Archive for GETTING ORGANIZED FOR LIFE

The 80/20 Rule is Your Friend

By Hazel Thornton on June 21, 2021 14 Comments

80/20 RuleOne of my favorite concepts in life is The 80/20 Rule.

What is it?

The 80/20 Rule, a.k.a. the Pareto principle, stems from observations made by Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto in 1906, including the fact that 80% of the land in Italy was owned by 20% of the population. Or, generalizing to other situations, roughly 80% of consequences come from 20% of the causes.

But why do I like it so much, and why it is your friend?

Because it can help you make decisions…and not worry so much…and get stuff done!

 

The 80/20 Rule (a.k.a. the Pareto principle), can help you make decisions, and not worry so much, and get stuff done!

Click To Tweet

(more…)

Categories : Inspiration & Motivation, Organize Your Home, Organize Your Office, Organize Your Time
Tags : , , , , , , , , ,

Getting Back on Track

By Hazel Thornton on May 10, 2021 16 Comments

getting back on track2021 UPDATE: Getting “derailed” is one thing. Here it implies a potential for getting back on track with a little focus, some encouragement, and a few tips from me. However, falling off the trestle bridge into the canyon below, before crashing and burning, is quite another thing! This article is about getting back on track organization- and productivity-wise after common life-changes (home, work, health, events, trips, relationships). It was not meant for a worldwide pandemic with severe health, social, and financial implications, accompanied by political and civic upheaval and global warming! In severe cases “back to basics” may mean focusing on eating, sleeping, and exercising enough to recover or maintain one’s health. And, in other cases, a consultation with a medical professional, financial advisor, realtor, or government agency is called for. Even so….eventually you will find yourself either stuck in the past, languishing in the present, or ready to get back on track to meet your future.

Don’t beat yourself up for getting derailed. Just start getting back on track!

Click To Tweet

(more…)

Categories : Inspiration & Motivation
Tags : , , , , , , , , ,

A Buffet of Organizing and Productivity Inspiration

By Hazel Thornton on April 25, 2021 9 Comments

buffet

Greetings! I hope you are doing well despite the fact that somewhere along the way I lost my will to keep you updated on all things COVID.

Once in a while I’ve checked in with you and let you know how it’s going for me….

I’ve written a few other posts – some new, and some refreshed – but otherwise I’ve been doing genealogy research (for myself and for clients), and working (except, that is, for when I’m not working) on my new book.

Meanwhile…many of my organizing and productivity colleagues are either still at it, or they’ve found renewed energy for solving problems and lifting spirits. Some of them blog on a weekly basis! Some have written books, created products, or developed courses during the pandemic!

So, I’m sharing a roundup of their recent posts that have inspired me, because I’m hoping they will inspire you, too!

I’m sharing a roundup of my colleagues’ recent posts that have inspired me, because I’m hoping they will inspire you, too!

Click To Tweet

(more…)

Categories : Inspiration & Motivation

There’s No Place Like Home

By Hazel Thornton on April 19, 2021 12 Comments

Durango, Colorado

(NOTE: It was in October 2012 when I “just returned” from this trip and wrote this post. A worldwide pandemic was the furthest thing from my mind! Most of us have stayed home for over a year, and we’re just now thinking about traveling again as we gradually get our COVID-19 vaccinations. Also new since 2012 is the Org4life Travel Resource Roundup I created for you. Stay safe, and enjoy your travels!)

.

I just returned home from a short road trip to Durango, Colorado (from Albuquerque, New Mexico). The brisk fall weather and scenery were wonderfully refreshing.  And it was good to be out of my routine for a couple of days. Then, as usual, I was just as glad to return home as I was to leave it in the first place. There’s a reason why we have these sayings:

Home Sweet Home.
There’s no place like home.
A man’s home is his castle.
Home is where the heart is.

Aren’t we all more comfortable at home? And if you aren’t, what needs to change so that you are…?

Staying in a hotel room is nice, but there’s no place like home.

Click To Tweet

(more…)

Categories : Hazel's Organizing Stories, Inspiration & Motivation, Organize Your Home
Tags : , , , , , , , ,

Celebrating Introverts (and organizing them)

By Hazel Thornton on January 2, 2021 5 Comments

Introverts

In honor of World Introvert Day (Jan 2), I’ve published a new post on the Introvert Retreat blog. Why are we celebrating introverts? Here’s an article I like about that.

And, in honor of January being NAPO’s Get Organized & Be Productive (GO) Month, I’m organizing all my contributions (thus far) here, for you.

Here’s a collection of posts in honor of World Introvert Day and Get Organized & Be Productive (GO) Month!

Click To Tweet

(more…)

Categories : Just For Fun

16 Reasons Why They Haven’t Replied to Your Email (and what to do about it)

By Hazel Thornton on December 14, 2020 30 Comments

email I often hear people bemoan the fact that someone has not replied to their email.

They assume the other person is purposely avoiding them. What?!

Sure, it’s possible that they are snubbing you. But it’s far more likely that their lack of response has nothing to do with you in any way. Don’t take it personally!

Before YOU get upset that someone hasn’t replied to YOUR email, consider the many reasons why this might be the case (paying special attention to #14).

Don’t take it personally if someone hasn’t replied to your email!

Click To Tweet

(more…)

Categories : Just For Fun, Organize Your Mind

An Organized COVID Holiday Season – When Less is More

By Hazel Thornton on November 1, 2020 22 Comments

This year has been like no other in our lifetime. What an opportunity to re-think the holidays!

Whatever we do this COVID holiday season may — by default, or by design — also affect our future.

What’s important to YOU during the holidays?

  • Peace and quiet? (Or, have you had way too much of that already this year?)
  • Connection with friends and family? (Such a challenge under quarantine conditions!)
  • Traditions? (Some of them may not be possible this year or may need to be modified.)

Here are some things that you will naturally be doing less of this year…or, that you can totally get away with doing less of. Doing LESS of what you usually do might be a relief. It also might pave the way — and free up energy, time, and funds — to do MORE of something else you might enjoy.

What an opportunity to re-think the holidays! Whatever we do this COVID holiday season may — by default, or by design — also affect our future.

Click To Tweet

(more…)

Categories : Organize Your Holidays

The Social Dilemma + 5 Steps for taking a break without leaving Facebook

By Hazel Thornton on September 22, 2020 38 Comments

Have you seen the new Netflix film, The Social Dilemma?

It’s an eye-opening docudrama about how social media platforms manipulate our behavior, even beyond the point of their original intent to make money from targeted advertising. You may have heard this before: If you’re not paying for the product, it means you’re the product.

Have you seen the new Netflix film, The Social Dilemma? Would you rather take a break from social media, leave it altogether, or take steps to fix it?

Click To Tweet

(more…)

Categories : Finding Help

10 Easy Steps to a Clutter-Free Office

By Hazel Thornton on July 6, 2020 17 Comments
Staples storage box

Staples Economy Storage Box

More of us than ever before are working from home. A clutter-free office allows you to feel more comfortable, and therefore more focused, and productive. These 10 easy steps apply to any office, whether or not it’s a dedicated room, and no matter where it’s located.

A quick, easy decluttering of your workspace does not make you organized, but it does set you up for successfully finishing the organizing project at your own pace, while simultaneously allowing you to experience the freedom and focus that a clutter-free office can give you.

You still have some sorting, purging, organizing, and filing ahead of you, but you can start enjoying your clear desktop and functional workspace immediately.

A clutter-free office allows you to feel more comfortable, and therefore more focused, and productive.

Click To Tweet

(more…)

Categories : Organize Your Office
Tags :

Don’t leave Facebook — organize it!

By Hazel Thornton on May 29, 2020 6 Comments

keep calm and stay on FacebookI know, I know…..things are bad. Really bad.

Racial tension, worldwide pandemic, financial instability, political division…so many sources of stress on top of the normal stress of our daily lives!

All of the news is upsetting — and some of it is inaccurate or biased. Emotions are running high and there is no end in sight, not really.

And Facebook is… um… shall we say flawed and controversial? It’s really no wonder people are talking again about leaving it!

Keep calm and stay on Facebook! Or, at least check your settings and try to fix your News Feed before you give up.

Click To Tweet

(more…)

Categories : Finding Help
Tags :
Next Page »

Don't miss out!

ENTER your email address below to receive notifications of new blog posts by email. (Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletters as well!)

​Just click here to schedule a free 20-minute call. Or, click here to contact me via email.