You are an expert

October 31, 2016December 9, 2019 organizationalhabits Big project ideas, Building your personal brand, Business tips, Finding your "why", Organizational Exercises, Staying focused Big project ideas, figuring out my life work, getting things done, How to stay focused, organizational tips, State of "flow"

You are an expert. When you do that thing you do, energy flows through you and time slows down.

How do you do it?

You focus on the subject at hand
You take classes
You read books and listen to audio books
You practice
You write about your expertise so you process the information you’ve learned
You find others who do what you do, ask them questions, share what you know, and compare notes
You are curious and listen and watch for information that relates to your expertise
You spend time thinking

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Consider a leaf

October 28, 2016December 9, 2019 organizationalhabits Building your personal brand, Changing habits, Finding your "why", Meditation, Organizational Exercises, Staying focused, Working with your guides Changing habits, figuring out my life work, How to stay focused, Organizational Exercises, State of "flow", Working with your guides

I just finished listening to Eckhardt Tolle’s audio book A New Earth. I love audio books and listen to them regularly when I drive. This started as a habit when I was driving long distances, but has evolved into an everyday habit. It’s weird to look forward to running errands or heading to the grocery story because you get to learn something new – but it’s a great use of time when you are in the car.

So back to A New Earth – there was so much to take in. Here are three big take-aways that relate to getting organized and finding the peace within that.

Consider a leaf.
Be present.
Do good work.

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What’s a single moment when you were living “the good life”?

October 24, 2016December 9, 2019 organizationalhabits Baby steps to start getting organized, Big project ideas, Finding your "why", Organizational Exercises, Setting organizational priorities Big project ideas, Decision making, figuring out my life work, getting things done, How to stay focused, Organizational Exercises, organizational tips, organizing big projects, State of "flow", working on big projects

Organizational Zen is about the peace you find prioritizing your time by working on the big stuff in your life. Not sure what your “big stuff” is?

I recently attended a class taught by the very wise, Dr. Alice Bandy. Alice helps people figure out their “Why”. Why?

Because you were born with unique gifts to share with the world and it’s hard to share something that you don’t know you have.
Most of us underestimate what we can bring to the universe.
If you don’t do the work that’s in your heart, it’s a big loss for all of us, and you won’t have as much fun while you’re here on earth.
Your work isn’t what you do – it’s who you are.
Your gift to the world is to take action.

To get a glimpse of your “why”, take a deep breath and ponder this question. Continue reading →

Embrace the facts – and move on

October 7, 2016December 9, 2019 organizationalhabits Baby steps to start getting organized, Building your personal brand, Business tips, Changing habits, Decision making, Productivity tips for work Changing habits, getting organized, getting things done, how to get organized, How to stay focused, organizational tips, State of "flow", tips to be more productive

Do you ever have these types of thoughts run through your head?

What if there’s traffic and I’m late?
Will my flight be on time and will I make my connection?
I want to talk to the new person at work, but what if they don’t want to talk to me?
What if my kid picks a career path I don’t like?
What if it rains tomorrow?

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Energy Audit

August 16, 2016December 9, 2019 organizationalhabits Baby steps to start getting organized, Changing habits, Getting started, Organizational Exercises, Planning impacts on your health Changing habits, getting organized, getting things done, Getting work done, how to get organized, How to stay focused, organizational tips, State of "flow", working on big projects

If you’re trying to get organized, it can feel overwhelming and it’s hard to know where to start. My recommendation is before you jump in, do an energy audit. If your energy is low your focus will be weak, and taking on organization may be too much to ask of yourself! So what’s draining your energy?

Energy Audit Exercise
1. Sit somewhere you are comfortable and have room to write. If you are at your desk and it’s messy, move everything except paper and pen to the floor. You don’t have to clean the desk, and please don’t clean the room! Just move your stuff off the desk for now so you aren’t distracted.

2. Take a deep breath and sent an intent: “I need to know what’s draining my energy”

3. Spend time visualizing each item on this list and decide: Does this part of my life raise my energy? Feel neutral? Or lower my energy? Next to each point, put a +, 0, or – sign. Continue reading →

Finding “flow” through focus

August 13, 2016 organizationalhabits Changing habits, Getting started, Organizational Exercises, Planning impacts on your health Changing habits, forming a new habit, getting organized, How to stay focused, organizational tips, State of "flow"

When was the last time you really enjoyed yourself? Were you deeply immersed in a great book? Or learning a new skill – like painting, or skiing, or playing a musical instrument? Or were you having a great conversation, sharing in a passionate discussion with someone? Or were you creating something?

Mihaly Scikszentmihalyi describes a complete focus on the task at hand as “a state of flow.” When you are in flow, time drops away. And as you work, you get ideas from everywhere. They descend on you in the middle of the night, while you’re taking a shower, and while you’re driving. You think of this work and feel your energy lift. It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks of this work – you are one with what you are doing. Continue reading →