Get Organized Wizard

Enjoy Good Relationships [Mission #23]

Michele Connolly — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:57:50 +0000

Good relationships have many health and longevity benefits, yet we rarely consider how we can improve our friendships.

This week, over the next 3 steps and 30 minutes, that’s exactly what we’ll do.

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 #23: Declutter Your Friends

Step 1: List Your Friends (10 minutes)

Make a quick list of the main people who occupy your discretionary time – time and activities that are up to you.

Check the past few months in your diary and include people with whom you socialize, share drinks or meals, play sport, meet for coffee, have parties, or engage in activities or hobbies.

Include those you regularly meet in person, by phone or online.

Step 2: Review Your Relationships (10 minutes)

Put a ✔ next to friends for whom any of these apply:

The friendship has deepened over time
You both enjoy spending time together
The friendship is balanced over time – sometimes they need more from you, sometimes you from them
The friendship is energizing – you learn from, provoke thought in, or gain insights from each other
The friend helps you grow – on occasion you challenge each other.

Put a ✖ next to friends for whom any of these apply:

The friendship has remained superficial over time
You don’t particularly enjoy spending time together – it’s more a habit
The friendship is unbalanced over time – they lean too much on you, or you on them
The friendship is energy-draining – you feel exhausted from the effort of being together
The friend keeps you stuck – you tend to support each other in gossiping, complaining or justifying yourselves.

Step 3: Re-Organize Your Social Diary (10 minutes)

Um, there’s no need to send notifications to people on the ✖ list to announce they’ve been culled. A simpler, kinder strategy is to simply allocate your social time based on friendship quality.

For people on the ✔ list:

If you haven’t seen them in a while – make a note to arrange a date
If you’ve neglected to express how much you value the person – make a note to email, call or send a card to say they’re special to you
Over time – allocate more of your discretionary social time to these friendships.

For people on the ✖ list:

If you’ve no dates planned and you’re usually the inviter – consider leaving things as they are
If you’re invited to make a date – see if you can lengthen the time between get-togethers
If you have an upcoming date – make a diary note to try to change the flavor of the friendship and move it to the ✔ list
Over time – allocate less of your discretionary social time to these friendships.

Dos & Don’ts

Don’t stress yourself out over who belongs on which list. You’ll have internalized a good sense of which friendships are mutually rewarding and which are not – go with your gut instinct.
Do feel good about proactively managing your friendships. It’s a life area most people say matters, yet few people do anything about.

Extended Organizing Mission Options

Want to go beyond this 30-minute organizing mission?

Talk to your kids about the value of having good friends – and being one, too. Help them sort through their own friends using an age-appropriate version of this week’s mission.
Organize a dinner party, afternoon tea, games night, picnic or other event and invite all the people on your ✔ list. Celebrate your fine friendships!

Ready, Set, Go!

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

Before You Go: 1) Check In; 2) Send Photos!

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

We’d love to add your before and after snaps for any mission to the 52 Organizing Missions Hall of Fame. Please send photos to: Photos@GetOrganizedWizard.com

And see you back here next week!

DID YOU KNOW:

You can get your weekly organizing mission delivered free to your inbox.
Click here to sign up for 52 Organizing Missions.

[Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/anniferrr/ / CC BY 2.0]

Goal Setting 101: How To Use SMART Goals to Change a Habit

Michele Connolly — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:36:56 +0000

[Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hikingartist/ / CC BY 2.0]

You might find it easy to apply SMART goal principles to your life goals or other personal goals, like losing weight or getting better grades.

But what about changing habits – can SMART goal setting apply there, too?

In today’s class *puts on teacherly glasses* we’re going to turn a desired habit change into a SMART goal.

Speaking Up In Meetings

Let’s say Sally has plenty of good ideas but she keeps these to herself in meetings, and it’s holding her back, career-wise.

We’ll make a SMART goal of ‘speaking up in meetings’ for Sally. As we do each step, the goal will evolve.

Specific

‘Speaking up in meetings’ is vague. Let’s make it more precise:

I want to share good ideas or helpful comments in meetings.

✔ Now it’s specific - ‘good ideas’ and ‘helpful comments’, and only ‘in meetings’.

Measurable

How will Sally know if she’s on track?

I will share at least one good idea or useful comment in each meeting (unless I really have nothing useful to add).

✔ Sally can measure ‘at least one’ during each meeting.

Achievable

Is this something Sally can reasonably expect to do?

I will share at least one good idea or useful comment in each meeting.

✔ The goal is achievable for Sally – it’s only in meetings, which she can handle. If it were public speaking she might need more information or training before she could achieve the goal.

Relevant

Does this really matter to Sally?

I will share at least one good idea or useful comment in each meeting.

✔ This goal is relevant for Sally, because she wants to get promoted and participating in meetings is an issue. Your goal has to be relevant – otherwise you may give up at the first challenge.

Time-framed

We need to put a clock or calendar on this:

I will share at least one good idea or useful comment in each meeting for the next 2 weeks.

✔ This is time-framed – Sally will do it for at least 2 weeks. Then she can review her progress and discuss it with her boss.

Do Your Own SMART Goal Setting

Using the SMART goal approach imposes an extra level of commitment to habit change. As this example shows, you won’t get away with vague or half-hearted promises.

If you like, download my SMART Goal Planner Template to step you through the process.

Now isn’t that a smart way to tackle your habits?

Don’t Let Self-Help Turn Into Shelf-Help

Michele Connolly — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:25:56 +0000

Does self-help become
shelf-help for you?

Here’s a trick to better use what you read:

As you read, have a notebook & pen beside you.
When you find something to do or remember, make a note.
Transfer actions to your schedule with a due date.
Share ideas to remember – email or call a friend, write a summary for clients, blog it, tweet it or present it.
Donate the book to a friend or library.

I post Today’s Tips like this one on my Facebook Professional Page.
Please come and be a fan!

Announcing the Design Your Life e-Program

Michele Connolly — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:04:18 +0000

Design Your Life is Here!

For some time I’ve been busy preparing the Design Your Life program for you. I’m very excited that it’s now open!

This comprehensive, 12-month self-improvement e-program delivers ongoing structure, motivation and accountability for taking action on the things you want in life.

It’s based on the popular Life & Goal Organizer DIY system, but I’ve now created a complete action-based e-program with weekly e-classes, interactive workbooks and action planners, videos, e-books, and access to exclusive accountability and community forums.

Quite simply, it’s the easiest and most practical way to create the life you want – week by week, step by step, action by action.

Earlybird Memberships

Earlybird Memberships are available for a strictly limited time. So if you’re ready to Design the life you’ve always wanted, join us now!

Any questions? Contact my friendly support team.

Customers – Check Your Inbox

In line with our Customer Love Policy, existing customers have received an invitation to join the Design Your Life program at a further reduced monthly rate. Check your inbox.

Your New Life Starts Here

If you’re ready to start your new life, come and join me. I can’t wait to meet you in the forums!

Organize Your Bathroom [Mission #22]

Michele Connolly — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 10:08:01 +0000

[Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/urbanelife/ / CC BY-SA 2.0]

This week we turn to the bathroom. Follow these 3 simple steps and you’ll have your own little spa in your home.

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 #22: Organize Your Bathroom

Step 1: Take everything out (5 minutes)

Take everything out of the cabinets and drawers, and off the shelves, sills and ledges.

Place it all on a bathmat in the centre of the room, or just outside if there’s no space.

Step 2: Ditch the dross (10 minutes)

As usual, be ruthless. If you don’t love it or use it – lose it. Target:

Old or expired toiletries and bath products
Old or yucky make-up
Old or yucky hairbrushes and combs
Old perfumes and lotions
Expired and no-longer-needed medicines
Tatty towels and bathmats
Empty or mildewed bottles
Yucky bathroom accessories, like rusty shower caddies
Unloved bathroom ornaments

Step 3: Organize and replace (15 minutes)

Here are 2 principles for deciding what goes where:

1. Keep things accessible according to frequency of use

For example:

Toothbrushes and lotions you use everyday should be in the most convenient place – these deserve a CBD location.
Medicines you use sometimes or want to access easily in case of emergency should be conveniently accessible – these can live in the suburbs.
Gadgets that come out rarely can afford to go in less convenient locations, like high shelves – these belong on the outskirts of your bathroom real estate.

2. Keep similar things together

Keep like with like – you’ll easily remember where things go and retrieve them fast.
Keep things close to where you use them – shower products in the shower, dental products beside the sink, shaver in a cabinet beside the power point, etc.

Dos & Don’ts

Don’t clutter up your life with excessive grooming paraphernalia.
Do replace unneeded medicines with appropriate first aid supplies.

Extended Organizing Mission Options

Want to go beyond this 30-minute organizing mission?

Give each of the kids a basket for their bathroom supplies. Encourage them to keep what they need and let go of things that run out or are no longer needed.
To save space and simplify your life, streamline your grooming routine. What steps can you cut out as you get ready each day? What gadgets and products can you eliminate?
Treat yourself to nice fluffy towels, yummy-smelling products, a candle and perhaps an iPod-speaker. It will turn your bathroom into your own little spa.

Ready, Set, Go!

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

Before You Go – Please Check In, And Send Photos!

Please add a comment at the bottom of this post to let your mission-mates know you’ve completed this week’s Get Organized Mission and you’re keeping your commitment.

We’d love to add your before and after snaps to the 52 Organizing Missions Hall of Fame. Please send photos to: Photos@GetOrganizedWizard.com

And see you back here next week!

DID YOU KNOW:

You can get your weekly organizing mission delivered free to your inbox.
Click here to sign up for 52 Organizing Missions.

Family Management Tools

Michele Connolly — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 05:56:12 +0000

[

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/whiteafrican/ / CC BY 2.0]

Family organization is made easier with the right tools.

The blog Wise Bread has put together some helpful resources for organizing the family, covering:

Money Management for Kids and Their Parents –
With a family budget spreadsheet
Remembering What Foods Your Kids Have Tried and Liked –
With a new foods chart
Organizing Events –
With an event to-do spreadsheet
Homework –
With a homework chart

Depending on the age of your kids and your current challenges, you might find something really helpful here.

PS If you’d prefer a less detailed approach to the above areas, among others, you can also take a squiz at the lists, schedules and planners in my Ultimate To-Do List Pack | Home & Family Edition.

How To Feel Happier Now? Face It!

Michele Connolly — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 05:02:07 +0000

[Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kretyen/ / CC BY 2.0]

According to a recent Scientific American article, a number of studies suggest our feelings are strengthened, perhaps even stimulated, by the faces we make.

Don’t Frown, Be Happy

In one study, frown-impaired Botox injectees felt happier than people who were free to frown. And the botoxers didn’t feel any more attractive, in case you’re thinking that would account for their mood lift.

One of the researchers, Michael Lewis, said:

It would appear that the way we feel emotions isn’t just restricted to our brain—there are parts of our bodies that help and reinforce the feelings we’re having.

I Frown, Therefore I’m Cranky

In another study, people who frowned during an unpleasant situation felt more pain than those who kept their faces neutral or relaxed. People with calmer faces experienced less distress.

What We Can Do Differently

The article goes on to say that deliberately suppressing negative emotions can lead to those feelings leaking out in other ways. Sounds messy.

Instead, smarter dos and don’ts might be:

Don’t let your face exaggerate

If something’s bad, feel it – but avoid overdoing the drama.

Don’t let the long face linger too long

Feel it, then let it go.

Smile

It might just strengthen your happiness. Try it now!

My Partner is a Hoarder. Help!

Michele Connolly — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 03:27:25 +0000

[Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/toxicboy/ / CC BY 2.0]

People often ask about partners who need help getting organized or decluttering, so I thought I’d address the question here. I was recently asked this question via my Facebook page.

How To Handle a Hoarder

Q.

My partner is such a hoarder! Any tips?

A.

There are a several ways to approach this, both for you and your partner.

Start by making peace with the fact that you can’t change someone else. In fact, if you push too hard your partner may become defensive, making the situation worse.

Instead, focus on getting what you need (perhaps a clutter-free space of your own?), modeling the benefits of hoarding-free behavior in your own life, and reinforcing positive change in your partner. The first post, below, is about working with a disorganized colleague, but the three tips are equally applicable to living with a stuff-loving partner.

For your partner, if and when they decide they want to address their habits, there are a number of ways they can tackle the challenge.

They might like to start with changing their mindset by looking at mental resistance and excuses. Or they might prefer to jump right in with simple fixes to get started.

It then becomes a small step to broadening the focus to their home, and going for short, 30-minute decluttering projects.

The Secret: Start Small and Keep Going

Unless you have the resources of a national television show at your disposal, don’t expect big changes all at once. Instead encourage your partner, when ready, to make a small start, and continue most days. That will be enough.

All of these posts offer simple strategies, so the barrier to starting is low.

Living With A Hoarder

Organizing Q & A | How To Deal With OPD – Other People’s Disorganization: My Top 3 Tips

Changing A Hoarding Mindset

Small Ways To Start Decluttering

How To Declutter Your Home

Clutter-Busting In 30 Minutes

Your Say

If you live with a hoarder, what have you found successful? Please share your experiences, or let us know what you’re going to try.

Create Your ‘Organized Life Morning Routine’ [Mission #21]

Michele Connolly — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:12:41 +0000

[Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/filtran/ / CC BY 2.0]

Last week we created your personal Organized Life Bedtime Routine. This week we’ll create one for the morning.

Having an Organized Life Morning Routine will help you face each day – and the world – with a sense of confidence, order, and motivation.

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 #21: Create Your Organized Life Morning Routine

Step 1: Make a list of what you need to do each morning

I suggest you write, or type and print out, your list (or use the suggestions below and print out this post). Tape it to the bathroom mirror or somewhere you’ll see it each morning, to remind you of things to check off so you enjoy a calm, organized and productive day.

Include in your Organized Life Morning Routine the things that help you start the day looking and feeling good. I’ve categorized by zone, but create your routine in the order you perform the tasks. Here are some ideas:

Fuel Up

Have breakfast
Make lunches, snacks, etc
Put lunch/snack in bag/briefcase/backpack
Load dishwasher/wash breakfast dishes
Wipe down table, surfaces used, and the sink
[Tip: A tidy kitchen will brighten your mood when you get home]

Do Your Ablutions & Grooming

Shower
[Tip: Use products that smell nice and feel pampery to give yourself a mini spa treat every day]
Clean your nails with a nail brush
Brush your teeth [Tip: Brush your tongue too]
Shave (dudes)
Style your hair
[Tip: Ask your hairdresser for a cut that looks good with minimal styling time and effort]
Apply make up (girls)
[Tip: Keep it simple – you’ll save time every morning and avoid ‘touch ups’ all afternoon]
Hang up towels
Put make up, hair products, etc away

Dress

Choose an outfit that looks and feels good
[Tip: Only keep items in your closet that look and feel good]
Check your labels are tucked in, zips done all the way up, etc
Put away any clothes left out
Stand up nice and straight and smile when you check your reflection in the mirror

Personal Organization

Make the bed
[Tip: A nicely made bed will lift your mood as you start and as you end your day]
Check your diary
[Tip: Knowing what’s ahead can help you feel like you’re starting the day prepared]

Check Your Remember-To-Take Checklist

Keys
Wallet
PDA
Cell phone
Handbag, briefcase, tote, backpack
Coat, jacket, cardigan
Special items for meetings, etc
Money/tokens for tickets, tolls, etc

Step 2: Time yourself tomorrow

Tomorrow, complete your Organized Life Morning Routine and notice how long it takes. That’s how long you need to allow yourself each morning.

Step 3: Use the Organized Life Morning Routine each day

Every day, follow your Organized Life Morning Routine. Make it a habit.

You’ll start the morning well because of your Organized Life Bedtime Routine. Use this routine to move the whole day that way!

Dos & Don’ts

Don’t turn this into an daily ordeal. Be quick and spritely. Have upbeat music on if it helps.
Do remind yourself that the time you spend each morning on this ritual will more than pay for itself in a greater sense of confidence, order, and motivation throughout the day.

Extended Organizing Mission Options

Want to go beyond this 30-minute organizing mission?

Create an Organized Life Morning Routine for each child. It will both save time and teach the kids valuable personal organization skills.
Depending on their age, many or all of the listed items above could apply. If age-appropriate, give them a printed copy to follow in the mornings.

Ready, Set, Go!

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

Before You Go – Please Check In, And Send Photos!

Please add a comment at the bottom of this post to let your mission-mates know you’ve completed this week’s Get Organized Mission and you’re keeping your commitment.

We’d love to add your before and after snaps to the 52 Organizing Missions Hall of Fame. Please send photos to: Photos@GetOrganizedWizard.com

And see you back here next week!

DID YOU KNOW:

You can get your weekly organizing mission delivered free to your inbox.
Click here to sign up for 52 Organizing Missions.

Announcing The Design Your Life Logo & Winners

Michele Connolly — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 12:06:56 +0000

Thank you so much for your wonderful, inspiring and thought-provoking comments on our Design Your Life logo survey.

We spent ages reading over and considering the excellent ideas you raised. Every comment gave us food for thought.

The Winners

Because there were so many good ideas and perspectives shared, we decided to choose 2 winners. Congratulations to:

The Design Your Life Logo

We’ve chosen the logo above, because:

Design is the trunk, the part you take action on that drives the results (so it’s purple)
Your Life is the new growth, a new leaf, the part that flourishes (so it’s green)
Your New Life Starts Here because there’s a definite starting point for the changes (here!) and your whole life will change (across 12 life areas).

The Prize

Our winners (we’ll notify you directly) receive an entire 12-month membership to the Design Your Life Program. This comprehensive program is based on the popular Life & Goal Organizer DIY system, but I’ve chunked it down and made it accountability-based with monthly workbooks, weekly e-classes, action plans, accountability checks and exclusive member forums.

Special Memberships Announced Next Week

The Design Your Life Program is released next week.

Sign up here to learn about a limited number of Charter Memberships at special lifetime rates.
Consistent with our Customer Love Policy, we’ll also offer Customer Love Memberships for existing customers at extra-special lifetime rates.
And if you have a group of 10 or more who’d like to do the program together, we have Group and Corporate Memberships with private forums and other benefits.

Any questions? Please contact our friendly Support Team.

Thanks again! I’m overwhelmed by your generous comments.

Personal Organization Web Watch [11 October]

Michele Connolly — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:56:13 +0000

[Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gagillphoto/ / CC BY-ND 2.0]

Here are some cool articles on aspects of happiness, productivity and personal organization that I’ve found around the web in the past couple of weeks. I hope you find something helpful here.

Business & Career

When a Colleague’s Mistakes Affect You | Harvard Business
How are you going to Crush It in 2010? | Escape From Cubicle Nation
Focus on Strengths, Not Correcting Weaknesses | Dumb Little Man
101 Small Business Mistakes (and What You Can Learn From Them) | Wise Bread

Weight Loss

Calorie Counters Consume More | LifeHacker
You Snooze, You Lose | Scientific American
The Effect of Our Surroundings on Body Weight | Scientific American

Technology & Social Media

Home Organization

Managing a wardrobe of many sizes | Unclutterer
Using Color | Apartment Therapy
4 Daily Routines: How I keep my house “clean enough” | The Inspired Room

Hoarding: 7 Lies That Keep You Caught In Clutter

Michele Connolly — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:45:16 +0000

[Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/62904109@N00/ / CC BY 2.0]

Hoarders on Oprah

Oprah has yet another show about hoarders this week. It got me thinking about the lies we tell ourselves to avoid letting go of the stuff that fills up our homes and lives.

Of course extreme hoarding can be associated with psychiatric disorders. More commonly, though, we justify mounting mounds of matter with the little lies we tell ourselves.

Here are 7 of the most common self-delusions I hear, along with a decent dose of reality.

1. I don’t have time

I have no doubt you’re time-poor – nearly everyone today is.

But how much time do you lose each day to:

feeling frustrated
shopping for things you already have, but can’t find
feeling bad about your home and inventing excuses to stop people coming over
searching the rubble for papers, sunglasses, your youngest child
being unproductive because your office is a mess

Think about all the time you lose over a year. You could gain more than that back with just a little daily decluttering.

Take 10 minutes to get rid of stuff you’ve been hoarding today. Don’t be surprised if you gain 30 or more minutes in productivity right away.

2. It will be awful, horrible, painful; did I mention awful?

The pain of taking action is over quickly, but the pain of living in clutter can be yours to love and cherish for the rest of your life.

The truth is, the anticipation of decluttering is far, far worse that the decluttering itself.

Don’t believe me? Take a look at these comments from people who, like you, dreaded the deed. They sound happy, don’t they? Hmmm…

3. It’s too hard

If you’re talking about organizing your entire home, car, and office all at once then yes, it is. You wouldn’t catch me doing it, no matter how much chocolate you offered me. (Just how much chocolate are we talking about?)

Don’t even try to organize everything or tackle a lifetime of hoarding all at once. Start with something small – a drawer, a paper pile, a mound that’s starting to evolve its own ecosystem. Do a little each day. It might take you a month, or three months, or a year. But it won’t be too hard at all.

4. I’ll do it later

Um, no you won’t. You know it, I know it, your husband/wife/best friend knows it. Let’s move on.

5. I like it this way

If I had a dollar for every But-I’m-happy-this-way person who, after finally getting rid of things they’d been hoarding, admitted they’d been kidding themselves big time – well, I’d have a lot of dollars.

This is the mother of all clutter self-delusions. Bust yourself on it, start releasing things that don’t enhance your life, and enjoy denial-free happiness.

6. It’s not that bad

It could be worse, that’s true. But please, dear reader, don’t choose that as a yardstick for your life.

If excessive stuff is costing you serious time, money and peace of mind, it is that bad. Start letting go of things you don’t need or love today.

7. I can keep it if I want

This is a completely reasonable assertion – if you’re 4. Otherwise, a more helpful one might be ‘I can be happy and feel good about my space if I want’.

Yes, you certainly can – and all it will take is big dose of reality and a little time most days to chip away at your clutter.

Be happy and feel good about your space. That’s my wish for you.

Your say

What lies have you been telling yourself to justify hoarding stuff that doesn’t enhance your life? And are you ready to bust yourself on it? Share your story in the comments.

Organize Your Audio For Learning & Pleasure [With Free iPod Worksheet]

Michele Connolly — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:58:39 +0000

[Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/subharnab/ / CC BY 2.0]

Your iPod, CD player or car stereo is a veritable vault of education, motivation, fun, and relaxation.

All it takes is a little organization to liberate the goodies. You’ll upgrade your knowledge, make better use of your time and improve your mood.

Here’s how…

Organize Your Music

They say that music is food for the soul. Well, how about a little lyrical nourishment?

Decide on the kind of music you want to listen to. Choices could include:

upbeat to boost your mood
classical to chill you out
high-energy to power your workouts.

Mine your CDS – your own and maybe your kids’ – for songs to rip to your MP3 player or to make a ‘mixtape’ CD.

Browse iTunes or use the Genius function and download tunes that tantalize your musical taste buds.

Organize Your Audiobooks

Don’t forget to feed your brain, too. Audiobooks are a convenient way to take in stimulating or educational works while doing housework, working out, waiting for your bus or flight, or doing mindless errands.

Decide on the books you’d like to listen to. Choices could include:

classic works you’ve always wanted to read
business or motivational titles
new releases by today’s big thinkers.

Check out Audible for a fab range of audiobooks you can download direct to your iPod, and Amazon for a good range of books on CD.

Organize Your Podcasts

For short, current grabs on almost any topic, subscribe to podcasts. They’re free, and iTunes has more than 100,000 to choose from.

Organize Your Playlists

Create playlists to match your moods. Here are some ideas:

Workout/Gym

Select upbeat tracks, perhaps with a couple of slower ones at the end for your cool-down and stretch, or create your own interval training playlist

Cheerful

Choose songs that make you want to dance, smile or sing along

Moody

It can be comforting to have a playlist for times when you just want to feel sorry for yourself – but I suggest keeping this playlist short.

Motivating

Fill this list with songs that inspire you – and use it to fire yourself up when you want a burst of encouragement

Getting ready

Here you want music that gets you in a party mood – excellent accompaniment while dressing for a party

And with that, you’ve transformed your iPod, CD player or car into your own personal learning and pleasure machine!

Your iPod Worksheet

Here’s an iPod Worksheet for organizing your MP3 player. It’s an interactive PDF, so you can Type-&-Save or Print-&-Write. Download it by clicking the link below.

This worksheet is from my Life & Goal Organizer Program.

iPod Worksheet.pdf
(96.11 KB)

What’s on your MP3 player? How do you organize it? Please share any tips in the comments!

Introducing the 52 Organizing Missions ‘Hall of Fame’ Gallery [With Prize]

Michele Connolly — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:27:15 +0000

Share your success!

Take a look at the comments on the 52 Organizing Missions posts, or the 52 Organizing Missions success stories, and you’ll get a sense of the wonderful strides these Mission-mates are making in their personal organization.

In the spirit of acknowledging our successes and celebrating our strengths, I’m starting a Hall of Fame Gallery for everyone in the 52 Organizing Missions community to gain inspiration and share achievements.

Achievements like this one, from Get Organized Mission #2: Detox Your Briefcase/Tote/Bag:

Before	After

Send in your before and after pics

If you’d like to share a pic, please send me:

An ‘After’ photo for any of the Missions you’ve completed
A ‘Before’ photo if you have one – it’s even more motivating for your Mission-Mates
Your name as you’d like it shown
Your blog or website URL if you’d like a link attached to your name.

Please send the above to: Photos@GetOrganizedWizard.com

Win a very cool prize

I’ll be giving the best 3 before and after pics I receive in October a free month in the soon-to-be-released Design Your Life Program.

But everyone benefits – by sharing their success and encouraging their Mission-mates.

So get that camera out. I can’t wait to see your pics!

Create Your ‘Organized Life Bedtime Routine’ [Mission #20]

Michele Connolly — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:51:02 +0000

[Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cocokelley/ / CC BY 2.0]

One of the best things you can do to feel organized throughout your day is to prepare well the night before. So in this mission we’ll create your personal Organized Life Bedtime Routine.

You’ll absolutely love the difference completing this mission will make to your daily stress management, time management, and home organization.

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 #20: Create Your Organized Life Bedtime Routine

Step 1: Make a list of what you need to do each night

I suggest you write, or type and print out, your list (or use the suggestions below and print out this post). Take it with you every night as you complete and check off each item.

Include things that will make your mornings calmer and your days better organized, such as:

Tidy

Do an express tidy and put away books, remotes, toys, etc
Give surfaces a quick wipe-down
Use a hand-vac to get rid of crumbs around food areas
Put dirty clothes and linen in the laundry hamper
Put clean clothes back in the closet

Organize morning zones for tomorrow

Load and turn on the dishwasher
Set the table for breakfast
Fill the coffee maker
Check supplies of milk, cereal, etc
Check towels in the bathroom

Prepare for tomorrow

Choose your outfit – including shoes and accessories
Check your diary, the family calendar, the kids’ school schedule – so there are no surprises in the morning
Get together any special items you or the kids need – like files for a meeting or permission notes for a field trip
Pack your briefcase, satchel or purse
Set the alarm, allowing enough time to get ready and to be on time without having to rush

Do a brain dump

Make a list of things for tomorrow’s attention

Get bed-ready

Brush and floss your teeth, wash your face, grab your teddy-bear and do whatever else you need to do before popping into bed.

Step 2: Time yourself tonight

Tonight, complete your Organized Life Bedtime Routine and take note of how long it takes. That’s how long you need to allow each night.

Step 3: Do your Organized Life Bedtime Routine every night!

Every night, get out your Organized Life Bedtime Routine list – and follow it! Make it a habit.

Dos & Don’ts

Don’t turn this into an nightly ordeal. Be quick and spritely. If you’re taking more than 20 – 30 minutes, you’re over-thinking it.
Don’t feel you have to do it at bedtime. After dinner or any time during the evening is fine – as long as you make it a habit.
Do remind yourself that the time you spend each night on this ritual will more than pay for itself in better personal organization, time management and stress reduction.

Extended Organizing Mission Options

Want to go beyond this 30-minute organizing mission?

This is an excellent mission to share with the family. It will both save time and teach the kids valuable personal organization skills. Give them age-appropriate tasks in the Tidy (put away toys?) and Organize morning zones (set the table?) areas. Then add their regular bedtime steps, like packing bags and brushing teeth. It’ll be a big help to give them a printed copy of their personal Organized Life Bedtime Routine too.

Ready, Set, Go!

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

Congratulations – You’re 40% Complete!

By completing this mission, you’ve made it 40% of the way through the 52 Missions program. You’re nearly halfway there!

Over the past 20 weeks you’ve filled a huge trash bag with stuff, detoxed your bag or briefcase, organized your bills, turned your back on ‘free’ stuff you don’t want, saved time by smartening up your phone and email messages, detoxed your car, reminded yourself how to be happy, decluttered 50 items from your home, set up a simple filing system to take charge of paperwork, cleared out your closet, created a wardrobe wishlist, taken control of your accounts & credit cards, set up a list of emergency contacts, created a home management binder, organized your kitchen, streamlined your books, CDs, & DVDs, turned your bedroom into a sanctuary, followed 7 steps to organize your computer, organized your office, and now, set up your Organized Life Bedtime Routine .

You should feel really great about how much you’ve achieved. Many people go their whole lives procrastinating on tasks like these. But not you – you’ve followed through on your commitment and you’re creating a happier, more organized life for yourself. I think you’re awesome.

Here’s your well-earned 40% Complete badge. Collect your badge by getting this code (the third one is the 40% Complete badge) and pasting it onto your blog or website.

Before You Go – Please Check In

Please add a comment at the bottom of this post to let your mission-mates know you’ve completed this week’s Get Organized Mission and you’re keeping your commitment.

And see you back here next week!

DID YOU KNOW:

You can get your weekly organizing mission delivered free to your inbox.
Click here to sign up for 52 Organizing Missions.

What Do Your Tools Say About Your Goal Commitment?

Michele Connolly — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 05:39:02 +0000

[Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/flattop341/ / CC BY 2.0]

This week in The Age, Valerie Khoo discusses what your business tools reveal about your commitment:

The tools you use are an indication of how serious you are about your business. Do you have a dedicated website or are your using a free blogging platform like Blogger… Does your email address feature your own domain name or that of your internet service provider.

Valerie’s test of commitment can apply to many life areas:

If you want to improve yourself, do you have quality books, programs and education?
If you want to get fitter, so you have the workout wear to look and feel the part?
If you want a successful business, do your promotional materials support you?
If you want to get promoted, does your briefcase fit your future?
If you want an organized home, do you have a filing cabinet, toy bins, a mini-vac?
If you want to take charge of your money, do you have personal-finance software?
If you want to be well-presented, do you have clothes that look and feel good?
If you want to be happy, do you have the the simple things – like books or DVDs, paints or a guitar – that cheer you up?

Time to get serious about your goals?

Think about your own goals. What do your tools say about how serious you are? If you’re struggling to achieve your goals, perhaps it’s time to upgrade the tools that support you.

As Valerie says, ‘The problem is that when we embark on new goals we’re often hesitant to invest in the tools we need to help us get there’.

Don’t buy something for the sake of it, but do ask yourself if you’re held back because there’s something you need. Good tools will better equip you to work toward your objectives.

But perhaps more importantly, it’s sometimes the investment we make that shows others, as well as ourselves, that we’re serious.

Your say

In what area are your tools – or lack of them – letting you down?
Please share your comment at the bottom of this post.

Declutter Your Life – Get More Energy

Michele Connolly — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:46:44 +0000

‘Decluttering is a way to identify what’s obsolete in your life,’ says Julie Morgenstern in the Woman’s Day article 12 Reasons to Unclutter Your Space. ‘Getting rid of stuff creates a sense of energy, giving you room to think, which frees you to do more with your life.’

Julie’s so right. People constantly tell me how decluttering their home, office or life has given them more time, energy, motivation and happiness. That’s a huge payoff for a little pain. Okay, maybe a lot of pain.

But don’t worry – you can break it down into small pieces of pain.

You don’t have to do it all at once

You can start with a room, a drawer, a pile. And the next day, you can do another. Day by day, week by week, the clutter will disappear and the fog will lift.

Or join our free program, 52 Organizing Missions, which provides targeted organizing missions that take only 30 minutes a week. If you think that’s not enough time to see big benefits, just read a few of the Success Stories.

What could you do or be if you decluttered your life?

What’s obsolete in your life? What are you holding onto that no longer serves you? And more importantly, what are you crowding out of your life with all that stuff?

If you want more calm to think, more energy to do things, and more room to do them in, then clean out your life.

Step 1: Start today. Step 2: Continue tomorrow. You will get there.

To leave a comment: A comment box is waiting for you at the bottom of this post.

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Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/evilerin/ / CC BY 2.0

Hear Me Talking About Productivity and Piles of Paper on Sydney Radio

Michele Connolly — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:35:28 +0000

This week I had the pleasure of being interviewed about organizing your office on the Small Business with Prue MacSween show on Sydney’s Radio 2GB 873AM.

We chatted about:

How to avoid piles of paper and inbox overflow.
Solution: make quick decisions.
How to organize your desk for better productivity.
Solution: use my ‘real estate’ model of office organizing.
Whether you should start again when your backlog is too overwhelming.
Sometimes starting afresh can be a good solution.

You can listen here:

Michele Connolly Interview With Prue MacSween On 2GB.mp3
(5.32 MB)

I’d love to know what you think! Or feel free to share your own office-organizing or productivity tips in the comments.

To leave a comment: A comment box is waiting for you at the bottom of this post.

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Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gregoryjameswalsh/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

Organize Your Office [Mission #19]

Michele Connolly — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 10:37:25 +0000

If you want to increase productivity, motivation and mental clarity, one of the best things you can do is to create an effective workspace.

So in this mission, we’ll follow 3 steps to transform your work zone into an organized office.

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 #19:
Organize Your Office

Step 1: Ditch the Dispensable (10 minutes)

With only 10 minutes to spend here, my advice is to be ruthless in what you discard – you’ll get more done. But get rid of as much as you feel comfortable with.

Grab our old friends the hu-u-uge trash bag and donation basket and get to work. Items to attack include:

School or college notes and texts – unless you just graduated they’re probably out of date
Old paperwork, bills, receipts, mail – keep if needed for taxes or reference; shred if confidential
Equipment you don’t use – such as a 2-hole punch if you use 3-ring binders
Equipment for tasks you now outsource – such as spiral binders or laminating machines
Excess stationery you won’t use this decade
Knickknacks that provide no meaning, beauty or inspiration
Reading piles you know you’ll never get to – and this applies to pretty much every reading pile
Books you’ll never read
Old computer or software manuals
Birthday, Christmas and greeting cards – unless they’re genuinely special to you
Outdated printers, scanners, fax machines (check for disposal info with your local council)
Defunct phones, computers, cells, PDAs etc (ditto)
Abandoned projects and the various accompanying supplies, storage containers, etc
Old notebooks not needed for reference
Old lamps, chairs and other equipment in poor condition
Doubles of staplers, hole punches, scissors, rulers, etc
Any item you haven’t used in the past 12 months
Anything broken, yucky, tatty, or inconsistent with your professionalism.

Step 2: Archive the Ancient (5 minutes)

If you need to keep client, tax or other files you don’t refer to, move them out of your office. Once you’ve completed this mission, move the files to offsite storage, a garage or an unused closet.

Step 3: Re-allocate the Real Estate (15 minutes)

Organize your remaining office materials according to frequency of use. Think of the area directly around you as prime real estate, and allocate your stuff accordingly.

For example:

Computer and diary used daily should be close at hand.
These deserve a CBD location - like the top of your desk.
Current files and stationery used regularly should be conveniently accessible.
These can live in the suburbs – like desk drawers and handy file cabinets.
Archived files and spare toner used rarely can afford to be stored out of the way.
They belong on the outskirts of your office – like high shelves.

Some people so detest the idea of organizing their offices that they’d rather spend their whole working lives in a chaotic workspace than attempt to create order. Don’t let this be you!

If you’re willing to move as fast as you can, and follow these steps, you’ll enjoy a tremendous boost to your confidence, productivity and even your mood. And so you should. Well done!

Now, sit back in your chair and survey your office. Can’t you just feel the motivation surge?

Dos & Don’ts

Don’t make the mistake of having rarely-used items close to hand. Save the most valuable space for the items that contribute most to your work and productivity.
Do be ruthless in eliminating anything that doesn’t support you in producing good work. Every item costs you in mental clutter and distraction, so if it’s not helping you, let it go.

Extended Organizing Mission Options

Want to go beyond this 30-minute organizing mission?

If you want to make this into a major mission, take everything out of your file cabinets, drawers and shelves, complete steps 1 and 2, and then replace everything using the storage principles from step 3. Have some great music on your iPod to add a little fun to the exercise.

Ready, Set, Go!

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

Before You Go – Please Check In

Once you’ve completed this week’s Get Organized Mission please add a comment to let us know you’ve done your assignment and you’re keeping your commitment. To leave a comment: Scroll to the bottom of this post, where you’ll find a comment box waiting for you.

And see you back here next week!

DID YOU KNOW:

You can get your weekly organizing mission delivered free to your inbox.
Click here to sign up for 52 Organizing Missions.

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeyparsons/ / CC BY-ND 2.0

5 Home Organization Strategies for Busy People

Michele Connolly — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 06:34:33 +0000

I was recently asked this question on my Facebook Professional Page:

Q:

I don’t have a lot of energy to organize my house. I need quick tips that will help me get going.

A:

Here are 5 house-organizing strategies, from previous posts, that don’t need a big effort or a lot of time. But these 5 ideas can certainly help you have a less cluttered and more organized home.

5 Ways To Organize Your Home When You’re Low on Time And Energy

1. Make quick decisions

The One Thing You Must Do If You Want To Get Organized

2. Include cleaning up as part of every single task

My Very Best Life-Changing Tip For A Clutter-Free Home

3. Have less stuff

4. Go for quick fixes

5. Do 30 minutes at a time

Do you have home organization tips for busy people that you’d like to share?
To leave a comment: A comment box is waiting for you at the bottom of this post.

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/deapeajay/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

Get Organized Wizard

Enjoy Good Relationships [Mission #23]

Get Organized Mission #23: Declutter Your Friends

Step 1: List Your Friends (10 minutes)

Step 2: Review Your Relationships (10 minutes)

Put a ✔ next to friends for whom any of these apply:

Put a ✖ next to friends for whom any of these apply:

Step 3: Re-Organize Your Social Diary (10 minutes)

For people on the ✔ list:

For people on the ✖ list:

Dos & Don’ts

Extended Organizing Mission Options

Ready, Set, Go!

Before You Go: 1) Check In; 2) Send Photos!

DID YOU KNOW:

Goal Setting 101: How To Use SMART Goals to Change a Habit

Speaking Up In Meetings

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Relevant

Time-framed

Do Your Own SMART Goal Setting

Don’t Let Self-Help Turn Into Shelf-Help

Does self-help become shelf-help for you?

I post Today’s Tips like this one on my Facebook Professional Page. Please come and be a fan!

Announcing the Design Your Life e-Program

Design Your Life is Here!

Earlybird Memberships

Customers – Check Your Inbox

Your New Life Starts Here

Organize Your Bathroom [Mission #22]

Get Organized Mission #22: Organize Your Bathroom

Step 1: Take everything out (5 minutes)

Step 2: Ditch the dross (10 minutes)

Step 3: Organize and replace (15 minutes)

1. Keep things accessible according to frequency of use

2. Keep similar things together

Dos & Don’ts

Extended Organizing Mission Options

Ready, Set, Go!

Before You Go – Please Check In, And Send Photos!

DID YOU KNOW:

Family Management Tools

How To Feel Happier Now? Face It!

Don’t Frown, Be Happy

I Frown, Therefore I’m Cranky

What We Can Do Differently

Don’t let your face exaggerate

Don’t let the long face linger too long

Smile

My Partner is a Hoarder. Help!

How To Handle a Hoarder

Q.

A.

The Secret: Start Small and Keep Going

Living With A Hoarder

Changing A Hoarding Mindset

Small Ways To Start Decluttering

How To Declutter Your Home

Clutter-Busting In 30 Minutes

Your Say

Create Your ‘Organized Life Morning Routine’ [Mission #21]

Get Organized Mission #21: Create Your Organized Life Morning Routine

Step 1: Make a list of what you need to do each morning

Fuel Up

Do Your Ablutions & Grooming

Dress

Personal Organization

Check Your Remember-To-Take Checklist

Step 2: Time yourself tomorrow

Step 3: Use the Organized Life Morning Routine each day

Dos & Don’ts

Extended Organizing Mission Options

Ready, Set, Go!

Before You Go – Please Check In, And Send Photos!

DID YOU KNOW:

Announcing The Design Your Life Logo & Winners

The Winners

The Design Your Life Logo

Does self-help become
shelf-help for you?

I post Today’s Tips like this one on my Facebook Professional Page.
Please come and be a fan!

Get Organized Mission #19:
Organize Your Office