10 Ways Organizing Has Changed and Improved My Life
Organizing is my go-to toolkit for a happier life.
You want to change and improve your life, right?
Although you know getting organized would help, the seduction of other things keeps you busy.
You download 23 Green Juice Recipes. Next you'll just check on Facebook...for 2 hours. You buy an e-course promising to (fill in the blank). Craving self-improvement, you vow to do a, b, and c upon waking and x, y and z before bed.
I’m willing to bet you forgot where you filed those Green Juice Recipes. Guilt pinged your mind at the reminder of that forgotten e-course. (Make that 3 - 5 e-courses you bought and never opened.) You convinced yourself “Facebooking” is productive. You rebelled against the morning and evening routines you set for yourself.
Simple Solution
Organizing can change and improve your life so you create healthy self-supporting habits.
10 Ways Organizing Has Changed and Improved My Life:
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Calm
I used to be stuck in the quicksand of Chaos and S-T-R-E-S-S to the 10th power! I’d feel frustrated struggling with technology. I’d feel time starved wasting hours searching for my keys. Organizing helped me soothe my anxiety by accepting what I can control, while letting go what I can’t.
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Focus
If you’re like me, “Monkey Mind,” and “Spaghetti Brain,” sometimes describe your thought process. I’m a Creative. Ideas come to me like scatting does to jazz musicians. Organizing helps me focus my thoughts so I am able to prioritize and take consistent action.
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Clarity
Who enjoys feeling overwhelmed and lost in confusion? Organizing keeps me centered in clarity so I listen to my inner voice to take steps that make me happier in my life.
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Time
We can’t gain more time than 24 hours in a day, but we can choose where and how we spend our time. I spend a lot less time freaking out about deadlines because I take the time to prepare. I’m getting better at scheduling personal time so I don’t lose all my time to work!
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Community
Organizing helps me focus less on me and more on reaching out to others. It’s a healthy dose of “Ego Decluttering.” I own my value so I can offer my gifts to others while appreciating their gifts as well.
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Patience
Helping others go from chaos to calm, clarity and profit has increased my patience. I hold a space of calm and tranquility for myself and for my customers. Instead of feeling irritated, I shift to go-to organizing solutions.
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Productivity
Being more organized helps me take risks. I accomplish more, and recover from failures faster. I take consistent action breaking free from feeling overwhelmed and paralyzed by fear.
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Mindfulness
I am aware of what I choose to do or don’t do. I’m getting better at being present rather than lost in the past or anxious about the future.
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Releasing Procrastination and Self-Sabotage
Today, I procrastinated writing my blog post. Self-sabotaging thoughts such as “I’m not a writer.” “Other people write to the point rather than meander.” With my arsenal of my Organizing Mindset, I can shift into routines that help me sit my bum down and write!
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Happier thoughts, happier days
Our thoughts create our reality. Organizing clears my mind and makes room for me to think happier thoughts. Hint: I daily write down what I’m grateful for each morning and nightly record daily wins (no matter how small).
Let me know in the comments one or two things you want to change and improve in your personal and/or work life.
I very much need help in this area. Having purchased a number of online course, and then finding I don’t have the time to complete them all! Points 1-5 scream at me, especially with a newborn, it’s really about prioritising and being Ok with going at my own pace!Thank you for sharing your insights. x
Congrats on your newborn!!! Going at own pace is a reminder we all need now and then…especially as a mama of a new baby. Enjoy this special time with your baby, and baby steps to getting more organized.
Jul’s,
Wonderful post! Thanks so much for sharing with us. You’re so right about organizing as well. When things aren’t organized it seems to clutter the brain and make everything harder! I also absolutely love writing down what you’re grateful for! That always helps. I don’t know about anyone else, but it always helps me to remember the good things in my life that I’m grateful for.<3 One would be that I know people like you! <3 Anyway, wonderful post!
Namaste
Angela
Aww, thank you so much Angela! I find that little gratitude habit of writing down three things I am grateful for is the single most important mindset practice I recommend. Yes, a cluttered brain, is a brain tired brain even before the start. I love how organizing frees me to think clearly and creatively. Namaste.
great post, jul’s. i have a hard time concentrating when there is complete chaos surrounding me. but i’ve had to accept that, for this season in my life (an international move and an entire home renovation), chaos reigns supreme. so right now i’m identifying most closely with #1/CALM (accepting what i can control, letting go of what i can’t). i am almost done unpacking my 100 boxes of books. they are uber organized (by subject and size), and are bringing me comfort and peace in the midst of the disorder and disruption.
Dear April, thank you and indeed…your international move and understatement—not a home renovation but a Villa Renovation have no doubt made chaos reign supreme. I am glad you identify with #1 CALM–and I love that you have nearly unpacked 100 boxes of books and how they are uber organized lol….keep looking at those organized books to ride the calm 😉
There is so much truth and good in this post – I wish I was more organized myself for the reasons you point out here – particularly 8, 9 and 10… I like the notion of making room for the good stuff. My fear is that I spend so much time organizing then that becomes my procrastination vehicle. Or sometimes I start off the beginning of a week organizing my work space.. only to find again I still can’t get it organized and spotless.. or maybe I am just not organizing the right way for me.. maybe I’m not a minimalist? … as I still try to find my organization groove, there is still much food for thought here!
Hey Pam, thanks so much for your thoughtful comment:-) I help clients with what you mention here…acknowledging the line of organizing to improve your business and life, and when it tips over to procrastination or perfectionism. There is no “right way to organize” and so whatever feels right or works to serve you is “right” for you, if that makes sense. Nothing wrong with not being a minimalist. I certainly like nice things, and display treasured collections at holiday time. I recommend setting a timer and organizing only for 15-20 minutes so you don’t get caught in organizing to avoid. As to having your workspace spotless and totally organized…it’s a “work space” meant to be used, so you need not expect such rigid goals of yourself. Hope that helps 😉 Jul’s xx
Fab post, Jul’s! Focus and Clarity are such key things for me – and I actually giggled about the jazz riffs. Thank you for the excellent reminders of how organization can help… Now, just to get there!
Thank you so much for your compliment and comments Susan! I am glad someone liked my jazz riff anecdote 😉 As to getting organized to reap the benefits…that’s what I’m here for! Having an experienced coach/teacher/professional is the secret sauce to success. Sure you could do it alone, but it can be slow going with a lot of false starts. With me as your co-pilot, you make deep changes faster and are more able to maintain the transformation. The support, the sounding board, the hand holding as we build the organized foundation is what makes the difference. Not to mention all the shared laughs and fun that is had!
Hey Juls,
As always your blog posts are wonderful. I truly read them and keep them in mind when I get frustrated and want to give up.
Thanks, please don,t stop.
Mary
Aww, Mary, so glad to find my blog posts help you and you keep my words in mind when you get frustrated and want to give up! Your praise and encouragement is what I will keep in mind the days I want to throw in the towel because my websites’ gone wonky and I can’t post my blog post easily 🙂
#4 is something I always struggle with. I get frustrated with deadlines and not having enough time. I love your tips of preparing ahead of time and enjoying the present instead of overwhelming by the deadlines. It is something I have been trying to do but still working on it.
Erin, trust me I am a work in progress and some days I feel many of my 10 benefits from getting organized, and other days, I feel the day got ahead of me. For me, celebrating, amplifying my wins, and reminding myself I don’t have to do it all today, helps me balance working towards my goals, and having a life regardless how much I’ve worked on and towards my goals.
Jul’s, what a great post! I am a firm believer in the power of organizing as well and I absolutely agree with everything you said. For me, the biggest things that organizing gives me are clarity, mindfulness, focus and just more happiness overall! I think better when I have a clear and organized space and my mind definitely feels sharper and more able to focus.
Thrilled my post spoke to you Melanie! I love that feeling that organizing gives me of clarity and focus…and so true, more happiness!
Great post Jul’s! As a creative, I totally relate to ‘monkey mind’. I love the way you say that being organized has helped you take more risks and accomplish more, so true – being organized helps you be ready for those golden opportunities. Focus is my word of the year so that’s what I’m concentrating on.
Love your word for this year, “focus.” I take a few stop moments in my day to refocus and ask myself if am I on track with what I want to do that day? Happy to hear you’re keeping your monkey mind focused on golden opportunities!
Ah, Jul’s, #2, #4 and #10 most resonated with me. My monkey mind can absolutely get the best of me if I’m not organized or gathering my thoughts and ideas quickly. I love your point about not being able to get more time, but making better use of the time we DO have. I LOVE your daily ritual of writing down things you’re grateful for, and your wins. Two quick and powerful ways to stay centered and positive. My ongoing work in progress is managing #2. Sometimes I get a handle on it, and other times I just let it go, and lose some great idea seeds. Thanks for giving so many great tips to benefit from.
Hey April, so glad that my daily ritual of writing down three things I am grateful for and daily wins resonated with you. I find it keeps my perspective on the positive and not get lost in disappointment and overwhelm. #2–Focus, like anything takes practice and creating habits that keep us on track. It’s a daily practice for me and I too am a work in progress. Glad you enjoyed my tips!