When we need help, we don't always think about building a team. It’s more common to think that we can or should do everything ourselves. Maybe we consider enlisting help from one person, but a team? Not so much.

In the last few years, I've realized the importance of building teams that are invested in a single purpose. While we can accomplish a lot on our own, creating a team can greatly influence the outcome and experience in positive ways. Teams have many advantages that include reducing stress, boosting creativity, increasing fun and providing emotional support. The teams I focused on building in the last two years were Team Wilma and Team ICD.

Team Wilma

Wilma is my mom and has vascular dementia. She's always been fiercely independent, so the idea of enlisting help has never been one of her strengths. She was the person that helped others, which is something I admired and found inspiring.

At a point it became clear that I needed to gather a team of people, affectionately named, Team Wilma, to help us navigate life with the changes happening because of her illness. Keeping her safe, healthy, and happy have been our top priorities. Without family, friends, caregivers, medical professionals, and household vendors, this would be have been daunting to manage. I am so grateful for all the people that love my mom and are part of Team Wilma.

Team ICD

Building Team ICD was one of the first priorities when I became ICD (Institute for Challenging Disorganization) President in 2014. I knew that without our current, incoming Board and management team working together, we were going to have a difficult time accomplishing our many initiatives. We invested in getting to know each others' strengths, doing team building exercises, strengthening communication, and working towards shared goals to benefit ICD.

On July 1st, I handed the baton to Sue West, the current ICD President. I'll remain on the Board (team) for another year as Immediate Past President, but it will be Sue that will lead us. It was a wonderful feeling to pass on this strong, well-meshed team.

All teams require effort, patience, nurturing, and adjustments. Sometimes team members get added or subtracted. Each member adds value. The key is harnessing that value and making each member feel appreciated and essential.

As you think about getting organized, are you feeling overwhelmed and frustrated? Are you trying to do everything on your own? Maybe it's time to build your team...Team Organize! Who will be the fantastic members of your team? Will you enlist help from friends, family and professional organizers? Will you need donation resources or removal professionals? Will you enlist additional emotional support from a therapist or coach? Going it alone is possible, but building a team of people that are focused on a common goal to help you can make all the difference.

Who will you include on Team Organize? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation!

One of my great joys is writing. In addition to being a professional organizer, you might know me as a blogger, author or letter writer. For over 40 years I’ve also been a journal writer. Since I was 11 years old, I’ve filled many volumes with thoughts, feelings, observations, drawings and paintings. Journaling has helped me to clarify ideas, capture moments in time, and offer me perspective.

Aside from writing, another joy is revisiting my journals. Particularly when I’m traveling, I enjoy not only writing, but also going back to read about the past. Why go back? It helps me gain perspective, notice growth, identify themes, and discover areas for learning.

Just this past week, while taking a vacation with my husband to the lovely Delaware beach, I did some reading. I’d like to share one concept that I rediscovered. I wrote this as a way to help myself during a particularly full and challenging time. I offer it to you in the hopes that you’ll be able to access it when you need it.

When you're feeling overwhelmed and challenged, instead of saying,

“It’s so hard.”

Shift your perspective by asking,

“What can I learn?”

“What help do I need?”

How do you help yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed? What has helped you shift your perspective? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation.

We like to think we can do it all ourselves. Is that just me? Seriously though, we’re human. No one can do it all themselves. Enlisting help is part of our experience whether we embrace it or not. If you’re overwhelmed, stressed or just plain tired of going it alone, this list of potential help outlets could be just the thing you need make a change. Which one sounds good to you?

10 Valuable Kinds of Help . . .

Organizing Help – If organizing skills are challenging for you, reaching out to a professional organizer for help can be one of the best investments you’ll make. Why not hire an organizer that you can learn from, work with, and get the support you need to reach your goals? I’d love to help you. If I'm not the right fit, please contact one of my ICD or NAPO colleagues. For organizers based outside the United States find additional referrals through POC, JALO, NBPO, AAPO, or APDO-UK.

Accountability Help – Maybe you know what you want to accomplish, but are struggling by going solo. Enlisting help from an accountability partner such as a coach, friend or colleague to check-in with can be the magic solution for getting there.

Mental Health Help – Many of us live with or live with those that struggle with mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, hoarding disorder, or OCD. Having a trained professional on your help team is essential. The right type of support can make all the difference for you and your loved ones. NAMI and ICD are two great resources for mental health information and education.

Maintenance Help – If you don’t have the know-how or time to make repairs, maintain your home, or renovate, hire someone to help. If you’re handy, go to it, but for many of us, finding that trusted repairperson makes life less stressful so that we can get that leak fixed fast and focus on what we do best.

Momentary Help – Remember the last time your arms were full of groceries, pocketbook and keys while exiting a store? Then a stranger offered to hold the door for you. You accepted that fleeting moment of help, felt grateful, and expressed your thanks. There are small opportunities each day to graciously accept and appreciate small gestures of help. It gives you the chance to pay it forward.

Health Help – Whether it’s a chronic medical condition, temporary illness, nutrition issue, or exercise challenge, finding a professional that can guide and support you can greatly improve the quality of your life. We tend to take better care of our cars than we do our bodies. What type of health help do you need?

Transportation Help – I’m grateful for being self-sufficient and able to drive myself where I need to go, but recently I’ve encountered some situations when I needed help. The list included help from tow trucks, car rental companies, auto repair shops, car services, car dealers, taxis, and my husband to get me from place to place. Case in point- we all need help sometimes.

Financial Help – As savvy as you are, maybe you need help in the form of a bookkeeper, accountant or financial planner. We’re not all numbers people. And even if we are, we might not have the time to handle everything ourselves. This is a great opportunity for enlisting help and delegating.

Compassion Help – Emily Kimbrough said, “Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That’s why it’s a comfort to go hand in hand.” There’s nothing quite like receiving a hug or being with a friend who has a non-judgmental listening ear when we’re struggling. Your friends will be there to help when you need them and you can reciprocate the gift when they need you.

Laughter Help– Studies show that laughter is good for your health. It can lower your stress level, improve your memory, and burn calories. Do you need help adding more laughter into your day? How about getting together with friends that make you laugh, watching a funny video on YouTube, or taking a Comedy Improv class?

Help comes in many forms and from many sources. Which of these resonate with you? What are some of your favorite sources for help that I haven’t listed? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation.

I’m happy to bring you the newest installment (v6) of the “What’s Interesting?” feature where I share my latest discoveries that inform, educate, and relate to organizing and life balance. I’ve included unique and inspiring enlisting help-related finds, which reflect this month’s blog theme. You’re a wonderfully engaged group. I look forward to your participation and additions to the collection I’ve sourced for you. What do you find interesting?

What’s Interesting? . . .

1. Interesting Read – Letting Go Help

Everything That Remains by The Minimalists

After meeting the Minimalists, Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, at the NAPO conference this past April, I was inspired to read their book, Everything That Remains. It’s a memoir about two friends and how they went from being unhappy, stressed, and burdened by their possessions to changing how they lived and focused their energy. Their journey included repeatedly asking this powerful question, “Does this thing add value to my life?"  That enabled them to let go of clutter and embrace minimalism. Ryan writes, “When we get rid of the superabundance of stuff, however, we can make room for life’s more important aspects.”

2. Interesting Fact – Mood Help

Some easy fixes and help for improving your mood include scent and nature. If you’re feeling tired, eat a peppermint. For a non-caloric alternative, place a few drops of peppermint oil on a tissue, hold it to your nose, and breathe deeply. The aroma will stimulate the part of your brain that is responsible for arousal. According to researchers at the University of Essex in England, to improve your mood and self-esteem, engage in five minutes of outdoor activity every day. Experience an added benefit by being outside next to a body of water like a river or lake.

3. Interesting Conference – Disorganization Help

The Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) will have its' annual conference in Cleveland, Ohio, September 17-19, 2015. Organizing and related professionals will gather from all over the globe to learn about compassion fatigue, hoarding, ADHD, memory loss, nervous system resilience, and the latest research on chronic disorganization. I'm looking forward to attending and learning from the experts so that I can better help my clients. Are you going? I'd love to see you there!

4. Interesting Product – Colorful Help

Do you need help organizing your papers and desk supplies? For a line of organizing products that are functional, colorful, and joyful, check out Poppin. They even make deliveries fun with their packaging and messaging. It’s hard to choose my favorite product because they have so many, but one is the Softie This + That Tray, which like most of their lines, comes in twelve beautiful colors. I keep one on my computer tray to organize sticky notes and small toys. Can you guess which color I have?

5. Interesting Resource – Consignment Help

Do you have clothing and accessories in excellent condition that you no longer want? Would you like to sell them in a hassle-free way? Try ThredUp, a unique online service that makes consigning simple. Items consigned that don’t sell, you can opt to donate or returned to you.

6. Interesting Thought – Community Help

Every one of us experiences challenges. Find the people in your life that will lift you up, help you with your struggles, celebrate your successes, and be your cheerleader. They are your community.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. What are your interesting finds? Do any of these resonate with you?  Come join the conversation!