El Anatsui, artist“Change is the hallmark of transition.”     – Alexander Levy

Transitions can be prickly as we navigate change. Have you ever experienced that uncomfortable feeling when you’re in the midst of a transition? You don’t feel quite like yourself. It’s like wearing a favorite pair of pants that used to be great and now the fit is off. Are your pants too tight?

Most of us don’t like being uncomfortable. However, trying something new, going in a different direction, or changing in any way will most definitely bring with it those awkward feelings. Let’s get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Let’s accept that it’s part of the change process.

Doubt can also accompany transition and change. This is normal. We are moving into uncharted territory and we aren’t sure about how we’ll manage. If you think back to other times of change, what strengths did you draw upon? What successes did you experience? Access those now. In the interview I did with Judith Kolberg, founder of ICD (formerly NSGCD,) when asked about change strategies for overcoming the fear factor, she said, “My favorite is to draw on their experience. If they are an adult, somewhere in their lifetime they’ve made a big change and survived it.”

Change is a process. You have abundant choices in both your attitude and actions. If your pants are too tight, you get to decide if you’ll keep wearing them or if it’s time for a new pair.

Come join in the conversation and share your ideas. What are your thoughts about change, transition, or those pants that no longer fit?

Judith Kolberg, FileHeadsThe 2013 “Ask the Expert” interviews continue with a dynamic and inspiring group of people! Last month, organizer and coach, Sue West, talked with us about fresh starts. This month, I’m excited to have with us the extraordinary pioneer and innovator in chronic disorganization and the organizing industry, Judith Kolberg, to share her thoughts about change.

Judith and I met in 1995 at the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) conference in Dallas. She was running a panel called “Is This Your Client?” It was the first time I heard anyone talk about chronic disorganization, and immediately identified that most of my clients had similar challenges. Since then Judith and I have engaged in many wonderful conversations about organizing, publishing, family, and even cowboy boots. I’ve always admired her intelligence, warmth, directness, and fabulous sense of humor. I am honored to know her as a friend, mentor, and colleague. My deepest gratitude and thanks goes to Judith for taking the time to join us. Before we begin, here’s more about her.

Judith Kolberg pioneered FileHeads Professional Organizers in 1989. She founded the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization, the precursor to the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) and is credited with launching a field of professional organizing dedicated to helping individuals challenged by chronic disorganization. She is an industry-futurist, innovator, and recipient of the industry’s highest honors including the Judith Kolberg Award. Several of the books Judith authored, such as Conquering Chronic Disorganization, are required reading for industry certification programs. Her books have sold over a quarter of million copies. She is a popular speaker and a featured organizer on the “Buried Alive” hoarding series. A native of New York, Judith lives in Atlanta, GA where she takes care of her Mom, sees clients, writes, and publishes. You can connect with Judith on Facebook, organizing or publishing websites, and blog.

Linda Samuels:  You’re a pioneer in the professional organizing industry and an expert on helping others creatively navigate change. What motivates people to change?

Judith Kolberg:  Money, sex, getting someone off our back, desperation – lots of things. In the organizing context a person changes from not-so-organized to more organized usually because they see getting organized as a means to another end. Yes, there is its own reward, but usually they make the effort to change because it will result in a living environment they enjoy being in more and that they want other people to enjoy more. Really, it is that simple.

Linda:  Change can be scary and overwhelming. What strategies can we use to help move past our fears?

Judith:  My favorite is to draw on their experience. If they are an adult, somewhere in their lifetime they’ve made a big a change and survived it. Maybe they moved, ditched a spouse, left a job and started a new career. If people can remember that it was difficult but they made it, that’s helpful to them. If I can help them identify what strengths they used that can be re-used, that’s good too. Are they persistent? Maybe they’re strong decision-makers? Perhaps they are realists? Anything can be leveraged.

Linda:  How can we identify when it’s time for change? Are there change indicators?

Judith:  Change indicators, an interesting word. At the dawn of my 60^th birthday, I realize the life I am living is just not right. It does not suit who I am well enough. I know I could be happier. Lots of changes ahead. I’m not sure if there are indicators so much as there are gaps, inconsistencies, disconnects. For my clients, changing what they are doing organizationally often is associated with other changes or transitions. What’s new that has put the change on the agenda now? I often ask.

Linda:  Do you have a philosophy about change?

Judith:  If you toss a cat gently in the air it may twist and turn slightly but it will land on its feet. That’s the closest I can come.

Linda:  What has been your biggest personal challenge around change?

Judith:  My biggest personal challenge with change is that I tend to wait too long. We do what we need to do when we’re ready, and sometimes to make a change it’s the wrong time, but you do it with your knees knocking.

Thank you, Judith for your insights about change. There are several things you said that resonated with me. I love how you talked about leveraging strengths and prior experiences as a strategy to move past our fears. Then there’s the idea about “knees knocking.” While change can certainly be exciting and energy producing, it can also scare the pants right off of us. However, being able to push past that fear in pursuit of different, as our knees are shaking and heart is palpitating, is often how change and growth is experienced.

I invite all of you to join Judith and me as the conversation continues. We’d love to hear your thoughts about change or anything else you’d like to share. What are you thinking about?

As we know, change is inevitable. Sometimes it just happens without our participation, and other times we proactively seek it out. How do we know that it’s time for a change? How do we know that it’s time to be proactive? What are the clues or change indicators?

There are many, and we experience them in different ways. Noticing the indicators is important because once they are brought to our consciousness, they become the seeds that flourish into motivation and action. 

11 Change Indicators

1.The Boredom – While I’m not an advocate of the need to be constantly entertained, there’s something to be said for being too bored. A little boredom is both healthy and restorative. However, if long stretches of boredom are what you’re regularly experiencing, this could mean that something needs to change.

2. The Spark – Do you remember recently hearing, reading, or discussing an idea that got you jazzed up? Perhaps you had an “ah-ha” moment. Maybe it was something that connected the dots, or something new you could imagine pursuing. Perhaps you are experiencing some positive anticipaton. The energy surge or “spark” that you felt could be change calling you.

3. The Agitation – Are you in a perpetual state of irritation? Everything annoys you. Nothing flows. More of your day is spent angry and agitated than is happy and relaxed. This is a big change indicator. What’s your next step for moving ahead?

4. The Sleeplessness – We need sleep. It renews us. It allows our bodies and minds to relax from the active part of our day. Lack of or interrupted sleep negatively affects us. Sleeping issues can be a major change indicator. What might be the cause?

“The first step for proactive change is noticing the indicators.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVOP™

5. The Drama– Have you recently experienced a big life event such as marriage, birth, death, divorce, job loss, or move? Change is inherent in these times of transition, and not all are welcome or anticipated. As a result of these changes, you might feel out of balance. You haven’t adjusted to the new patterns. Feeling out of balance can be a change indicator.

6. The Exhaustion – Are you getting lots of sleep, yet you’re constantly exhausted? Do you have low energy or motivation? Physiological or emotional issues might cause this. Seeking professional help could be beneficial. This is another change indicator.

7. The Numbers – Are you a metrics tracker? Do you pay attention to numbers such as financial investments, banking balances, business statistics, or inventory supplies? Have you noticed unusual trends? Depending upon what you’re observing, the numbers, which are exhibiting a shift, might lead you to making a change.

8. The Plateau – There are times when we hit that wall. We’ve learned all we can from a situation. We’ve seen all there is to see in a place. We feel like the opportunity to learn and grow has leveled off. We’re ready for that next challenge. We might experience this in our careers, a job, or a place we live. Reaching a plateau could make us chase change.

9. The Scale – We all do it. We step on the scale and the pounds keep moving in the upward direction. Maybe our pants are getting a bit too tight. Maybe we run out of breath as we climb a flight of stairs. Physically, we just aren’t feeling quite right. Change is calling.

10. The Environment – How is your physical space? Is it designed and organized in a way to support who you are and what you do? Do you find it difficult to locate what you need? Do you find it challenging to function properly in your environment? When your space isn’t working, you might feel overwhelmed or frustrated. This is another change indicator.

11. The Thoughts – What are you thinking about? Is your mind filled with negative thoughts? Do you find yourself wishing you were somewhere else? Are you having challenges experiencing gratitude, joy, and mindfulness? The restlessness and discontent we can feel internally could be an indicator for change.

A first step for proactive change is noticing the indicators. Once we observe what we’re seeing and feeling, we then can begin to identify next steps. Next might mean, simply acknowledging our feelings. It might mean enlisting help from a professional. Or, it might mean changing what we eat, where we work, or how we live.

What are your change indicators? Are there any ones you’d like to add? Let's open up the conversation. I love hearing your thoughts.

Let's celebrate the Valentine’s Day love! The "Be Mine" Organizing Giveaway is here! I've put together some of my favorite goodies that are fun and fabulous. We're talking The Container Store $25 gift card, Tate's mouth watering Chocolate Chip Cookies, Anne Taintor's sticky notes and so much more!

During the three plus years I’ve been writing The Other Side of Organized blog, an amazing community of people including you, have come together to share ideas about change, clutter, organizing, letting go, life balance, and more. My deepest gratitude goes to you for your wonderful feedback, tweets, posts, reviews, and support. If you haven't already done so, I personally invite you to join in the conversation and of course, enter the contest.

The “Be Mine” Organizing Giveaway of goodies was selected to organize, inspire, relax, and delight you. It's worth over $100. The winner will receive everything described below:

• The Container Store $25 gift card
• “Had she really hit Reply to All?!?!?” Sticky Notes from Anne Taintor
• Oh, So Organized! coffee mug
• “get relaxed” Tea from The Republic of Tea
• Starbucks $25 gift card
• Tate’s Chocolate Chip cookies
• Hershey’s Kisses
• Tribeca bin from The Container Store
• “To Do” clothespin
• Autographed copy of The Other Side of Organized by Linda Samuels

I know you can't wait to win this handpicked selection of my favorites! The “Be Mine” Organizing Giveaway starts on February 5th. One winner will be picked on February 11th. There's no time like the present to enter. Keep reading and act now!

Contest Rules:

• Comment on this blog post below about what you love to organize, what you're passionate about, or your most treasured Valentine's Day tradition or memory.
• Comment about the giveaway on the Oh, So Organized! Facebook page.
• Re-tweet about this giveaway on Twitter and include @LindaSamuels when you do.
• Subscribe to The Other Side of Organized free monthly e-newsletter for continued inspiration and motivation.
• Follow Oh, So Organized! on Pinterest and let me know which of my boards you like best by commenting on this blog post.
• Comment on Pinterest about Oh, So Organized!’s “Organize for Winter” video.
• Do one or all of the above to enter. The more you do, the more times your name will be entered to win (up to 6 total entries!)

Come join the conversation about love, chocolate, organizing and more. What are your thoughts? I’m looking forward to hearing your “voice.” Happy Valentine’s Day! Wishing you love and luck!