Author Archive

Recently on my Facebook Page I was asked how to get organized when you’re feeling completed exhausted and unmotivated.
I bet a lot of people wonder about that!
So here’s an edited version of my reply.
Step 1: Get Your Groove Back

Forget about organizing for now, and focus instead on re-building your confidence and motivation.
Spend what time and energy you have available on eating well, exercising, [...]

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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 [...]

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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.

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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 [...]

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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

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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Here’s something you can do to get better organized – and it’ll take you just 5 minutes!
Trim Your Toolbox

Empty out your toolbox.
Return to your toolbox anything you use
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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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

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