Go With the Flow! The Clutter Flow Chart Workbook
Looking for a new, fun way to get clutter-free in ’23?
Inn-tro-du-cingg…(drumroll, please)…the long-awaited release of my latest project:
Go With the Flow! The Clutter Flow Chart Workbook
Archive for getting back on track
2021 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.
Calendar bird photo by Ann Strober.
I hate to be a party pooper, but I just don’t believe it takes 21 days to create a habit. Or 30 days. Or however long people are saying. It’s true that you can’t simply do something for only 3 days, or 10, and expect it to “stick”. And the effort required to create a new habit is well worth it! But I think there are too many factors to pin it down to a specific number of days for all habits and all people.
These are stressful times.
And I think we’re all feeling it one way or another.
(I originally wrote this post during a specific national crisis, but really, every day is stressful for someone, isn’t it?)
Are you remembering to take care of yourself?
I forget sometimes, so I’m writing this for myself as much as for you.
Organizing for stressful times means planning what you will do for yourself when, not if, those times occur.
Here are my suggestions: (more…)
As part of my 10-year celebration of being in the organizing business, I thought I’d revisit this old blog post and see if I still agreed with myself. I do.
Don’t believe everything you think! Here are the top 10 organizing myths, along with the truth and some helpful links to related blog posts and flow charts.
Organizing Myths #1 & 2: Neat equals organized. & Messy equals disorganized.
Truth: Not necessarily!
I know how to get stuff done, and I can teach you how, too. I have tools and systems for all the stages of workflow (collect, process, organize, review and do). I have an inbox and project lists which I clear and review weekly. I say no to activities that don’t support my goals and priorities. For the most part I capture and process new tasks as they occur to me, adding them to my Master Project List or scheduling them on my calendar. I have a notebook handy for capturing stray thoughts when I want to stay focused on my current activity and not worry about losing the thought.
But life happens. Sometimes I get lazy, or sick, or preoccupied, or I’m traveling, or busier than usual, and stuff piles up (physical and mental clutter), and I start to get overwhelmed. (more…)
The first thing you should know is that I am not a psychologist and this is not a scientific paper. I’m just a professional organizer sharing some personal observations. The second thing you should know is that I’m not organized in every possible way at all possible times! And my standards (what “organized” looks like, and how it works at my house) may differ from yours. But, as a rule, I’m more organized than my clients are.
So, why am I organized and you aren’t? Here are some theories, in no particular order. Which one sounds true for you? (more…)
It’s popular these days to claim that a balanced life is impossible to achieve. So why try? I agree that it’s a waste of energy to strive for a perfect balance between your work life and personal life. And it’s certainly not going to be balanced every day, or every week. To the extent that you can integrate the two, by working at something you love and being your own boss, more power to you! But I still think there are ways to restore balance to your life when you find yourself listing to one side and going in circles.
I love this quote:
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.” — Albert Einstein
What else can bicycle riding teach us about life? Here are some lessons I’ve learned:
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