Hmm…an interesting thought popped in my head the other night. I was at a house party that had a fantastic band. As they played soulful songs, mainly from Michael McDonald’s collection, I wondered – what makes some people have inner rhythm, while others struggle with their dancing? And what makes organizing so easy for some people, yet so difficult for others? I would love to hear your thoughts on this…btw, a lot of this is covered in my new book to come…interesting right?

Reclaiming Your Garage

January 14, 2010/in Chronic Disorganization, Hoarding, Organizational Coaching, Organized Life, Share Your Struggle /by Patricia Diesel

The old story of whatever doesn’t fit in the house usually ends up in the garage, is still going very strong. Countless people take their excess “stuff” and use the garage to store it. The problem is, eventually it becomes so cluttered that you no longer can use the garage for its proper use, such as parking your vehicle, perhaps.

Seriously, though, I can vouch for this behavior, as I am guilty of it as well. I think the problem stems from not having enough room for your things or not knowing how to let go of some of them. Yes, that’s right, letting go of some of your things.

You wouldn’t believe what I encountered in my garage. Dare I share? My garage was the holding place for my daughter’s childhood. I found books, stuffed animals, clothes, costumes, knick-knacks and so much more. Without a doubt, I felt overwhelmed; since I knew the day I would have to deal with all this “stuff” had finally arrived.

So what did I do?

First, I needed a form of motivation to propel me into action. I believe without it I would not have been as successful with clearing everything out. For me, it was a couple of things. I was entertaining the idea of purchasing a new vehicle, so I wanted to protect my new asset. I was tired of not being able to park in the garage, knowing that once the colder weather set in, I would be miserable.

I began dealing with all the memorabilia first. After consulting with my daughter and selecting the treasures among all treasures, I was left with the remains that I donated to charities and the library. Although I think I would have been the perfect candidate for a garage sale, I decided against it, but I did hand over a truckload of belongings to someone that was.

Since I have a detached, single car garage, I didn’t have a lot of room to spare and I wanted to keep my expenses under $200. I had to find storage solutions for gardening tool, shovels, extension cords, a bicycle and holiday decorations.

This is what I came up with.

I purchased a piece of plywood to lay as a floor for extra storage for the overhead loft area. A 2-by-4 piece of wood to screw into the side of the garage wall with some hooks to hang my tools, a plastic storage shed with shelving for the back corner to hold my holiday decorations, and a huge mounting claw to hang from a beam for my bicycle.

In addition, I purchased a few clear plastic bins for storing the remaining treasures I decided to keep and placed them safely in the loft area now that there was extra room. Not only did I stay within my budget, I finally was able to park my car in the garage!

From Treasure to Stranger: Deciding What to Keep and Eliminate

January 13, 2010/in Chronic Disorganization, Hoarding, Organizational Coaching, Organized Life /by Patricia Diesel

Are the things you hold onto truly treasures or mere things?

Isn’t it interesting how we hold onto our belongings as if we are holding onto life itself?

The idea that something we consider to be so precious to our hearts, can actually be given away, or thrown away for that matter, can feel as if our very last breath has been knocked out of us.

How is it possible then that the things we cling to and find so endearing can actually create pain for us? At what point does our “stuff” no longer feel good to us?

When posed this question, I found that most of my clients had a difficult time distinguishing what’s worth holding onto verses what can be let go.

The operative words here are “letting go.”

In most situations, trying to identify the treasures among all treasures becomes confusing and actually overwhelming. Everything begins to look like one huge treasure chest.

First, I think the most important question to ask yourself is what do you consider your definition of a treasure to be? What constitutes your items being called treasures rather than just stuff?

The next step is to go to the source of the pain. The question now to ask is “where does it hurt?” What things do you have around your home or environment that is creating a sense of disharmony for you?

Thinking along these terms, it’s sometimes easier to identify these hurtful objects by over-personalizing them using the “friend, stranger, acquaintance” game. In “Conquering Chronic Disorganization,” Judith Kolberg writes that “over personalization is the process of exaggerating the feelings that people have for their feelings. The exaggeration of personal feelings acknowledges these feelings and makes it possible for a person to move beyond them.” Using this philosophy, ask yourself, what strangers are looming around your home? And, by the way, what do you consider to be a stranger, anyway? For me, a stranger is someone for whom I have no feelings and in some cases actually can pose harm. So in relation to this, any “things” I have hanging around would be easy for me to dispose of.

Now, getting back to your treasures – how do you see them in comparison to a friend? Are your treasures really friends? For me, friends are there through thick and thin. I want my friends in my life all the time, so they participate in my life. So ask yourself, the things you consider treasures, are you treating them like friends? Do you expose them and are they interacting if your life? If you answered no, maybe the things you consider treasures are really stuff you can reduce to an acquaintance or stranger.

What I love about the friend/stranger/acquaintance game is that you can use this analogy in all aspects of life. I think it can help us really put our “things” into perspective. To the strangers, we can say goodbye; whether this comes in the form of an item, a job, or a relationship that is no longer serving us.

Acquaintances actually can be moved around at times from friend to stranger when appropriate, and we can feel OK about our decision when it’s time to let go.

And our friends, I think we can learn to honor what falls into this category and what warrants this title. If your treasures are truly friends, then bring them out and have fun with them. Your friends deserve your respect to be truly called treasures.

Organized Shopping

January 13, 2010/in Chronic Disorganization, Organizational Coaching, Organized Life /by Patricia Diesel

How does a fashion expert keep a professional organizer organized?

In my quest to find some new outfits, I realized it might benefit me to ask for the assistance of a personal shopper. I have suggested to clients with wardrobe challenges that they ask for the guidance and assistance of a fashion consultant. Maybe it was about time I took my own advice.

Not being too familiar with how the process works, I just walked right into a major department store and asked for a personal shopper.

Within minutes, I was introduced to my new best friend, and whisked away to my very own, private dressing room. With plenty of room to swirl and move in my new surroundings, I was comfortable and ready to hear what she had to stay.

First Comes Image

First, my personal shopper needed to understand the image I wanted. She educated me on the importance of dressing according to your body image. That was the first step in the selection process for finding my new attire. From an organizational point of view, I knew she was sorting through my likes and dislikes, trying to find a style that would best suit my needs.

Getting organized is a learned activity, and so is the art of fashion. Personal shoppers must be, and are, organized in their own way. They implement the steps necessary to acquire that certain look you are after. It makes the difference between a good outfit or a dynamite attire.

Search Begins

So with her new-found knowledge of me, my personal shopper began her search to find just the right garments for a perfect match. Upon her arrival, I was amazed at her choices. I was thinking abundance, but she zeroed in on quality over quantity. Colors were also an integral part of her selection process. As with any style, blending is essential to the overall picture you are trying to draw.

Simple Selection

As an organizer, I thought of this as a baby step. Simply meaning, she was not overwhelming me with “stuff.” She was narrowing down her selection, processing the information I have her, and breaking it down for me.

“Excellent,” I thought to myself. I immediately liked her style because I could relate to it. She was not just throwing clothes at me. She was teaching me, showing me, and educating me on the art of dressing.

Final Touches

Once we narrowed down the clothes I was going to keep, the fun really began. It was accessorizing time. Wow! Now, this is where the final touches are critical to making an ordinary outfit look smashing. Like any good organizing tool, they are only as good as you use them. In fashion, your wardrobe gets better with a little extra effort to make it work completely in your favor. From shoes, to scarves, to jewelry, these extra accessories really made the difference with the final look I was trying to accomplish.

So, as an organizer, what did I learn here from this encounter?

I discovered it was a very smart way to shop because it allowed me to take full advantage of good time-management skills. My personal shopper did all the research and work, allowing me the luxury of enjoying the experience on a completely new level. Having her assistance afforded me the opportunity to have fun, with her added insight. I felt less stressed and could ease my mind about making the right or wrong decision.

As I walked away with my new multi-use fashion items, I also left with a new respect for another profession. It helped me understand how organizing does play an integral role in just about every profession, even in the world of fashion.

Personal shopping definitely provided me with what I needed – an organized way to shop, with lots of perks, and the end result of looking like a million bucks on a reasonably priced budget.

Hot Off The Press…

January 7, 2010/in Chronic Disorganization, Hoarding, Office Clutter, Organizational Coaching, Organized Life /by Patricia Diesel

Park Place Magazine just posted the article they interviewed me for on their website. Here is a copy of the article:

Living Simply

De-clutter your life—and your head.

written by Susan Brierly

Are there days when you can’t find your keys? Do you own a closetful of clothes but never seem to have anything to wear? Do you spend sleepless nights wondering how you will ever plan the kids’ birthday parties, organize the basement, or balance your checkbook (since you haven’t reconciled it in six months)? If you constantly seem to be playing catch-up, you’re not alone.

“The first step is to establish a more organized lifestyle that suits your personality—it’s not about living in a sterile environment. It’s a conscious choice that’s conducive to how you interact with your family, and how you want to be perceived,” says Patricia Diesel, principal owner and president of Keep It Simple Now, a New Jersey-based professional organizing company. Diesel, a Basking Ridge resident, is a certified empowerment coach and national speaker who assists individuals, entrepreneurs, and corporations that need help with chronic disorganization and life balance.

“Functioning in an organized manner actually frees you to enjoy a simpler and more carefree life,” she says. Some of Diesel’s clients just need a little help managing the disparate elements of their lives. Others are chronically disorganized, and need to establish smart habits and structure to keep them on track. Still others are hardcore hoarders who need to take a serious look at their habits to understand the emotions (such as anger and fear) that often drive their behavior.

How do you know when you’ve crossed the line?

Here is Diesel’s reality check list:
✻ Is your personal or business life in jeopardy because of your disorganization?
✻ Are piles and piles of papers or magazines becoming part of your décor?
✻ Do you continually lose items such as car keys and important documents?
✻ Is it difficult to let go of things that you no longer need?
✻ Is procrastination becoming part of your routine?
✻ Is your chronic disorganization causing you or your business to lose time and money?

“Becoming organized is a gradual process. It can be intimidating, so I don’t pressure my clients,” Diesel says. “It’s okay to take baby steps by spending as little as fifteen minutes a day to begin to de-clutter one’s life.”

Diesel’s basic tips for a more organized life include:
✻ Purge first, then sort.
✻ Assign everything a home.
✻ Organize similar items together.
✻ Dedicate 15-20 minutes each day to creating order.
✻ Break projects into manageable baby steps.
✻ Celebrate your victories to keep motivated.

To view this article on Park Place Magazine’s website, click here.

Calling All Men…

January 6, 2010/in Chronic Disorganization, Hoarding, Office Clutter, Organizational Coaching, Organized Life, Share Your Struggle /by Patricia Diesel

What are your struggles with organization?

How does it impact your life?

Single Dads, what are your struggles with domestication?

What are your struggles in the workplace?

I’m curious. Let’s get some discussions going on the blog. Comment below and let me know your thoughts. I want to develop solutions targeting these struggles and I need your input. If you prefer to be confidential, email me directly at [email protected].

A New Year – A New You!

January 4, 2010/in Chronic Disorganization, Hoarding, Office Clutter, Organized Life /by Patricia Diesel

New Ways To Make Organization Work For You
Staying organized can be difficult for many. After cleaning out our spaces and making clean sweeps, the clutter seems to creep back into our homes and offices.

At the end of the day, we may feel overwhelmed because we realize we have not caught up with all the things that sill need to completed, much less begin the projects we have planned to accomplish. It’s also not uncommon that we sometimes may compare ourselves to others, who we may think are “more organized,” which leads us to feel even more discouraged.

Good News
There is good news. Getting organized is a learned activity. We can get organized and stay that way with the proper guidance and support. The key component here is to understand that we are all individuals with different needs, so our approach to getting organized may be different as well.

Finding What Works
It’s about finding what works for you. Begin with thinking about what you need to organize so you can come up with a system that works for you, not a system that is pre-designed for someone else.

What Needs Organizing?

Paperwork
Bills and personal finances
Mail and junk mail
Newspapers, catalogs and magazines
Children’s schoolwork
Medical bills
Appointments, telephone calls

Household

Closets and pantries
Home Office
Kitchen
Living area or bedrooms
Garage, attic , basement

Organizing Tools
Now that you have established what needs to be organized, choose a task and figure out what organizing tools you will need to help you.

Colored file folders
Colored pens and markers
File rack or cabinet
Paper shredder
Calendar, cork board, dry erase board
Clear storage bins, containers or baskets
Label maker
Appointment book

The 3 Golden Rules
The key to successful follow through in your organizing is to commit to the following rules, one at a time.

1. Everything Needs A Home

Temporary Home – A holding place for your things before an action occurs
Action Home – A safe place for your work, so if you get interrupted you can find it again
A Permanent Home – A place for your things after the action is complete

2. Keep Like With Like
When sorting out your things, put like items together, i.e., bills stay with bills, magazines with magazines, etc.

3. Dedicate 15-20 Minutes To A Task
Choose something that you can do each and every day and stick to it. For example, maybe one day it is returning phone calls, another day you can sort the laundry, and so forth.

Organizing Rewards
According to the National Association of Professional Organizers, (NAPO) some of the benefits to an organized life are less stress, increased productivity and managing your time better.

Celebrate Your Victories
In order to get to that final reward, some motivation is needed during the process. While undertaking your organizational tasks, build in some extra incentives for yourself. Treat yourself to something special such as a favorite meal or a movie with a friend after completing a step or two. Most of all, pat yourself on the back for all your efforts, you deserve it!

Body Doubling

December 29, 2009/in Chronic Disorganization, Hoarding, Office Clutter, Organizational Coaching, Organized Life /by Patricia Diesel

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

Posts

February 3rd and 10th – 7 to 9 pm

Reveal how emotional clutter impacts your relationships in this ground breaking two night workshop!

Register now for this exciting event and begin exposing the emotional aspects of clutter and how it impacts your relationships with loved ones. Topics to be covered will include:

Living Simply

De-clutter your life—and your head.