August Challenge: Simplify... Organize

Simplify... Organize... Lighten the Load

This has been the tagline, and my mantra, for Organizing Resources since 1994. First simplify, then organize to lighten the load.

The first week in August is National Simplify Your Life Week. What does that mean to you?

For me, it is seven days to make a difference in my life. It is the perfect time to reduce the stress associated with over commitments, over abundance, over spending. It is a week to think about goals and how to move forward to accomplishment. It is a time to focus on an abundant life where my needs are met.

Read on for more information as I break down this statement and see how it all comes together.

SIMPLIFY... Simply put, the less you own, the easier it is to care for everything. Why? Because life if full of choices, more choices today than ever before, and more opportunities to create havoc and chaos in your life.

Too Many Choices:
> Where to work
> Where to live
> What to wear
> What to eat
> Where to travel
> What to buy for our household
and so many more...

In today's fast-paced world, there is too much to do, too many demands, an overload of information and way too little time. And, there are opportunities every day to add more to our lives. With each new addition we lose some space - environmental, physical, emotional and mental space.

Ask yourself:
> When was the last time I used this item?
> Under what circumstances would I need it again?
> Does it add beauty and joy to my life?
> Is it a treasure that warms my heart?
> Does it augment my life's purpose, or is it simply a status of my lifestyle?

Avoid playing mind games with the belief that the unused, yet perfectly good items, maybe useful to you someday. Be aware of words like someday, maybe, should, somewhere, somehow? Such thoughts only add more pressure to keep those items that add little value to your life's purpose.

The objective of 'Simplify' is to move out of the house all items that are not serving you, no matter how useful they may be. They are just taking up precious space -- prime real estate. Consider it hoarding if you keep something that you are not using. There are others out there looking for that useful item. Start sharing!

ORGANIZE... Now that you have purged the broken, unloved and unwanted items, it is time to look around and identify what is left. The process of organizing will be much easier when you let go of the unnecessary items. You control clutter only when you have less of everything. In other words, less is truly more.

Organizing means to find a home for everything, a home that is logical, cost-effective and appropriate. This is not a step that simply puts things into storage. It is about retrieval - easy access. The ultimate goal is to be able to find what you want when you want it. Remember, abundant living is having enough, not too much, having what you need and needing what you have.

Start the organizing project by planning...
> What area needs attention?
> What benefits will you gain by getting organized?
> How much time will it take? Don't underestimate!
> Schedule an appointment with yourself to accomplish each area or zone.
> Align your goals with your priorities?

LIGHTEN THE LOAD... A place for EVERYTHING, and EVERYTHING in its place!

"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated." ~ Confucius

Judith Kirk, Professional Organizer/Personal Coach/Simplification Specialist. Read more at https://judithkirk.com/contact-info/

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Judith_Kirk/588

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9997880

To increase your production just get organized!

By: Jeannette Hay


There is a big difference between being busy, and being productive. Productivity produces an actual product at the end. Being busy only burns up time, making us feel disorganized, tired, over-worked, and very unhappy at our job and produced nothing. 


Increase production and get organized by examining what your company or department are supposed to be delivering. Are they actually delivering it or just being "busy"? Are you? Do you know what your actual or end product is for your position you are holding? 

Men and women waste about the same amount of time per day (approximately 2.1 hours) and being disorganized is the central cause of this.

It is the key to productivity, improved Time Management skills, continuity and stress relief, for you, your family and staff that you implement the application of weekly and daily Things to get DONE list or Battle Plan. Please note I did not say Things to Do list, 

I said things to get DONE – there is a big difference in stating that you would like (someday) to get something done as opposed to getting it DONE. 


Start clearing clutter from your mind and DOWNLOAD your thoughts – get them out of your head! Write them onto the computer or as some prefer a spiral bound notepad and take one page per day to write down the daily list of things to accomplish, it is up to you. 


You just need to be disciplined to get these tasks DONE daily. So use a timer for your 15 – 30 minutes exclusive time for this.

Update your list the afternoon or evening beforehand so you can start the next morning straight into production. (This action has been proven to improve one's sleep the night before as your head is not racing with all that you want to accomplish the next day.)

This one action of downloading the night before actually creates predictability which in turn creates simplicity and is the key to production and having more time and more space in your life to do the things you really want to do, not just thing things you have to do.

Once you have your daily download happening on an automatic basis then write one for the entire week – all your major goals you will accomplish that week with all the gradient minimal steps leading up towards each DONE. Some people like to add time frames to their tasks – go right ahead and include them if you wish. Whatever is the most workable for you is always best.

It is better to write out your tasks from one specific responsibility or "Hat" that you wear. However, that being said – if you find it easier to include ALL that you do – both personal and professional – then try it and see. You may find it best to get organized in having one overall list for home and another for work. Whatever you find works best for you – do that.




Source:  http://www.articlebiz.com/article/1051445647-1-to-increase-your-production-just-get-organized/