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Knowing What You Really Want is Key to Success

Friday, February 4th, 2011

Book Review: Write It Down, Make It Happen

In December, my sister and I met to exchange Christmas presents and to just BE together. That doesn’t happen nearly often enough.

I told her, ”I’m not sure what I really want!” She said, “I’ll send you a copy of the book I’m reading,” and gave me a notebook to write my thoughts in. The funny part: the book’s tag line is Knowing What You Want – and Getting It!

Author, Henriette Ann Klauser, has a PhD in English Literature and teaches writing techniques in U.S. and Canadian universities.  As she taught her students how to practice “rapidwriting, writing fast, lickety-split, past the Critic”, her students began to share with her the positive, life-changing results they experienced. Those stories became the catalyst for her book, Write It Down, Make It Happen.

Write It Down, Make It Happen

Klauser uses illustrations from real people who found once they wrote dreams down, the resources and contacts came to them, rather than their having to seek out either. Well known examples are Lou Holtz, Notre Dame coach and Jim Carrey, comedian.

As a Christian believer, I don’t ascribe to “name it, claim it” type thinking.  I see something else at work here. Once you and I identify what we really want, we will see opportunities that would otherwise go unnoticed.

Marian’s story of building a state-of-the-art retirement home in a small Nevada town inspires me. Not only did writing clarify her thoughts, but she states,

That’s another benefit of writing  – it helps me to recognize what is happening and to appreciate it. When I don’t write it down, sometimes I overlook… small victories and forget to be grateful.

What is it you really want? Start to keep a journal of your thoughts and feelings in 2011. From organizing, to losing weight, to getting finances in order… it is key to know what you want as an end result. You may be surprised at the strange “coincidences” that help you along the way.

Better yet, find someone with whom to share your goals and desires, and who will cheer you on/hold you up during tough times. That is exactly the role my wonderful sister fills for me. I am grateful.

Mama Mia! A Job Well Done

Friday, January 28th, 2011

The report from Ellen Limes, project coordinator:

Job Well Done by a fantastic team of Professional Organizers!

We completed the organizing project for the McGhee family of sextuplets. 6 Organizers and 4 1/2 hrs. later, it was done. Check out the Go Month 2011 photo album on this site for the “before and afters”.

The McGhee’s were very pleased with the project and even let us pose for a photo op with the darling babies. A huge thank you to: Terry Cowans, Melanie Dennis, Mary Donovan, Ellen Limes, and now seasoned organizers Deb McRae and Susan Sugar.

My hat is off to you gals. I wish I could have helped, but grandma duties called. My own 6 day old grandson, Benjamin Sawyer Yakel, is just too cute!

Mama Mia GO Month Project

Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

As a way to encourage folks in their organizing projects, the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) has designated January as Get Organized Month (GO Month.)  Each January, local NAPO chapters choose a non-profit organization or a deserving individual to receive complimentary organizing services.

This Wednesday, January 26th, The NAPO-Ohio chapter will be organizing for the McGhee family.

Photo by Peters Photography

Mia and Rozonno McGhee of Columbus, became the proud parents of sextuplets on June 10, 2010. There was an outpouring of help and needed donations throughout the Columbus area.

Now that their household has settled down somewhat, Mia reached out to the professional organizing community to help her make order of the diapers, formula, and other supplies she currently has piled in her attic. A team of six pro organizers – Ellen Limes, Terry Cowans, Mary Donovan, Debbie LaRae, Susan Sugar, and Julie Riber – are donating their time and expertise. Stay tuned for “before” and “after” pictures.

Related news articles:

Woman Has Sextuplets: Mia McGhee Second In Ohio History To Do So

Rozonno and Mia McGhee Debut Their Sextuplets

Sextuplet parents return the favor

Are You Getting The Right Things Done?

Monday, January 3rd, 2011

Yes, this is the first Monday of the New Year 2011. Did you jump right back into your life and work with gusto? Do you know where you are headed and how to get there?

One of the hardest things about a TO DO list is choosing which task to do first. That choice is difficult to make unless you have a known destination in mind. Then, do you tend to see one task completed, or do you like to dabble with 3-4 in progress at a time?

To find out your productivity quotient, try taking David Allen’s GTD-Q test. This is a “less than 2 minute” activity, so you can do it now. Find out what your strengths and weaknesses are in the “getting things done” arena.

Are you proactive or reactive? Do you have more creative ideas than you ever follow up with? How are you at taking care of details?

Suggested reading after you see your detailed results:

Getting Things Done by David Allen
Time Management from the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

ThuRsday Recycle and Reuse: Greeting Cards

Thursday, December 30th, 2010
ThuRs Recycle and Reuse

ThuRs Recycle and Reuse

Do you have crafts items in your house made with old holiday greeting cards? I treasure the placemats Emily made for me in 1992 from Christmas cards under plastic. The “I love you, Mommy” in 2nd grade handwriting melts my heart every time.

So what will you do with your stash of greeting cards from Christmas, Hanukkah, or New Years? A couple of ideas:

1.  Greeting cards can, of course, be recycled in any paper recycling program.

2.  Simply cut off the back half, then reuse the front as a postcard greeting.

3. Cut around motifs and punch a hole in a corner to use as a gift tag.

4. Save your favorite greeting card art. Print your personal interior sentiment on new 110# cardstock using a notecard template .  Paste the greeting card art on the front. Mail the renovated card in envelopes made to fit ¼ sheet of computer paper.

5. Send all occasion greeting cards to St. Jude’s Ranch for Children. (Copyright cards from Hallmark, Disney or American Greeting cannot be recycled.) Using a USPS Flat Rate Box is an inexpensive way to mail large quantities of cards.

Happy New Year!

Mail donations to:  St. Jude’s Ranch for Children
Recycled Card Program
100 St. Jude’s Street
Boulder City, NV 89005

You can always find a grade school teacher to pass the cards on to. Then students can make a masterpiece like mine.

7 Simple Christmas Gifts Under $16

Monday, December 20th, 2010

Five days until Christmas and counting.  Here are a few of my favorite practical gifts with small footprints, but big value – under $16 each.

ID Guard

1.       ID Guard Stamp at Container Store for $10. Keep handy where you open mail to eliminate personal info on cc offers, junk mail. Stamps up to 1,000 times and can order refills.

2.       Clear drawer organizers at Bed, Bath & Beyond. Perfect for containing slippery lingerie, socks, boxers. This 5 piece set of 3 small and 2 medium are priced right at $9.99. I gave this set to my daughter at her bridal shower. Somehow the organizers ended up in her husband’s drawers.

Car Jar

Car Jar

3.     Yankee Candle Car Jar set. Give the smell of the beach, in 3 hanging fragrances for $6.00. If you can’t get to a Yankee Candle store or Hallmark, order online. Great gift for that driving teenager.

4.       Post-It Pockets will hold the info that must be close at hand. For Mom on the side of the refrigerator, or a working woman to post on the wall next to her desk:.  3-pack at Staples – $12.99

Sticky pad

5.       Handstands Jelly Sticky Pad holds sunglasses and cell phone secure on the dash of your car. Amazon – $4.99.

6.       Michael Graves 6 shelf closet organizer is perfect for sweaters or purses. Hang the unit from your existing closet bar for extra clothing/accessory storage. Drawer inserts can be purchased separately.

Pepper spray

7.    Sabre Jogger Pepper Spray with hand strap, partnered with a cell phone will complete safety precautions for a loved one.

Giving is the fun part. Have a wonderful holiday!

Closet Organizing Inspiration

Friday, December 17th, 2010

I received this email from a reader and asked her if I could share her story.  Lori attended a presentation earlier this year and started receiving my Simple Changes newsletter.

Hey Martha,

Just a little note to say thanks for your inspiration this past year.  I’ve been able to focus on small and large projects one at a time.  When I get overwhelmed I just take a break and then re-prioritize if I have to.

Martha Stewart Closet System

The most recent project was putting in a closet system into our master closet.  My husband and I installed 2 martha stewart towers (one for him, one for me) with drawers and shelves the weekend after thanksgiving.

This has made a huge difference in our closet, bedroom and bathroom.  Now I can bring in my scarves and purses and keep them organized (& handy) in my closet instead of having them in other areas of the house.  Plus we have extra space to grow: his drawers aren’t all filled and there’s room on the shelves.

We ended up purging some unused items, so will be handing them to goodwill soon.   I find myself going into the closet and smiling and I tell my husband that everyday.

He deserves something special this holiday.  Maybe the telescope he wanted or a garage organization system.

Happy Holidays

Lori B.