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Endurance and Passion – Finding The Winner In You

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It’s interesting to me how I view the words endurance and passion so differently since I began the Simplify Me Challenge.

Although it’s understood that endurance represents staying power, patience, and to some level survival, I never realized that I had the ability to stay within the confines of these words to help bring out the winner in me.

What I mean by this is typically when I would have “enough” of something, I would choose to stop or let it go.  But this time, this challenge has brought out something bigger within me that I cannot give up just because I feel like it.  There is something that has stirred within me that is almost primal – the desire and the need to fight.

I guess that’s where the word passion comes in.  I used to equate this word with love and romance for another person,  a career or hobby.  I understand that passion is about excitement, delight and somewhat of an obsession to a point, however, what I am beginning to see is this passion has expanded into something bigger, almost viral, that has managed to seep into my very core.  For the first time, I am feeling passionate about me.

It’s a new feeling that I am getting acquainted with and although at times I internally kick and scream through my challenge, I feel amazingly blessed that I am learning so much more about myself and how I can use this experience to help my clients even more.

The brutal truth is for years I have championed my clients through their life’s turbulence.  Steering and directing them  through the chaos, helping them reclaim order once again.  Witnessing their inner strength, watching them claim their victory and feel like a winner has brought me much joy for which I am eternally grateful and I know has contributed to my business success.

But this current journey is teaching me so much more.  It is helping me push myself to limits I never knew existed within me.  It’s making me fight for the winner that has been trapped inside and waiting to get out.  It’s bringing me to uncharted areas of my life that is making me believe on a much deeper dimension my favorite quote by Emily Dickinson…

“Dwell In Possibility” for when you do, you will find the winner in you!

Always my best,

Patricia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Body Doubling

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Body DoublingWhile sitting opposite from one another during our scheduled work session, a relatively seasoned client of mine looked directly at me and said “I think I like it better when I write in my own personal handwriting rather than you printing out labels for me.”

“OK” I said. “May I ask why?”

“I think I find it too impersonal and sterile. I find myself feeling more drawn to the files and want to pick them up when I see my own signature rather than unfamiliar printing.”

Since we already established a relationship with one another, I felt comfortable enough to ask her if there was anything else she wanted to let me know.

“Well, as a matter of fact,” she said, “I think I would really like it if I could try working for a while just on my own, while you sit there. Is that alright with you?”

I smiled back at her and said “Of course. Take your time and let’s see how it goes.” We agreed that we would try this for one hour without talking unless she needed my input.

As I sat there, I started to imagine what it would be like for me to have my assistant just sit in my office while I worked. But that image didn’t last long for me. Unlike my client, I am an active participant when it comes to my work and like to engage and interact with my staff and also require and enjoy their input and feedback.

So, I started to question in my mind what was really going on for my client. Was she beginning to feel more secure in her own sense of style and wanted to try it out while I was present or was it something more profound than this?

Fifty minutes into the hour, she asked if I would like a cup of tea. Sure I said, that sounds good right about now.

We took about a 15-minute break and sat outside on her deck. We talked about the weather, her new landscaping of shrubberies and a little about family.

As we walked back into her office, I asked her if she ever heard of the term “Body Doubling.” Her eyes widened and she just about whispered, “No, what is that?”

Well, I began; I believe that is what we are doing right now.

Having a person who is present and acting like and anchor, not an active assistant, allows the other person to stay focused and ignore distractions. I asked her if she agreed that was what we were doing.

“Absolutely,” she said. “Having you here somehow gives me permission to finish what needs to be done, and I don’t feel the urge to walk away.”

She wanted to know if the practice was common or highly unusual.

I explained that it depended-sometimes it is woven into the organizing practice quite naturally and in other circumstances it is introduced right away. One thing that is certain is that body doubling is highly effective and actually mirrors what organizing looks like.

With this new-found understanding, it made it easier for my client to accept that her initial request was in essence a particular organizing practice. Body doubling offers alternative solutions for people to succeed in their organizing endeavors, when they recognize they are challenged with distraction.

It was safe to say, my client and I worked silently for the next hour and a half and when I left, she felt empowered and satisfied with her accomplishments.

-Patricia Diesel
Keep It Simple Now

5 Questions to Ask Yourself About Clearing Your Clutter

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So often I hear clients say they would do just about anything to stop the harassing effects of their clutter.

After countless attempts trying to purge and being defeated, some people associate their lost battles with a feeling of being assaulted. All they know at this point is they want the chaos of the clutter to stop.

Introducing a list of questions at this point helps put things into perspective about not only their current circumstances but also about how the clutter came to be and what is needed to make it go away.

It’s more appealing to look at de-cluttering as a fun and enlightening concept rather than another grueling task. The goal is to de-clutter in a fashion that feels comfortable and natural.

If your clutter is having an emotional impact on you, begin by asking yourself the following questions. Allow yourself the luxury of taking the necessary time to answer completely and honestly, you may be surprised what your answers reveal.

What has prevented me from de-cluttering in the past?

  • Time
  • Motivation
  • Energy
  • A plan
  • Commitment
  • Distractions
  • Other

What do I find is the hardest thing about de-cluttering?

  • I don’t trust myself
  • Insecure with my decisions
  • I double-check myself
  • I remember what I like
  • Fear of letting go
  • Afraid I can’t get it back
  • I may need it
  • Don’t want to deal with it
  • Other

What would make it easier for me to de-clutter?

  • To know it’s OK to let it go
  • The idea that I can find it again
  • Someone to help me
  • A reward system
  • A plan I can follow
  • Thoughts of being clutter free
  • Other

How much time am I willing to commit to de-cluttering?

  • One day
  • One week
  • One month
  • Six months
  • One year
  • However long it takes
  • Other

What does de-cluttering represent to me?

  • Freedom
  • Simplicity
  • Excitement
  • Work
  • Exhaustion
  • Confusion
  • Other

After reviewing the answers to the questions above, you can easily begin to see what you need to put into action in order to begin taking action toward living an organized life. The easiest way to begin making organization part of your routine is to begin incorporating changes slowly. Create small wins for yourself so you can easily feel a sense of accomplishment and treat yourself to celebrate your win. This will begin creating a positive behavior pattern. In time, organization will become a part of your life, not something that overwhelms you.

-Patricia Diesel
Keep It Simple Now