Archive for Organization
Getting Out of the House in the Morning
Posted by: | CommentsA tale of two mornings
Her alarm goes off. She hits the snooze. Stayed up too late last night. The alarm goes off, she hits the snooze again. The third time the alarm clock almost ends up being thrown, but instead she grudgingly gets out of bed.
She quick checks her email, facebook, pinterest before realizing now she has to rush to get the kids and herself ready. She sets the kids down in front of the TV with a bowl of cereal while she quick takes a shower after rushing to find an outfit.
When she gets out, kids haven’t made any progress yet on getting ready. They got sucked into the TV. She yells for them to get a move on. She decides there is no time for grooming and just slaps some lipstick on. She wrangles the kids who are looking for a shoe, a backpack and a lunch.
They are going to be late. She decides she will just have a coffee for breakfast on the way. As if she wasn’t wired enough. But, she feels so tired. She drives a little too fast and has a couple close calls. By the time she gets to work or her appointment she is frazzled.
In the house next door, her alarm goes off before the kids wake up. She gets up thinking of something she is looking forward to during the way to pry herself out of bed. She has a regular bedtime, so it’s easier for her to get up in the morning. Even if she doesn’t get "everything" done she wants to the night before, she knows how important sleep is to her day.
She centers herself with prayer or meditation before a quick walk or a little yoga. The kids wake up and start working on their get ready checklist. Breakfast and their clothes are laid out the night before. There are a few nudges to get back on track. When they are done, then they are able to watch TV if they want.
She grabs the clothes she laid out the night before. She takes a quick shower thinking a good outcome for this day. She peeks out to see how the kids are doing, does a little managing then gets her grooming done.
Only then does she check her phone for the news and peeks at her email while eating her breakfast.
They have time to chat as they get coats and backpacks on and get in the car. They know they aren’t going to be late, so there is an easy-going conversation (and a few "he’s touching mes"). After dropping the kids off, she is on her way.
Which house sounds more like your house in the morning? Are there any tweaks you can make to create a calmer morning?
How Green is Your Grass?
Posted by: | Comments“If the grass is greener on the other side it’s probably getting better care.” – Earl Nightingale
Ouch, but it’s true most of the time. We like to think some people were born lucky, and it’s not fair and everything should be easy. But, as a general rule the person you are jealous of has worked very hard.
Which is good, because that means we can do it, too. If it’s only about luck or right connections we don’t have a chance. But, if it’s about doing the work – we can do it.
It also mean you have a choice. Is the time it takes to do the work, worth it to you? Maybe you’d love to be extra fit and run marathons. But are you willing to put in the work and time? You’d love the house to always look great, but do you want to put in the work and time to get it that way? In your heart, what are your true priorities?
Does everything have to be done to the perfectionistic standards? Or can you let go of some of that?
That person you are jealous of because of their great cooking, or powerful career may not have a perfect house or may have 20 pounds they’d love to lose.
No one has the time or energy to be excellent at everything. Becoming masterful takes a lot of time. So some things we do can be average. Or even below average.
Does that idea freak you out? Don’t worry, that’s just your ego talking.
Make your choices based on your strengths, not your ego. What are you going to water so your grass will be green?
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Photo by Designs by Kari
Simple Packing
Posted by: | CommentsAs we are thinking about our vacation, someone else asked about packing simply. It’s rare that people think they didn’t pack enough. We forget that in most places we travel we can pick up something if we really need it. I always use a packing list. Because otherwise I forget things. My husband can pack in just a few minutes and get everything. But, not me. I have it on my computer so I can change it up depending on where we go and if we are camping.
I love to pack clothes with just a couple colors so I can wear the same jewelry and makeup all week. This is the biggest simplifier. I will be wearing shades of purple and black a la the Vivienne Files. That site has some great packing wardrobes. Roll clothes like knits and jeans that don’t wrinkle easily. Top with clothes that wrinkle more easily. Then tuck small items like undies and socks in the corners and empty spots.
One thing I have noticed in recent years is that people bring more kid’s stuff. Bikes, boats, toys, electronics. I remember going on camping trips as a kid and we brought sand toys, a couple games and books. And that was all the entertainment we brought. So we did a lot of wandering in nature, playing with bugs and creating imaginative scenes. A little boredom for the kids I think is good. Because then they have to get creative and explore.
Below are packing lists for different destinations and activities. Think about the weather and what you will be doing, so you don’t take unnecessary items. Think about getting heavy items at your destination. Do you really need to carry extra heavy batteries or will they have them where you are going?
Keep asking, "Do I really need this?" Perhaps give your hair a break by leaving the curling iron and hair dryer at home.
Footwear takes up lots of room, so think about what you will be doing and the minimum you can get away with. Maybe just walking shoes and sandals.
Bring ebooks instead of paperbacks. And if you do bring paperbacks, when you are done reading it you can pass it on to someone else to read. Maybe leaving it in the hotel lobby with a note that people can take it.
Remember to have room for what you will buy. If you are planning on getting some cute clothes on your trip, pack less clothes.
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Some packing lists:
What are your best packing tips?
Changing Your Relationship with Time
Posted by: | CommentsRe: New Time Class- Limited Room – March 5, 2012
Attention: Hurried, overwhelmed individuals with too much too do and not enough time to do it
Ask yourself: do you want to live your life in a constant state of hurry and worry?
When it comes to time, have you tried system after system but nothing works?
Or do you keep all your to dos in your head hoping you don’t forget anything?
Or worse, have a time system that takes so much time to manage you wonder if it’s even worth it?
We all want to feel in control of our time, but how do you do it?
I’ve had some questions about the above time class, I thought I’d answer here.
1) What if I can’t make the classes?
About half of the class members don’t make classes. You will get a transcript of each of the classes, the lessons and the workbook. And you can email me any questions you want. Classes are 8pm Eastern. To find your time zone click here.
2) I’ve never done a chat room. That technology makes me a little scared.
It’s simple, simple, simple. Once you login as a guest or register with a user name and password you pick out, you go to the chat room. Then you type in the box and click to submit. Easy as sending an email.
3) Help, I have to many to dos and I don’t know what to do next!
I thought Time Management was the answer. If only I could plan my time well enough and do enough multi-tasking, it would be "enough." I wrote articles with time tweaks and tips which help, but didn’t solve the underlying problem.
I’ve gone through Franklin planners, Bubble planners, Day Timers, a huge monthly calendar, Remember the Milk, numerous online or computer time programs. But, I didn’t stick with many long.
Why?
I didn’t stick with any because when my to dos got to be so many, the program became overwhelming. So I’d quit and start fresh with a new program.
What I didn’t realize was that it wasn’t the program that was the problem. It was my whole relationship with time.
Changing the relationship
For the past couple years, I have gone from seeing time as a tyrannical task master to seeing time as an abstract concept. It’s fluid and subjective.
Now:
- I rarely rush even when I think I will be late.
- I no longer have to do lists that seize me up as soon as I look at them.
- I know the difference between Soft Time and Hard Time
- My priorities are actual priorities
- I listen to my intution more when finding my next to do
- I have quit my over-planning tendency
Just the other day a friend and I were lost in Grand Rapids, MI. She said, "I am so glad you aren’t getting all upset that we will be late for the concert." Time just isn’t a concept I like to get upset about anymore.
Enroll in the 4-Week "Change Your Relationship with Time" Class Now – Limited Room – starts March 5, 2012
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$37 |
You can find out more info on the class here: Change Your Relationship to Time
Weekly Simplicity Tips
Posted by: | CommentsWelcome to this week’s issue of Weekly Simplicity Tips. This weekend we commemorated the 1 year anniversary of my 18 year old son’s death. I am so thankful for the support of my family and friends.
- Where do you need to follow your soul?
- Take care of one unfinished business that is weighing you down.
- Think of your work (home or out of the home) with gratitude. What does your work provide you?
- Take a look at your goals or intentions you set at the beginning of the year. Do something to move a goal forward.
- Where have you overloaded your schedule unnecessarily?
- Work with the time you have, instead of idealizing the perfect day.
- Every hour ask yourself if this is the most important thing you could be doing right now.
Solutions
Change Your Relationship to Time Class
Attention: Hurried, overwhelmed individuals with too much too do and not enough time to do it
Ask yourself: do you want to live your life in a constant state of hurry and worry?
When it comes to time, have you tried system after system but nothing works?
Or do you keep all your to dos in your head hoping you don’t forget anything?
Or worse, have a time system that takes so much time to manage you wonder if it’s even worth it?
We all want to feel in control of our time, but how do you do it?
My goal is to help you change your relationship with time.
http://www.encouragingcoach.com/programs-timecourse.html
Plan for Who You Are
Posted by: | CommentsAfter being out three evenings in a row, I told my daughter I was ready to just veg at home for the next few days because as an introvert all that interaction wears me out. She said, "But, you can’t be an introvert. You love people and you talk to them." I had to explain that introversion and extroversion is more about how you get your energy. Not how social you are. Introverts get their energy from alone time and extroverts perk up surrounded by people.
I had to lend her the book I had just finished reading called Quiet, by Susan Cain.
After reading this book, I knew even better how to create a life that matches me and my introverted roots. I was reminded not to plan 3 evenings in a row of social activity or three weekends in a row of visiting friends and family. And that it’s o.k. to have a long quiet time in the morning that doesn’t seem all that productive. I don’t need to go to big networking events. I can network online and in small groups. Or even better one on one. I don’t have to feel badly that I put space between my coaching calls, when the experts say you should do them one after the other.
And if you are an extrovert, make sure you get plenty of outside stimulation. If you work from home, you may want to work at a coffee shop. It’s alright to have daily phone calls with your friends. We don’t have to apologize for being who we are.
Introversion and extroversion are just part of the puzzle. Where else to you get energy? What else lights up your life? Being outside? Reading? Trying new things? Napping? Music?
Plan your life so you can get more of what brings this energy to you. What can you plan in the next couple of days that helps you be who you are?
Letting Go of Time Fillers
Posted by: | CommentsToday is the beginning of lent, a great time to re-evaluate how you spend your time. People are talking about giving up things. The original purpose was to give up things to strengthen your self-discipline and to make room in your life for extra praying, fasting and giving.
What in your life is not contributing to your life? What can you let go of to make room for what matters? What do you waste time doing too often?
Some people are talking about giving up Facebook, Pinterest, news, TV, magazines, gaming, complaining or gossip.
If you let go some something, what would have have time for? One person I know if giving up facebook to have more time to do things she loves to do like sew and get out into nature. Another is using the time to help her sister plan her wedding. Maybe you could re-discover your spiritual life. Or learn to cook. Or gather with friends more often. Or declutter. Or catch up on your reading. Maybe you could discover what volunteering would light you up.
What are you longing for in your life?
How different would your life be if you gave up the easy time fillers for some real renewal in your life? Even for just a little time. What are you going to do?
Paperwork on the Go
Posted by: | CommentsI got an email from a person in my declutter group, asking how to deal with papers when not at home.
When I was working out of the home, I used an expandable file folder – like this:
http://www.printglobe.com/
(Except mine I got free from my insurance company 
There are usually 6 or 7 slots. So things to sort can go in one, to do, to pay, to read, trash unless you have a trash nearby.
It’s great if you are waiting at the doctor’s or waiting for the kids. I used to take care of paper on my lunch break at work sometimes.
It’s very light and portable. The papers aren’t all over so you can sort, or take action on your paper where ever you are.
Water Bottles
Posted by: | CommentsEvery time I opened the tupperware cabinet, it seemed water bottles would fly out at me.
Before
I was at Goodwill this week and found a $2 basket and I had an idea.
First, I got rid of the extra water bottles. How many did we even use? How many did we really need at any given time?
These I let go of
Then I put the remainder in the long basket facing the back. Now I could pull out the basket if I needed water bottles and they wouldn’t be tipping over all the time.
After
Whole Grain Storage
Posted by: | CommentsI took a nutrition class on whole grains and filled my cabinet with millet, quinoa, couscous, steel-cut oats. And now my cabinet had a bunch of bags of grains.
Before
The same Goodwill that I found the water bottle basket, I found a big, clear plastic tub. Perfect size for all my grains. Now instead of sorting through all the grains in the cabinet I pull down the tub and find the grain I want right away.
After
What needs containerizing in your cabinets?
