Organize Archives

Wednesday’s Word::Tenacious

January 23, 2013 by Heather Filed Under: Inspiration & Education, Tips & Resources

Tenacious is a great word. One we don’t hear people using much in today’s everyday language but it’s tenacity that usually helps us to hold our course.

Definition of TENACIOUS

(courtesy of Merriam-webster)

a : not easily pulled apart : cohesive <a tenacious metal>

b : tending to adhere or cling especially to another substance <tenacious burs>

a : persistent in maintaining, adhering to, or seeking something valued or desired <a tenacious advocate of civil rights> <tenacious negotiators>

We all find at times we may need to cultivate tenacity, especially when we feel uncertain, discouraged or otherwise like we want to give up because something is sooo HARD! Some people can naturally be described as tenacious and others may find that Tenacity is a skill that they need to cultivate. There are naysayers out there that say Tenacity can not be taught and although it’s not easy or a “traditional” subject to try to teach I’d bet every parent has tried to varying degrees to teach their children tenacity. I think it’s also important to be selective about being tenacious. No one wants to be constantly pushing towards goals or ideas that no longer serve them so most importantly, evaluate when to let go of things that are not appropriate and cultivate tenacity in more selective terms.

5 Ways to cultivate tenacity:

Listen to your gut (intuition, instinct or whatever you want to call it)/Ignore your Ego (that naysayer, little devil on your shoulder etc). If it’s making you miserable, it’s time to re-consider it.
Try it a different way; often times if we’ve tried and given up there may be a different system or solution that might just click! Keep trying until you Succeed and keep track of what works!
Embrace the Process; not the outcome. There’s no denying we are a result driven society but by being more process centered we can appreciate and congratulate ourselves along the way (to the bigger goals)
Surround yourself with tenacious people. When we see others emulate qualities we want to cultivate we will be much more likely to succeed.
Hold yourself accountable but let got of the guilt! Maybe you need an accountability partner (one of those other inspiring tenacious people in your life). Putting it out there in front of others helps hold you to your word.

GO Monday::You & Your Desk Assignment

January 14, 2013 by Heather Filed Under: Organize, Organizing Projects, Paper management, Productivity, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources

Since it’s GO Month, I’m doing my best to bring you GO-Monday organizing tips. Today, here’s your Desk assignment if you choose to tackle it!

Spend the last hour of your day at work keeping your desk organized for a more productive week, month & year!

But Really! If you will just spend 30-60 min’s today and clean up your desk, I PROMISE it will make you feel so much better, more productive, more effective and less stressed when you sit down to do anything.

Here’s a quick breakdown with a few tips to keep in mind as you are tackling this little (or maybe not so little?) task:

If you already have a good filing system in place–sort items & file or toss/shred the rest…IF NOT…
Decide if you are A). a filer or B). a piler (using this quiz). If you are a ‘filer’ proceed to the next step using a vertical file sorter, If you are a ‘piler’ then proceed but modify this system using a horizontal filing “baskets”
Create a “Tickler or Action file system” for the items that need to remain nearby. There are several types like 43 Folders or a more Action based system. Then sort items & file or toss/shred the rest
Clear the supplies off, put them in drawers or bins/boxes/baskets-Labeled as needed. Keep only what you actually use regularly on the desk (like 1 pen or pencil and one notepad and the electronic “paraphernalia”)
Utilize vertical space, hang a cork, whiteboard, calendar, action file sorter (this is not where things should live permanently!) or anything else that you can remove from your desk to better use vertical space.
Remove anything unrelated to work or home office (toys, mail that hasn’t been sorted, tools, knicknacks etc)
Optimize your workspace ergonomics; check the height of your chair, monitor, and desk. Add good lighting and consider using or adjusting arm rests, using a riser for your monitor, a wedge for your wrists etc.
Include something beautiful (not a bunch of things!), one or two beautiful objects like a plant, a crystal, a photo, candle etc that give you a place for you to rest your eyes (when you are taking those recommended 3-min breaks from your monitor).

IF this doesn’t seem like a task you can tackle in 30-60 min’s and you can’t do it all at once then tackle the tasks above that seem easy and check them off the list. When it comes to the BIG piles, can you do a quick sort and keep only the things you really need on/near your desk in a desktop sorter of some type? The rest can go into a box for you to label “SORT” and work on a little at at time (30 min’s a day) for the rest of the week or until it’s done.

Coming to work tomorrow will be that much more joyful with a neat an tidy desk!

Brought to you by National Clean off your desk day! Who thinks of these things? Hallmark? Is there a card for it?

Now, I’m off to take my own medicine! Happy Clean Desk Day!

Visualize your Organized Life

January 7, 2013 by Heather Filed Under: Inspiration & Education, Organize, Wellness & Mindset

As part of Get Organized month I’m sharing some of the big (& small) ways I use to set my intention and get going on the right footing for the new year. The first thing I did was set my intention with a word of the year. This year it’s all about being Radiant!

The next step in my practice for BIG (annual) planning/organizing/strategizing & goal setting is creating an Vision Board. I started this practice back in 2011 and over the last couple years I’ve been so amazed at how fun it is to choose where I want to go and set it down in a concrete visible way. Some people call these Vision Boards others call them Action boards (for those that feel the word “Vision” is to pie-in-the-sky). There are many ways to create these boards via fancy software, fun apps, images, text, or even Pinterest. I just go with the good old fashion cut and paste from magazines (which I always have on hand)!

How does this help you get organized? If you feel there are areas in which you would like a different outcome in your life try creating a vision board to activate and attract what you want to accomplish and how you envision it in ideal reality. Use images and words that feel the way you want to feel about your space and your life.

2013 Vision Board

I prefer one that is all words/text and in a month or two I may create another board with images. For me the clarity of a text board is more appealing and I find it easier to find specific words (rather than images that convey a feeling). I’ve been very careful about how I combine the words I place on my board to draw into my life the specific intentions I desire. When I’m finished I keep it in either my office or studio (alternating) & check in with it for inspiration throughout the year, if I come across something I need to add, I’ll do that as well.

However you want to create your board and whatever you call it, just know that by being very clear about what you want to manifest in your life and putting it down in a concrete way you are more likely to draw attention to theses aspects of yourself (actions, thoughts, etc). It’s all about the law of attraction. When I look back at the last years vision boards I’m truly amazed at the ways in which the specific wishes, desires, dreams and actions have been attracted into my life!

This year, I’ve chosen words that are bigger and bolder in both action and font/colors; I’m reaching for even more!
How do you envision the next year? What do you want to attract and are you creating any type of vision board to activate the process?

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Happy New Year 2013::FEEL, BE, LOVE…

January 1, 2013 by Heather Filed Under: Inspiration & Education, Organize Leave a Comment

Happy 2013!! With the beginning of each New Year many of us are full of resolutions, hopes, commitments, goals and eying up new opportunities.

We are envisioning a year where we accomplish MORE, dream BIGGER and behave BETTER. Maybe we have carried over some resolutions or goals from last year or maybe we are dreaming new dreams!

Whatever you have your heart, soul and mind set on for this coming year, know you are perfectly as you are meant to be right at this moment! Nothing is wrong with hopes, goals and resolutions but as you take the time to set you intention for 2013; ask yourself…

How do you want to FEEL, who do you want to BE, who do you want to LOVE more (yourself, kids, spouse, friends, parents?) and what do you want to LET GO OF in order to really LIVE WELL?

SpaceCraft Studio Makeover

December 3, 2012 by Heather Filed Under: In the Studio, Organize, Organizing Projects Leave a Comment

This week’s makeover features a retail shop I worked with back in October. This was a very fun job for me because it brings together my passions for organizing and crafting! SpaceCraft Studios is a new craft shop and studio where locals can meet other creative people and make stuff! The owner, Allison is already very organized but as you can imagine with any new business she was a little overwhelmed and re-organizing the supplies and storage in the back rooms were just not at the top of her priorities! That’s when she enlisted me to help because she realized that things could quickly get out of hand and starting a new business with good systems in place sets the stage for future success!

As both a craft store and a studio that offers classes there have been (and will continue to be) many donations of materials and supplies. As these came in they began to pile up in the storage room. Creating a system for this area was one of the biggest priorities so that future donations didn’t become overwhelming and un-useful. Without getting rid of anything (because there was an upcoming craft supply swap!) I sorted materials and supplies by category and re-organized how they were grouped and arranged in the space. Adjacent to this space was a smaller area that was storage for tools and additional supplies. Some items in this space were moved out and other tools (from other areas of the shop) were move into this area and re-organized.

[Even the tool boxes got a little makeover!]

The kitchen had become a catch all for a few categories that didn’t necessarily make sense there (tools). These items were relocated to make more efficient use of the kitchen for entertaining supplies, food and storage related items like bags, jars and soap making supplies etc used for some classes.

Most of the organizing I did was “back of house” but I re-arranged/re-organized the resource library (available for students and customers to browse) to make room for a new shipment of product. In this case I sorted books by craft category (sewing, knitting, paper crafting etc). I also worked on labeling some of the smaller already organized supplies in the studio space so that both customers and teachers can easily identify (and return) supplies as needed.

If you find it challenging to organize your craft stash maybe you will get a few inspiring ideas from this post and SpaceCraft Studios!

How do you like to organize your craft/art supplies? If you have any tips or brilliant ideas to share please let me know. For more craft supply organizing ideas I’ve got a great Pinterest Board!