My Latest Posts
Love It or Lose It
Every object contains an energy force. The energy we sense while touching something can powerfully influence how we feel. These feelings can influence our decisions about what to do with what we’ve just touched.
Some professional organizers discourage their clients from touching the items being sorted because often, intense feelings can arise from holding an object. This may delay the process of letting it go or moving it forward.
When we notice a client hesitate about whether to keep or let go of an object, we often ask,, “How does this object make you feel?” If the feeling is sad, angry, or negative in any way, it is important to explore why? Ask, “Will keeping this thing promote positive energy in my life or will I feel a heavy weight by hanging on to it?
Can there be a love which does not make demands on its object? ~ Confucius
Ideally, to enjoy a truly harmonious, uncluttered space, you want to love and make good use of each item in that space. If you don’t absolutely love it and plan to use it in the very near future, then consider letting it go.
Loving your things means honoring them and caring for them. Putting them in a safe, secure, practical place when not in use. Or proudly displaying them where they are kept dust-free and protected from breakage.
So ask yourself: Do I really love it? If not… lose it.
Making Post-Holiday Clutter Disappear
Look around. Are there still remnants of your holidays cluttering areas of your home or office?
Some of the clutter may be pleasant reminders of good times you had. Some of it is just annoying stuff that is now blocking your progress.
Regardless of why the clutter is there and what it represents, the new year is a perfect time for starting fresh. Here’s how to move forward:
- Decide you are ready for a fresh start with a vision in mind of what “fresh” looks and feels like.
- Schedule an appropriate amount of time to declutter (Be realistic. Most people underestimate how much time is needed to declutter and organize a space. Give it your best guess and then DOUBLE that estimate, to account for interruptions and setbacks)
- Get firm commitments from everyone who is going to help you and block out that time on your calendars.
- Prepare your tools before getting started (.e.g, boxes, bags, bins).
Now, most of you who have worked with me already know about the SPACE formula. This formula will help you cut through the clutter quickly if you stay focused on this method.
- SORT out all of the stuff in a methodical manner by placing like-items into the boxes and bins.
- Once like-items have been sorted into the various boxes and bins — decide what can go away and PURGE. Donate, re-gift, recycle or trash–just get the old stuff out of there, quickly.
- ASSIGN homes for all the items you have decided to keep and deliver these items from the boxes and bins to each individual home. Note: If you have run out of space because you’ve got more items than can fit in their assigned homes then its time to do more purging. Or… find another home for those sets of items.
- Use CONTAINERS that fit the size and weight of the items going into them. The containers must also fit into the shelf or drawer or other space you have chosen for it.
- EQUALIZE your newly organized system by continually Sorting, Purging, Assigning new homes and Containerizing items as your life evolves and transitions.
Remember: Organizing is not a one-time event — It is a process. Like bathing or brushing your teeth, it must be done over and over. The old must go to make room for the fresh and new. Otherwise… we WILL have clutter. It really is that simple.
Jana Hartwell, CPO
Take Care of Yourself First — Get More Done
Feeling hungry? Thirsty? Tired?
Too busy to stop and meet these needs?
Then you may find yourself having difficulty concentrating on the really important stuff.
😐
Your body tells you when you are lacking in basic foundational needs. Pay attention to the messages it gives you.
Hungry? Feed yourself something nutritious. You may feel too busy to stop. But store some healthy snacks and nuts in your desk drawer/purse/car to keep your body fueled throughout the day.
Thirsty? Drink. More Water. Sorry, coffee, soda or alcohol doesn’t count. Your brain consists of 90% water and without it you will be prone to headaches, irritability, lethargy and an inability to focus.
Tired? Get more sleep. How well do you function when you’re tired? I’m guessing not at your peak performance. Don’t sacrifice sleep under the premise that you need to get more done. Studies prove that you get less done when you aren’t well rested.
Bottom line…Take care of yourself. Get more done.
Now go drink a big glass of water, munch on a carrot or take a little nap before tackling that next organizing project. 😉
Jana Hartwell, CPO
Sensible Organizing Solutions
How Thankfulness Helps Rid Clutter
Thankfulness. Are you happy with all that you have?
How often do you just look around and feel thankful?
I truly believe that when we are thankful for what (and whom) we have, we honor them.
Honoring the loved ones in our life means treating them with respect and adoration; doing all you can to care for and protect them.
Honoring our belongings means the same. If you have a treasure, you will give it a home, display it proudly, care for it and keep it safe from harm.
Most of my clients have an abundance of “stuff” that they profess to LOVE, yet these items are not always being treated with respect. They are thrown haphazardly on floors and other surfaces or jumbled together with many random items; collecting dust and sometimes mixed with trash. If each of your belongings were truly treasures, wouldn’t they be lovingly cared for (clean, in good repair) and placed in clearly designated homes after each use?
I truly believe that when we constantly acquire stuff, we are attempting to fill a void. Does having all of this stuff fulfill us? Or does it simply distract you from focusing on what’s really important? Do you sometimes feel a sting of emptiness in your soul as you look around at all the excess?
Think about what Brother David Steindl-Rast says above: “Love wholeheartedly, be surprised, give thanks and praise — then you will discover the fullness of your life”
I’ve discovered the fullness of my life as I do what I am passionate about on a regular basis. Helping you to create beauty and order out of what was once a cluttered, chaotic space brings me great joy–it fills me up. Whenever you send out an SOS… I am given the opportunity to happily do what I LOVE and make a positive impact.
As Thanksgiving Day nears, think and speak often about what and whom you are grateful for. Being truly thankful for what you have gives you a sense of fullness, making it less likely you will seek to surround yourself with more and more stuff.
And let’s face it: The less stuff you have, the less likely you will be tripping over clutter!
This Thanksgiving season, I am thankful for YOU! Your trust and loyalty means the world to me.
Time To Fulfill Your Goals
There is never enough time to do everything you have to do, but there is always enough time to do the most important thing. ~ Brian Tracy
Back to school … back to work. Summer is officially over and it’s time to get serious about making the most of this last bit of an interesting 2013.
Is there a project or goal you still want to get done? Here are a few tips to help ensure you accomplish it.
Define it
Really get clear on what specific thing(s) you want to accomplish. Write it down—and post some place prominent to serve as a reminder that this is an important priority.
Be clear on the benefit
Seriously, you need to understand what the benefit of the outcome will be. Imagine it. Get a clear picture in your head. Now you have the motivation…
Identify your obstacles
We all have them. They can be external, such as a full plate—you may have to defer some things. An internal obstacle can be your inner dialogue. You know … that critic telling you things like, But I want it to be perfect! or I’ll never find the time, so what’s the point? or… fill in the blank. Get these out in the open and challenge their validity because ignoring them will hold you back.
Break it down.
If it’s a big thing, put pen to paper and break down the task into smaller bite-sized pieces. Then chip away at it a little at a time.
Create the time
Anything that does not have a “When?” attached to it will most likely not get done. Start blocking off space in your busy calendar for what is really important. Yes, that’s right. Make appointments with yourself. Even 30 minutes at a time is 30 minutes closer to finishing. (That’s why sometimes you need to break it down into small pieces…)
Respect your time
Its way too easy to give time you’ve put aside for yourself up to something lower on your priority list; especially when someone tries to make their lack of planning your crisis. Have as much respect for the appointment you made with yourself as you would for a client appointment or a meeting with your boss.
Support.
What kind of support might you require in order to accomplish your goal(s)? Do you need an accountability buddy? Could you benefit from hiring a productivity coach to help keep you on course? There’s no rule saying you need to do this alone. Reach out. Accept help.
Celebrate!
You deserve it. Every time you complete a milestone goal, reward yourself. Do something fun! And be sure to schedule in the fun so you won’t forget how important it is.