Will You Be Contributing to Clutter this Holiday Season?

It's that time of year where everyone is busily shopping for holiday presents. There are sales everywhere. The stores are trying to entice you with lots of new gadgets and lots of shiny things. We just have to have the lastest and greatest. We have to keep up!

We have been inundated with ads. Sometimes multiple times a day by some companies.

Will you be able to resist or will you succumb to the holiday pressure to buy as much possible. Because we all know that the more presents you buy someone - the more you love them!  

And after everyone unwraps all the presents and the wrapping paper is thrown away - their interests in the item is short-lived. 

Don't get me wrong. I like to receive presents (sometimes). If it's something that is meaningful to me - and not only the gift giver. A lot of people tend to buy gifts that they think are nice (or would want themselves) - instead of giving a gift that is really meaningful to the person who would be receiving the gift. 

Some people don't know their friends as well as they think they do! 

So take a step back and really ask yourself a couple of questions before buying that gift:

Have you seen the person use or ask for (insert gift idea)?

Will this be something that the person has to display in their home and is there room for it?

Will you be offended if the person doesn't display the gift you thought would "fit in perfectly"?

Will you be offended if the person doesn't wear the gift you bought them (because it's really not their style)?

Are you buying a gift - any old gift - just to have something to give them - even though you don't know what to get them and don't want to go empty handed?

Gift giving is an art! You want to show people that you care about them - but forcing them to wear something or display something that does not fit into their own style - is setting them up to feel bad because they don't want to hurt your feelings.

Take a step back and really listen to their likes, wants and dreams. It's not how much you give or the size of the gift that matters. It's that you really paid attention to them.

Don't clutter up someone else's house with your ideas of "the perfect (insert item)". 

So what are some ideas that might not clutter up someone else's home?

An invitiation to lunch or dinner to catch up on their life

An invitation to a play that they've wanted to see

A gift certificate to the spa for a massage (my favorite!) or getting their nails done (if they do this)

A donation in their name to a charity that they support

A gift certificate to a class that they have been talking about

A gift basket of things that they like but would not buy for themselves (spa items, fruit or chocolate ...)

A gift certificate for a car wash (a great gift to get the dirt & snow off their car)

A gift certificate to the movies (with popcorn of course)

A gift certificate for free babysitting so that they can go out and do whatever they want

There are a lot of ideas that don't leave clutter in your home. I'm sure that you can come up with some more!

Happy Holidays!

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

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Hoarding – Everyone’s Concern

Hoarding is a complex mental health issue. It can also be a safety issue. Intervention needs to take place at several levels. Hoarding cleanup can be extremely costly for property owners and local governments. Hoarding can cause a variety of complications, including:

·        * Unsanitary conditions that pose a health risk

·        * Increased risk of falls

·        *  An inability to perform daily tasks, such as bathing and cooking

·        *  Untreated medical or psychological conditions

·        *  Family conflicts

·        *  Loneliness and social isolation

·         * Fire hazards

Some Signs of Hoarding:

·         * Extreme collection and storage of items in the home and yard

·         * Accumulation of combustible materials (newspapers, magazines, and rubbish)

·         * Blocked exits (doors & windows)

·       *   Narrow pathway in the home

·         * Rotting food and/or used food containers

·        *  Insect infestations

·         * Long-term neglect of home maintenance

·      *    Non-working utilities, such as heat, running water, refrigeration

Fire Safety

Know the fire-safety risks and how you can keep yourself and first responders safe.

Risks: 

Personal items can crowd cooking equipment, making it unsafe to cook.

Personal items can crowd heating equipment, putting you at risk of having a fire.

Difficulties for firefighters:

Blocked windows and doors make it difficult for firefighters to get into your home to fight the fire and search for occupants.

Piles of belongings make it difficult for firefighters to move through your home quickly.

Important:

Always keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from cooking and heating equipment.

Keep doorways and windows clear for escape in case there is a fire. This will also prevent injuries from falling over excessive personal items.

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

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Factors Associated with Disorganization - There are Reasons.....

A lot of people think that disorganization is just about being lazy or not caring what your house looks like. But it's a lot more complicated than that!

Before you judge someone on their disorganization - you might want to step back and take a look at their life and their environment.

The Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) has a fact sheet that goes into some detail about what some of those factors are. 

Factors Associated with Disorganization

Disorganization can be caused by many factors. Determining the cause(s) of one’s disorganization and finding solutions to overcome it can be aided with the assistance of a professional organizer, particularly one trained in dealing with chronic disorganization.

Neurologically-Based Conditions

Structural/Environmental Factors

Lack of Skills

Lifestyle Choices

Communication Problems

Systemic Factors

Addictive Tendencies

Mental Health Issues

Difficulty Making Transitions

Aging Issues

Beliefs and Attitudes

Physical Challenges

Learning Style

Perfectionism

Life Crises

Attachments to Possessions

Learning Differences

Ineffective Beliefs about Possessions

Information-Processing Deficits

Emotional and/or Behavioral Patterns

For a copy of the fact sheet >>>>

Factors Associated with Disorganization

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

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Decluttering Mistakes That Clients Make

Decluttering is hard! If it was easy - everyone would be doing it - all the time! It takes being in the right mindset and setting aside enough time to actually get anything done.

People make the mistake of thinking that it will be easy and will only take an hour. Even if you are in the right frame of mind - or think you are - you will come across something that has a "story" - something that you will be emotionally attached to. And then time stands still. And you start going down memory lane.

Before you start your decluttering project - have a list of questions that you can ask yourself - about what you will and won't get rid of. That way, when you run across an object that you might have a question about - you already have the answer.

So what are some mistakes that clients make when it comes to decluttering?

1) Hiding the clutter. You know who you are! You are having company come over any minute and you haven't finished cleaning up - so you just shove everything into a closet. And then you forget about it and it never comes out and gets put away.

2) Decluttering other peoples stuff. Don't! It's a big mistake. Only declutter stuff that is actually yours - or ask the other person (whose stuff it is...) if they are willing to get rid of it. Never throw out someone else's stuff. World War III could erupt!

3) Decluttering - but the stuff never leaves the house! I encourage my clients to keep a continuous "donate" box in their home - if they are able to leave the stuff in the box and when it's full, actually take it out of the house and drop it off at the donation site. But - if you leave the box by the door and you (and other family members) go through the box and take things back out - then it hasn't served any purpose. Once the box is full (or even before if you can't stop yourself from taking things back) - put it in your car - and immediately drive it to the donation site.

4) Second guessing yourself. This is where making a list of questions to ask yourself comes in handy. For some people - when they touch an item - even though they have not used the item in years - all of a sudden they "need it" or "want it" or "can use it". "Be strong!".  You haven't used the item in a while and maybe you didn't even realize you still had it - so let it go. If you really do "need" the item later down the road - you can probably buy it again. But really, what is the chance of that?

5) Not having a regular decluttering routine. Decluttering is not a "once and done" process. As your life changes (age or interests change....) - the things that you used to use (or wear or do...) just don't fit into your "current" life. And that's the key word "current". Having a set decluttering routine - whether it's once a season or once a year - is crucial in maintaing a clutter free and stress free home.

6) But it's worth money! Really? To whom? Probably only to you. Let's get serious. We all think that our "stuff" is valuable. It's probably not. Sorry! And once you have bought the item - you are not going to recoup your cost. So holding on to an item that you don't use isn't saving money or stopping you from losing money - you already spent the money. And thinking that you are going to sell it and make a lot of money - isn't realistic. Think about the time you have to spend taking pictures and posting it online - or setting up and having a garage sale. How valuable is your time - versus making $20 or $50 - if you have to sit at a garage sale for the entire day? Donate the item and you are usually much better off.

Decluttering is an ongoing process - that will keep your home clutter free - so that you can live the life you have now!

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

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Things To Add to Your Daily Routine to Be More Productive

Daily routines are an important tool for those that are seeking to increase their productivity.  By taking the time to establish a daily routine, you can set yourself up for success by ensuring that you are mentally prepared for the day ahead. One of the most important aspects of a daily routine is setting aside time for self-care. By taking care of yourself first, you will be in a better position to take on the tasks of the day.

Having any sort of routine will help improve productivity, but to really maximize your efforts, here are a few things you might want to add to your regime.

Choose 3 Must-Do Tasks for the Day

Setting your intention and tone for the day is a major goal of any productive morning ritual. Do you want to be focused or scattered? Are you going in with a plan or merely reacting to others' actions?

The greatest approach to being more productive throughout the day is to control the story. And one of the simplest approaches to do this is to begin your day by defining your Most Important Tasks (MITs). These are the top 2-3 things you want to be sure you get done that day. Writing these MITs down at the beginning of the day will help give you a clear picture of what having a successful day entail.

Stay Focused on Your Goals with Journaling

Journaling isn’t just for therapy purposes. In fact, writing and reflecting on your goals, feelings, and dreams can improve anyone's mood and help us perform better on work tasks.

When we have an opportunity to reflect on what we've done, we get a boost in self-confidence. Seeing what we've accomplished helps us feel like we can do more things. Which in turn helps provide motivation and drive for future tasks.

Meditate To Prepare for the Day

You can't always anticipate what the day will bring. However, incorporating a daily meditation practice into your routine helps you deal with challenges in a more effective and peaceful manner.

It's critical to start small if you're new to meditation. Consistency is more important than intensity at the outset. Even simply sitting in a peaceful place with your eyes closed for a few minutes and focusing on your breath may be enough to get you started.

Schedule Plenty of Breaks

If you continue to work when your body needs downtime, it draws on your energy reserves to keep going. This means that your body must release stress hormones to provide you with a boost of energy.

A better answer is to take breaks when you need them. Listen to your body and schedule regular breaks away from your screen at least every 90 minutes.

If you want to make the most of these breaks, take a walk outside and try to spend some time in nature, which have both been found to rapidly help us rejuvenate and recharge our energy.

Reflect on The Day

It's all too easy to wind down with Netflix at the end of the day and "relax." Unfortunately, the human brain does not work in such a manner. Instead, when left unresolved, ideas and feelings linger and spring up at inconvenient moments (like when you're trying to fall asleep!).

A personal debrief can help with alleviating work-related stress. It is especially beneficial when it focuses on your triumphs and the good things that happened to you. This technique can even alter the way you look at your days and prevent you from getting dragged into negative thinking. This does not need to be a long document; you can do something as simple as making a list of three awesome things that you accomplished or experienced during the day.

Most people don’t realize that being productive is a skill that can be learned. Just like you would work on your fitness or learn a new language, you can also work on becoming more productive. Try adding some of the things we shared above into your daily routine and see how it goes. After a few, you might just be surprised by how much more productive you can be!

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

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The Five Most Common Daily Distractions

Distractions can be found in every aspect of our daily lives - both personal and professional. From phone calls to emails to text to meetings, unexpected interruptions can have a major impact on your productivity. That's why it's crucial to have a plan for keeping your productivity on track. To help and inspire you, here are five common daily distractions and ways to combat them.

1. Email....So Many Emails

It's not just the constant barrage of emails coming in, it's also the unreasonable expectation that you should respond to emails quickly. Try setting aside specific times during the day to check and respond to emails. You may also find it helpful to set boundaries with work-related emails, such as not responding after-hours or on the weekends.

2. Phone Notifications

It takes the brain an average of 23 minutes to get back on track after a distraction - and our phones buzz on average once every 12 minutes. No wonder it's so hard to stay focused! When you really need to focus, try putting your phone on silent and turning off unnecessary notifications. Just like with email, set specific times you'll check your phone during the day. If you find yourself still tempted to check your phone during hours you need to be focused and productive, you may find it best to leave it in your bag or even in a completely different room if you work from home.

3. Task-Switching

Task-switching, also known as multitasking, has actually been found to hinder productivity. Rather than trying to do multiple things at once, the most productive individuals focus on just one task at a time. If you've been a multitasker for a long time, you may find it challenging at first to just do one thing. Meditation can be a great way to retrain your brain to focus on the task at hand. Working from a prioritized list of tasks and taking short breaks throughout the day can also be effective ways to boost productivity.

4. Friends and Family

We all have people in our circles that unfortunately seem oblivious to the fact that we have our own agenda and things to get done. Whether it's a chatty coworker at the office or your mom dropping by during the day because you work from home, setting boundaries will help you stay on track and avoid unnecessary distractions. Be polite but firm, and if you want, offer an alternative time and/or place to get together.

5. Getting Distracted by Personal Duties

With so many people now working from home, it can be tempting to try and do some personal tasks during work downtime. It's best to set aside work hours for specifically focusing on work, and non-work hours for personal tasks. If you do choose to complete personal tasks during work hours, set aside blocks of time and use a timer to keep you focused and on task. Avoid doing this too often however, because it takes the brain a bit to regain focus after changing tasks and that time adds up!

The five common distractions we've outlined in this article can be extremely disruptive to our productivity. However, with a bit of organization and mindfulness, we can overcome these interruptions and stay on task. Utilizing the tips we've provided, such as setting aside specific times for checking emails or responding to texts, focusing on one task at a time, and taking breaks throughout the day, will help you boost your productivity and avoid unnecessary distractions.

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

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Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

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Tips for Getting Organized So You Can Better Plan Your Day

In order to be productive, it is important to get organized. This means creating a system where you can easily find what you need when you need it. It also means setting aside time for the tasks that are most important to you. A little bit of organization can go a long way in helping you achieve your goals.

There are several ways you can go about organizing your tasks and responsibilities, and we've included some below to help you get started.

1. Set goals

Setting attainable goals can help you stay focused and productive. It's easier to organize your work into manageable tasks when you set specific goals with steps and a timeline. Be sure to create both short- and long-term goals to keep yourself on track!

2. Track progress

Tracking your progress is a great way to make sure you are accomplishing your goals in the timeframe you planned. It's also a really good way to keep yourself motivated - when you see how much progress you've already made it's a lot easier to keep going! You can also use progress tracking to help you figure out what times of the day and week you are the most productive and schedule your most important tasks for those times in the future.

3. Use a planner

A planner is an excellent way to assess the efficiency of your work schedule. You can use a planner to track your daily, weekly, and monthly goals and activities. You're more likely to achieve your objectives and recall important details when you keep a record of what has been done and what is coming up in the future.

There are many types of planners (also called agendas). Some planners have a space for every day, while others are weekly or monthly. Think about what kind of planner would best suit you and your work. If you work on your computer often, you could also consider using a digital planner or app.

It doesn't matter if you use a paper planner (yes, they are making a come-back!) or a digital planner - but the secret of being successful is using something to track you goals, to-do lists and your progress. 

If it's written down - it will more than likely get done - as opposed to just "thinking that you should do it...".

4. Create to-do lists

To keep up productivity throughout the day, try using a to-do list. To-do lists are simple yet highly effective lists that may assist you maintain focus throughout the day. Write down important activities on your to-do list and organize them by priority.

For example, you could place what you need to accomplish before the end of the day at the top of your list and what can wait until the next day at the bottom.

5. Keep a clean environment

You should be able to quickly and easily find everything you need and want in an organized workplace. This helps your workflow be more constant. Putting objects back where they belong, keeping personal things separate from work stuff, and straightening your work area every afternoon are all examples of keeping a clean environment. A clean workstation makes staying productive much easier.

Clutter in your workstation is a big distraction. Remove any thing from your workplace that you don't use on a regular basis. Tidy up your work area at the end of each day and declutter once a week in order to keep things clean and organized.

6. Clean up your email

If you’re like most people, your inbox is clogged with messages. Cleaning up your mail keeps it organized and makes it easier to locate important messages.

Create labeled folders in your email to manage all of your messages and filters to automatically organize new emails into their appropriate folders. Labeling emails helps you stay on top of replies and keeps important documents together in one location.

 

The goal of being more organized is to help you work more productively. When you're able to focus on your tasks and complete them in a timely manner, you feel better about yourself and your work. There are several tips listed here that will help you get started with becoming more organized and productive. Start out trying one or two at a time and see how they work for you. Remember, there is no one right way to be organized. Do what works best for you so that you can achieve your goals.

Organizational Consulting Services

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