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Achieve Results at Home, At Work, and In Life
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Hello, and welcome to the new subscribers!
Winter is really dumping a lot of snow on us this year in many parts of the U.S. I am already starting to crave spring and warmth. Hopefully, we will get through the rest of the winter without too much more white stuff!
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Lisa presenting at the Junior League of Orange County's Winter Leadership Forum
| I have great news to share. I was approached by a publisher in early January with the possibility of writing an organizing book. After discussion and negotiation, I am pleased to report that I am, indeed, writing an organizing book to be launched in the fall by Peter Pauper Press. The book is actually a planner/guide that will cover getting organized at home and work, and will include interactive exercises, places to journal, checklists, etc. It will be a perfect gift to purchase for yourself or someone else that you think would love to become better organized. More details will follow. In the meantime, I will be busy writing! (And if you absolutely can't wait for the new book, you can purchase my e-book, DECIDE™ to be Organized: An Empowering Process for Change on my site now. See the Lisa Recommends section for details below!)
Speaking of writing, this month's feature article is all about taking the organizing process step-by-step and is a play on Anne Lamott's fabulous book about writing, Bird by Bird. It is a former blog post that resonated with many readers, as people tend to take on too much when attempting to get organized. Let the article be a reminder to take it one step at a time.
Wishing you warmth during these cold winter days ~
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"The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we
created them."
~ Albert Einstein |
Attempting To Get Organized? Take it 'Bird by Bird'
 One of the best books on writing - and life itself for that matter - is Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. Among the pearls of wisdom she offers in her funny, witty style, is to take baby steps. Apparently, when she was a child, her brother was facing writer's block as he attempted to write a book report on various species of birds. He was overwhelmed, realizing there was so much to do, and didn't know where to start. Her father advised her then 10-year-old brother to, "Just take it bird by bird."
Wiser words were never spoken and not just about overcoming writer's block. The same can be said of how to get organized. One of the biggest obstacles that people face when attempting to 'get organized' is that they bite off more than they can chew. They forget that it took them years to get disorganized, and that they should allow ample time to reverse the trend. If you truly want to get better organized, the bottom line is that you have to be willing to make changes in your systems and the way you are doing things (or not doing things), and you have to be prepared to act - to put the principles in place. Be ready to put in the time to make or break habits - psychologists say it takes approximately 18 days to do so. Organizing is a way of life that requires maintenance and ongoing effort until it becomes second nature. Remember that change is a process, not an event. Don't try to change everything at once. Pick one area of your life that needs changing the most and focus on it first.
 So, how do you take it 'bird by bird' when organizing?
- First, do a 'brain dump.' This is when you put down on paper (or on your computer, in your iPhone, etc.) every organizing problem and challenge you face, all of the tasks and activities you need to accomplish to have a more organized home, office and life, and what your organizing goals are.
- Next, get your calendar out, and start scheduling organizing sessions with yourself. At the very least, map out one thing you intend to do and what steps it will take to do that, then schedule them. Even if it takes you six months of scheduling, in six months from now, you'll be better organized.
- In order to stay motivated while organizing, post your goals in a conspicuous place, especially if you are a visual person. Before and after photos also help many people get and stay motivated.
- Reward yourself along the way as you would with any other behavior modification program. For example, when you finish a certain portion of your organizing project, treat yourself to some stylish new organizing products, like bins or baskets (or any other dangling carrot that works for you!).
- Play music while you are organizing. Not only will it help you keep moving, but it can also serve as a great timer so that you don't overdo it and spend too much time organizing and burn out. When your favorite CD is over, so is your organizing session.
- Lastly, consider working with a buddy (perhaps as a couple?) in a team/group effort (a family project?), or go to the pros and hire a professional organizer. Involving others is often a great motivator and keeps you accountable!
Where and how do you start organizing?
- Attack what's visible first. For most people, this serves as the best motivator, gives them a sense of accomplishment and, therefore, offers the most 'bang for the buck.'
- Sort one section at a time, room by room. Try to finish an area, project, or room before moving onto the next. Remember, the space often looks worse before it looks better.
- The process of organizing is messy, as you have to pull everything out to sort, purge, and create new systems. Stay focused by making a separate box labeled "action" and tend to it later.
- Create an "out" box near the door of the room you are organizing for items that belong somewhere else in the home or work place. Do not leave the space you are organizing to go put things away!
I know it's tempting to try to tackle the whole house, office, or your life, but exercise some restraint. If not, you will most likely be setting yourself up for failure. Trying to do it all generally leads to feelings of overwhelm and inadequacy. Then you will wonder why you ever tried to get organized in the first place, and stop trying at all. Instead, just take it 'bird by bird.' |
Copyright 2010 © Lisa Montanaro
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEBSITE?
You can, as long as you use this complete statement:
Copyright 2010. Lisa Montanaro, "The Solutions Expert," is Principal of LM Organizing Solutions, LLC, a professional services firm created in 2002 that offers professional organizing, business and life coaching, and motivational speaking to individuals and organizations. Lisa publishes the monthly "DECIDE™ to be Organized" e-zine for the general public, and "Next Level Business Success" e-zine for professional organizers and entrepreneurs. Subscribe today at www.LMOrganizingSolutions.com. Lisa also publishes the Decide to be Organized Blog at www.DecideToBeOrganized.com. Through LMOS, Lisa helps people deal with the issues that block personal and professional change and growth. To explore how LMOS can improve your home or work environment, or help take your business to the next level, contact Lisa at (845) 988-0183 or by e-mail at Lisa@LMOrganizingSolutions.com. |
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The DECIDE™ to be Organized E-Book: Achieve Results at Home, at Work, and in Life!
 As I mentioned above in the Introduction, I am busy writing an organizing book, which will be an interactive guide to be released in fall 2010. But if you just can't wait, I already have a book ready for you! DECIDE™ to be Organized: An Empowering Process for Change is a 58-page e-book that is tidy but powerful. This book is less about the "stuff" and more about the thinking behind the "stuff." The DECIDE™ process allows you to go deep and examine the connection between decision-making and disorganization. It looks at the way you think and act with regard to organization, and offers an opportunity for an empowering change to occur. So, if you are ready now, check it out! It is priced at only $19.99 and is available by clicking here. |
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Lisa Montanaro, "The Solutions Expert," is Principal of LM Organizing Solutions, LLC, a professional services firm created in 2002 that offers professional organizing, business and life coaching, and motivational speaking to individuals and organizations. Lisa publishes the monthly "DECIDE™ to be Organized" e-zine for the general public, and "Next Level Business Success" e-zine for professional organizers and entrepreneurs. Lisa also publishes the DECIDE to be Organized Blog. Through LMOS, Lisa helps people deal with the issues that block personal and professional change and growth. To explore how LMOS can improve your home or work environment, or help take your business to the next level, contact Lisa at (845) 988-0183 or by e-mail at Lisa@LMOrganizingSolutions.com. |
Contact Information
Lisa Montanaro, JD, CPO
Certified Professional Organizer®, Business & Life Coach, Motivational Speaker
LM Organizing Solutions, LLC ™
PO Box 113
Warwick, NY 10090
(845) 988-0183
www.LMOrganizingSolutions.com
Lisa@LMOrganizingSolutions.com |
You're receiving this email because of your relationship with LM Organizing Solutions, LLC. We respect your privacy and know you're busy. You may unsubscribe by clicking the link below if you no longer wish to receive this e-zine.
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