Organization is a platform for real growth to occur and breeds an environment that is conducive to wellness for your body, mind and environment.
Because I believe in the power of organization, I would like to invite you to my upcoming workshop:
TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR LIFE
WITH A COMPREHENSIVE ORGANIC APPROACH TO YOUR
MIND, BODY & ENVIRONMENT
NEW BOOK RELEASE – COMING SOON!
Have you ever had the feeling that there is so much more to life than what you already have? Do you struggle trying to balance your health, your mindset and your living space? Does it feel impossible to do?
What if, instead, the constant battle went away? You could simply transform your life so you could reach optimum health, clearer thinking and a smart environment? Can you imagine what that would look like – what it would feel like? In this book, Patricia Diesel helps you make it possible.
In Organically Yours, Patricia shares her personal journey back to health and guides the readers through a comprehensive organic approach to wellness. The personal stories of others will certainly open you to a vibrant, healthy life and The Vim and Vitality Checklists will help you easily make the change.
Patricia’s own deep insights and experience as a professional coach, author and speaker makes Organically Yours a positive and motivational read. You can take a pro-active approach to your wellness. You don’t have to wait until a true crisis occurs. You can begin healing yourself through clean living today.
Can working as a team have benefits beyond moral support?
Researchers at Santa Clara and Stanford Universities have found that exercising with a partner enhances a workout’s stress-reducing effects – benefiting body and mind. What they discovered was that when working with a partner, people generally felt calmer then if they worked solo. They also concluded that whether they chatted or not through their regimen, the dialogue did not have an adverse effect on their results, and that the feelings of calmness usually lasted well into the evening hours.
In the Professional Organizing world – there is a similar parallel which we refer to as the “Body-Double.” The purpose of the Body- Double is to act like an anchor, not an active assistant in the process of organizing. The concept is to help the other person stay focused and ignore distractions, simply by being present.
Often, this practice provides emotional support, as clients will feel that having a Body-Double gives them permission to finish what needs to be done, thus calming their feelings of overwhelm and reducing their urge to walk away. It is a highly effective strategy that leaves the persona feeling empowered and satisfied.
Recently I was faced with a decision that was difficult for me to make because I truly cared about someone, but I also knew deep down inside that this person was not ready for what I was capable of in terms of a balanced relationship.
My intentions were set from the beginning to meet someone who is “emotionally” available in mind, body and spirit. Hence, a man appeared from my past that I found myself attracted to.
As time took it’s course, I tried to evaluate whether or not my decision to not go forward was realistic – was it because I was honoring my intentions – or was it in response to injured feelings of a past hurt. I had to be clear.
What I found was although my one time “Forever Man” did forever change my life, this also allowed me to see what I could and could not accept in terms of what was healthy for me.
It was nice to have companionship, it was lovely to have someone who thought about me, and it was endearing to be wanted, yet I knew by staying, I would not support my intentions of a long lasting, loving relationship.
He thought he was ready, I knew he wanted to be ready. There was the difference.
What about you? Are your actions in alignment with what you desire? Are you being true to yourself, no matter how fearful it is or how much it hurts?
(Excerpts from Patricia’s New Book)
While 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