Chronic Disorganization and Hoarding - If You Are Ready to Make a Change - There is a Class for You

Are you tired of the clutter in your home and your life? Has anyone ever told you that you have issues with hoarding? Don't be embarrassed - it's more common than you think!

If you are ready to make a change in your life and want to live in a home that is less cluttered - where you can have family and friends over - there is help available! 

A Group to Address Hoarding Behavior

The Buried in Treasures Workshop is about more than clutter...

· Overcoming challenges 

· Increasing motivation 

· Reducing acquiring

· Prioritizing and celebrating choices

Clutterers, Collectors, Treasure Hunters,  Savers, Pack Rats

                             Unite and Support Each Other 

Is clutter getting in the way of how you want to live your life?

Are you feeling overwhelmed with too many possessions?

Are you embarrassed to have people over?

This program offers a 16-week course that is based on the book ‘Buried In Treasures’​.  Join us for this group created by and for people who are ready to live a less - cluttered life! 

​The Buried in Treasures group is for people who would like to learn tips on how to de-clutter and stop over-acquiring with people who know what it’s like. Each week we will have a discussion around a specific skill, followed by the completion of challenging and rewarding exercises. Individual progress, challenges, successes, and goals are also monitored throughout the sixteen weeks.

You can make changes to the way you live your life - with support and understanding from people that are going through the same thing. You are not alone! 

Participants are expected to commit to attending all the sessions as well as to participate actively.

A Buried in Treasures Group is forming >>>

*** this will be a VIRTUAL CLASS - anyone - anywhere can participate in the class

Sessions start Wednesday, August 24th, 2022:

    Wednesday, August 24^th, 2022  -  6:30 pm – 8:30 pm   -  Mountain Time  

     Wednesday, August 24th, 2022 -   9:00 am - 11:00 am  -  Mountain Time

This group offers a judgment-free environment for people ready to make a change in their life.

Early Registration required. Call or email for more information.

(440) 666 – 9326 or  kefconsulting@gmail.com

**** Class is on Zoom-  by phone and/or computer - call /email for Starting Date / Time and to be put on a Waiting List for future classes

 

An Organized Home - Basic Organizing Ideas

You have a vision for your home. You have a goal and a plan to get there. You started by purging all of the garbage and things that you don't want any longer.

Now it's time to Organize!

You ask yourself - what system should I be using? There are so many books and so many different ways of doing things. I'm confused. Which one is right???

The simple answer is - the one that works for you. The one that you are comfortable with. The one who's philosophy matches your own. 

Each persons brain works differently. My clients hear me say that often. You have to find a system that works for you, for how your brain works and how you use your home. For a Professional Organizer that involves asking a lot of questions before starting a project.

Keep things simple. If you try to make things too complicated you probably won't keep up the area once you are done.

Think about the space. What do you want to use the space for. Don't be limited to what you "think" the space should be used for. For some clients with limited space we have to be creative.

Has the way you used your space worked for you? If you are constantly reaching up on a high shelf for an item that you use everyday - change it and put it on a lower shelf! 

Keep things that you don't use often on a higher shelf. 

Think about the contents of each cabinet. Would using bins or baskets keep things in place better? 

What about using a lazy susan in a cabinet to make it easier to reach things?

Group like items together. It's much easier to know if you are out of canned green beans if all of the beans or vegetables are grouped together. 

Another idea is to keep items that you use together - like coffee, creamer, sugar, coffee filters - in one spot. Or flour, sugar, baking powder and backing soda - all in one spot.

Be sure to look at the expiration dates as you are trying to organize (your kitchen, medicine cabinet, make-up....). Toss out any expired items.

Organization is personal. It has to work for you! Don't be stuck on "I organized it this way so I can never change it". If it doesn't work after trying it for a few weeks - tweak it! 

Once your space is organized - set up a maintenance schedule. Maintenance takes a lot less time than the initial organizing.

Don't be afraid to start organizing - YOU CAN DO IT! 

*** Feel free to reach out to schedule a Virtual Organizing session to help you get started on your way to a more organized life!

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

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....

World Organizing Day is May 20th - Let's Get Organized!

 May 20th is World Organizing Day!  

 Celebrate by getting Organized!

World Organizing Day is a global initiative founded by the International Federation of Professional Organizing Associations (IFPOA) to celebrate the work of organizing and productivity professionals.

Professional Organizers love to get Organized! I know that we probably like it a lot more than our clients! And some of us actually go home after an organizing session and organize some of our own stuff (yes, I've done that!).

Here are some inspirational quotes about clutter and organizing to help get you motivated!

     “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing” (Walt Disney)

      'You will never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.'     (John C. Maxwell)

     'Organization begins with awareness of what doesn't work for us.' (Unknown)

     'Mess is an unnecessary source of irritation.' (Margareta Magnusson)

    'Clearing clutter, be it physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual, brings about ease and inspires a sense of peace, calm, and tranquility.' (Laurie Buchanan)

     Clutter is anything that does not support a better you, even if it’s organized. (unknown)

      Being organized isn’t about getting rid of everything you own or trying to become a different person, it’s about living the way you want to live, but better.   (Andew Mellen)

    If you want to improve your life immediately, clean out a closet. Often what we hold onto holds us back.     (Cheryl Richardson)

    Clutter is the physical manifestation of unmade decisions fueled by     procrastination. (unknown)

    Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs.     (Henry Ford)

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

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....

7 Hacks to Motivate Yourself to Make Progress

Are you ready to stop procrastinating and start making some progress? Try one of these seven simple hacks to motivate yourself into action. Give them each a try over the coming days and weeks and find the ones that make the biggest difference for you. Whenever you find yourself procrastinating, come back to this list and employ one or several of these hacks. Your productivity will soar. 

  

Tip #1: Pick Something Small 

One of the big reasons we procrastinate is because something feels overwhelming. There’s too much to do, so we choose to forget about it for a little while. It’s a coping mechanism, just not a very productive one. Instead, pick one thing, something small that you can do right now to move you in the right direction. This creates momentum and forces you to take action. 

 

Tip #2: Set A Time and Go 

Another hack that works like a charm is to set a timer. Your phone has one built in, as do most smart watches. Set it for fifteen or twenty minutes and chip away at a task you’ve been procrastinating on. This works just as well for decluttering your closet as it does for filling out those dreaded expense reports. If twenty minutes feels too long, start with ten. Again, the goal is to start and do something. 

 

Tip #3: Bribe Yourself 

There’s nothing wrong with bribing yourself if that’s what motivates you. Work on a home improvement project for an hour and then watch an episode of your favorite show. Or promise yourself a special night out when you finish painting the living room. Come up with something that motivates you and go for it. Remind yourself of the prize that is waiting at the end of the project whenever you’re tempted to put things off for another day. 

 

Tip #4: Find an Accountability Partner 

Find someone else who’s either trying to be more productive or beat procrastination themselves. Check in with each other daily. Share what you want to accomplish and what you will get done that day. Knowing you have to report to someone else makes you take action. It’s also motivating to see the other person do the same. Try it.

 

Tip #5: Measure Your Progress 

When you’re working on something long-term like losing thirty pounds for example, it can be tempting to procrastinate because it doesn’t seem like you’re making much progress. Instead, prove to yourself that you are getting closer and closer by tracking or measuring it. Make a chart, use a spreadsheet, keep a journal. Find a way to measure your progress and use it to motivate yourself to keep going. 

 

Tip #6: Remind Yourself of Your Why 

There’s a reason you’ve decided to do that thing you keep putting off. Think about why you want to get it done. Is it so you get your tax refund? So, you can run around with the kids? So, you can find the clothes you actually want to wear? Find out your why. Write it down and then keep it front and center. Look at it every day before you get ready to get to work. 

 

Tip #7: Just Start

I've saved the best for last. It might not be the easiest but it is the most powerful. Just get started. That's right, sometimes all you have to do is just get moving in the right direction. Do something. Do anything. Even if it's something super small or you only do it for a few minutes. Once you get over that initial hump and start to build some momentum you will be more motivated to continue.

 

You can do it! 

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

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....

An Organized Home - Can You Envision It?

What vision do you have for your home? What do you want your home to look like - in your perfect world - with no limitations on time or money.

You do have a vision - right? If not, close your eyes and imagine your living room clutter free. There's nothing on the floor for you to trip over. The magazines are in the magazine basket. There are no dishes on the coffee table. There are no old take-out containers hidden behind the couch. There are no piles of books piled so high they might fall on your head as you pass through the living room. 

The room is serene and peaceful. Can you envision it?

So how does a room get that way? Well - you have to have a goal and a plan to make it happen. Don't say "it's never going to happen - so why bother". Bs positive!

Pick one area of your home and write down a step-by-step plan on how you are going to make it look the way you want.

Write down how long you think that it will take. 

Make a commitment to put X number of hours into the project each week. Figure out what the end date is based on your committed hours per week. 

Now pick a date and time each week that you will work on the project.

Next, make a list of anything that you will need for the project (garbage bags, boxes, tools....) and gather everything up.

On your organizing day - first pick up and discard all of the trash.

Decide which items in the room you want to discard (trash or donate or give away). 

Ask yourself a few basic questions: 

    *  Have I used the item in the last 6 months?

    *  Is the item in good shape (not broken or torn up....)?

    *  Do I really like the item?

(There are a lot of other questions that you can ask yourself - but this is a very basic list.)

Put those items into bags or boxes and when you are done with the allotted work time - put the bags/boxes into your car and take them to the donation center immediately (this guarantees that you will not pick through the bags and pull out things because you changed your mind about getting rid of it).

For each session - keep purging until all of the things that you want to get rid of - are gone.

Next - the organizing process. 

Come back later and we'll go over some basic organizing concepts!

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

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....

Old Habits Are Hard to Break - Accountability Is Key to Beating Procrastination

Beating procrastination can be hard. We do well for a few days, but then old habits set back in, or we get frustrated with our lack of apparent progress. Nothing goes fast enough. If you face a small setback at this point, it may be enough to stop working on what you wanted to accomplish in the first place. Thankfully, there’s something you can do to greatly improve your chances of success. Accountability. 

 

Track Your Progress 

Start by tracking what you do. You can do this via a simple habit tracker or by just using pencil and paper. Use a box for each day of the week, fill in what you want to accomplish each day, Check it off or fill it in when you do the task. Keep tracking it until it becomes a habit or until the project is completed.

For larger projects that you may or may not work on daily, it helps to write down your goal and then break it into milestones. Record your progress and how much closer you’re inching to each of your goals. 

 

Make Daily To-Do Lists 

Write out a list of everything you want to get done for the day. It’s helpful to do this the day before. Play around with how many items you put on that list. You don’t want it to overwhelm you, but you do want to challenge yourself to get more done. The list holds you accountable because you can see in black and white if you procrastinated or not. 

 

Tell Someone About Your Plans 

If there’s something you’ve been struggling to get done, tell someone else about your plans to finally tackle it. Call a friend, tell your spouse, or announce it on social media. Encourage the people you’re sharing with to check back with you on how you did. It may be the little extra push you need to stop procrastinating. 

 

Find An Accountability Buddy 

Last but not least, find someone else who’s procrastinating and start holding each other accountable. This could be as simple as checking in once in the morning to declare what you each want to get done, and then again at the end of the day to see what happened. Knowing someone else is right there with you can be super motivating. 

 

Give each of these procrastination beating strategies a try and see which ones give you the best results. Like anything else, procrastinating is a habit, and you can get out of it and turn yourself into the motivated and productive version of yourself you want to be. 

 

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

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....

What is Your Decluttering Goal?

With so many people still working from home the trend to declutter their home is still strong. Clutter causes stress. And stress causes people to say and do things they normally wouldn't say or do.

So - take a deep breathe before you yell at your family for the mess. Take a timeout before you decide to throw out everything that you own.

What is your decluttering goal?

You do have one - right?

Do you want your home to function better? A great goal - but break it down further.

Do you want to be able to find things? A great goal - but do you have a plan?

Do you want to downsize? A great goal - but by how much? What is your vision?

You need to start with a SMART Goal. 

*   Specific

*   Measurable

*   Achievable

*   Relevant

*   Time-bound

Coming up with a goal - a vision - for what you want your home to look like is the first step. The problem that most people have - is that they skip this step and just start purging. Knowing how you want your home and your space to look and function is crucial to your success.

What is your time-line for achieving your goal? Is it really achievable? If you can't physically accomplish your task by yourself - get help. If the time frame is not reasonable - change it. Decluttering is not supposed to stress you out - it is supposed to make you freer. 

Clearing your clutter helps to get rid of the "overwhelm" a lot of people experience when there is too much clutter. For a lot of people - it's very therapeutic and cathartic.

Is your goal going to accomplish what you really want out of your home and life? 

Don't rush into decluttering until you really know what your purpose is. 

Having an end goal - knowing why you have a goal - and having a realistic plan for getting there - will lead to your success!

Happy Decluttering!

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

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....