S.O.S. Blog #5 - 05/07/10

Are you a procrastinator? Maybe you just need to create a specific time in your schedule to get things done. Benjamin Franklin said, “A place for everything, and everything in its place.” Believe it or not, that’s all you really need to know about organizing: You make a place for things and then put them away!
When you consider your To Do list, you may ask yourself, “When am I going to do this?” or “How am I going to get all of this done?” Since the answer is probably, “I don’t know,” it’s easy to put things off until Later. Ben’s advice pertains to time, as well as stuff. “Make a place” in your life to focus on certain activities. Enter blocks of time - even 10 minutes (be realistic) - into your planner or calendar to really address those things you want to accomplish. Then, stick to your plan to “put them away.”
The same is true for the stuff we accumulate. Unfortunately, we want things put away but forget to first make places for them. Clutter and procrastination are signs that we don’t have enough designated places.
When we look at a document or other item and ask ourselves, “Where does this go?” the answer is often (usually!), “I don’t know.” So, we put it on a pile of other undecided paper or stuff it into a drawer or closet until we decide what to do with it. Clutter is really just a symptom of indecision. “I’m not sure, so I’ll put it here until I figure it out.” Again, it’s a matter of making enough places, which brings us to.....

Positive Spin Tip #5: The next step in the G.I.G.G.L.E.™ process is to GIVE IT A PLACE. You’ve already done the GET MOVING, IDENTIFY, and GROUP steps, so now it’s time to make places for those items you’ve identified and grouped together. Gathering like items into one place makes it easier to see what size or type of container you need for them. Measure the cupboard, closet, or drawer where items will be placed before purchasing boxes or other storage containers. Having a dedicated container (file folder, basket, box, etc.) helps to both give you boundaries or limits to what you save and makes it simpler to find things later on.
Wish you had someone to guide you through the G.I.G.G.L.E.™ process? I’d love to help you - in person or over the phone. It’s amazing how much we can accomplish during one phone session! Just send your request (or desperate plea) to Susi@MessDistress.com - we can G.I.G.G.L.E.™ together:)

S.O.S. Blog #2 - 01/07/10

I don’t know what the weather is like where you are, but here in Isanti, Minnesota it’s FREEZING! Not only that, the wind is blowing like crazy so we have a wind chill factor of -11 (yes, that’s a minus sign). The streets are practically empty since most of us are staying cocooned at home if at all possible. It has been suggested (mostly by me) that the cold temperatures keep us preserved so we live longer, but today I believe that’s only true if you can stay indoors wrapped in a cuddly blanket or curled up in front of a toasty fireplace.
So, what can be positive about such frigid, windy weather - other than the living longer concept, of course? Well, as I drove past the Post Office today I noticed that the flag was totally unfurled, displaying all the stars and stripes to their fullest beauty. It gave me a moment of patriotic pride and made me think of how we sometimes look and do our best during challenging times.
Think about it. When you are under pressure to finish a project, hold back tears or fear in front of your child, drive on icy roads, or camouflage pain in front of a crowd or client, don’t you push yourself to give it your best effort? The times you shine are when you have had to polish your behavior or mindset to accomplish something important or meaningful. We notice the flag more when it is waving in the breeze (or frostbiting wind) than when it is sagging against the pole.
Positive Spin Tip #2: For the next several blogs I’m going to share the G.I.G.G.L.E.™ process for organizing just about anything. The first step (G.) is to Get Moving. When clients ask me where they should start in tackling a cluttered room, desk, closet, etc. I respond, “What’s bugging you the most?” It doesn’t matter so much where you start as that you start.
JUST do something!
Just DO something!
Just do SOMETHING!
Motion creates energy. Once you get started, it will be easier to keep moving.
Watch for Blog #3 for some tips on how to actually get yourself going. If you need help organizing your home, office, or life, find me at http://www.MessDistress.com