big Fat Greek Wedding " the other evening -- ah, the challenges of trying to step outside of the life you were programmed to live, in search of something more fulfilling! You can't make people see you with a different set of eyes until you're capable of changing those things that aren't working in your life. And sometimes that means being willing to walk away from who you were (at least in part) to become who you want to be. Look Yourself In ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3621 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3621 Tue, 28 Feb 2012 11:30:00 EST Most of us put up with a lot of annoyances in life -- things that drain our energy, make us angry, or frustrate us. We act as if we are trapped by these situations -- but the real irony is that, in many instances, we actually have the power to choose whether or not we continue to tolerate that situation. Aren't You Tired Of Being Stuck? We have more control than we imagine. Life isn't just some cosmic pinball game (although God sure plays a mean pinball), where we get ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3620 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3620 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:30:00 EST Someone makes a request of you that you know you can't honor. You don't have time, you're focused on another project, or you just don't want to do it -- all of which are entirely valid and acceptable reasons for turning a person down. How do you say "no" without insulting the other person, feeling consumed with guilt, or hurting your own credibility? Satisfying Both Sides You need to find a way to decline a request without dragging up all of those hidden ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3619 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3619 Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:30:00 EST Tell me if this sounds familiar -- someone asks you to do something that you really don't want to do or you honestly don't have time for. It might be a church bake sale, a school fundraiser, participating on a committee, or even just working late. You want very badly to decline, but you worry that you'll let the other person down if you say no. Breaking The Chains You feel guilty already, and you haven't even responded yet! So you say, "Sure," even though ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3618 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3618 Tue, 7 Feb 2012 11:30:00 EST If you ask a group of people to define "time management", they will probably talk about getting it all done, crossing items off of a list, and being productive. However, good time management is not the ability to cram more and more into your day. It's a mindset that helps focus your time on those activities that are most valuable and meaningful to you. Getting The Right Things Done There's a lot of confusion out there about what it means to be "efficient" -- some ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3617 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3617 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST Some days it can feel as though, despite your best efforts, you haven't accomplished a dadgum thing. Quitting time rolls around and all you have to show for it is hours and hours down the drain, blown on activities that gave you little or no payoff -- not to mention the fact that your to-do list is still sitting there staring at you, waiting to be tackled tomorrow! Where Does Your Time Go? How much of your life is spent on "time wasters" -- activities that do nothing ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3531 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3531 Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST It's incredibly difficult for folks to admit that they can't do everything themselves. Well, guess what -- you can't! And I don't know that you'd want to, even if you had the time. Some activities are unpleasant, outside your range of expertise, or just not what you want to spend your time on. There's nothing wrong with bowing out, as long as you can find someone else to take care of it. Knowing What's Really Important We often focus too much on the daily grind ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3530 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3530 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST When I sit down with a client to work on prioritizing and delegating, the biggest challenge is always deciding what kinds of activities and responsibilities to give up. Quite often, we get so entrenched in what we think we "should" be doing, that we forget to pay attention to what we "enjoy" doing. The Biggest Bang For Your Buck Have you ever caught yourself spending a lot of time on a very low-payoff activity? Low-payoff doesn't mean worthless. This task might actually need to be ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3529 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3529 Tue, 3 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST Simplifying your life is all about prioritizing -- determining which activities are worth doing yourself, and which are better left undone or delegated to someone else. The first step toward making this determination is knowing how much your time is worth -- then you can decide when to invest this precious and limited resource, as well as when to save up for something you want even more. Learning How To Quantify When you were a kid, you probably didn't think much about what it took to ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3528 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3528 Tue, 27 Dec 2011 11:30:00 EST I was helping a client clean out the other day and came across a bunch of books by Erma Bombeck -- I hadn't seen these in years! My mother used to love Auntie Erma's sense of humor, skewering suburban life in a way that someone mired in housework and child-rearing could. But Ms. Bombeck also tried to help her readers live life in the moment -- to worry less about appearances and really enjoy each moment for what it is. Eat Less Cottage Cheese And More Ice Cream In 1979, someone ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3527 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3527 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:30:00 EST A friend of mine had a major epiphany this weekend while I was talking with her on the phone. She's an accountant, and was complaining about a client who drives her up the wall. As she outlined all her grievances and complaints, she came to a realization that she didn't have to keep putting up with his nonsense. I wanted to share this with you, because you might see some similarities to a situation in your life. Why Didn't I Think Of That Sooner? This guy is always late ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3526 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3526 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:30:00 EST We all experience stress at work -- but there is no reason to let it take control of your life or your job. No matter what the cause, there are some fairly simple and universally effective steps you can take to alleviate stress and regain your sense of balance. When you're feeling overwhelmed, give these a try. The Mind-Body Connection At any point during the day when you feel overwhelmed, the quickest remedy is a good deep breath. When you're stressed, you breathe much more ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3525 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3525 Tue, 6 Dec 2011 11:30:00 EST So many times, we ignore situations that stress us out until it's too late. This is especially true at work where we feel less in control of the circumstances that surround us. We let the annoyances and tolerations pile up as we never would in personal relationships -- often to the point that they negatively affect our productivity or our health. But now it's time to reclaim control over your work life! Recognize The Warning Signs The first step to cutting stress off at the pass ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3524 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3524 Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:30:00 EST Feeling overloaded at work is never a good thing -- but it's doubly frustrating when you don't even know what's causing the stress. Something's just not right, but you can't quite pinpoint the problem. I'll give you a hint -- the number one reason for work-related stress is an inability to draw healthy boundaries. This can show up in a variety of ways -- look at your work day and see if any of these situations feel a little too familiar. Constant Interruptions Do ...