Get Organized Wizard Community Forums - From the Blog

How To Get Your Groove Back (THEN You Can Get Organized)

RoboBlogger — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:07:10 GMT

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, and resting.
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.
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:

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.
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).
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]

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6 Exercises For Improving Your Relationship

RoboBlogger — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 07:09:04 GMT

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 your 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]

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What Will You Get Rid of Today?

RoboBlogger — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 03:41:24 GMT

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?

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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 �]

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Reality Check: Are You Getting Organized or Just Getting STUFF?

RoboBlogger — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:12:56 GMT

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

If you must use them, only keep a few storage containers, that match your decor, and contain things you need.
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

Take the effort you put into your time-management systems and instead put it into working out your priorities.
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).
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

Cancel your subscription to organizing and simplifying magazines and newsletters that don�t translate into a simpler or more organized life.
Only invest in organizing books or programs that provide specific, step-by-step instructions that you can put into action.
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]

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Procrastination, Productivity, Moving and More: Links & Resources

RoboBlogger — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:38:47 GMT

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

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

*

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How To Survive Your High School Reunion

RoboBlogger — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 06:04:57 GMT

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]

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Get Organized For Sickness

RoboBlogger — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 07:51:59 GMT

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]

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