This Organized Life: Decluttering Tips for Moms, Entrepreneurs and Professional Organizers

Hi Friends! On today's episode of This ORGANIZED Life, we are joined by Denise Allan, founder of Simplify Experts and author of the book Declutter & Thrive. When she's not helping people get organized, you can find Denise spending time volunteering or outside with her family. I invited Denise to share with us what she identifies as 6 common disorganization types.   The Power Shopper Paper Magnets The Inspired Hobbiest The Caregiver The Easily Distracted The Disorganized Employee     Listen to our conversation below, and let us know which type you identify with most!  If you know someone who would enjoy this episode, will you please share it with a friend?! CONNECT WITH DENISE WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE INSTITUTE FOR CHALLENGING DISORGANIZATION | TAKE DENISE'S QUIZ CONNECT WITH US! FACEBOOK| WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM Your Opinion Matters!   I am so appreciative of anyone who takes a moment to help the growth of our show by SUBSCRIBING and listening each week.  We would be so grateful if you would click the  5-star button & leave a short REVIEW    Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!  HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls.  Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold. Let’s Connect!  We love hearing from you! Head on over to facebook and join our group, This ORGANIZED Life where you can post topic ideas, guest suggestions, questions, comments and photos. Of course you also connect with us on the IG or follow us on PINTEREST for some added inspiration. One more thing....before you go, click HERE to take our free clutter quiz!

Hi Friends, Today we are wrapping up our series on the 5 clutter pitfalls with TIME. If you look at the 5-Clutter Pitfall Model, you will see that everything else revolves around TIME because undeniably, it is our most valuable commodity. It's really hard to manage something you can't see, which is one of the reasons why most people's to-do list is longer than hours in a day. “Theres never enough time" "If only I had more time"  "I don’t have the time” I call this CALENDAR CLUTTER. This is a generational & societal issue. In 1950’s America, most households were supported by two married parents with a single family income. Typically the dad worked a  9 to 5 job with a short commute. With limited technology, work was left at the office. Families ate dinner together in their modest home, with less stuff, and the only extracurricular activities were playing outside with the neighborhood kids.  Fast forward to 2019, the percentage of households with a dual family income is 61.9%.  If you factor in single parents, the number of working parents outside the home shoots to over 90%.  Couple that with a societal shift of more stuff, the "need" for bigger homes, our 24/7 connection to news, social media, and email.  Top that off with nightly chauffeuring of over scheduled kids, and it's no wonder that we have no "down time." Question: How can I RECLAIM time? The good news is that it's do-able.  The bad news is that it's a deliberate, counter-intuitive choice, that may prove unpopular, but if you are committed to reclaiming time, here's a few suggestions of where to begin: Accumulate less stuff Start saying no to things that aren't important Delegate/Outsource tasks that aren't a good use of your time, or can be done by others. Create a habit by establishing simple routines for daily tasks TIME BLOCK everything you do in a given day Identify and distinguish between things that are Urgent vs Important Turn off distractions and notifications on your phone and computer  Identify your triggers →Do you bite off more than you can chew? →Do you struggle with saying no? →Do you have difficulty asking for help? →Do you find yourself putting out fires all day leaving you spent by dinnertime? Take Action! →Commit to less.  Start by removing something from your calendar that you don't need to do  →Tell someone. Outer accountability is a great motivator to keep you honest! →Document your progress and share with us on IG or in our facebook group, This ORGANIZED Life If you know someone who would enjoy this episode, will you please share it with a friend?! LET'S CONNECT! FACEBOOK| WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM Your Opinion Matters!   I am so appreciative of anyone who takes a moment to help the growth of our show by SUBSCRIBING and listening each week.  We would be so grateful if you would click the  5-star button & leave a short REVIEW    Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!  HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls.  Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold. Let’s Connect!  We love hearing from you! Head on over to facebook and join our group, This ORGANIZED Life where you can post topic ideas, guest suggestions, questions, comments and photos. Of course you also connect with us on the IG or follow us on PINTEREST for some added inspiration. One more thing....before you go, click HERE to take our free clutter quiz!

Hi Friends, Today we are continuing with part 4 of our series on the 5 CLUTTER PITFALLS, and today we are talking about OVERWHELM (can you relate?) Let's be honest. Life is overwhelming, regardless your season of life.  OVERWHELM is defined as feeling overpowered or overcome with emotion.  A.K.A.: feeling stressed When we feel overwhelmed with more important areas of our lives, the last thing we have energy to focus on is clutter. Ironically, organizing a space, even something as simple as the top of your desk or your kitchen counter, can produce feelings of empowerment, control, and calm.  However, getting out of the starting gate can be tough. 1. WHY do we feel overwhelmed? We have too much on our plates We lack direction We feel external or internal pressure 2. HOW does overwhelm manifest itself? Avoidance (i.e.: shut the door and walk away) Anxiety & Stress Anger & Frustration Feelings of overwhelm can be debilitating and isolating.       3.  WHAT can we do to reduce feelings of overwhelm? Map out a plan rather than just jumping in blindly Define your goal and work backwards (figure out the steps it will take you to get there) Break up tasks into manageable chunks (15 or 20 minutes at a time is plenty) Reduce external distractions (send the kids out, pop in a podcast or listen to music) Identify your triggers  Are you trying to do a task when you are tired after a long day at work? Do you have too many distractions (i.e. little kids at home that constantly need you?) Are you trying to fit it in when you have “free time” rather than dedicate time to focus on this area? Do you lack a plan or unsure of what products will make your project go more smoothly?  Do you need an accountability partner (someone to talk it through and let you feel less alone) Take Action! Start with something simple that doesn't add stress to your life Give yourself a realistic deadline to complete it Get an accountability partner to help you through Document your progress and share with us on IG or in our facebook group, This ORGANIZED Life If you know someone who would enjoy this episode, will you please share it with a friend?! LET'S CONNECT! FACEBOOK| WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM Your Opinion Matters!   I am so appreciative of anyone who takes a moment to help the growth of our show by SUBSCRIBING and listening each week.  We would be so grateful if you would click the  5-star button & leave a short REVIEW    Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!  HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls.  Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold. Let’s Connect!  We love hearing from you! Head on over to facebook and join our group, This ORGANIZED Life where you can post topic ideas, guest suggestions, questions, comments and photos. Of course you also connect with us on the IG or follow us on PINTEREST for some added inspiration. One more thing....before you go, click HERE to take our free clutter quiz!

Hi Friends, Today we are continuing with part 3 of our series on the 5 CLUTTER PITFALLS, and today we are talking about GUILT (something most of us are familiar with!) Guilt plays such a huge role when it comes to Emotional Clutter.  Certain personality types are more prone to feelings of guilt, like Obligers, who tend to be people pleasers, and who gain their motivation from outer accountability. REMORSE, REGRET, & RESPONSIBILITY weigh heavily for people who struggle with Emotional Clutter. 1. WHY do we feel GUILTY? Sentimental Factors:  (i.e. my kid made it) Financial Factors:  (i.e.  it cost a lot of money) Environmental Factors:  (i.e.  I don’t want to waste it) 2. HOW does our guilt manifests as CLUTTER? We often hold onto things we don’t want or use for the wrong reasons  "My Aunt Edna gave this to me for my wedding" "These shoes were so expensive" "I don't want to just throw it away" People want permission to let go.       3.  WHAT can we do to reduce feelings of GUILT? Play through the “what if” scenarios Ask yourself: What would happen if I got rid of this? Why am I keeping it? Would I miss it if it were gone? Give yourself permission to let it go Take Action! Pick 3 things that you are holding onto because of guilt and work through the process of parting with each item. (either donate, give away, recycle) Give yourself a realistic deadline to complete it Get an accountability partner to help you through Document your progress and share with us on IG or in our facebook group, This ORGANIZED Life If you know someone who would enjoy this episode, will you please share it with a friend?! CONNECT WITH US! FACEBOOK| WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM Your Opinion Matters!   I am so appreciative of anyone who takes a moment to help the growth of our show by SUBSCRIBING and listening each week.  We would be so grateful if you would click the  5-star button & leave a short REVIEW    Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!  HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls.  Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold. Let’s Connect!  We love hearing from you! Head on over to facebook and join our group, This ORGANIZED Life where you can post topic ideas, guest suggestions, questions, comments and photos. Of course you also connect with us on the IG or follow us on PINTEREST for some added inspiration. One more thing....before you go, click HERE to take our free clutter quiz!

Today we are continuing with part 2 of our series on the 5 CLUTTER PITFALLS, and today we are talking about INDECISION. Last week we talked all PROCRASTINATION, so if you haven’t had a chance to listen to it, I encourage you to hit the pause button and go back to check it out. 5-CLUTTER PITFALL MODEL Indecision is defined as: the inability to make a decision quickly. The bigger question is WHAT causes someone to be indecisive?   1.   The most common reason of all for being indecisive – Fear of making a mistake. Making a decision means you might be wrong- and nobody likes to be wrong.   2. Fear of hurting someone's feelings. Often, making a decision means choosing one thing over another. As humans, we want to be liked and don’t want to say or do something that will jeopardize someone’s feelings towards you. We call this emotional clutter and see it all the time when it comes to gifts we’ve received. Everything from grandmas china to the ugly blouse your aunt got you for your birthday   3.   The “what if” factor. We can come up with all kinds of scenarios in our mind to convince ourselves that we need something. Indecision allows doubt to creep into our mind This fear results in paralysis by analysis (think about that tool that you once used, but is taking up space in the garage).   "People want to feel good about their decisions."   Ask Yourself? What am I afraid of? How easy is this to replace?  Is there someone else who can put this to good use? What can we do to reduce Indecision? Pick the easy stuff first If you get stuck “pass and move on” Don’t let indecision pile up (think mail) Identify your triggers: Are you trying to do a task when you are tired after a long day at work? Do you have too many distractions (i.e. little kids at home that constantly need you?) Are you trying to fit it in when you have “free time” rather than dedicate time to focus on this area? Do you need an accountability partner (someone to talk it through and give you permission to let go) Are you an obliger and need some outer accountability and struggle with keeping that appointment for yourself? If you know someone who would enjoy this episode, will you please share it with a friend?! CONNECT WITH US! FACEBOOK| WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM Your Opinion Matters!   I am so appreciative of anyone who takes a moment to help the growth of our show by SUBSCRIBING and listening each week.  We would be so grateful if you would click the  5-star button & leave a short REVIEW    Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!  HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls.  Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold. Let’s Connect!  We love hearing from you! Head on over to facebook and join our group, This ORGANIZED Life where you can post topic ideas, guest suggestions, questions, comments and photos. Of course you also connect with us on the IG or follow us on PINTEREST for some added inspiration. One more thing....before you go, click HERE to take our free clutter quiz!

Hi Friends! Today on This ORGANIZED Life we are kicking off a series called UNPACKING THE 5 CLUTTER PITFALLS, starting with #1: PROCRASTINATION. Over the next several weeks we'll be taking a deep dive into the 5 key areas that stand in our way of progress:  Procrastination is defined as a habitual or intentional delay of starting or finishing a task despite knowing it might have negative consequences. WHY do we feel the need to procrastinate in the first place? Boring (other things you’d rather be doing) Overwhelmed (too many other things going on to focus on the task at hand, or it seems like a mountain) Lack of understanding (uncertainty) HOW do we procrastinate? Busy work (social media, TV, focusing on less important tasks) Pretend it doesn’t exist (shut the door and walk away) Pass the buck (wait or hope for someone else to do it first-think laundry, dishes, etc) WHAT can we do to reduce the urge to procrastinate? Prioritize: Make it an appointment Break it up into manageable chunks (20 min) Identify your triggers: Are you trying to do a task when you are tired after a long day at work? Do you have too many distractions (i.e. little kids at home that constantly need you?) Are you trying to fit it in when you have “free time” rather than dedicate time to focus on this area? Do you not know what to do (how to approach it? What products to buy? ) Do you need an accountability partner (someone to talk it through and give you permission to let go) Are you an obliger and need some outer accountability and struggle with keeping that appointment for yourself? Listen to the entire episode below, and let us know your thoughts inside our facebook group, This ORGANIZED Life Podcast , by email, on Instagram at @simplyborganized If you know someone who would enjoy this episode, will you please share it with a friend?! WHAT CAN I DO? → Pick an area that you are struggling and commit to finishing it. → Give yourself a realistic deadline to complete it. → Get an accountability partner (to help you through). → Document your progress (and share with us!). CONNECT WITH US! FACEBOOK| WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM Your Opinion Matters!   I am so appreciative of anyone who takes a moment to help the growth of our show by SUBSCRIBING and listening each week.  We would be so grateful if you would click the  5-star button & leave a short REVIEW    Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!  HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls.  Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold. Let’s Connect!  We love hearing from you! Head on over to facebook and join our group, This ORGANIZED Life where you can post topic ideas, guest suggestions, questions, comments and photos. Of course you also connect with us on the IG or follow us on PINTEREST for some added inspiration. One more thing....before you go, click HERE to take our free clutter quiz!

Hi Friends! Today on TOL Podcast, we are joined by Productivity Specialist,  Amber De La Garza. Amber is a sought-after coach, trainer, speaker, writer, host of the Productivity Straight Talk podcast, and creator of S.T.O.P.! The Entrepreneur’s Success Solution. She helps driven entrepreneurs execute actionable solutions to maximize profits, reduce stress, and make time for what matters most! She is also the mama to a 9-year old son, and knows first hand the challenges of juggling work & home life.  I asked her to chat with us about her Productivity Pit Stops that help us to "slow down, in order to go fast." Her list includes simple strategies like creating templates, taking breaks and turning off notifications (even if just for a little while!) And like all of our guests, Amber shares where she feels like the biggest HOT MESS, and where she is thriving! If you know someone who would enjoy this episode, will you please share it with a friend?! CONNECT WITH AMBER WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM OTHER LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE FREE DOWNLOAD  | PODCAST | FB GROUP  ***BONUS:  Check out my chat with Amber on HER show! Your Opinion Matters!   I am so appreciative of anyone who takes a moment to help the growth of our show by SUBSCRIBING and listening each week.  We would be so grateful if you would click the  5-star button & leave a short REVIEW    Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!  HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls.  Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold. Let’s Connect!  We love hearing from you! Head on over to facebook and join our group, This ORGANIZED Life where you can post topic ideas, guest suggestions, questions, comments and photos. Of course you also connect with us on the IG or follow us on PINTEREST for some added inspiration. One more thing....before you go, click HERE to take our free clutter quiz!

On today’s show, Erika and I reveal some BIG news!  We have a new intro, a longer show (thanks to all of your many requests!) AND, a new podcast producer--welcome Don! I share our personal story of how I stressed for months about making changes, the fear of the unknown, and finally taking a leap that will allow us to grow.  Through this process, I learned that by being vulnerable, and sharing our mental overload, it frees us to be our best, most authentic selves.  Mental Overload looks different to everyone.  It can range from trying to run a business by yourself, to keeping everyone's schedule organized, to figuring out what to make for dinner.  (Here's a little secret, mental overload is another form of Calendar Clutter!) Although these may seem benign on the surface, carrying the mental load will eventually catch up with you. We talk about the dangers of being the "bottleneck," and the ripple effect of resentment, frustration, guilt, and shame that often result when we finally reach our breaking point. So, What Can We Do? 1. WRITE IT DOWN What are the areas only you can do? What are the things you want to do? What tasks can you delegate? Stop relying on memory! (there are lots of apps out there!) 2. BE HONEST Know your limits Are you doing too much? Are things falling through the cracks? Are you snappy at your kids/spouse? Do you feel resentful? 3. DELEGATE & MOVE ON Let it go! What would happen if you didn’t do X Lose the Guilt (there is no prize for the longest to-do list) There is power in asking for help If you know someone who would enjoy this episode, will you please share it with a friend?! Your Opinion Matters!   I am so appreciative of anyone who takes a moment to help the growth of our show by SUBSCRIBING and listening each week.  We would be so grateful if you would click the  5-star button & leave a short REVIEW    Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!  HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls.  Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold. Let’s Connect!  We love hearing from you! Head on over to facebook and join our group, This ORGANIZED Life where you can post topic ideas, guest suggestions, questions, comments and photos. Of course you also connect with us on the IG or follow us on PINTEREST for some added inspiration. One more thing....before you go, click HERE to take our free clutter quiz!

On today's episode of This ORGANIZED Life, we are joined by Betsy Miller, Founder of 2-B Organized in Springfield Missouri. Betsy is no stranger to the organizing world!  Over the last 20+ years, Betsy has helped hundreds of clients declutter, demolish & design their spaces to reflect a simplified space that is both pretty & practical. Betsy has been a recipient of the 40 Under 40 Business Award as well as one of Springfield’s Most Influential Women Award. She has been a guest organizer on the show Hoarders and worked twice on Extreme Home Makeover. In addition to working with clients, Betsy leads the growing team of 2B Organized franchise owners, and like me, loves helping other women entrepreneurs turn their passion into a profession. We talk about moving management, senior downsizing and what to do if you don't live near a parent who needs help. I invite you to listen to our conversation below: If you know someone who would enjoy this episode, will you please share it with a friend?! CONNECT WITH BETSY WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM Did you know that we have a free clutter quiz on our website?  If you’ve read my book or heard me speak, you know that I have identified 3 distinct types of clutter, physical, emotional, and calendar--each with its unique distinct qualities and characteristics. Understanding your dominant source of clutter is the first step in helping take you from chaos to calm.   TAKE THE QUIZ Your Opinion Matters!   I am so appreciative of anyone who takes a moment to help the growth of our show by SUBSCRIBING and listening each week.  We would be so grateful if you would click the  5-star button & leave a short REVIEW    Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!  HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls. Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold. Let’s Connect!  We love hearing from you! Head on over to facebook and join our group, This ORGANIZED Life where you can post topic ideas, guest suggestions, questions, comments and photos. Of course you also connect with us on the IG or follow us on PINTEREST for some added inspiration.

On today’s show, Erika and I talk about one of her favorite topics, SHOPPING! and how it relates to Emotional Clutter. We discuss several triggers such as  Boredom Depression Companionship FOMO Insecurity Listen to the entire episode below, and let us know your thoughts inside our facebook group, This ORGANIZED Life Podcast or on Instagram at @simplyborganized If you know someone who would enjoy this episode, will you please share it with a friend?! Did you know that we have a free clutter quiz on our website?  If you’ve read my book or heard me speak, you know that I have identified 3 distinct types of clutter, physical, emotional, and calendar--each with its unique distinct qualities and characteristics. Understanding your dominant source of clutter is the first step in helping take you from chaos to calm.   TAKE THE QUIZ Your Opinion Matters!   I am so appreciative of anyone who takes a moment to help the growth of our show by SUBSCRIBING and listening each week.  We would be so grateful if you would click the  5-star button & leave a short REVIEW on apple podcast (aka Itunes).     Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!  HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls. Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold. Let’s Connect!  We love hearing from you! Head on over to facebook and join our group, This ORGANIZED Life where you can post topic ideas, guest suggestions, questions, comments and photos. Of course you also connect with us on the IG or follow us on PINTEREST for some added inspiration.