I’m happy to bring you the newest installment (v7) 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 success-related finds, which reflect this month’s blog theme. You are a magnificently, 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 – Redefining Success

Several months ago, I had the opportunity to meet the inspiring Arianna Huffington and hear her speak about her new book, Thrive. After working to the point of collapse, she was motivated to find ways to fix her “broken definition of success.” She wrote, “What we’re beginning to recognize is that success is not always about doing more, but also about doing better – and we do better when we’re connected to our inner wisdom, strength, and intuition.” Success has traditionally been tied to money and power. Sharing stories and scientific research, she proposes a third metric consisting of well-being, wisdom, wonder, and giving.

2. Interesting Resource – Organizing Success

My friends at Smead have a terrific podcast series, SmeadOrganomics, where they interview organizers on a variety of topics, including everything from organizing tech tools to closets to time. I’ve enjoyed being interviewed by the wonderful John Hunt for several of these podcasts. In the latest video, “How to Choose a Professional Organizer That’s Right For You,” I share questions to ask before hiring an organizer so that you will achieve the ultimate success in your organizing journey.

3. Interesting Product – Workplace Success

Joel Health, founder of Fluidstance says, “You were designed to move – It’s likely your workspace was not.” His company has created the LevelTM, a unique product, which is a skateboard-like platform. The wood and aluminum board lets you wobble while you work, allowing for subtle movements and increasing your heart rate by 15 percent. We know that sitting all day or standing still for prolonged periods is unhealthy and physically taxing your body. The Level provides a new way to add movement to your workday.

4. Interesting Tech – Tracking Success

You just had your keys, glasses, or wallet in hand, but they have suddenly gone missing. Stress no more. You can find your lost items in seconds with the Tile, a Bluetooth tracker. Attach or affix Tiles on your everyday items, then keep track of them using the Apple or Android app. What was lost is now easily found!

5. Interesting Thought – Perspective Success

The obstacles we face are part of the journey. Adopting a performance versus a learning agenda can be the change that’s needed in order to experience success.

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

I’m excited to bring you another installment (v5) 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 clutter-related finds, which reflect this month’s blog theme. You’re a special and engaging 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 – Decluttering

In a new publication from Budget Dumpster, The Ridiculously Thorough Guide to Decluttering, professional organizing pros (including yours truly) come together to share their best tips and strategies for letting go and creating clutter-free environments.  “According to Psychology Today, people tend to feel like life is out of control when they surround themselves with more things than they can manage.” If you’re in the decluttering mode (or want to be inspired to begin), check out this guide.

2. Interesting Container – Tall Box

Part of the decluttering process involves decision-making. What will stay, and what will be released? The other part is about managing or containing what remains. I’m super excited about The Container Store’s latest addition to its clear plastic box collection—the double-tall shoe box! The organizing possibilities go way beyond storing shoes. Get creative while corralling your clutter.

3. Interesting List – Mind Clutter

Knock Knock is one of my favorite companies. They know how to add humor and fun to their organizing products. One of their newest creations is the Daily Intention Tracker Pad. With untraditional categories like “Appreciate,” “Let Go Of,” and “Feel,” it’s great for releasing and organizing our mind clutter in a visual, productive way.

4. Interesting Product – Sorting

In December I met two amazing women, Yukiko Uno and Keiko Hamaguchi, Shuno-no-su business partners, at the JALO conference Expo in Yokohama. They’ve designed a variety of organizing products. One of the most unusual and clever is their Colorful Sorting Sheets. They're used to “sort out your stuff” into categories such as “use every day,” “use once in a while,” “don’t need it-let it go,” and “actively use it.” They can be used to sort (and ultimately declutter) everything from clothes to cosmetics to papers and more.

5. Interesting Tech Tool – Cord Decluttering

Last month in Los Angeles at the NAPO Conference Expo, the Cable Keeper, brainchild of Neet Products founder Chris Voss won the NAPO Organizers Choice Award for “Best in Show.” Have you been frustrated by cord clutter and tangles in your bag, home or office? The Cable Keeper is a cable management tool that not only is practical, but also comes in a lively array of colors. Guess which color I bought?

6. Interesting Thought – Stuff

What is too much? Only you can decide. If the things in your life are taking over your time, space, and thoughts, it could be an opening for change.

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

It’s time for another installment (v4) 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 change-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 – Growth

Not a new book, but one I’m currently reading, Dr. Carol Dweck in Mindset proposes that developing a growth mindset instead of a fixed one can profoundly influence how you live your life. “The growth mindset is based on the belief that your basic qualities are things you can cultivate through your efforts…everyone can change and grow through application and experience.” With our focus this month on change, starting by looking within is emphasized by the concepts in Dweck’s book.

2. Interesting App – Digital Coach

When change is what you seek, but the door feels locked, consider using the appUnstuck, an “in-the-moment” digital coach. It helps those who feel stuck move forward through a series of thought-provoking questions, tips and action tools.

3. Interesting Assessment – Time & Space

How can we change how we organize and manage our time without awareness, acceptance, and relevant action? Take a look at the newly released Time & Space Style Inventory (TSSITM) created by entrepreneur mentor and speaker, Cena Block. If you want to understand your “natural styles” for managing time and organizing space and for moving forward, this assessment is an excellent starting point for real change.

4. Interesting Product – Organizing

If you’re looking to change your daily getting-dressed-experience from stressful to easy, you’ll want to experiment with this clever tool created by professional organizer, Susan Terkanian. My Wardrobe Geniusis a low-tech tool described as a “personal clothing management assistant,” that helps you assess and sort your clothes so only items that fit and make you feel great are visible and ready for use.

5. Interesting Thought - Change

Integral to change is our movement away from the familiar. While fear is often associated with change, we have the ability to adopt the perspective that change as an exciting opportunity.

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