Peace of Mind Organizing

"Don't Break the Chain"

9 January 2008

As part of my new emphasis on time management this year, I started off the new year by checking out some productivity blogs. I came across this great post on the wonderful blog Lifehacker that introduced to me a concept that in just a few short days has really had an impact on me.

That post credits Jerry Seinfeld with explaining the concept of accomplishing things on a daily basis. He recommended to the writer that if you have something you’d like to create a habit of doing every day (in Seinfeld’s case, write; in my case end the day with a clear desk) mark an X on a calendar each day you do it. After you’ve accumulated a few X’s, you won’t want to break the visual chain you’ve created.

Sounded like a good idea to me. I downloaded (also from Lifehacker) a year-long compact calendar and as soon as I got my desk all cleared off (a couple of days later), I started making my X’s on the calendar, which I put on a bulletin board.

But then Lifehacker turned me on to something even better. Inspired by the Seinfeld blog post, someone (I’m afraid I don’t know who) created this website, Don’t Break the Chain. It allows you to create your chain and mark each day on the calendar when you’ve accomplished your task. Here’s a screenshot:

I can’t tell you how satisfying it is to make that X. It really does motivate me to clean off my desk. It’s interesting because I know from experience how powerful it is to have a clean desk every morning. I just haven’t been able to keep it up. Now it’s only been a few days, but I’m feeling very jazzed up by this.

Thank you, Lifehacker! And thank you, Jerry Seinfeld.

That craving for order

4 January 2008

On New Year’s Day, I was inclined to write in my journal. I wrote about my aspirations for the year, and so forth. In years past, I wrote in my journal quite a bit…it was a real stress reliever for me. Now, I pretty much write only on special occasions.

Before I sat down to write in my journal on January 1, 2008, I decided to read the entry I wrote on January 1, 1998. I don’t throw away old journals; they’re stored in a filing cabinet drawer. I found the 10-year-old spiral-bound book (I use Miguelrius journals, like this Bright Spot one).

It was an interesting read. My aspirations have certainly changed, since I was three years into my freelance writing business ten years ago. (I’m happy to report that some of aspirations were realized.) But there was one theme that still resonates 10 years later: I wrote about my need for order. I wrote about how important order was for me, how I knew how to achieve it, but how it always seemed to be just beyond my reach.

That craving for order still resides within me. I know now more than ever how to achieve order. And I achieve it regularly. But I have not mastered maintaining it. I’m still always searching for the perfect system, when I know that the perfect system for maintaining order resides within me.

I hope that 2008 is the year that I figure out a way to maintain the order I crave. After a crazy busy December, I’m starting the new year out with a pretty messy home and office. I’ll get that cleaned up fairly easily, because I really do have a place for everything. But the thing I want to work on is establishing the routines and habits that allow me to effortlessly pair “A place for everything” with “Everything in its place.” I need to put stuff away! That’s the key to living mess- and clutter-free.

Workspace order

3 January 2008

I was interviewed recently for an article at AuditNet, a website for auditors, about clearing your workspace and keeping it in order. Check out my tips at the Q&A here: Taming Office Clutter

I’m going to implement some of those suggestions and get my own workspace cleared today (just a day or two late)!

Happy new year!

1 January 2008

I just love the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. I usually try to spend time cleaning out/cleaning up and planning. This year, I didn’t really, because I was visiting my parents in Walla Walla, Washington until the 28th and mostly I’ve been relaxing since I’ve been home.

But here it is the first day of the year and I find myself wanting to write down goals, figure out systems for making life easier, and (still) cleaning out/cleaning up. My office needs some major help, which I’d hoped to accomplish yesterday. So the plan today is see how much progress I can make in decluttering and straightening up my office in half a day and spend the other half knitting and/or filling in my notebook at the wonderful knitting social community, Ravelry.

One of my goals for 2008 is more regular blogging, so starting my day by posting here seemed appropriate. I think the theme of 2008 for me is going to be time management. That seems to be my biggest challenge. As my business has grown, I’ve had some difficulty balancing the work obligations (working with clients, keeping up with my training and education, staying on top of my NAPO St. Louis responsibilities, and keeping my business running smoothly) and my personal life (keeping a semblance of order in the house, doing things with and for family and friends, having fun and, of course, knitting). If I can master that balance in 2008, I’ll be very, very pleased. In any event, my trying to come up with solutions to achieve that balance should be helpful to my clients!

As we contemplate this new year, I wish for you the opportunity to set and accomplish goals that will make you really happy.

Got organizing questions?

18 December 2007

I’m the featured organization expert next week on Gimundo.com. All this week, readers have the opportunity to submit organizing questions they’d like answered. Next week I’ll be answering them.

If you have an organizing question you’d like me to answer on the Gimundo website, click here.

I’m really looking forward to this!

Must-watch TV

9 December 2007

If you like watching organizing shows on TV, you’re in for a treat. Fine Living Network has a new show called Time Makeover that focuses on time management.

My friend, Geralin Thomas of Metropolitan Organizing in Cary, N.C. is the time-management expert on two of the episodes. I just finished watching one of them and I’m here to tell you that she rocks! She’s great on TV and her suggestions were terrific.

Here are the two episodes Geralin has done (so far—I hope and trust the network will ask her to do more):

• The Shedricks (the second airing is tonight at 7 pm central)

• The Damares (the second airing is next Sunday at 7 pm central)

Of course the other episodes with other time-management experts are also excellent. I just have to put a plug in for Geralin, because she’s a fabulous person and really so enjoyable on the show.

With the Writers Guild of America on strike (I fully support the writers), pickings are pretty slim on TV these days. Set your DVR to record this new show and you’ll have something new to watch that’s both enjoyable and informative.

My first newsletter is out

8 December 2007

I decided to offer a quarterly newsletter with a little article, a tip, and an offer. Maybe a little news. I have a signup on my website. This first issue is about clutter-free gift giving, streamlined gift wrapping, and offers a little discount on coaching services. It also announces that I’m the new president of the St. Louis chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers.

If you’re interested in receiving the newsletter, please do sign up. I’ll send the first issue out again to new subscribers right after Christmas.