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Get Organized and Find Fulfillment

March 18th, 2013

I’ve previously written about how clearing the clutter from your life can help you be more prosperous. I’ve just finished reading another book that supports the same concept: The Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity: A Simple Guide to Unlimited Abundance by Edwene Gaines. Ms. Gaines describes her own journey from poverty to prosperity and gives those of us who may feel guilty about doing so permission to live a life of abundance. While that abundant life may be rich in physical possessions, she indicates that it should also include fully using our talents and letting the light of our abilities shine for the world to see and benefit from.

One concept from the book in particular resonated with me is be who you really are. I spent 20 years in a variety of accounting and finance jobs before I realized that I wasn’t being who I really was. I was going through the motions of going to work every day with the knowledge that in the big scheme of things, my job was insignificant. My lack of fulfillment led me to do some soul-searching and I was lucky enough to discover a great outlet for my skills. My job as an organizing and productivity coach not only allows me to fully use my talents, but the fact that I get to help other people live a better life give me the fulfillment I was missing in my corporate jobs.

Many of my clients, especially those with ADHD, struggle to fit into the square hole that the world seems to offer them. They spend time and money building a life that reflects what they think the world wants them to be, rather than being who they really are. They may have a job that they don’t find fulfilling; or live in a home that doesn’t bring them joy or reflect who they are; or go to social events that make them feel like an actor in someone else’s play. As I help them with the process of de-cluttering and organizing their life, they often discover their authentic self and that allows us to create an environment that brings them joy.

For example, I recently coached a client on how to develop and practice time management skills in her workplace. We talked about how she was spending her time versus how she wanted to spend her time; what she was getting done versus what she wanted to get done; what she always seemed to make time for versus what she never seemed to have time for. As we sketched out how her work week would look, she realized that none of it would bring her joy. Even if she worked more efficiently, she wouldn’t find her job fulfilling. She eventually left that job and started her own business in a completely different field. When she thanked me for helping her make the most of her skills, she also expressed her desire to “encourage other adults like me that following passion and being happy is SO liberating.”

Does your life allow you to follow your true passion? Is your environment cluttered with possessions that don’t reflect who you are and who you want to become? Is your home or workplace filled with clutter that prevents you from moving forward on your journey to discover your true self? Are your days filled with activities that prevent you from achieving your greatest possibilities? These can be scary questions to ponder, but you can go through the process of getting organized at a pace that’s comfortable for you as you find the answers. As you work through your organizing challenges, you’ll move along the path towards living a fulfilling life that will let your light shine before the world. Good luck on your journey, and feel free to contact me if you’d like help along the way.

Wishing you simplicity, harmony and freedom,

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Posted in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Goals, Simplicity

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Lists Can Help You Gain Control

October 1st, 2012

Get the oil on the car changed; plan Saturday’s dinner party; write thank you note to Jenna – these are the items on my to-do list for today. And I mean an actual written list, not just some ideas floating around in my head. Why, you may ask, would I need to write these down? After all, it’s only three things. Writing things down prevents me from forgetting things, helps me know what to focus on, and frees me from the stress of having to remember. Writing it isn’t the same as having it in my head – a written list is like a best friend who gently reminds me what and when I should be working on hings to keep me out of trouble. A written list puts me in control of my day, and it can do the same for you.

I have several lists that help me take advantage of the power of writing things down, and I’m sharing them with you here. If you’d like a complete collection of all the forms and lists that help me and my clients stay organized, check out my APPLES Resource Guide. Fear not, Jenna – your thank-you note is in the mail!

Before I start describing my lists, I want to comment on what form your lists can take. I prefer written lists – they work well with my paper planner and I like the hand-to-brain connection of writing things down. You may prefer electronic lists – something you can save on your computer or carry around on your smart phone. Here are two resources that can get you started on making electronic lists: IQtell and Lifehacker. I’d love to hear what electronic lists you like to use.

Okay, on to my list of lists:

Master To-Do List This is where I write down things I have to do that I’m not quite sure when I’ll do. For example, I want to follow my own advice and update my emergency plans (e.g., what to do if a tornado wipes out my home). I could just choose a date to do it and jot it down on the corresponding page in my planner. However, my next couple of months are very full so I’m not quite sure when I’ll do it. Rather than trusting that I’ll remember to do it at some point, I’ve added it to my master to-do list. I keep this list in my planner, review it once a week (the reminder to do so is on my Weekly To-Do List) and schedule anything I’m ready to commit to doing. You can read more about a master do-do list in my previous blog posting.

Weekly To-Do List My weekly to-do list is typed onto a notecard that moves from Sunday to Sunday (attached via paper clip) in my paper planner. It reminds me to do things like water the houseplants, plan next week’s meals (check out my previous blog posting on meal planning), and prepare for next week’s clients. My houseplants, hungry family and clients appreciate my being on top of these things.

Daily To-Do List I have two kinds of daily to-do lists; one is similar to what most people use – I pick three to five things I want to get done on any given day and write those in my planner. But I also have a daily list that’s typed on a notecard and moves from day to day in my planner. It lists recurring tasks I want to attend to each day, like water my outdoor flowers, thaw the next day’s dinner (thanks to planning meals each week, this is easy), and check some of my social media sites. Even though I remember to do most of these things without looking at the list, having them written down keeps things from falling through the cracks.

Here’s a link to my newsletter where you can read more about the lists that keep me organized. I’d love to hear what lists you use to help you stay on top of things

Wishing you simplicity, harmony and freedom,

 

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Posted in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Organizing Process, Time Management

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Family with ADHD Gets Organized Together

September 13th, 2012

My favorite part about my job is that I help people improve the quality of their lives – whether I’m working with them side by side or by phone, or even through my blog or newsletter. I received an email from someone I’ve never met, but who was inspired by my writings to set herself and her family on the path towards being organized. I’m sharing her note to inspire you to discover the simplicity, harmony and freedom of being organized in your own home:

“Dear Sue,
My 10 year old son is diagnosed ADHD and my husband and I, we suspect, also have some ADHD in us.  So it’s great to see someone addressing these types of issues when it comes to organization.

Your posts are always so helpful.  I just read your blog post on clutter and financial prosperity.  That is so true, both directly and indirectly!  I also read over your back to school post which is a great reminder for us.  And I just planned out my menu for the remainder of the week.  I try to plan menus and it doesn’t always happen but when it does things definitely run smoother.

Wanted to share my story with you…maybe you’ve mentioned something like this in the past in your blog but here goes. I’ve been struggling all summer to declutter my home. I went back to work full-time a little over 2 years ago.  It was a big transition then and things are now starting to really pile up, closets bulging, financial papers in disarray, etc., etc.  We have a bi-weekly cleaning service come in but I think that actually makes the clutter worse as things are put in piles and stashed away for cleaning. Even though everything looks great after a cleaning, by the end of 2 weeks, things are everywhere again and have to be pile or stashed away;  the cycle repeats itself.  So I’ve decided the whole house needs a good decluttering and downsizing of stuff….I’ve made a little progress this summer but then I get tired, overwhelmed, overly perfectionist-y, burned out and turn my attention elsewhere. It’s almost the end of the summer and my list is still pretty long.

This week, I decided to ask my family for help. My husband can’t stand clutter but he doesn’t know what to throw away, put away, etc. When I was a stay at home mom, we got into some bad habits of me handling everything in the home. So, he usually gets overwhelmed, moves things around a little bit and just retreats to the basement.  Then there are the kids…they are 10 and 6.  They certainly don’t want to waste their free time cleaning. But I can’t do it all.  I am also making a serious effort at getting fit so my time is limited.

So yesterday morning, I wrote them all a sweet note and informed them of my intentions to start the school year organized. I wrote that I would like them all to help and we would start in the evening with our craft pantry and plastics drawers.  Then I left for work before they got up.

When I picked up the kids at the end of the day and asked them about my plan, they were not thrilled. Neither was my husband. But after dinner and some downtime, my daughter and I got started.  And eventually, the guys got involved, too.  I gave them jobs they could handle…I had the kids help me take items out of the drawer. Then together we went through the different cups and decided which to throw away. My husband glued a found broken item. Then he was ready to wipe down the drawers and put everything away. He didn’t put things away exactly the way I would but it was done and organized, which is all that matters. (big aha moment for me!)  The kids and I started on the craft cabinet which really took an all-hands-on-deck approach. To my surprise, they did a really good job of letting things go and my daughter was downright relentless (lol)! We decided we should add a couple of shelves to the cabinet so my husband worked on that. At bedtime, everything still needed to be put away. I took care of that and sent everyone to bed. I ran out of time but will finish putting the last few items away tonight. It should only take a few minutes.

What I’ve been trying to accomplish all summer, the family finished in a couple of hours. In addition to some cleaner spaces and checking off some nagging projects, we also got the unexpected benefits of family bonding and a feeling of teamwork. At one point, one of the kids said it was actually kind of fun!  And I don’t know how many times I heard, “Oh! That’s where that is!”  Now, hopefully the kids will also take some pride in their work and help keep things cleaner. Now we have some momentum and I think we’re going to tackle our dining room tonight.

Well, thanks for listening to my long story. Since you “helped” do this in a sense, I thought you should know. I know it was only half of a pantry and a couple of drawers but I think this is the start of something big in our
home.
Take care,
Chris”

Thanks so much for sharing, Chris – please check in again and let us all know how you’re doing. I’d love to hear from other readers about how your organizing journey is going. And if you need a bit of help, either in person or by phone, please get in touch.

Wishing you simplicity, harmony and freedom,

 

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Posted in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Home Organizing, Organizing Process

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Improve Your Focus by Minimizing Distractions

June 4th, 2012

As we transition into summer, it’s sometimes hard for me to stay focused on work-related tasks. Sunshine, singing birds, gentle breezes, even rainstorms all serve as potential distractions to my well-planned summer work schedule. I know many of you, especially those with AD/HD, face a similar challenge –staying focused when there are dozens of things hollering for your attention. Here are some ideas to help you stay on course yet still have time for fun in the sun:

Plan around your peak mental energy time. What time of day are you the most alert? Use that time to work on difficult, unpleasant tasks that require a lot of mental calories – you’ll be more likely to stay on task when your brainpower matches the complexity of the task at hand.

Remove physical distractions. Whether you’re working on a project at your desk or trying to get dinner on the table, remove things from view that might take you away from the task at hand. Put away papers and files you’re not currently working on before you pull out a new project; clean up remnants of past meals before starting to prepare a new one. If you’re working in a space that’s particularly messy and distractions are hard to put away, cover the areas you won’t be working on with a sheet to hide them from view.

Write it down. On a sticky note, jot down what you intend to be working on and put it where you can see it – next to your computer monitor, on your phone, on your hand – you get the idea. This visual reminder can rein you in when you’re starting to stray.

Use a timer. Set a timer at periodic intervals to check in with yourself and see if you’re working on what you intended.  Depending on your susceptibility to distraction, the intervals can be as short as 10 minutes or as long as an hour.

Here’s a link to my newsletter where you can read more about how to stay focused and get things done. I’d love to hear how you manage to stay focused when the rest of the world is calling to you.

Wishing you simplicity, harmony and freedom,

 

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Posted in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Causes of Disorganization, Time Management

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Don’t Forget to Plan for Travel Time

February 16th, 2011

Senior woman in oldtimer carDo you feel like you’re always running late to appointments and events no matter how hard you try to be on time? Do you frequently lose patience when caught in traffic because you’re rushing to get somewhere? Many of my clients, especially those with ADHD, experience the same frustration.

One common cause of their recurring tardiness is not building travel time into their schedule. There are sometimes other issues as well, such as being anxious about arriving early and having nothing to do, but ignoring how long it takes to get somewhere is almost always part of the mix. 

So what’s the solution? Being cognizant of how long it takes to get somewhere is the first step. If you’re not good at estimating travel time (and certainly most people with ADHD are not), consider using an online mapping program (Mapquest, Google Maps, etc.) or a GPS to get you started. Add extra travel time to the estimate the program or GPS gives you, as appropriate. I sometimes go so far as to double the time given to account for traveling during a heavy traffic time of day. 

The next step is to record the travel time on your calendar (you do have a calendar, right?). If your appointment time is at noon, for example, and you’ve generously estimated it will take a half hour to get there, block off 11:30 – noon on your calendars so you can be sure you’ve set aside the right amount of time. Honor the 11:30 timeslot as importantly as you would that noon appointment – make sure you’re out the door when you need to be. 

Continue to increase your on-time arrival percentage by improving your travel time awareness. Pay attention to how long it takes to get places at various times of day; maybe it takes twice as long to get to a particular destination during rush hour as it does during midday, as long as accidents, weather conditions and other possible impediments aren’t a factor.

As I previously mentioned, there may be other issues that impact your on-time arrival, but planning for travel time will get you that much closer to being on time. I’d love to hear how well it works for you. 

Wishing you simplicity, harmony and freedom,

Signature Sue

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Posted in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Causes of Disorganization, Life Lessons, Time Management

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AD/HD and (Dis) Organization

September 13th, 2010

AD/HD FrustrationThis week (September 13-17, 2010) is AD/HD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) Awareness Week. AD/HD is characterized by inattentiveness, impulsivity and sometimes, hyperactivity (the official name is AD/HD regardless of whether or not someone has the hyperactivity component). Although someone may have some or all of these traits, personal history, collaborative reports and testing are required to provide an official diagnosis. Whether you have AD/HD or live or work with someone who does, I’d like to give you some information to help you understand how AD/HD affects people’s organization skills. This is by no means a complete discussion of this complex disorder, but an overview that I hope will make it easier for all touched by AD/HD to create environments that will help the affected persons be their best.

AD/HD is a neurobiological difference in the brain that affects “executive function”, the part of the brain that controls the processes of self- regulation (impulsivity), memory, focus, decision-making and planning. All of these skills are important in the organization process – either to set up an organizational system or to maintain it.

AD/HD in not just a childhood issue – it carries on into adulthood and can negatively impact relationships, including those at school or at work. After all, constantly being late, acting out in school, missing deadlines, etc. aren’t very socially acceptable.

Here are a few of my favorite tips to overcome some of the organizing challenges faced by people with (or without) AD/HD:

  • Prioritize your to-dos by asking, “What’s the most important thing I have to do today?” based on deadlines, financial impact, or other possible negative outcomes. Make a short list of today’s priorities (five or fewer items) and put it where you’ll see it.

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  • To combat distraction and memory issues, write down whatever task you want to be working on at the moment, then set a timer (preferably one that automatically resets) for 10 minutes. When the timer goes off, make sure you’re working on whatever you intended. If not, get back to it.

Here’s a link to my newsletter where I offer additional organizing tips for people with AD/HD. I’d love to hear what techniques you’ve found helpful to keep yourself or a friend or loved one with AD/HD organized.

Wishing you simplicity, harmony  and freedom,

Signature Sue

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Posted in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Causes of Disorganization, Chronic Disorganization, Organizing Challenges, Time Management

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Take a Break and Get More Done

July 21st, 2010

TAKE A BREAKWhen life gets busy (and when doesn’t it?) we often feel that we have to put our head down and plow full steam ahead to get as much done as possible. While it may seem counterintuitive, taking a break can actually help you accomplish more, and make life more enjoyable at the same time. Giving your mind (and body) a chance to rest can help refocus your attention and boost your energy as well as help relieve stress and sharpen your cognitive ability.

In their book, The Power of Full Engagement, energy management gurus Jim Loehr  and Tony Schwartz describe the physiological changes our bodies go through when we’ve reached a low point in our energy cycle. While techniques such as drinking coffee or eating a candy bar may successfully produce a short-term energy boost, they’re not a great substitute for our body’s natural cycle of engagement and recovery.

I’ve experienced this productivity recovery phenomenon first-hand. Back in my paper-writing days during college and grad school, I’d intentionally walk away from my current writing assignment for 15 minutes or so and be amazed at the renewed focus and energy I’d discover upon my return to the task. I’d also marvel at the ease with which I’d catch errors that I previously hadn’t noticed.  A fresh set of eyes and a clear mind made all the difference.

Taking breaks has also been shown to be highly beneficial for people with AD/HD. My own experience when working with clients with AD/HD has shown that when they take a short break of ten or so minutes, it breaks up the monotony (serving their desire for a change of pace) and boosts their energy. “Green” breaks during which they look outside (or even go outside) to look at the green grass or trees have also proven to be highly beneficial. A study by researchers at the University of Essex (England) found that just 5 minutes a day of exposure to nature is all you need to improve your mood and self-esteem.

To get yourself in the habit of taking breaks, determine what your concentration limit is and set a timer to remind yourself to walk away from your current project for a while. The length of the break is less important than the act of simply changing your focus for a moment – something as simple as taking a bathroom break can do wonders for your productivity. Maybe drinking eight glasses of water a day (or whatever the experts now say is the proper amount) can have a side benefit of boosting your productivity by making you take a bio break every few hours.

 So how will you minimize the mental field trips your mind takes as you work through your day?

Here’s to your life of simplicity, harmony and freedom,

Signature_Sue

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Posted in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Causes of Disorganization, Chronic Disorganization, Organizing Process, Time Management

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A Pro Can Help You Exercise Your Organizing Muscle – Part 2

May 26th, 2010

MUSCLE 2Last week I discussed some reasons why you might hire a professional organizer and how they’re similar to why you might hire a personal trainer. Here are some additional comparisons:

You need accountability.  Many of my clients tell me that just knowing I’m coming  to meet with them motivates them into action. Knowing that I’ll be calling or emailing them to check on how things are going is also a great motivator. So find someone to hold you accountable and see if that prompts you to keep things organized.

You have a condition that makes it hard to do it yourself. Depression, AD/HD, fibromyalgia, and hoarding tendencies are examples of the many conditions that may make it extremely hard to get and stay organize on your own. Working with an experienced organizer who is trained in these areas can help you move beyond what you ever imagined was possible. Organizers with the designation CPO-CD® (Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization) have gone through extensive training and testing to understand the special challenges these conditions cause. They can even work with your therapist or doctor to help you have the most effective outcome.

You have an impending event or other deadline. If you’re under a time crunch because company is coming, a parent is moving in, you’re moving, or some other special circumstance exists, an experienced organizer can help you create a plan of action to meet your deadline, as well as offer hands-on support to turn the plan into reality.

You want supervision and support during sessions. Maybe you’ve read organizing books and seen some of the organizing TV shows but you still want some guidance and encouragement as you go through the organizing process. An organizer can help you make sure you’re on the right track and help you develop a good plan of action to achieve your goals.

You want help using the equipment properly. Storage bins, file cabinets, shelving and similar supplies and equipment can play an important role in the organizing process. If you’re not sure how to make use of these tools, a professional organizer can help. They’ll show you how to use what you already have, give you guidance on what to purchase, and can even purchase items and set them up for you.

Let me know how your organizing “exercise”  program is going.

Best wishes,

Signature_Sue

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Posted in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Causes of Disorganization, Chronic Disorganization, Organizing Challenges, Organizing Process

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Organizing Time for the AD/HD Mind

April 7th, 2010

CLOCKTime – you can’t see or touch it, yet it plays a major role in our lives. There are many facets to time management, but I want to focus here on viewing time as something tangible, something you organize as you would any physical space. In her book, Time Management from the Inside Out, Julie Morgenstern gives a great example of comparing a cluttered schedule to a cluttered closet – your day is jam-packed with more things to do than your schedule can hold and tasks are randomly assigned to any available pocket of time, making it hard to see what you have to do in an orderly fashion.

To make your day easier to manage, consider having regularly-scheduled times to handle various categories of tasks. For example, have regular times to exercise, do housework, prepare meals, run errands, etc. Then you can get into a routine that helps you fit all of your required tasks into your week. This schedule (which I call a Time Map) is not intended to lay out the specifics of which exercises you’ll do, which household tasks you’ll do, or which errands you’ll run. Its purpose is to carve out the time for you to do whatever specific things are appropriate on that particular day. It allows you to group similar activities together and easily see what you have to do you (similarly to an organized closet). Here’s an example of a time map:

time map

You’ll see that there’s lots of white space – you don’t want your day so rigidly planned that it feels confining or unrealistic. However, you do want to specify when you’ll do the things you’ve identified as important so you can be sure to get them done. (You’ll find blank Time Maps and other forms and checklists to help you organize your time and life in my APPLES Resource Guide.)

If you find such a schedule seems too restrictive, or fear that scheduling your day will take away your creativity, simply use the time map as a guide to remind you of what you have to make time for each week. Each day you can determine which category of item you’re in the mood to do (e.g., should I make phone calls today or do housework?) and then work on the things that fit your mood. Just be sure that by the end of the week you’ve made time for everything you’ve said was important. Some days you may have to do things whether or not you’re in the mood because they just have to be done. You don’t have to like doing them, but know that it will feel good when they’re done (that’s how I view exercise). Try scheduling those difficult, unpleasant things when you have the most mental energy – for me that would be first thing in the morning.

Here’s to a productive day!

Signature_Sue

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Posted in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Chronic Disorganization, Time Management

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Organizing Papers for the AD/HD Mind

March 31st, 2010

Find PapersAs intimidating as paper seems, a few simple habits will help you keep it under control. I’ve written previously about how to handle incoming mail, so I’m going to focus here on handling papers you need to keep for reference. Many of my clients have a fear of filing: if they put a document in a file, they fear they’ll never find it again. But how findable are those same documents if they’re buried in piles and scattered throughout your home or office? Here are some things you can do to create a filing system you trust:

Choose vertical over horizontal. When papers are in a pile, only the item on top is visible, meaning you’ll have to spend time digging through the piles to find a specific item. Using a vertical system will allow you to find papers more quickly because you can see more than one item at a time. Desktop file holders, filing carts and crates, and step files all provide vertical filing while still keeping things in view rather than tucked away in a file drawer.

DESKTOP FILE HOLDER

File Crate File Cart

STEP FILE 

Use color to provide visual cues. Establish meaningful yet broad file categories and assign various colors to each category, using colored file folders to distinguish them. This will help you find papers quickly. For example, your financial information might be in green files, medical information in red files, and personal interest information in blue files. Not only will you learn to find things quickly by going to the proper color section of your filing system, but you’ll quickly see when something is filed out of place because the color will stand out. Here’s a picture of my own file cabinet – notice how the colored sections are easy to see.Color-coded file cabinet

Use other techniques to “see” your papers when they’re filed. If you still feel uneasy putting papers in file folders for fear of forgetting them, use clear hanging files, project files, or hanging plastic bags to file your papers. Create an index of your file folders so you can quickly scan the list to trigger your memory of what you’ve filed. You can also refer to the index before creating a new file to make sure papers don’t already have a home.

clear file folders

Project File

 

Create a work zone on your desk. Have you ever had papers disappear from your desk, only to be discovered later in a pile or file where they didn’t belong? Keeping an area of your desk clear for only the documents you’re currently working on will help prevent papers from disappearing into the wrong pile or file.

Let me know which of these techniques work for you, or if you’ve found other ways to turn your paper piles into smiles.

Best wishes,

Signature_Sue

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Posted in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Chronic Disorganization, Filing, Organizing Process, Paper Organizing

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