<![CDATA[Simply Organized Online - Clutter Support Blog]]>Mon, 06 Sep 2010 12:05:17 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Time Management for BOTH sides of the Brain...]]>Tue, 18 May 2010 11:17:49 -0800http://www.simplyorganizedonline.com/3/post/2010/05/time-management-for-both-sides-of-the-brain.html**pulled from the archives**

One Sunday I found myself using the quiet morning to get caught up on some reading (both via the email in-box & the stack next to my chair). 

You would think by now I'd be used to the organizing advice out there. Yet, as I read through a blog someone had written on time management I found myself frustrated. 

The title, meant to get the reader's attention, was something along the lines of "10 tips for time management", and the first tip dealt with the concept of looking to yourself for taking control of your time. 

Since this is along the lines of what I teach my clients I was eager to read on. 

Each tip after that proved to be the typical 'do it this way' kind of tip ... such as

 "schedule 1 hour each Sunday evening to plan your week"

The problem with this type of advice is, while it is good in theory, what happens when folks fly by that Sunday evening without even a thought of planning their week? 

Once Tuesday hits {& they feel overwhelmed} the first thing they remember is how they didn't follow the advice. 

The subsequent guilt begins, quickly followed by the internal dialog sporting the anthem of 'failure'. 

Jumping to the philosophies of Simply Organized Online's time management ... here are a few ways to get a handle on that overwhelming schedule. 

1) Who's in charge? 
  • You or your schedule? 
  • For many clients, when I propose this question the answer is their schedule. Followed by an immediate inquiry of "what can I do?". 

  • Yes, life is busy. 
  • Yes, demands of a family or career or both are a tall order. 


However, remember that each and every thing you do IS a choice. 

  • Often my clients will need to take an overview - 
  • what does their month look like? 
  • Is there a balance? 


Simply looking to the week ahead is not always enough to get a real handle on the time management clutter. 

2) Start with what you know... 

  • When you hit that moment where you say to yourself 

"there has got to be a better way!"
  • I would answer "Yes there is!". 


One of the biggest dilemmas folks have is where to begin or how to find the energy to tackle their 'stuff' (whether it's physical or mental!). 

This can be done by using a paper calendar or planner & plugging in the commitments you already know such as 
  • meetings, 
  • sports schedules, 
  • social plans 


and using it as a tool for reference. 

{Which means you just refer to it when you need a sense of direction}

But wait a minute, what about those folks that feel suffocated by such structure? 

Where are the "Free Spirited" personalities suppose to fit in? 

Rarely does a calendar system relieve their woes! 

Again, visiting the concept of start with what you know. 

Maybe paying the bills on time is the challenge or remembering to do things that you don't like doing? 

Establishing a reminder system instead of a traditional calendar can bring some relief. Many bill companies (credit cards especially) will offer a reminder email a few days before the bill is due, simply setting this up will help bring the due date to mind when its getting close. 

Also taking on a team effort - maybe getting the garbage out on the right day is hard to remember, ask a neighbor if they will get the garbage to the road if you bring the empty containers back to where they belong. 

Use that creative side for creative solutions! 

The great part about finding creative solutions is that even those who feel they can't handle a traditional calendar system, may be able to unveil a more systematized side of themselves they didn't even know existed!

Warmly,

april
]]><![CDATA[The Best ADD Tip I\'ve EVER Given a Client...]]>Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:43:56 -0800http://www.simplyorganizedonline.com/3/post/2010/02/the-best-add-tip-ive-ever-given-a-client.html
When trying to comprehend what you're reading {whether you're studying or flipping through a magazine} utilize Post-It Notes® & a pen or pencil.
  1. When you read something that captures your attention, write yourself a quick note about what your thought was.
  2. Next, stick it on the page correlating with the paragraph ~ hanging out like a "tab"
  3. Continue reading on.
Next time you pick up the book {or magazine} you will be able to go straight to the areas that "spoke" to you & refresh your memory about what was so important.


A few things to understand about why this works:
  • This technique engages the reader. Moving the activity of reading from sedentary to active.
  • It allows the experience of taking in information from simply visual to tactile {touching & feeling} as well as kinesthetic {movement}.
  • It speaks to the type of visual ADDer's enjoy ~ color {I bet you thought I was going to say messy, huh? grin}
  • And it even flirts with learning on an emotional level, due to the "connection" made between information intake, thought process & a conversation you'll have with yourself later when reviewing the tabs.

So let's see what this might look like:

I came across this revelation while advising a virtual client on the technique. I picked up the book I was currently reading for work {Buy-ology, by Martin Lindstrom} & I quickly flipped to page 84 where he is discussing "subliminal advertising" {this book was part of my year long research on why my clients continue to acquire even though they have expressed they want to de-clutter}. I was then able to review the original paragraph & share with the client my thought about his information.

Hopefully this all makes sense, but if not, be sure to leave comments or questions below :o)

Have a wonderful day,

april
]]><![CDATA[Learning Center Now Open!]]>Fri, 22 Jan 2010 10:57:14 -0800http://www.simplyorganizedonline.com/3/post/2010/01/learning-center-now-open.html
I'm so excited to announce that the Learning Center is now open right here on Simply Organized Online!

For those that are strong in their auditory, visual or kinesthetic modalities you'll really enjoy these recorded Webinars!

I've recorded them in a way that makes you feel like you're sitting right in the workshop & I've included a COMPLIMENTARY email for any Q & A you many have.

Part of Clutter Support is the education. And I sincerely hope these workshops will help you learn more about your relationship with your clutter.

april
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]]><![CDATA[January Clutter...]]>Mon, 11 Jan 2010 23:01:42 -0800http://www.simplyorganizedonline.com/3/post/2010/01/january-clutter.html
Take a good look around ... what do you see?
  • Paper
  • Kid's Toys
  • Mail
  • Clothes
  • Shoes
  • Pet Items
  • Dirty Dishes
  • Garbage
and possibly {since it's January}
  • Left over holiday decorations
  • Left over holiday communications
  • Left over holiday gift wrapping

the list can go on.

So, now what?

I have a few ideas you could try before next week's post.
{if that seems overwhelming ~ just pick one}

  • Pick up ONE thing and make a decision about it
  • Then act upon that decision.

  • Pick one day to separate the junk mail from the rest of the mail before you enter the house
  • Toss the junk mail before you set down the rest of the day's mail

  • Go on a "treasure hunt" by your computer monitor for dishes
  • Relocate all your treasures to the kitchen

  • Find 10 items of clothing by your computer
  • Relocate them to the washing area {laundry room}


By now you must be thinking "Really, April?"

Absolutely!

This initial concept is to start simple.

When you feel overwhelmed by clutter, the hardest step can often be "where do I start?".

This post is all about where to begin.

I hope you'll check back to follow the strategies and feel comfortable sharing {knowing you're not alone can be great motivation!}

Happy De-Cluttering,

april
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]]><![CDATA[Clutter Support]]>Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:59:18 -0800http://www.simplyorganizedonline.com/3/post/2009/12/first-post.html
You'll notice {if you've been by lately} that our Clutter Support department has undergone many changes.

It has always been my hope to provide an open forum for those with "clutter questions". In my attempt to find the right platform I've been visible on many social media networking sites for Moms {RoleMommy, MomLogic, HybridMom ~ to name a few} then I expanded to social media in general {facebook & twitter} finally I attempted to bring the forum onto Simply Organized Online with Nabble.

Unfortunately, {as I'm sure you can guess} this has made the effort just a little too scattered & less than efficient. Therefore, being the ultimate optimist that I am, {& not giving up} I now am attempting a blog format. :-)

What hasn't changed is my continued request that you submit your questions & we continue searching for that interactive community until we find one that works :-)

I'm excited to hear your thoughts,

april
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