I bet a lot of people wonder about that!

So here’s an edited version of my reply.

Step 1: Get Your Groove Back

1. Forget about organizing for now, and focus instead on re-building your confidence and motivation.
2. Spend what time and energy you have available on eating well, exercising, and resting.
3. Expose yourself to positive, uplifting books, CDs, people, movies and music. As far as possible without stressing yourself out further, stay away from anything negative or draining.
4. Get a check-up from your doc – who knows what underlying aliment, or even mild depression, might lurk below your malaise.

In short, make your main goal to get your groove back.

Step 2: Get Organized

As soon as you feel an upturn in motivation, even a small one, do at least one of these:

1. Ask a friend, or hire a coach, to help you to clarify your goals. A simple list of 3 things you’d like to achieve is a great start. Then take action on these goals every day.
2. Find a book or audiobook at the library or bookstore on goal-setting and motivation. I love Brian Tracy’s books myself (Eat That Frog and Goals are faves).
3. Check out my Get Organized Wizard programs:
   -  Life & Goal Organizer is great if you want a self-paced, structured workbook for organizing your life and taking action on your goals
   -  Design Your Life will suit you if who want to be led by the hand and be part of a community as you organize your life and take action on your goals.

The key is to focus on feeling better first, and then to take advantage of your motivation as soon as it returns.

Let me know how you go.

Got A Question On Personal Organization, Productivity or Procrastination?

Post your question on the Get Organized Wizard Community Forums
or on my Facebook Page, where I offer tips, answer questions
and share resources and links. Please come and join me there!

[Image by D'Arcy Norman]

Related posts:

1. Reality Check: Are You Getting Organized or Just Getting STUFF?
2. Organizing Q & A | Get Organized For Moving House: My Top 3 Tips
3. Getting Organized: Some Links & Resources

Note: This is an edited extract from e-class 41 of the Relationships module of the Design Your Life Program.

When we stop and think about what’s most important to us, we often say ‘relationships’. But we rarely, if ever, proactively take inventory of our relationships, or consciously think of ways to improve them.

If your relationship could do with a shot in the arm, here are 6 little exercises that could make a big difference.

1. Get Into Their Shoes To Have ‘That’ Argument

Do you have habitual disagreements or fail to see eye-to-eye on a certain issue? Try this radical exercise.

Get a trusted friend to role-play a typical argument with you – but get the friend to play you, and you play your partner. Explain your perspective fully to your friend, and then release that viewpoint. Genuinely get into your partner’s skin and argue from that perspective.

Be warned – you could gain some eye-opening insights!

2. Re-visit Your Partner’s Qualities

It can be a real wake-up call to remind yourself of the qualities that drew you to your partner in the first place – sometimes they’re the very traits that drive you crazy today!

Take a few moments to list all your partner’s good qualities on a piece of paper. Be honest and don’t hold back.

If you feel moved to, compliment your partner on one of those qualities. Brace yourself for something unexpected.

3. Take The Wheel

If you’ve fallen into the habit of waiting and hoping for your partner to change, try this liberating exercise.

Whenever you catch yourself thinking about how you want him or her to be different, immediately ask yourself what you could do instead. For instance, if you love flowers and wish your partner would give them to you, buy them for yourself.

Taking more responsibility for meeting your own needs can shift the balance in your relationship and spark positive changes in you both.

4. Learn From Past Mistakes

If you find yourself with problems similar to those you’ve experienced in previous relationships, or even friendships, see what you can learn from those other situations.

What did you do that helped? What did you say, or not say, that improved the problem?

Often we repeat the same bad habits in our relationships. So it’s smart to learn from our past mistakes.

5. Take Another Look At Your Problems

What’s going on in your relationship that might hold an opportunity for improving intimacy, communication or understanding? Maybe there’s a problem or issue between you that could become the seed for growth as a couple.

Try to get outside your usual perspective, and proactively look for ways you can use the situation to your mutual advantage. Ask yourself how this could be a good thing for you both.

Sometimes just looking for an opportunity can make one appear.

6. Take Time To Talk

Most people don’t enjoy long, involved relationship discussions. But if there are certain things that feel you want to raise, make a list of them.

Be sensitive about when you bring up difficult issues – choose a time when you’re both relatively relaxed and have time available. And be sensitive about how you raise things – avoid blaming and criticizing and try to focus on what you feel and what you’d like to be different.

Choose An Exercise – And Do It Today

Instead of thinking that maybe something here might be worth trying, just take action! Choose the exercise that best speaks to you right now, and do it.

I’d love to hear how the exercise works for you, so please share.

Organize Your Relationships!

The Relationships life area of Design Your Life helps you take a conscious, proactive approach to improving your friendships and personal relationships.

There are e-classes on:

· Taking inventory of friendships and relationships
· Finding new friendships and relationships
· Dealing with energy-draining relationships
· Improving your relationship skills.

When you sign up for Design Your Life you can start straight away on the Relationships life area (you’ll have immediate access to all 12 modules, including Health & Fitness, Home Organization, Time Management, Personal Development, Happiness Strategies, Money & Finance, Business & Career and Personal Presentation).

SPECIAL OFFER: Join today for lifetime benefits at a one-off special rate. Learn more.

[Image by linda yvonne]

Related posts:

1. How to be Organized in 2009: Day 10 – Relationships
2. Enjoy Good Relationships [Mission #23]
3. Set Yes Priorities – And Know When To Say No [Get Organized Mission #35]

If you feel overwhelmed by the idea of getting organized, remember this:

The less stuff you have, the easier it is to get organized.

Decide to be a person who only has what they

• Need or

• Love.

Every day, look for at least one thing to discard or donate, and keep a donation basket handy.

As you get rid of things, organizing will become easier.

So, what will you get rid of today?

More Like This…

This post originally appeared on my Facebook Page, where I offer tips,
answer questions and share resources and links.
Please come and join me there!

[Image by Capture Queen ™]

Related posts:

1. Get Organized Mission #50: Get Rid Of Debt
2. Organizing Q & A | Organizing – & Sharing – Your Fave Web Resources
3. Organizing Q & A | Get Organized For Moving House: My Top 3 Tips

Sometimes in the quest to get organized you can become distracted by the accoutrements. You can find yourself buying all manner of containers, books, systems and paraphernalia, none of which bring you any closer to living a simpler, more productive or more organized life.

These products can be a waste of money – but that’s not all.

Because they’re related to organizing, they can leave you feeling virtuous and stop you taking action that would genuinely improve your life.

So here’s a little reality check to test whether the stuff you’re buying is helping you simplify and organize your life – or whether it’s just stuff.

Storage Containers

• Do they store things you don’t need or love?
• Are they unattractive?
• Do they require work – needing to be dusted or wiped down regularly?
• Do they provide a home for clutter?

If Yes: Get rid of them!

Solution

1. If you must use them, only keep a few storage containers, that match your decor, and contain things you need.
2. Get rid of the stuff you don’t need.

Time-Management Systems

• Are you constantly looking for a new planner system that will finally ‘make’ you organized?
• Do you invest considerable time and money buying and learning time-management systems and applications?
• Do your time-management systems create clutter in your home or office?
• Are your time-management systems unnecessarily complicated?

If Yes: Get rid of them!

Solution

1. Take the effort you put into your time-management systems and instead put it into working out your priorities.
2. Read or listen to a classic time-management book that focuses on the basics – not a complicated system with lots of rules and nomenclature (I recommend Brain Tracy’s Eat That Frog).
3. Commit to buying no more time-management systems until you’ve mastered the art of working with a simple, prioritized to-do list.

Organizing Books and Magazines

• Do they contain discussions on organizing, but little in the way of step-by-step instructions on exactly what to do?
• Do they expect you to commit more time each day or week than a busy person can reasonably afford – eg they ask you to file daily, conduct a weekly review of stationery supplies, etc?
• Do they fail to translate into action that makes your life simpler, less cluttered and better organized?
• Do they pile up and create clutter?

If Yes: Get rid of them!

Solution

1. Cancel your subscription to organizing and simplifying magazines and newsletters that don’t translate into a simpler or more organized life.
2. Only invest in organizing books or programs that provide specific, step-by-step instructions that you can put into action.
3. Only invest in organizing books or programs that require a reasonable commitment of time.

Get Organized Wizard Resources

Need Help Getting Rid of Stuff? 

Try 52 Missions Home Organizer.
It guides you, step-by-step, to declutter and organize
your home, time and life in just 30 minutes a week.

Need Help Taking Action on Your Priorities?

Check out Life & Goal Organizer (for DIY self-starters) or
Design Your Life (for people who like a guided, structured program).
They both focus on identifying priorities and taking action.

[Image by Rev Dan Catt]

Related posts:

1. Organizing Technology: How to never, ever check your email again
2. Get Organized Mission #8: Declutter 50 Items
3. Get Organized in 5 Minutes: Trim Your Tapes

Here are some interesting and useful articles I’ve discovered recently.

Overcome Procrastination

Ideas to help you stop procrastinating, from organizing queen Julie Morgenstern:

• How do I stop procrastinating

Get Organized To Move

If you have a move planned, get yourself organized with this handy Start-to-Finish Moving Guide from Lifehacker:

• The Start-to-Finish Guide for Moving to a New Place

Plus, a cool round-up of tips for an organized move from Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie:

• Take Note ~ The Ultimate Moving Tips Edition!

Organize Music

Here’s how to open radio streams in iTunes, rather than your browser – from Lifehacker:

• Add Radio Streams from Web Sites to iTunes

Overcome Mindless Eating

Want to stop mindless eating? Here are 6 tips from expert nutritionist Catherine Saxelby:

• 6 Steps to eating mindfully

Boost Productivity

Ways to use social media as a tool – not just a distraction, from Mashable – Social Media:

• How Social Media Can Make Us More Productive

Start Something New

Some excellent and thoughtful advice on facing the terror of the new from Pamela Slim:

• Find joy in the terror of starting something new

Improve Your Relationships

Thought-provoking tips for surviving surly sweethearts from the Happiness Project:

• 7 Tips for Dealing with a Sweetheart Who Is Crabby All the Time.

Money & Happiness

Interesting article from The New York Times: Live more simply, give stuff away, be happier. Sounds like great advice to me!

• Consumers Find Ways to Spend Less and Find Happiness

Save your splurges for genuine pleasures to save money and boost happiness, via Lifehacker:

• Redefine the Latte Factor for More Successful Money Saving

Home Organizing Inspiration

Apartment Therapy showcases a lovely, organized space – great for a for a little organizing inspiration:

• Andrew & Eric Find a Place for Everything House Tour

Organize Your Reading

Lifehacker reports on relative reading speeds:

• Reading on Paper Faster than Reading on iPads, Kindles, and Other Digital Devices

The Cost of Rudeness

There’s more to politeness than simply good manners:

• Rudeness at work causes mistakes

More Like This…

I post interesting and useful links on my Facebook Page as I come across them.
Please come and join me there!

[Image by alt1040]

Related posts:

1. Getting Organized: Some Links & Resources
2. Organizing Q & A | Get Organized For Moving House: My Top 3 Tips
3. Personal Organization Web Watch | Technology & Social Media Resources | September 09

Last week I went to my 25-year high-school reunion. How can that be? Most days I still feel about 12.

Leading up to the reunion I chatted with my present-day friends, and was surprised that many of them dreaded the thought. Why?

I got fat, said one.

I wouldn’t know what to say to them, said another.

But I think secretly they’d love to catch up with old cronies, or at least to catch up with their own younger self.

As it turned out, I had a lovely time at my reunion, and I thought it would be a shame if others missed out because of self-doubt.

So here are some dos and don’ts for surviving a high-school reunion – with a little class, dignity and sense of fun.

Dos and Don’ts for Surviving a High-School Reunion

Don’t test-drive a new outfit

Wear something you’ve worn before that looks and feels good. That way, you’ll be able to relax and focus on the people rather than the outfit.

Do dress smart-casual (unless another dress code is specified)

Under-dress and you’ll feel intimidated; over-dress and you’ll feel conspicuous; sexy-dress and you’ll feel uncomfortable. This is an occasion that calls for baby-bear-ing it. If in doubt, opt for jeans, heels and a flattering top.

Don’t over-share

When you’re asked what’s been happening, don’t recount in detail your various health, financial and family woes. Stick to the basic highlights. And keep it light. Save the angst-ridden analysis for your friends. Or therapy.

Do be generous with compliments

If you notice something great about someone, tell them. What they’re wearing, how they look, what they’ve achieved, how sweet they still are – let them know you appreciate it. It will make you both feel good.

Don’t drink too much

Excess alcohol plus nostalgia can equal a morose mood. Alternate drinks with water or soda.

Do get into the spirit

Let yourself enjoy the memories, music and mutual amazement that you all look the same (you will, to each other). Take the opportunity to get to know people all over again. Who knows – you might even make some new, old friends.

[Image: by DoctorWho]

Related posts:

1. Your Child’s School Progress: How to Stop Worrying and Start Organizing
2. Back-to-School Planning & Organizing [Ultimate To-Do List Pack | Home & Family Edition Customers]
3. 5 Cool Things To Do This Summer

I spent this past week with the worst bout of flu I’ve had in years – sweats, shivers, watering eyes, headaches, the works.

But I’ve made a pretty speedy recovery and I actually feel as though it’s done me some good – I feel rested and freshly motivated. And I think that’s largely because I was able to relax and recuperate. Which was possible thanks to a little organization.

If you want to make sure a dose of something nasty doesn’t wipe you out, use these tips to get organized for being sick.

1. Have basic supplies on hand

It’s smart to keep general cold and flu supplies in the bathroom cabinet, especially during the cold months.

I prefer to let nature take its course so I avoid antibiotics and fancy cold and flu formulations, but choose what’s right for you. And be sure to check the expiry date on all your medications.

I keep these in the bathroom cabinet at all times:

• Vicks/menthol
• Sore-throat lozenges/gargle
• Lotion-infused tissues
• Aspirin.

Make your own list and stock up so you’re prepared for those inevitable colds and flus.

2. Perform work/home triage

As soon as a nasty bug gets you, you need to perform task triage.

Work tasks

What do you need to take care of for the coming week? Look for important matters that need to be handled to avoid problems or stress later on.

If you can ask an assistant or colleague to help with these items, great. If not, do them yourself quickly. Even though you feel lousy, it will be worth the effort.

Work tasks that need to be dealt with before you can turn to getting well could include:

• Rescheduling appointments
• Creating an out-of-office email/voicemail message
• Advising clients/managers of delayed project delivery
• Postponing actions or tasks and letting relevant people know
• Completing actions or tasks that can’t be postponed.

Home tasks

What do you need to take care of for the coming week? Here again, focus on pressing matters that need to be handled to avoid problems or stress later on.

If you can, ask a family member to help you out; if not, get through the essentials quickly so you can buy yourself recuperation time.

Home tasks that you need to address before you can turn to recovery could include:

• Paying bills that are due (once you’re well, consider organizing your bill payment)
• Rescheduling deliveries or appointments
• Ordering essential supplies online
• Asking neighbors to help with the kids’ pick-ups and drop-offs
• Handling any school requirements – such as notices to be signed.

3. Take responsibility for your own rest and recuperation

If you have basic supplies on hand and you perform task triage as soon as you succumb to sickness, then you stand a good of chance of getting well quickly.

My philosophy is that just because you’re sick, you don’t have to be miserable. Unless you’re 7 and you have a doting parent at your beck and call, it’s unlikely anyone is going to be pampering you and helping you feel better. Sadly, in the adult world, that’s now your responsibility. Your body is down for the count – use the time to look after yourself.

Here are some of the things I comfort myself with when I’m sick:

• Cozy, non-scratchy waffle blankets
• Lotion-infused tissues
• DVD box sets (unchallenging comedy series, or comforting English detective series like Miss Marple)
• Garlic pizza (my local pizzeria delivers and adds extra garlic if I ask).

These are the things I use to maximize my rest and feel better fast. Your preferences will be different – do what works for you.

Whatever you do, though, don’t feel sorry for yourself – feel better!

[Image: by TheGiantVermin]

Related posts:

1. Get Organized For Fitness [Mission #38]
2. Create Your ‘Organized Life Morning Routine’ [Mission #21]
3. How to be Organized in 2009: Day 2 – Health & Fitness

Trim Your Toolbox

1. Empty out your toolbox.
2. Return to your toolbox anything you use
3. Donate or discard everything else, including multiples of tools you need only one of.

And you’re done!

Finding the tool you need will be so much easier now.

Remember: 1. Move fast. 2. Don’t overthink. 3. Feel great about getting organized!

Start the 5-minute timer now.

This 5-minute organizing action is from the Organize in 5 e-program.
It’s the quickest, easiest way to organize your life!
Only $4.95 a month for a limited time. Learn more…

Related posts:

1. Get Organized in 5 Minutes: Trim Your Tapes
2. Get Organized in 5 Minutes: Flick Negative Feelings
3. Get Organized in 5 Minutes: Fashion a First Aid Kit

Even though this site is all about helping you move from procrastination to action, there are times when procrastination can be a smart move.

We all have a drive to procrastinate – a resistance to getting down to the important things, a pressure toward more trivial tasks. The strength of that compulsion is an asset we can use to boost productivity, improve time management and simply get more done.

Here’s how.

1. Identify Your Procrastinating Behaviors

How do you like to procrastinate? Typically, procrastinating behaviors are things you feel naturally inclined to do, things you gravitate toward, almost on autopilot.

For instance, common procrastinating behaviors include:

• Checking/updating Facebook
• Checking/updating Twitter
• Checking emails
• Making a cup of coffee/tea
• Going for a wander around the office
• Calling a friend
• Surfing the net
• Having a snack
• Doing a housework chore (if you work from home)
• Tidying your desk
• Searching online for tips to help you avoid procrastination
• Daydreaming.

Make a list of things you like to do, especially those that help you avoid your high-priority tasks.

Now here’s the good news: You no longer have to feel bad about these procrastination behaviors. We’re going to harness their power to radically improve your productivity.

2. Identify Your Top Priority Tasks

Next, list tasks you need to complete to move forward on your key goals and objectives. These are often things you feel an aversion to – because they seem overwhelming, or difficult, or you simply don’t want to start.

The tasks you put on your list should be achievable in about 30-45 minutes. Not whole projects, but steps in projects.

For instance, your top-priority to-do items might include:

• Create a rough outline for an upcoming presentation
• List main thoughts for a proposal
• Send thank-you emails to this week’s prospects
• Write 2 pages of your novel
• Brainstorm the table of contents for your non-fiction book
• Call 3-7 prospects to request meetings
• Draft a press release.

Notice they’re all important tasks, but not time-consuming tasks. This is the secret to making procrastination work for you.

3. Earn Your Procrastination

We naturally want to do, and feel driven to perform, procrastinating behaviors – so we can use this motivation juice to power our more challenging tasks.

Before you let yourself engage in any procrastinating behavior, make yourself earn it with one of your top-priority tasks.

• Desperate to log on to Facebook? Create that presentation outline first. Then take 5 or 10 minutes to ‘procrastinate’ on Facebook.
• Want to call a friend and chat? You can do that for 5 or 10 minutes as soon as you’ve drafted your press release.

Because our top-priority tasks are now in achievable 30-45-minute chunks, the motivation juice will be enough to power us past inertia to the other side, where procrastination rewards await.

You might need to tweak the ratios of priority work to procrastination to suit yourself – but as long as you’re getting the important jobs done in good time, you may not want to be too hard on yourself.

How Will You Use This?

So that’s great news for those of us who struggle with procrastination – and who doesn’t? You needn’t see procrastination as your enemy any more. Use these steps to make it your friend -  and turbo-charge your time management.

Now over to you – what will you use as procrastination rewards to power your top-priority tasks?

[Image: by royblumenthal]

Related posts:

1. Bust Your Procrastination Demons [Mission #25]
2. Procrastination, Productivity, Moving and More: Links & Resources
3. From Procrastination To Action

I recently answered a question about getting organized for study on Yahoo Answers – and I thought it might also be helpful to my readers who are students – and their parents.

The question asked how to get organized in order to achieve better grades. Here’s my suggestion, along with a few extra tips just for you.

6-Point Strategy For Being an Organized, Successful Student

1. Plan

Create a week-by-week timetable to plan out all your classes and commitments.

Tip: Use a diary or wall planner; create a table in Word; use whatever format makes it easy for you to see exactly what you have to do each week.

2. Schedule

Enter all your due dates for assignments and exams as soon as you get them.

Tip: Entering everything in one place like this will help you quickly identify challenging weeks. You can shift some tasks to lighter weeks to even out your workload.

3. Work Backwards

Working backwards from your due dates, allocate all the tasks needed for completing your assignments and exams. Enter these tasks into your week-by-week plan.

Tip: Work backwards to avoid those last-minute stresses. List all the sub-tasks of each assignment, essay and exam, then schedule the tasks backwards from the due date. That way, you’ll meet all your study deadlines.

4. Work Hard

Unfortunately, I have to add this one, because without it the others are a waste of time. When you’re studying, study hard. The rest of the time, relax.

Tip: Each week, complete all the tasks on your weekly plan. You might need to go to the library or say no to friends – work out what you need to do and do it. But then reward yourself with some fun. Which leads me to:

5. Rest

Schedule relaxation every day and every week to keep your energy and motivation up.

Tip: Get some exercise, learn relaxation or meditation techniques, have fun with friends. Learn what you enjoy – and do it regularly.

6. Set Goals

Set a few SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound) for exactly what you want to achieve. It will keep you focused on what you want and what you have to do to get there.

Tip: Use goals to remind yourself of the big picture benefits that will come from being a good student. It will help you stay motivated.

More Stuff on SMART Goals

• Here’s how to write SMART goals (with a free goal-setting template)
• Here’s a video on using the SMART goals template
• Here’s how to set smart goals for students
• Here’s how to use SMART goals to change a habit.

And good luck to all you students about to start a new academic year!

Want Your Own Student Success Kit?

With the Ultimate To-Do List Pack | Student Edition you have a Student Success Kit – all the tools a student needs to get organized, plan a successful semester, and get good grades.

The pack includes the essentials – to-do lists, goal planners, time-management tools, daily, weekly & monthly schedules and timetables, and budgets.

But it also contains many innovative worksheets to radically change your personal organizing skills – including:

- ‘Backwards’ assignment, exam and essay planners that take the hassle out of getting things done on time
- Detailed semester planners that guide you to create a week-by-week student success program.

Learn more about the
Ultimate To-Do List Pack | Student Edition.

[Image by billaday]

Related posts:

1. Student Success: How To Become A SMART Student Before Summer’s Over
2. Student Planners Galore! [Product Release Info]
3. Time Management Quick Strategy: Learn To Say ‘No’

Wow – we’ve reached Organizing Mission #52! Can you believe it?

If you’ve been following along with the missions week by week, you’ll have made enormous changes to your home, productivity and life. You’ll have simplified, decluttered and organized many, many areas. Awesome!

In this mission, we’re going to set some resolutions to help maintain the gains we’ve achieved, using my 3-Cubed Formula.

If you want to hold on to your simplified, decluttered and organized home, work and life, then read on!

Remember: you only need 30 minutes for the basic mission. Extended Options are below.
If you’re new, you might like to start here -> 52 Organizing Missions.

Get Organized Mission #52:
Simplify Your Life

Think about how much more time, energy and happiness you have now that your life is a little more organized. Good, huh?

To hold on to these good feelings, all you have to do is make a few changes to your habits. Nothing drastic; just simple, practical principles that will help you maintain a sense of order and keep clutter at bay.

So with that in mind, get yourself a pen and some paper or open a new document on your computer, and let’s get started.

Step 1: Make 3 Simplifying, Decluttering or Organizing Resolutions (20 mins)

Decide on 3 simplifying, decluttering or organizing principles you’re choosing to live by.

They don’t have to be huge.

Small changes are fine, and can be a good way to gradually increase your confidence so you want to take on more challenging goals.

I suggest starting with 3 resolutions. Any time you feel you’ve got something pretty much under your belt, replace it with another.

You don’t have to be perfect.

You can stuff up from time to time and just start again the next day. No problemo. It still works.

Here are some examples of resolutions you can choose from – or make up your own:

• I only shop when I need something, not to pass the time
• When I shop, I stick to a list
• I don’t buy things just because they’re on sale or a bargain
• Whenever I buy something new, I donate or discard something old
• I add at least one item to my donation basket every day
• I include cleaning up as part of the task
• I do not join catalogue mailing lists
• I respect my home’s boundaries and only buy/keep what I can neatly store
• I make quick decisions about where things go
• Every time I feel clutter accumulating I fill a trash bag, declutter 50 items or donate 50 items
• I repeat the 52 Organizing Missions program every year.

Choose your 3 resolutions and write or type them up neatly.

Step 2: Place Copies of Your Resolutions in 3 Places
(10 mins)

Make 3 copies of the resolutions and put them in 3 places around your home, car, office, or wherever they’re most relevant and useful.

For example, you could place them:

• In your wallet
• On your bathroom mirror
• In your diary
• By your bedside
• On your noticeboard
• On your fridge
• On the microwave
• In the car glove box
• On the car dashboard
• On the TV
• As your computer screensaver
• As a recurring appointment in your PDA or iPhone.

Choose your 3 places and put a copy of your resolutions in each one.

Step 3: Read Your Resolutions 3 Times a Day (ongoing)

Your mission is mostly done.

Now all you have to do is keep your focus on these simplifying, decluttering or organizing resolutions. A good way to do that is to read them to yourself 3 times, most days.

If you’ve chosen good spots, this will happen organically as you go about your day. If not, you may have to experiment with different places.

Dos & Don’ts

• Don’t seek perfection with your resolutions; aim for progress instead. You’re more likely to achieve it, and less likely to drive yourself and everyone else mad.
• Do replace a resolution that has become a habit with a new one. That way you’ll keep on expanding the benefits of a beautifully simplified, decluttered and organized life.

Extended Organizing Mission Options

Want to go beyond this 30-minute organizing mission?

• Do this mission as a family. Agree on resolutions you’re all committed to for a more harmonious and ordered home and family life, and encourage and support each other as you put them into practice.
• Do this mission with a group of friends. Choose your resolutions individually, but decide to meet or touch base once a week. You can then review your resolutions together, and support one another in turning your resolutions into habits.

Ready, Set, Go!

Remember – move quickly, act fast, don’t overthink.

Start The 30-Minute Timer

Before You Go: Check In!

Please add a comment to say you’ve completed this week’s Get Organized Mission and you’re keeping your commitment.

Congratulations!
It’s Time To Get Your Badge.

You deserve to show off your achievement!

Grab your I’m Organized! badge here and display it on your blog, website or Facebook profile.

Oh and then? Gloat.

Organize Your Home & Life –
in Just 30 Minutes a Week

With the 52 Organizing Missions Workbook Pack you’ll simplify, organize and declutter dozens of areas, including:

Every workbook includes fully interactive Planning Worksheets, To-Do-Lists, and Success Journals not available elsewhere. Plus there are live accountability and free-download links.

Learn more about the 52 Missions Home Organizer.

[Image: by annia316]

Related posts:

1. How To Change Habits: My 3-Cubed Formula
2. Organizing Mission #44: Live Within Your Home’s Boundaries
3. Create Your ‘Organized Life Bedtime Routine’ [Mission #20]

The old warning not to burn your bridges is wise.

It’s especially wise when it comes to relationships, since there’s little point in leaving a trail of flaming ill will behind you when you leave a job, relationship or dinner party. Keeping your options – and channels of communication – open does seem like good advice.

But when it comes to stuff, it can be better to close the door behind you.

Here are 3 times when you should let the bridges burn.

1. Lose Your Multi-Size Closet

If you’ve lost a lot of weight, then you may be holding onto larger-sized clothes ‘just in case’.

Ask yourself whether it’s time to let go of the safety net and donate all those too-big items. It might be scary to take the leap in this way, but by making it so easy to back-track, you may be leaving yourself open to self-sabotage.

Instead, by locking your wardrobe down at your current weight, you’ll gain closet space, simplify dressing and feel more committed to your slimmer self.

2. Let Your Interests Move On

If you were once in a besotted relationship with matchboxes, frog ornaments or Charlie’s Angels memorabilia, then you may find it hard to admit that it’s over.

Maybe one day you’ll get back into it. Maybe one day your kids will get into it. Maybe one day it will be worth a fortune.

How likely is that? And in the meantime, what is it costing you in time, frustration and clutter?

Ask yourself whether your life would be simpler, better, happier without your former love. If the answer is yes, then it might be time to kiss and say goodbye.

3.  Let Go Of Other People’s Expectations

Do you have things in your home that oppress you with the sheer weight of their expectations?

Fancy-schmancy culinary devices – when you only enjoy simple recipes? A shed full of terrifying gadgets and tools – when Ikea and Allen keys exhaust your DIY repertoire?

If you’re holding on to devices or appliances only because you think you should use them, then these are ideal candidates for donation.

Let someone else have the pleasure of using them – and let yourself have the pleasure of breaking free of somebody else’s expectations.

What Do You Think?

Are there other times when you should burn your bridges?  Do you have some bridges of your own to burn – and clutter to clear in the process?

Please share your thoughts in the comments.

Image : by DieselDemon

Related posts:

1. Simplify Your Life – Possessions [Organizing Mission #41]
2. How Clutter Can Hold You Back – From Love, Success & Health
3. 3 Strategies For Having – And Being – More Fun

Congratulations to our 52 Organizing Missions winner for this month!

Marti: “Organized my presentation. I managed to clear out clothes that don’t fit, are too old, as well as shoes, jewelry. I pared things down to the point that what I have left fits well, looks good and I love to wear. This has been a most successful site for me. Thank you.”

Marti wins a $79 Get Organized Wizard Gift Certificate.

July Prize: $79 Get Organized Wizard Gift Certificate

The Gift Certificate can be used to purchase our very popular Life & Goal Organizer, or the brand new 52 Missions Home Organizer, or can be applied toward a value pack (Premium Pack, Complete Suite or Ultimate Pack).

52 Missions Home Organizer includes 4 PDF workbooks totaling more than 470 pages and including worksheets, to-do lists and success journals for every mission.

The 30-minute simplifying, organizing and decluttering missions cover home, office, car, closet, purse, time, family, chores, mindset, garage, storage, routines, career, to-do list and much more. People are amazed at what they accomplish in each 30-minute segment. No other organizing program makes such excellent use of your time!

Learn more about 52 Missions Home Organizer.

Get Organized, Leave Comment, Win Prize!

Want to be next month’s winner?

Simply leave a comment letting us know you’ve completed a 30-minute organizing mission at the bottom of the post.

Every month we’ll choose one commenter to receive a cool prize. (For added incentive, we may be biased toward people who complete more than one mission.)

Learn more about 52 Missions Home Organizer.

Related posts:

1. This Month’s Prize: From Procrastination To Action Workbook
2. Now Available: Gift Certificates For a More Organized Life
3. Good News: 12 Months’ of Free Upgrades for Get Organized Wizard Customers

If your week invariably feels chaotic and at odds with your natural energy, personal preferences, and practical considerations, then you’ll love this mission.

Over the next 30 minutes we’re going to create an ideal weekly schedule template – a baseline planner you can use for your weekly timetable.

Remember: you only need 30 minutes for the basic mission. Extended Options are below.
If you’re new, you might like to start here -> 52 Organizing Missions.

Get Organized Mission #51:
Create a Weekly Schedule Template

Step 1: ‘Time of Day’ Preferences (10 mins)

First, think about your energy and motivation over the course of a typical day. Are you at your best in the early mornings? Do you feel most creative late at night? Do you find afternoons leave you mentally tired but up for exercise?

Also consider external practicalities. Would you save time and energy by avoiding peak times on the road, or at the gym? Could you expedite meetings by scheduling them late in the afternoon when everyone’s keen to wrap up? Is there a window for personal time before the kids wake up or after they’re in bed?

Be sure to include all of your key activities, such as:

• Sleeping
• Writing
• Admin
• Exercising
• Planning
• Meetings
• Paperwork
• Emails
• Reading
• Preparing proposals
• Preparing presentations
• Returning calls
• Family time
• Personal time.

Taking energy, motivation and practicalities into account, choose the best time of day for your main activities.

• Early mornings are best for…
• Mornings are best for…
• Lunchtimes are best for…
• Afternoons are best for…
• Evenings are best for…
• Late nights are best for…

Step 2: ‘Day of Week’ Preferences (10 mins)

Now let’s turn to energy, motivation and external practicalities over the course of the week.

Will you gain momentum if you allocate, say, Tuesday afternoons to proposals? If you have your own business, are you unmotivated on Mondays but keen to work on Saturdays? Can you batch admin and errands into a low-energy block of time, like Friday afternoons? If you have a lot of external meetings, can you save time by setting aside every Thursday just for meetings?

So now, taking energy, motivation and practicalities into account, choose the best day of the week for your main activities.

• Mondays are best for…
• Tuesdays are best for…
• Wednesdays are best for…
• Thursdays are best for…
• Fridays are best for…
• Weekends are best for…

Step 3: Create Your Ideal Weekly Schedule Template
(10 mins)

Great – you’ve identified good times of the day and practical days of the week for each of your main weekly activities. Now let’s put them all together into a weekly schedule template.

Look over your ideal time of the day activities (Step 1) and ideal day of the week activities (Step 2), and fill in the Weekly Schedule Template worksheet (see below).

Your weekly schedule template is your ideal timetable – the way you’d ideally like to allocate your time across your activities.

Not everything will fit into this template schedule every week – for instance, an important client might be determined to meet on a day you’ve allocated to working on presentations, or you might have to work at low-energy times to meet a deadline.

But by having this weekly schedule template as your baseline, you’ll be able to allocate your time according to energy, motivation and practicalities whenever you have discretion.

You’ll be able to offer appointment times that suit you, rather than going along with whatever’s suggested. You’ll be able to exercise when your body feels like it. You’ll be able to batch tasks that go together for better time management.

Now that you have your own weekly schedule template, remember to keep it handy – and refer to it every week as you plan, make appointments and schedule meetings.

Get The Worksheet

If you’re a member of the Get Organized Wizard community forums (they’re filled with hundreds of posts and resources), you can download a free Weekly Schedule Template worksheet. Or become a member now (it’s free).

The Weekly Schedule Template and many other time-management worksheets are part of Life & Goal Organizer, Premium Pack, Complete Suite and Ultimate Pack, and are available to Design Your Life members in your Time Management Life Area (added to your Member Dashboard in July 2010).

Dos & Don’ts

• Don’t get hung up on allocating every little task to your weekly schedule template. Focus on your main activities and top priorities – that’s where you’ll get the biggest productivity and motivation gains.
• Do be prepared to suggest your preferred times when scheduling appointments and meetings. The more you do this, the easier it will become.

Extended Organizing Mission Options

Want to go beyond this 30-minute organizing mission?

• Do this mission with your team at work or in your business. Taking into account the preferences of the team when scheduling a typical week can boost motivation and job satisfaction.

Ready, Set, Go!

Remember – move quickly, act fast, don’t overthink.

Start The 30-Minute Timer

Before You Go: Check In!

Please add a comment to say you’ve completed this week’s Get Organized Mission and you’re keeping your commitment.

And see you back here next week!

Organize Time, Home, Life – in Just 30 Minutes a Week

With the 52 Missions Home Organizer you’ll simplify, organize and declutter dozens of areas, including:

Every workbook includes fully interactive Planning Worksheets, To-Do-Lists, and Success Journals not available elsewhere. Plus there are live accountability and free-download links.

Learn more about the 52 Missions Home Organizer.

[Image: by chätzle]

Related posts:

1. Time Management: How To Boost Productivity at Work [Mission #27]
2. Getting Organized: How To Schedule Personal Organization Reminders
3. Get Organized For Fitness [Mission #38]

Here’s a round-up of some good articles and ideas I’ve found recently.

Creativity

A bunch of stuff from Lifehacker on getting organized to get more creative:

• Embrace Organization to Foster Creativity

Tough times

Good tips for avoiding chaos when dealing with tough times from Lifehack:

• How To Stay Organized When Life Throws You a Curveball

False beliefs

How to tap the strange power of being overoptimistic– a fascinating article from Scientific American:

• You Have Superpowers: Scientific American

Happiness

‘Don’t speak!’ Some wise words – to be wise and use fewer words – from Gretchen Rubin:

• Stop Talking, Or, a Happiness Lesson from Sex and the City 2.

Organized workspaces

Post-holiday office tidying tips from Unclutterer:

• Five simple uncluttering tasks

Parenting

The WSJ tells us that good parenting is less work and more fun than people think:

• The Case for Having More Kids – WSJ.com

Impact of donating

You know all that stuff you’re decluttering with 52 Organizing Missions? You can calculate the impact of your donated stuff via the new Donate/Goodwill Movement:

• Calculate your impact

By the way…

I post interesting and useful links on my Facebook Page as I come across them.
Please come and join me there!

Image: Mr. T in DC

Related posts:

1. Procrastination, Productivity, Moving and More: Links & Resources
2. Personal Organization Web Watch [11 October]
3. Get Organized Advice For Messy Teens

So I thought I’d share with you my personal resolutions for this half-year, plus my 3-Cubed Formula for achieving them – and invite you to join me in making habit changes of your own.

I’ll report back regularly on my progress, and would love you to share your progress too.

My 3-Cubed Formula

I’ve developed this 3-Cubed Formula for changing habits over many years. It’s based on my own trial and (especially) error, together with life coaching processes, and findings from psychology research studies.

Here’s how it works.

1. Choose Only 3 Habit Changes or Resolutions at a Time

Probably the biggest lesson I’ve learned from psych research, working with clients, and my own experience is that taking on too much is a surefire way to exhaust and de-motivate yourself.

Changing a habit is difficult enough as it is. It’s much better to succeed at an achievable pace, and then use that sense of mastery to set the bar a little higher next time.

Once you’ve gotten on top of one of your habits, you can replace it with a new challenge, so you always have 3 resolutions to work on.

2. Focus On What You Will Do, Not On What You Want to Avoid

The next major lesson I’ve learned is that it’s very difficult to make yourself not do something. Not eat chocolate. Not talk too much. Not be late.

As much as you might think the biggest challenges in your life are things you want to stop doing, I urge you to try it this way instead, and see how it works for you.

Frame your habit changes in positive terms – things to do, not things to not do.

You might need to get creative and look for things that:

• Are inconsistent with the thing you want to avoid
  –> EG Go to the gym; go for a walk; drink peppermint tea after dinner (if that’s when you usually smoke)
• Make you feel good about yourself so you’re less motivated to do the thing you want to avoid
  –> EG Wear jeans that look great when watching TV (so you won’t be as tempted to binge)
• Distract you from the thing you want to avoid
  –> EG Take up ballroom dancing (so you won’t be home to stalk your ex on Facebook).

Even if you still smoke, binge or stalk, at least you’ll be adding a good habit or good feelings to your life.

And chances are that if you persevere, you might just crowd the bad habit out of your life.

3. Place Your 3 Resolutions in 3 Places and Read Them 3 Times a Day

Once you’ve got your 3 habit changes or resolutions and you you’ve framed them in positive terms, put them in 3 places.

Ideally, you want to choose places where you’ll naturally come across your resolutions every day – like the bathroom mirror, your wallet, the fridge door, your bedside, your diary, etc.

Aim to read them to yourself – mentally or aloud – 3 times most days. This will help you to remember and focus on the things you’re committing to.

Got that? Okay, so now here are the 3 mid-year resolutions I’m making.

My Personal Resolutions

1. Drink at least 8 glasses of water every day.

Drinking lots of water helps me feel healthy.

It also stops me thinking I’m hungry when I’m really thirsty. One of my bad habits is eating way too many chips, which I find delicious and deeply, almost disturbingly, comforting. Drinking lots of water will help me save the chippies for when I really want them.

2. When I’m in a tense environment, focus on breathing.

Usually when I’m nervous or anxious I talk too much, leading me to say unhelpful or just plain dumb things.

So I want to get into the habit of being aware that I’m anxious, and focusing on my breaths. Breathing will distract me from becoming enmeshed in the tense situation, and slow down my rush to ramble.

3. Finish my writing tasks first each day.

The most important part of my job is to write, but I’m always tempted to get the little things out of the way first – emails, household chores, lesser priorities. And they can take all day, or at least my best energy (I call this the tyranny of the tiny).

So I’d like to procrastinate on the lower priorities till I’ve got at least one writing task completed each day.

Now over to you!

What 3 habit changes or resolutions will you set? Can you use my 3-Cubed Formula to increase your chances of success? Please share in the comments.

I’ll check in regularly to let you know how I’m doing.

[Image: By .:martu:.]

Related posts:

1. How To Live a Simpler Life: The 3-Cubed Formula [Get Organized Mission #52:]
2. Successful New Year’s Resolutions: 3 Things You Must Know To Achieve Goals and Change Habits
3. Goal Setting 101: How To Use SMART Goals to Change a Habit

For many people, reducing debt is the first step toward a sound financial future.

And one of the best ways to reduce debt is to get organized and create a debt-repayment plan – which is exactly what we’ll do in the next 30 minutes.

Remember: you only need 30 minutes for the basic mission. Extended Options are below.
If you’re new, you might like to start here -> 52 Organizing Missions.

Note: If you haven’t already, you may like to first complete Get Organized Mission #12: Organize Your Accounts & Credit Cards.

Disclaimer: This is not financial advice, it’s organizing advice. If you need financial advice, please get yourself off to a financial professional.

Get Organized Mission #50:
Create a Debt Repayment Plan

Step 1: Rank Your Debts By Interest Rate (5 mins)

First, for every loan, credit card, store card and other debt you have, gather together the latest statement or other communication that shows the interest rate you’re paying.

Order your debts by interest rate – for instance, credit cards tend to have higher interest rates than personal loans and mortgages.

Step 2: Calculate Your Minimum Repayment Amount
(5 mins)

Next, let’s work out how much you’re required to repay each month.

Find the minimum monthly repayment amount for each debt, and add all of these minimum payments together.

You now have the total minimum repayment you need to pay each month against your debts.

Step 3: Calculate Your Surplus Repayment Funds
(10 mins)

Next, let’s work out how much you can actually afford to repay each month.

If you have a lot of debt or want to pay off your debts faster, you may choose to make some sacrifices and cut out a few luxuries.

For instance, could you:

• Stop buying things you don’t need or love?
• Borrow books from the library rather than buying them?
• Buy regularly used items in bulk?
• Shop at cheaper stores?
• Walk instead of taking the car?
• Reduce the heating/cooling controls and rug up/dress down instead?
• Choose less expensive entertainment options?
• Cancel little-or-never-used memberships and subscriptions?

Add any savings you’ve decided to make to the amount you’re currently paying each month. This will give you the new amount you can afford to repay against your debts each month.

Now, deduct the total minimum repayment you calculated in Step 2.

That will leave you with the surplus repayment funds available for getting rid of your debts.

Step 4: Create a Debt-Reduction Plan
(10 mins)

Good – now that you know which debts are costing you the most (Step 1), and your surplus repayment funds (Step 3), over and above your minimum repayments (Steps 2), you can allocate your available funds accordingly.

For instance, you might like to allocate your entire surplus funds each month to your highest-interest debt until this is paid off, and then allocate your entire surplus funds to the next-highest-interest debt, and so on.

How you allocate your surplus funds will depend on your overall goals and circumstances.

The important thing is to be organized and strategic in knowing what you need to pay, what you can afford to pay, and how you can allocate your repayments in a smart way.

Get The Worksheet

If you’re a member of the Get Organized Wizard community forums (they’re filled with hundreds of posts and resources), you can download a free Debt Reduction Plan worksheet. Or become a member now (it’s free).

The Debt Reduction Plan and many other financial organizing worksheets are part of the Ultimate To-Do List Pack | Personal Edition, Premium Pack, Complete Suite and Ultimate Pack, and are available to Design Your Life members in your Library Of Resources.

Dos & Don’ts

• Don’t hesitate to seek financial advice if you need it. The worry and sleepless nights are far worse than the pain of making an appointment and creating a plan with a professional. Ask friends for recommendations for a good accountant or financial planner.
• Do be mindful of any penalties that may apply on certain loans for early or late repayments. Again, see a financial professional if in any doubt.

Extended Organizing Mission Options

Want to go beyond this 30-minute organizing mission?

• Investigate the possibility of consolidating your debts into a single, low-interest loan. Talk to your bank manager, accountant or financial professional.
• Complete this mission with older kids who are starting to use loans or credit cards. Show them how to make repayments wisely and avoid penalties, and you’ll set them up for a smart financial future.

Ready, Set, Go!

Remember – move quickly, act fast, don’t overthink.

Start The 30-Minute Timer

Before You Go: Check In!

Please add a comment to say you’ve completed this week’s Get Organized Mission and you’re keeping your commitment.

And see you back here next week!

Organize Money, Home, Life – in Just 30 Minutes a Week

With the 52 Organizing Missions Workbook Pack you’ll simplify, organize and declutter dozens of areas, including:

Every workbook includes fully interactive Planning Worksheets, To-Do-Lists, and Success Journals not available elsewhere. Plus there are live accountability and free-download links.

SPECIAL OFFER: Purchase the Workbook Pack now at the 3-workbook price – and get Workbook 4 FREE as soon as it’s available next month!

[Image: by azrainman]

Related posts:

1. Get Organized Mission #3: Organize Your Bill Payment
2. Get Organized Mission #12: Organize Your Accounts & Credit Cards
3. Get Organized Mission #51: Weekly Schedule Template

Although I’m rugged up in a faux-fur hoodie and ugg boots on this cold and rainy winter’s day in Sydney, my northern hemisphere friends are enjoying the start of summer.

So I thought I’d pull together some of my posts on getting organized, having fun, and making the most of the holidays for you lucky, sun-drenched peeps.

1. Be Happy & Have Fun

11 Great Reasons To Be Happy

Happiness isn’t a selfish goal. In fact it’s related to giving more in our world. Here are 11 of the advantages that go along with happiness – and 11 great reasons to be happy!

Your Happiness Depends On Your Thoughts

Can you trace the way you feel back to the way you think? I sure notice a cause-and-effect relationship between my thoughts and my happiness…

3 Strategies For Having – And Being – More Fun

Do people tell you you’re no fun? After working in large financial institutions for over a decade it took a long time to get my feeling-groovy groove back. Here are 3 strategies for having, and being, more fun that I learned along the way.

How To Feel Happier Now? Face It!

A number of studies suggest our feelings are strengthened, perhaps even stimulated, by the faces we make. What face are you making now?

How to be Happier: A Scientifically Proven Strategy that Costs Nada

Psychologists have scientifically tested (yep, we’re talking unwitting participants, experiments, statistical analysis, peer-reviewed journals) whether appreciating good things leads to greater happiness. And guess what – it does!

2. Get Ready for School

Student Success: How To Become A SMART Student Before Summer’s Over

To get a jump start on a great academic year, set some college or school goals – and make them Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Framed – SMART. Follow these 5 easy steps and you’ll be on your way.

Successful New Year’s Resolutions: 3 Things You Must Know To Achieve Goals and Change Habits

Important lessons for making changes – and they apply any time of the year.

Your Child’s School Progress: How to Stop Worrying and Start Organizing

Get that worry out of your head and do something useful with it. By thinking constructively about things you can do and making a plan for actions you can take, you save yourself stress and improve your ability to help your child.

3. Get Organized and Declutter

52 Organizing Missions – Join the Movement that’s Changing Lives

Join the thousands of people who’ve committed to completing just one 30-minute organizing mission a week. Easy peasy! Missions include decluttering, personal organization and goal-setting across life areas.

My Partner is a Hoarder. Help!

Lots of ideas for living with a hoarder and helping them to change – if they’re ready.

Organize Your Evening Ritual: 10 Things To Do At Night For A Good Morning

The way you bid the world adieu each night affects the way the world greets you the next day. Here are 10 simple things to do before bed that help to make the morning a good one.

4. Make The Most of Your Holidays

Getting Organized for Happier Holidays: My Top 3 Tips

To help you to get things done, keep your cool, and have a good time, here are my top 3 happy-holiday tips.

How To Be A More Organized Traveler – Around The World or In Your Car

Helpful tips on getting organized for travel, at opposite ends of the travel scale.

5. Don’t Overindulge

Organizing Q & A: A Morsel a Day Keeps the Bingeing Away

Some ideas to help you avoid overdoing it on holidays.

Get Organized for Better Quality Rest/Recreation: Have a TV Viewing Policy

In a world where the options run from the sublime to Jerry Springer, you need to protect yourself from crap TV that slowly and painfully sucks your soul out through your eyeballs. Here’s how..

More Good Stuff for the Family

My friend Susan Heid (@ConfidentMom) has just released a nifty family calendar for the summer holidays. There’s an activity to do with the kids for every day, with a link to more instructions for each activity. Very practical and fun!

[Image: by h.koppdelaney]

Related posts:

1. A Postcard from Summer in Sydney…
2. 11 Great Reasons To Be Happy
3. Design Your Life UPDATE: Cool New Stuff For Members

In this mission we’re going to do some power career planning or business planning – depending on your goals.

If you want to change career or start a business then this mission is a great place to begin. By the end of these 30 minutes, you’ll have gained useful insights into finding your passion, and have created a mini career plan or business plan for realizing your career or business goals.

Remember: you only need 30 minutes for the basic mission. Extended Options are below.
If you’re new, you might like to start here -> 52 Organizing Missions.

NOTE: This mission is adapted from Module 14 in the Business & Career Life Area of the Design Your Life program.

Organizing Mission #49:
Find Your Business or Career Passion

Get yourself a pen and some paper, or open a new document on your computer, and get comfortable.

Step 1: What Is Your Passion? (15 minutes)

First up, create 5 columns, and give them these headings:

• Enjoy
• Good at
• Gives meaning
• Always interested in
• Business or career opportunities.

Now for each of the following 5 questions, list your answers in the corresponding columns. Jot down single words or short phrases – no long-winded sentences or navel-gazing.

Answer quickly and don’t overanalyze.

1. What do you enjoy doing?

Consider:

• Things you do in your spare time
• Hobbies and pastimes
• What you like doing at work
• Tasks that give you pleasure.

2. What are you good at?

Consider:

• Things that people compliment you about
• Anything you’ve won awards or prizes for
• Jobs were you’ve excelled
• Skills that come naturally to you.

3. What gives you a sense of meaning in your life?

Consider:

• Ideas that matter to you
• Anything without which your life feels empty
• Anything that makes you feel like you’re on a mission
• Anything that drives you.

4. What have you always been interested in?

Consider:

• What’s common to the books you like to read
• What’s common to the movies you like to watch
• What you were interested in as a child
• What you love to talk about.

5. What business or career opportunities are you aware of?

Consider:

• The people you know
• The changes you observe in the economy, technology, etc
• Ideas you’ve wondered about
• Ideas other people have stimulated.

When you’ve got your lists, take a good look at all the answers you’ve come up with. Search for common threads. Notice anything that comes up more than once, even if you’ve used different words to describe it.

You might find an ‘obvious’ (in retrospect) theme that recurs through many of these areas – like a love of teaching that’s been there since you were a kid and shows through in your favorite movies and sense of meaning.

Or you may identify several possibilities.

Either way, pick one or two areas that resonate with you for the next step.

Step 2: Your Passion Plan: Gathering Info (15 minutes)

Now we’ll create a plan for exploring your passion.

First, for each area you’ve tagged for further investigation, make a list of exploratory tasks you can do to learn more.

For instance, could you:

• Read books or articles on career change or starting a business in general
  –> Visit Amazon, a good bookstore or your local library
• Read books or articles on your area of interest
  –> Are there any trade magazines or publications?
• Take a part-time course in your area of interest
  –> Contact your local college or see what’s available online
• Talk to people who work in your area of interest
  –> If you don’t know anyone, ask friends if they know someone they can put you in touch with
• Talk to people who know a lot about your area of interest
  –> Offer to take someone for coffee or lunch and have your questions prepared
• Talk to your family, friends or mentors about this potential career change or business idea
  –> Make it clear that you’re only in the exploratory stage and simply information-gathering
• Talk to a career coach about career change or to a business coach about this business idea
  –> A session or two with an experienced coach can help you gain clarity.

Next, make a list of questions you need to answer from the above sources. What do you need to know in order to decide whether/how to proceed?

For instance, you’ll probably want to find out:

• What skills and knowledge would you need that you don’t have?
  –> Would you have to re-train? Go back to school? Complete a part-time program?
• What are the opportunities, realistically?
  –> Do very few people succeed in this field? Does it take years before you earn an income?
• What financial resources would you need?
  –> Would you need money to support yourself while an intern? Would you need a full-time or part-time job while starting a business?

Your plan of information-gathering tasks and questions to be answered is a great starting point for investigating your business idea or career change.

As you learn more, your information-gathering plan will change and perhaps take you in new directions. That’s great! The important thing is that you now have a point of entry into what you love, what you’re good at, and where opportunities lie.

You’re on the way!

Dos & Don’ts

• Don’t let a critical voice in your head stop you from listing anything you like in Step 1. The information-gathering plan will help you determine whether ideas are viable – so leave judgment until then.
• Do be prepared to do your research into potential business or career ideas. Step 2 helps you get specific and focused about what you need to know. It could save you a great deal of stress, time, money, and family drama.

Extended Organizing Mission Options

Want to go beyond this 30-minute organizing mission?

• Do this mission with a bunch of friends. Support and encourage each other in identifying potential business or career ideas in Step 1, and brainstorming exploratory tasks and questions in Step 2.
• If you feel it would be helpful, do this mission with your older high-school kids. Take your time with each of the steps, encouraging your kids to think about their answers in Step 1, and helping them to come up with ideas in Step 2.

Ready, Set, Go!

Remember – move quickly, act fast, don’t overthink.

Start The 30-Minute Timer

Before You Go: Check In!

Please add a comment to say you’ve completed this week’s Get Organized Mission and you’re keeping your commitment.

And see you back here next week!

Achieve Your Business or Career Goals

The Business & Career life area of Design Your Life helps you take a strategic, organized approach to achieving your business or career goals.

There are e-classes on:

· Improving your current work situation
· Getting promoted/promoting your business
· Finding a new job/finding new business
· Finding your passion: changing career/starting a business.

When you sign up for Design Your Life you can start straight away on the Business & Career life area (you’ll have immediate access to the first 8 modules, including Health & Fitness, Happiness Strategies, Home Organization, Personal Development, and Personal Presentation).

SPECIAL OFFER: Join today for lifetime benefits at a one-off special rate. Learn more.

[Image: by decafinata]

Related posts:

1. Get Organized Mission #12: Organize Your Accounts & Credit Cards
2. Get Organized Mission #16: Streamline Your Books, CDs, & DVDs
3. Get Organized To Reduce Stress [Mission #30]

More Motivating Missions

52 Organizing Missions – Workbook 3 is now available!

The 116-page interactive PDF includes these 30-minute organizing, simplifying and decluttering missions:

• Time Management:
  How To Boost Productivity at Work 
• Time Management:
  How To Simplify Your Home Organization Tasks
• Time Management:
  How To Make the Most Of Personal Time   
• Get Organized To Reduce Stress
• Organize Your Living Area   
• Organize Your Laundry 
• How To Simplify Email Management  
• Donate 50 Things 
• Set Yes Priorities – And Know When To Say No
• Organize Your Paperwork   
• Get Organized For Nutrition 
• Get Organized For Fitness
• Declutter Your Surfaces.

Fully Interactive Workbook

Here’s what you get in your workbook:

	Extremely time-effective Each weekly project takes just 30 minutes. But you can go at your own pace – as fast or slow as you want.
	Printable You can view your missions on-screen, or print them out and take them with you as you organize.
	Planning Worksheets Complete a mission-specific planning worksheet for each organizing mission. It will focus your actions and maximize the effectiveness of your time.
	To-Do Lists Keep a log of good ideas inspired by each mission. You can focus on the task at hand, knowing you can come back to these other ideas later.
	Records of Achievements Track your successes – so you can look back on your progress and see how far you’ve come. Very motivating!
	Optional Extended Missions Each mission includes optional extended tasks for even greater simplifying, organizing and decluttering. Many include the kids, helping them learn good organizing habits for life.
	Fully interactive Our clever PDFs let you enter text, save, print, search, edit and re-use. No special software is needed – they work with the free Adobe PDF Reader on Mac and Windows.
	Economical Endlessly re-usable – repeat the program whenever you need a refresher.
	iPhone Compatible View your missions, planners and lists right from your iPhone.
	Accountability and Motivation After completing each mission, you’re encouraged to check in on the blog. Each mission includes a live link to the relevant blog post for your accountability check-in.

Customer Love: Download Your Free Copy

In line with our ♥ Customer Love Policy ♥ you can log into your account and download your free copy now if:

• You’re an Ultimate Pack customer, or
• You’re a Design Your Life member, or
• You’ve purchased the 52 Organizing Missions Workbook Set.

Get With The Program

• Learn more about 52 Organizing Missions
• Learn more about the 52 Organizing Missions Workbook Set.

Related posts:

1. 52 Organizing Missions UPDATE: Get Workbook 3 Free!
2. NEW! 52 Organizing Missions Workbooks – For a More Organized 2010
3. NEW! From Procrastination to Action Workbook