During one of my workshops, I asked the students to write down the reasons why it is so important for them to be organized.
Most of the answers were the same…
I want to be able to find my things
I don’t want to be late for appointments
I would like to have guests over to entertain
Then I asked them to write down the reasons why it is so important for them to find their things, not be late for appointments and have guests over.
And then something interesting happened…
Just about every student sat there with a vacant look on their face, similar to a deer in headlights stare.
You see, on the surface, people can generally express why they want to be organized, but when you ask them to get in touch with it on a deeper level, they find it rather difficult to articulate their feelings.
The truth of the matter is, people want to be more organized because they crave something much deeper. More meaningful.
The challenge is getting them to unleash the frustration, overwhelm and stress they have suppressed from playing hide-and-seek and cringing from embarrassment because they missed a deadline, showed up late or have to tell another fib about why they can’t have company over.
I have found in my 20+ some years of being in practice, that until a person can get in touch with the root cause of their clutter the cycle will continue. It is the reason why I created Coaching Through The Clutter; Mindful Tools for Organized Living. It is a coaching program that helps people not just release their clutter but also become more consciously aware so they can begin to make healthier choices in their life.
If you would like to learn more about this coaching program and how it can serve you, then I would love to connect with you. Simply click HERE to schedule a FREE call with me.
https://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.png00KISNhttps://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.pngKISN2019-04-16 16:18:062019-04-16 20:25:28The Real Reason People Crave Organization
If you have questions about how to declutter your life and want to know what is the best way to organize your home and office, I have great news for you!
This Sunday evening, April 14, 2019 @ 7:00pm et – I will be hosting another “Ask The Organizer” FREE tel-conference.
Simply call into the below phone number, enter your pin # and you can get all your questions answered. I suggest you make a list of all the pressing things you want to take care of so I can help you cross them off and get into action!
Here’s the info:
Phone: 1-605-562-0400
Pin Code: 954 5600
Oh, I expect the line to fill up, so the early bird catches the worm here… 🙂
Talk to you soon!
https://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.png00KISNhttps://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.pngKISN2019-04-13 12:33:292019-04-13 12:34:31"Ask The Organizer" is back!
How to get rid of negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones
How to quickly and easily change your thoughts to a winner’s mindset
With the right tools and conscious effort, you can start thinking like a conqueror of clutter, and crush that negative self-talk.For example, instead of saying to yourself, ” I’ll never get out from under all of this mess. Who am I kidding, I’ll always have clutter.”
You will learn how to cancel out negativity and replace it with positive words like,
” I may have been disorganized in the past, but that was then and this is now. I love being clutter-free.”
You owe it to yourself to open your mind and learn new strategies to live a healthier, clutter-free life.
Begin today and watch your mind shift and your life transform!
https://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.png00KISNhttps://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.pngKISN2019-02-01 19:41:482019-02-01 19:47:53It's All In The Mind
Health and wellness touch each of us differently. This is one person’s story.
From early fall through the coldest months of the year, I’ve learned to expect (and manage) my seasonal affective disorder (SAD). As someone who also lives with an anxiety disorder and identifies as a highly sensitive person (HSP), I tend to look for the things I can control in my world.
Every August, without fail, I sit down to write my “winter prep list,” in which I check off areas of my home that need organizing and decluttering. Usually by November, my old coats have been donated, the floors have been scrubbed, and everything feels as if it’s in its proper place.
One of my first lines of defense in the battle against mental health challenges has always been to get organized. I’m preparing for those tough days when I won’t be able to lift a mop, let alone put a plate in the dishwasher.
It turns out my thinking is rooted in scientific studies that show organization is an effective tool to achieve a healthier life, both mentally and physically.
One study found that the physical act of tidying up one’s house can make a person more active and healthier overall.
Many professional organizers sing the praises of improving one’s mental health through organizing, including Patricia Diesel, an organizing expert, clutter coach, and the creator of a program called Mindful Tools for Organized Living.
As a certified chronic disorganization specialist and a hoarding specialist, Diesel has witnessed the power of organization in people’s lives.
“Addressing the emotional and mental components of clutter is critical to the underlying cause. I believe that clutter is an outward manifestation that mirrors the body and mind on overwhelm,” she explains.
5 small ways to organize for your mental health
If you’re in the throes of depression or healing from a panic attack, the thought of cleaning can certainly be overwhelming. But I also know clutter tends to make me descend even further into a negative mood. So, I’ve discovered my own ways to tackle organization without letting it tackle me.
Here are five ways to muddle through the clutter, even on your most challenging mental health days.
1. Throw perfection out the window
Even when I’ve been at my lowest, I’d often put pressure on myself to make things look “perfect.”
I’ve since learned perfection and mental health conditions tend to be in direct opposition of one another. The healthier route is to accept that my house may not look flawless during the winter months. If things are generally organized, I can accept the wayward dust bunny that may cross my path.
Diesel agrees with this approach as well.
“Organizing is not about perfection,” she says. “It’s about a quality of life standard. Everyone’s standards are different. As long as the organized environment is in alignment with those standards and it is not infringing upon a quality of life that is obstructing or detrimental to that person’s life, then usually a person will find acceptance and peace from that.”
Let go of your idea of “perfect,” and instead aim for a level of organization that doesn’t hurt your quality of life.
2. Break everything down into bite-sized pieces
Since overwhelm is a big deal to those who wrestle with mental health disorders, like anxiety, Diesel recommends breaking up an organization project into palatable pieces.
“I help people look at the overall project that needs to get done… then we break it down into different categories. Then we rate the priority of each category, and begin with the level that reduces the anxiety the most,” she explains.
“The goal is to have the person see the entire project, and then help them see how to accomplish it in a manageable way.”
Diesel recommends devoting 15 to 20 minutes per day to doing things that need to get done, like doing a load of laundry or sorting the mail.
Often, a little effort can reinvigorate the mind and build momentum toward increasing a feeling of motivation. But that’s not always the case if you’re living with a mental health issue. Be kind to yourself if you miss a day or are only able to commit to 10 minutes.
3. Let go of items that don’t serve you
Physical clutter often creates clutter in the mind, especially if that clutter has taken over your life and space. Diesel helps those with hoarding disorders, sharing tips that can benefit non-hoarders as well.
“It’s not so much about getting organized as it is about how to release and part with their things without shame or guilt. Once this is accomplished, the organizing is usually not an issue,” she says.
Diesel emphasizes the importance of considering what makes an item truly “valuable” as opposed to something you think might be valuable based on fear or other emotions.
4. Remove distractions
Being highly sensitive means I have a sensory disorder that can become overloaded very quickly. Loud noises, an abundance of clutter, and a to-do list in plain sight can instantly break my focus and pull me away from whatever project I’m working on.
When I’m getting organized, I make my surroundings as soothing as possible through peace and quiet. I set aside a block of time when I know I won’t be pulled away.
5. Visualize the end result
Out of all my mental health challenges, seasonal depression is the one that wrings me dry of any motivation to clean or get organized. Diesel says that’s because depression can create a mindset that feels defeated. In this case, it’s key to emphasize the final goal.
“I help people see the vision of the end result, and we use additional tools to help that vision come alive, whether it’s with a vision board or through journaling. The overall goal is to help them feel empowered,” she says.
And if all else fails, remember that you can always ask for help if you need it.
“People who suffer with disorganization is the body and mind on overwhelm, so having a support system and mindfulness tools to go to is extremely important for stability. Support is paramount,” Diesel says.
Shelby Deering is a lifestyle writer based in Madison, Wisconsin, with a master’s degree in journalism. She specializes in writing about wellness and for the past 13 years has contributed to national outlets including Prevention, Runner’s World, Well+Good, and more. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her meditating, searching for new organic beauty products, or exploring local trails with her husband and corgi, Ginger.
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Ms. B is a God loving woman with a very healthy dose of gratitude.
I found myself curious about her grateful disposition, so I asked her what her secret was.
She chuckled softly.
Then she told me about a plaque that is hanging in her home. She recited the words to me.
I saw beyond every challenge to forever display the love of God in each facet of my life.
I remember pausing and not saying anything for a moment. I had to let the words sink in.
There’s something really special, (it’s hard to explain, but you feel it) when you encounter a person of such deep faith.
If I’m really going to be honest here, Ms. B. struck a chord with me.
Have you ever felt that way about someone?
I believe that people enter our lives for a reason. Initially, we may not understand why, but eventually in the course of time, it becomes clear.
For me, Ms. B.’s message was an awakening to not lose sight of what’s really important in my life. To not give up hope when “things” look messy and out of sorts.
What about you? Is there something that feels out of place in your life?
Holding on to our faith, staying mindful of our gifts, are just some of the ways we can navigate through uncertain times.
Another way is to be ORGANIZED.
A Source Of Comfort We Can All Use
There’s a sense of peace and calmness that is derived from having things in order. Being organized, assures us that we can rely on something when everything else may feel out of our reach.
I think we all need a source of comfort to help us along our way.
If you’re interested, I’m going to be running my FREE Webinar on getting organized again. You can get all the details here.
I hope you’ll join me.
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I’m not really a Monday kinda gal, but I have learned how to make the most of them. In the past, it never failed, on Sunday evenings I would start to get anxious about the week ahead. If I really think about it, even as a kid I would feel this way. School jitters I believe they called it.
I noticed if I made some small changes that I was able to eliminate much of my stress and actually have a productive week. For example, I found that if I prepared my wardrobe the night before I had more time in the morning. I also realized if I wrote my to-do list in the evening, I felt more relaxed and I could sleep better.
Then, a funny thing started to happen. Once I got myself into these little habits, I noticed that I started to develop other habits that helped me feel more productive and well, just happier.
Here’s an example of what I mean. Some mornings the very first thing I do before getting out of bed is meditate. Other mornings, I make my bed, tidy up around the house, and then begin my day. By doing something positive within the first 5 minutes upon waking, I carry that momentum into the rest of my day.
Too often, we begin our day by rolling over and checking our phones – texts, emails, social media. The next thing you know, we’re worrying about everything we have to do and we didn’t even get out of bed yet.
I encourage you to find one little habit you can accomplish within the first 5 minutes of waking. Do it tomorrow morning. It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you appreciate you are starting your day off with something positive. Before you know it, one little habit can lead you to another.
Speaking of good habits, have you considered joining our on-line community? It’s starting January 2017 and you can get into the habit right now of setting your calendar to meet with us the 2nd Monday of every month. It’s for like-minded individuals just like you who are interested in personal growth and professional development. It’s a great way to network and support one another.
That’s it for now. I’ll be sending you more information regarding the on-line community in a few days. In the meantime, remember to do one little habit to kick your day off to a good start.
https://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.png00Patricia Dieselhttps://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.pngPatricia Diesel2016-12-12 15:57:562016-12-12 15:57:56One Little Habit Can Change Your Day
Hey, if you missed last week’s call – don’t worry. Due to popular demand, I am going to do an Instant Replay “LIVE” for those of you who missed it or who want to listen in again.
Now is the time to ask the questions that you have for me. I want you to get yourself organized and ready for the Fall season and begin anew.
F. Scott F. Fitzgerald said it best:
“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.”
I am going to show you some really cool tools for your task list and share with you my very own agenda. I will walk you through the process, step by step. Then I am going to share something with you that very well may shock you. But it’s all for your benefit, I promise!
So here’s you second chance to join in and see what’s happening over here…
By attending you will also receive a copy of my latest book
And a very special offer to go along with it!
Sending you lots of love and good vibes!
https://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.png00Patricia Dieselhttps://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.pngPatricia Diesel2016-09-12 20:38:032016-09-12 20:38:03We're Getting You All Spruced Up For Fall
Fall is here! Now is the perfect time to get your tasks completed and yourself organized.
Yet, sometimes, even though we have the best intentions and the greatest plan, we can end up getting distracted and/or overwhelmed. Two key ingredients that can sabotage our checklist.
If you can identify with that, then you want to be on this call!
I am going to share with you my fall checklist, how I go about breaking down my tasks, and a few surprises that you just may be shocked to learn about!
I know fall clean-ups can be a dirty task, but I promise to keep it clean…well, somewhat… 🙂
PS – You need to attend “Live” to receive my latest eBook – so mark your calendar now and reserve that date!
Your task coach,
Patricia Diesel
https://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.png00Patricia Dieselhttps://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.pngPatricia Diesel2016-09-02 10:56:302016-09-02 10:56:30Fall Cleaning Checklist (It's Not What You Think)
“How often in life do you stuff down negative emotions or feelings about something going on in your present life or about something that has happened in the past?
It’s a common human pattern to stuff things down. We do it to protect ourselves. You’ve done it, I’ve done it, people do it on a daily basis.
The challenge is…
As we continue to stuff things down in our lives, it accumulates and causes more and more problems for us.”
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It’s just about one year that I received the above in an email from Nick Ortner, The Tapping Solution. What he said then, and still to this day, has me thinking. Below are my thoughts. I hope it gets you thinking too…
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Eventually this accumulation of stuff has no other choice but to come out. When it does come out, it can manifest in many forms. For some people, their outward form manifests as physical clutter.
Clutter as we know represents disorder. Therefore, our physical clutter is an outward manifestation, a demonstration if you will, of what we may be feeling inwardly, i.e., confusion, turmoil, overwhelm. So it makes perfect sense when someone says, “I don’t know where to begin or how to start” when attempting to combat their clutter.
The truth is 99.9% of the time, people can get organized. Organization is a skill set that one can learn. It is the emotional aspect that prevents one from doing so, commonly referred to as an emotional block.
For this very reason, it’s important to take note that in order to deal with your physical clutter it is also necessary to work on your emotional clutter. Otherwise, it has been my experience, that no matter how many times you attempt to get things back in order, if you do not deal with the emotional aspect, the clutter will come back.
It is also important to point out, that the clutter will usually come back with a vengeance. It’s as if the clutter is saying, “Hey you, I’m not done here…look at me…we have things to settle and I’m not going away until we do.”
This is the time when I suggest you look at your clutter with a fresh perspective. In other words, don’t fear the clutter, Bless it. Approach the clutter with gratitude and thankfulness.
Think of it this way…
Your outward manifestation is like looking through your very own Looking Glass – it’s mirroring back to help you. Look at it as an opportunity to begin the process of healing so you can begin to move forward in your life.
With Love,
Patricia Diesel
Patricia Diesel is dedicated to bringing her skill, inspiration and encouragement to those who want to regain hope and enhance the quality of their life. She conveys her life transforming lessons through her travels, speaking engagements and media appearances. She has helped countless individuals restore tranquility and sense to their lives. You can find out more about how life coaching can help you in her newly released book, Life Coaching, A Guide to Hiring a Professional Coach.
https://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.png00Patricia Dieselhttps://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.pngPatricia Diesel2016-08-22 09:30:122016-08-22 09:30:12FEEL IT - BLESS IT!
You’re invited to participate in my upcoming workshop. It’s filled with tools and strategies to help you get organized – just in time for the Spring season.
I want to share something with you in regards to the word “help.”
When we ask for help, it is a huge step – a pivotal, building block for doors to open. Behind each door is an opportunity for us to grow to new levels.
Now I understand that at times it may seem as if our steps are somewhat futile, and even uncomfortable, but I promise you, each step leads to a better place.
In my upcoming workshop – I am going to show you how to take these steps, one at a time, from the ground up, to get you organized.
Remember this; The more help you ask for, the more levels you can go to.
Below you will find all the details about the workshop and how you can register.
Workshop Details
The on-line class dates are scheduled for:
Monday, April 4 – 7:00 – 8:30 PM (ET)
Monday, April 11 – 7:00 – 8:30 PM (ET)
Monday, April 18 – 7:00 – 8:30 PM (ET)
There will be a PowerPoint presentation with each class, a workbook to study from, and group interaction with your peers. You will also receive a one (1) – one hour coaching session (Intake) and three (3) – 30 minute coaching sessions with me.
The Intake Session will be scheduled before the course begins and the remaining coaching sessions will be scheduled during the three week course – one coaching session per week. That’s a total of 2.5 hours of private coaching with a value alone of just under $1,000.
Recap of what is included in workshop:
Three (3) On-Line Classes for 1.5 hours
PowerPoint Presentation
Workbook
Peer Support/Interaction
2.5 Hours of Private Coaching
Your cost for the workshop is only $399.99 – payment options are available. Space is limited.
Upon registration you will receive your Welcome Package with additional details and further instruction.
I look forward to being your Coach during this event and of course, if you have any questions that may help you make your decision, please do not hesitate to contact me.
https://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.png00Patricia Dieselhttps://patriciadiesel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Logo_New-1.pngPatricia Diesel2016-03-23 15:01:352016-03-23 15:01:35Opportunity Never Stops Knocking