Productivity Archives

A Household Binder can be a portable command center

August 8, 2025 by Heather Filed Under: Kids & Family Organizing, Organize, Organizing Projects, Paper management, Productivity, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources 1 Comment

Using a household binder is a great way to keep lots of miscellaneous and commonly referenced loose papers in one place. It can be used anywhere you need, taken with you from room to room (or when you leave home), and is an easy way to share information with babysitters, family members, etc. It can be digital or physical, and can include as much or as little information as you find helpful.

What to Include in Your Household Binder

Emergency contacts such as doctors, family members, and neighbors.
Vital household information- Wi-Fi code, alarm, and utility company info, etc.
Important personal and medical information, such as allergies and medications
Schedules including school year, holidays, sports, and after-school activities, etc.
Invitations
Takeout food menus
Meal Planning
Grocery lists
To Do list
Action items-bills to be paid
Chore charts/Goal Charts, etc.
Pet Info
House Rules (for guests, etc.)

How to Set up your household binder

Gather physical or digital supplies including binder or digital word processor, clear sheet protectors, section dividers with tabs, labels (label maker) & markers, pens or pencils
Print blank forms for any of the information above, if you don’t have a source for this, contact me and see below.
Type out or hand write contact info, personal /household info
Gather menu’s, mail, lists, invitations and schedules
Create sections for Contact &/or Emergency Information, household member, Schedules, Chore charts, pet info. meals, To-Do etc.

This image is from the Table of Contents for my “Creatively Organized Everything” binder, which is more comprehensive and in-depth than a household binder. If you are a client and need access to this file, I have created a Comprehensive 50 page template for you to use for all your household and legacy planning needs. Contact me to learn more.

A household binder is a great system for households that don’t’ have a lot of space for a command center. It can also be used along with a more “Visual” command center.

The Benefits of Personality Testing

July 23, 2025 by Heather Filed Under: Creative process, Health, Inspiration & Education, Organize, Planning & Goals, Productivity, Tips & Resources, Wellness & Mindset 1 Comment

We are all born unique and with different personalities. Are you curious to know more about your personality and how it can affect your day-to-day life? If so, the benefits of Personality testing include giving insight into how we think, handle stress, how we process information and make decisions.

Personality tests are very popular, with many employers requesting a candidate take a personality assessment during the job application process. If you were to Google ‘Personality Test’ you would be flooded with many claiming to be the best. I will showcase a few here that I believe are the most accurate and helpful when we want to learn more about ourselves. No personality test is the same, just as no person is the same.

Myers Briggs

The most popular and well-known Personality Test is Myers Briggs. It gives you insight into many different personality traits and identifies the 16 most distinctive personality types. It is a 15-20 minute assessment that asks you about the way that you think, how you process information, how you make decisions, how extroverted (or introverted) you are, and how you perceive information.

Once you have taken the assessment and receive your result you will also be given information on your personality type and how understandings your type can benefit you in your daily life. You can further research your personality type to help you connect you with like-minded individuals or understand those with strikingly different personalities.

Enneagram

You may have heard people toss around their enneagram ‘type’ as a number, similar to how people talk about their MB above as a series of letters. The test for your enneagram personality type is

done by a simple multiple choice quiz (which some might describe as pseudoscientific), which takes about 10 minutes.

There are nine types of enneagram personalities. Like many other personality typing systems, there are overlaps between types, and you will see/recognize characteristics of yourself in each. The premise behind the enneagram is that you are ‘born’ with a specific dominant personality type, which predisposes you to learning styles and relationship orientations. This premise helps us understand how to apply aspects of the enneagram to both learning and interpersonal skills. There is much more to say and learn about this personality type tool, and the institute (linked above), as well as many books, can help you understand how to use this as a tool to refine your understanding of your personality and how you interact with others with different personality types.

Predictive Index – PI Learning Indicator

The Predictive Index, better known as the PI Learning Indicator is the go-to personality test for employers. It gives a fairly accurate insight into your personality and working style focusing on four main elements; dominance, extraversion, patience, and formality.

The PI takes anywhere from 5-25 minutes depending on how thorough you are with the test. The results might look a bit confusing at first but there are always professionals for you to speak with and a detailed breakdown on their website.

While the PI is very accurate, it is also important to take it every 6 months to a year, depending on the personal changes you are experiencing in your life. Everyone’s personality changes throughout their lifetime and it is good to recognize these changes and adapt to them.

Kolbe

Kolbe offers a variety of different tests for their users including a youth test, finance test, and a relationship test. It is unique as they don’t measure your intelligence or your personality but how you naturally do things in your life.

Kolbe focuses on your motive, goals and what drives you to achieve your goals. It is a great test to help you recognize what motivates you, and how to achieve your goals.

This test is also very beneficial for business owner’s or managers who have lost motivation, direction or are looking for ways to keep their success going. The test dives into your creative instincts and showcases how best to utilize your personality.

This tests take 20 minutes and it gives you an in-depth look at your personality and driving factors to your success. Kolbe offers a lot of information and a clear breakdown of their methods and results on their website.

Different Personalities

There are often misconceptions among people that take personality tests. On the surface, it may seem that if we don’t have the correct personality for a job, relationship or friendship that it will never work. On the contrary, personality tests can be taken to learn more about yourself, your strengths and challenges and how to better relate to others in work and personal life. They should never be considered negative. After all, it’s better to know best to have these helpful insights into future challenges before you begin new relationships or ventures!

There are many criteria that personality tests don’t measure specifically including; work ethic, kindness, interests, and ability to learning style (more on this soon!).

I recommend that everyone take at least one personality test in their lifetime. The Benefits of Personality Testing include not only knowing more about your personality but to learning how you can use it to create success in your life. It takes so little time, less time than a favorite TV show, yet can supply both new and reinforced information about yourself. Please share what personality tests you have tried over in our Facebook group.

Get Sentimental this summer

July 7, 2025 by Heather Filed Under: Collections, Kids & Family Organizing, Organize, Productivity, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources, Wellness & Mindset 2 Comments

Have a Sentimental Summer and use these tips for sorting school work and kids’ memorabilia.

Summer is perfect for getting a handle on all those sentimental school objects, papers, and artwork you and your kids are keeping. Perhaps you have a designated spot where you dump things throughout the year? Before you sit down to sort through the sentimental savings, it helps to understand how sentimental you are. Do you want to keep everything, are you detached, or somewhere in between?

Having an awareness of what we learned from our upbringing will be a great guide to your decision-making process moving forward!

Reflect on your childhood and how your parents handled your memorabilia. Sometimes, how our family “taught” us is how we respond, and other times, we want to do the direct opposite. Did your parents keep everything and then hand it over to you after college or when you moved out? Or did they dump it in the trash? What did you do with your sentimental treasures from childhood? Do you still have those things? When was the last time you looked through your memory albums, boxes, etc.? Be aware that what you do today will impact your kids’ behavior tomorrow, and they may already have a strong opinion about what they want to keep or discard (which might differ from yours).

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Fuzzy Goals-Smarter than SMART?

July 7, 2025 by Heather Filed Under: Planning & Goals, Productivity, Wellness & Mindset 4 Comments

Embracing the Beauty of Fuzzy Goals: A Refreshing Shift in How We Set Intentions

Recently, I learned about Fuzzy Goals—a concept wonderfully different from the conventional SMART Goals. I’d never heard of this term before, but something about the word “fuzzy” lured me in. It felt lighthearted, approachable, and just a little rebellious. So, naturally, I did a bit of research.

To my surprise and delight, what I discovered wasn’t just a trendy new productivity term—it was a liberating shift in perspective. Fuzzy goals allow space for ambiguity, creative exploration, and personal growth. They honor the feeling behind the goal just as much as the outcome.

Fuzzy Goals: An Alternative Approach to Planning

The best way I can describe fuzzy goals is to think of them as existing on a spectrum.

On one end, we have quantifiable, measurable objectives—like traditional SMART Goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These are highly structured and rooted in clarity and accountability.
On the opposite end, you’ll find a dream, a wish, or a vague yearning—something you feel intuitively but can’t quite articulate. It could be an internal pull toward a new way of being or a lifestyle you envision but don’t yet know how to reach.

Fuzzy goals live somewhere between these two extremes. They are goals born from emotion, intuition, and creativity, rather than logic and timelines. They may not always have a defined endpoint—but they guide us toward something meaningful.

What makes them powerful is their emotional resonance. A fuzzy goal stirs something inside you. It’s less about checking off boxes and more about exploring what matters to you—your passions, your values, your curiosity.

Sensory, Creative, and Flexible by Design

One of my favorite aspects of fuzzy goals is how they invite sensory and imaginative expression. They encourage us to step outside rigid formats and play in the world of visioning.

Maybe you draw a mind map of ideas and inspirations.
Or you create a vision board that evokes the energy you want to move toward.
You might even record a voice memo describing your ideal day in vivid detail, write a poem about what you’re craving in life, or collage images that speak to your dream career.

The method doesn’t matter—the feeling does. Fuzzy goals are all about helping you connect to your inner compass through creative expression.

And here’s the beautiful part: They are allowed to evolve. That fuzziness? It’s not a flaw—it’s a feature. Your fuzzy goal can shapeshift as you learn more about yourself. You might think you’re moving toward one thing, only to realize your path is veering slightly. That’s not failure—it’s growth.

Progress Over Perfection

Traditional goals sometimes make us feel like we have to “get it right” the first time. But fuzzy goals shift the focus to progress over perfection. They give permission to move forward without fully knowing the outcome, trusting that the journey itself will teach us something important.

You may start with a feeling like, “I want to feel more alive in my work,” or “I want to reconnect with joy in my everyday life.” From there, you can explore what small shifts or experiments might bring you closer to that feeling. It might be taking a new class, adjusting your routine, exploring a creative hobby, or reaching out to new people.

Fuzzy goals open the door to experimentation—and celebrate the learning that comes from trying.

If you’re in a season where goal-setting feels daunting—or even paralyzing—fuzzy goals might be the gentle invitation you need. They don’t demand immediate clarity or perfect structure. Instead, they ask you to lean into your desires and follow what lights you up, even just a little.
When life feels uncertain, strict goals can feel suffocating. But fuzzy goals meet you where you are. They remind you that you don’t need all the answers right now. What you need is momentum. Curiosity. Openness. A willingness to begin.

Why I Love Fuzzy Goals

Personally, I’m drawn to the creative, forgiving, and flexible nature of fuzzy goals. Sometimes, clarity doesn’t come all at once—and that’s okay. Sometimes, we’re not ready for a five-year plan (I can barely figure out this year, much less, five!), but we can still take the first step toward something meaningful.

Fuzzy goals feel like an act of self-compassion. A reminder that it’s okay not to have it all figured out. That movement—even murky, meandering movement—is still powerful.

So if you’re looking for a new way to approach planning your future, give fuzzy goals a try. Let yourself play, imagine, and shift direction as needed. You might just surprise yourself with where you end up.

Unraveling Courage

January 18, 2025 by Heather Filed Under: Creative process, Inspiration & Education, Planning & Goals, Productivity, Wellness & Mindset 2 Comments

Happy 2025! I have been unraveling words over the past few weeks. These days, when greeting people right after New Year, I find it’s not uncommon to exchange “words.” Selecting a word for the year (WOTY) or One Little Word (OLW-Ali Edwards) has become common practice! Susannah Conway (a photographer and creative soulmate) offers a free workbook and workshops. Many others are offering community support to establish or continue this practice. I began this practice in 2011, a year with much uncertainty. I had left my corporate career as a textile designer feeling insecure and excited about my future. I began by setting an intention for my year by selecting a word; that year, I needed clarity. By the end of the year, I had launched my business, firmly stepped away from my corporate career, and permitted myself to transform as things came into focus. The results of selecting a word were powerful, and the practice has stayed with me all these years!

My previous words over the past DECADE of selecting a WOTY.

2011: CLARITY
2012: SOAR
2013: RADIANT
2014: PLAY
2015: CHOICE
2016: HARMONY
2017: ACCEPTANCE
2018: FEARLESS
2019: INTENTION
2020: INTEGRATION
2021: POSSIBILITY
2022: HOPE
2023: DELIGHT
2024: COMPASSION

I love how they connect and flow into one another.

My word for 2025 is COURAGE.

With so many intense things happening in America and the world, from politics to natural disasters, it already feels fitting. Everything feels like a big tangled ball of scary unknown outcomes (that’s life, right?!). Unraveling courage of those messy feelings is what the process feels like for me. We can all use a little (or a lot) courage to help us navigate life’s challenges. My method of selecting a word for the year combines reflecting on the past year’s lessons and what I’ve taken away from my previous year’s words.

Word Cloud of Courage and its synonyms created with Scapple.

Last year, compassion (for self and others) taught me how to surrender, open my heart as a lifelong practice, and act in a manner that includes kindness and healthy boundaries. I went into the year feeling like I was not always very compassionate. My work with compassion is not done. Each year, when I focus on a word, I begin a lifelong exploration of my relationship to that feeling, emotion, or action. There have been times when I felt ashamed for not being more compassionate towards myself or someone else. Sometimes, it’s a conflicting choice, and it can feel like you are turning your back on another person to act compassionately towards yourself. I believe that ultimately when we learn to treat ourselves with compassion, we can better give that compassion back as a gift to others. As I reflected on these lessons, courage emerged as my word, primarily because it’s how I want to feel and act. There is a lot of fear out there right now, and I do not want to live in fear. Facing our fears takes courage. Choosing to turn toward what frightens me feels vitally important. As you can see below in the word cloud, looking at the synonyms helps me understand if a word is right for me.

In 2018, my word was Fearless or an absence of fear. Courage is slightly different. The implications are that we act despite our fears, facing them head-on. Despite our worries, facing something we are afraid of requires vulnerability; it may require asking for help, stepping outside our comfort zone, collaborating with others, and being brave and adventurous. Some acts of courage require us to stretch our boundaries, expand our horizons, and push the limits of what we think we can do. I’m starting by tackling a few tasks that I’ve put on hold or been procrastinating on that have to do with disaster and legacy planning (it’s never too early to begin planning for what ifs and absolutelys).

I’m ready for some of that! I’m feeling the need (as I mentioned above) for courage in my personal life, how I interact within the community, and in my business (as I step more boldly into my role as an appraiser). I use a vision board to mind map and visualize what courage might look life in my own life. It reflects actions, feelings, and how I imagine bringing my word into my daily life. On the vision board above, courage looks fun and playful, not like a scary monster. That is how I’m approaching courage in 2025. I would love your thoughts on the Word of the Year (WOTY) process. Please comment on this post to let me know your word (s).