If you live in the northeast, maybe like me you’re ready for winter to give way to spring. Just when you thought there couldn’t be any more snow, new flurries descend on the already large piles. Don’t get me wrong. I’m grateful too. I love the pristine, white landscape in our backyard, the soft, snuggly blankets, and soothing cups of hot tea. I’m also quite ready for a change to warmer days, lighter clothes, and greener landscapes.

The seasons provide a continuous change cycle. I understand the value and influence the change of seasons has. When mindfulness is present, each season helps us focus on and appreciate the visual beauty, change cues, and ways we engage.

Change brings hope. Each season offers us the opportunity to shift, reflect, and make adjustments.

Winter

Winter marks the end of one year and the beginning of another. As the white snow covers the ground, its quiet infuses me with a sense of peace and calm. The stillness allows me to hear myself think. Despite the chill in the air, I feel hopeful for the opportunity to reflect, change, and begin again. I know that the deep freeze provides the essential nourishment for new growth.

Spring

Spring is a time for renewal. As the air becomes warmer, a new sense of hope and joy surround me. I notice the moist smell of the earth, the magical sight of greenery reappearing, and the abundance of flower buds opening. Color returns. My core feels lighter as I appreciate and feel inspired by the transformation before me. There’s an urgency within to embrace change now.

Summer

Summer is more relaxed. I notice the blue sky and dull low hum of a plane above. The thump of a hammer is audible in a nearby yard. There is an ever-so-slight breeze and occasional whooshing sound of an air conditioner. The air smells good, clean, and fresh. It’s not too hot, but warm enough so that no goosebumps appear on my body as the breeze blows. I’m grateful that summer has arrived. The slower pace encourages me to suspend dramatic changes and just be.

Fall

Fall is such an obvious change season with bold shifts in colors, temperatures, and light. The leaves, which fall, crunch, and swirl around me seem to sing change. I sense internal shifts too, which make me feel unsettled. Perhaps this is because change is so apparent. What I see makes me feel like I too need to change and make way for something different. There’s a rumbling and sense of being uncomfortable. This is not a bad thing. Change is nudging me to move forward.

How is change present as you experience the shifting seasons? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation.

As organizers and coaches, the work we do with our clients is change-focused. We’re present as our clients experience the joys and challenges of pursuing their goals and dreams. I was curious about the residual effect facilitating change for others had on us.  To learn more, I reached out to a wonderful group of organizing and coaching colleagues (Seana Turner, Sue West, Andrea Sharb, Sheila Delson, Ellen Delap, Denise Lee, Yota Schneider, Cameron Gott, and Leslie Josel.)

I asked them, “How has one of the changes your client made personally influenced or inspired you to make a change?”

Their responses are thoughtful and motivating. My deepest gratitude goes to each of them for sharing their stories of inspiration and change. Keep reading to discover how change influences more change.

How has one of the changes your client made personally influenced or inspired you to make a change?

Change Inspires Courage

“To me, change is all about courage. I once worked with a client who was having a difficult time letting go of some belongings she had carried throughout her life. The intensity of her internal conflict was palpable, and she literally took a deep breath to summon the nerve to give a few pieces away. Her courage inspired me to make a financial change in my own life that I had been avoiding – one that was uncomfortable and required resolve. The first step was the hardest, but recalling this client’s ‘deep breath’ kept me moving forward.”

Seana Turner – Professional Organizer, Blogger, Speaker & Life Coach

Change Inspires Self-Advocacy

“When my clients first come to me, whether for coaching, organizing, or my hybrid approach, many wrestle with low self-compassion and self-esteem. One consequence is they don’t know how to stand up for what they need or want in some aspects of life. I found that I’d ask myself: Am I standing up for myself? Am I asking for what I need or want? Am I being clear and specific with myself? Where’s my line? As a friend, partner or family member and a coach, it’s imperative I ask these questions often to get clear on where I land.”

Sue West, COC®, CPO-CD®– ADHD & Life Management Coach, Organizer, Author, & Educator

Change Inspires Improved System

“My clients influence me personally every day and I am continually inspired by the changes they make and what they accomplish.  Currently I am especially inspired by the changes one client is making with respect to management of tasks. It's been awesome supporting him in creating change over the past year and I found his change so inspiring that I found myself examining and upgrading my own task management system along the way. Our systems look nothing alike, but they are built upon the same foundation of curiosity and a desire to create a system tailored to an individual style.”

Andrea Sharb– Certified Professional Organizer & Productivity ADHD Coach

Change Inspires New Perspective

“The change that happened for me was monumental and it has affected my life personally and professionally with regard to tolerance and patience. It occurred early in my career while working with several challenging clients who often seemed resistive when progress was slow. I learned that change is something that occurs at different levels, over different amounts of time, depending on each individual and circumstance. I’ve since substituted the word change to ‘transition,’ which creates an image more easily embraced because it doesn’t imply a scary immediate expectancy, but rather something that can occur gently and at a pace that can be controlled depending on the situation and the people involved.”

Sheila Delson, CPO-CD® – Professional Organizer, Author, & ICD Program Mentor

Change Inspires Better Lists

“I’ve always been a big list maker. It comes as a natural tendency to me. Recently when working with a diligent long term client who has struggled with making lists, I realized I could make better use of my natural tendency by making a thorough list each night for the next day, going beyond the basics. Seeing his relief as he made the list helped me realize I still had thoughts, tasks and more in my head that I could record. Such a simple next step, but what a big change this is for less stress and more productivity.”

Ellen Delap, CPO®– Certified Professional Organizer, Certified Family Manager, Productivity Consultant & Blogger

Change Inspires More Balance

“A couple years ago, a client spoke of crafting the way a starving man speaks of a good meal. We charted out a strategy for her to craft and declutter. At subsequent appointments she delighted in showing me the progress of her decluttering and her crafts. During our discussion on how well this strategy was working, she realized that she had erroneously assumed that decluttering was too consuming to accommodate joyful activities. This hit me: what things had I pushed aside? I began to seek out time to play music every week and as a result I feel more balanced.”

Denise Lee, CPO®– Professional Organizer & Coach

Change Inspires New Space

“More than a year ago, a client was at a turning point with his chiropractic practice. His office lease was expiring and he needed to make a decision. While reviewing his current state of affairs and his vision for the future, it became apparent that letting go of the space would allow him to reduce his overhead and free his creative thinking and ability to take risks. Soon after our meeting, he found an ideal space and moved. Within a few months he knew he had made the right decision. Working with him inspired me to reconsider ‘my space.’ The time was right for me to hang a permanent shingle instead of depending on the phone and various locations to work with clients. One thing led to another and I now have a brand new space that I love and inspires me to think much bigger than ever.”

Yota Schneider– Seasons of Change Certified Master Coach, Workshop Facilitator, Blogger, & Mindfulness Mediation Practitioner

Change Inspires Bigger Thinking

“I find inspiration from all of my clients and the changes they commit to. When I think of one example that has inspired me to make a change I think about one of my clients and his unwavering vision to better the lives of underserved youth. He has recently fulfilled his dream of starting his own company that will revolutionize the field of social impact. He has overcome obstacles and built a top-notch team by staying true to his vision. He has inspired me to think bigger and think bolder. It's a good change.”

Cameron Gott, PCC, BCC– ADHD Coach for Entrepreneurs and Professionals

Change Inspires Less Guilt

“I work with many clients that are overcome with guilt. They are not organized enough, or have too much stuff, or don’t study enough or even parent enough. So watching some of my clients throw away the guilt has been a huge lesson for me. I’m practicing what I am preaching! Watching my clients embrace “enough” – good enough, organized enough, etc., has lead me to as well! It’s a slow process, as we all well know, but one that I am consciously working on every day. It’s quite freeing to give up the guilt!”

Leslie Josel– ADHD Coach, Author, & Speaker

In reading these stories, it occurred to me how powerful change is, not just for the change seekers, but also for change observers and facilitators. Psychologist Daniel Goleman said, “Emotions are contagious.” Perhaps watching others change is “contagious” too. It certainly is inspiring. We think, “If she can do it, so can I!”  What or who has inspired change for you? I invite you to share your thoughts and stories. Come join the conversation!

This month’s topic on the blog is embracing change. Change has various meanings at different times. It might be a small step towards something larger. Perhaps it’s jumping in feet first to a new venture or adventure. Or, change (welcome or unwelcome) might occur without proactively seeking it. Change means that things are different. Change means there’ll be transitions and adjustments, which can be challenging or not.

When I think about the changes that are happening internally and externally, the one word that keeps popping up is flexibility. While I often have to work at being flexible, when I’m able to, it helps me to navigate change’s turbulence.

The winter snowstorms we’ve been experiencing this season (and more’s on the way, folks) continue to cause plans to change. Schools get closed. Clients need to reschedule. Flights get cancelled. The things we thought we’d be doing get altered. Remaining flexible actually can helps us figure out next steps, embrace the change, and the serendipity of the “found” time. Flexibility yields wonderful surprises.

What connection have you noticed between flexibility and change? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation.

It’s thrilling to begin our third "Ask the Expert" interview series! In the past few years we’ve created a monthly venue to connect you with industry thought leaders. We’ve enjoyed inspiring conversations with best-selling author Gretchen Rubin, productivity guru David Allen, organizer and future thinker Judith Kolberg, theory of Multiple Intelligences creator Dr. Howard Gardner, and many more. The 2014 interviews continue with another dynamic group of experts. I’m excited to start the year with author, blogger and minimalist trailblazer, Joshua Becker to share his wisdom about simple living and fresh starts.

While I’ve been a loyal @Joshua _Becker Twitter follower for a while now, we recently “met” while appearing in a Selfication blog post together about simplifying and organizing your life. Shortly thereafter, I invited Joshua to contribute to one of my posts about life balance. I asked him, “What do you want more of and less of to create your desired balance?” Being true to his minimalist philosophy, he provided an insightful and concise response, “More focus on the important things. Less distraction on the little.”  A few weeks later he contacted me to see if I’d be interested (and I was) in reading an advance copy of his soon to be released book, Clutterfree with Kids. The book is filled with practical strategies and deep wisdom. It’s a must read! His ideas provide a great catalyst for reconsidering our lives. My deepest gratitude and thanks goes to Joshua for taking the time to join us. Before we begin, here’s more about him.

Joshua Becker is the founder and editor of Becoming Minimalist, a website that inspires others to find more life by owning less. His rational approach to minimalist living has made him one of today’s most-influential simple living advocates. He is also the best-selling author of Simplify: 7 Guiding Principles to Help Anyone Declutter Their Home and Life and the newly released, Clutterfree with Kids. He lives with his wife and two children in Peoria, AZ. You can connect with Joshua on Facebook, Twitter, or website.

Linda Samuels:  As an author, speaker, blogger and dad, you inspire others to consider the minimalist approach to life. How do you describe minimalism?

Joshua Becker:  I describe minimalism as the ‘intentional promotion of everything I most value and the removal of anything that distracts me from it.’  When many people hear the word ‘minimalism,’ they often imagine barren walls, tiny houses, or living out of backpacks. But that is not how we view it. We’ve just come to understand that material possessions do not add lasting joy to our lives—even worse, they often distract us from the very things that do. We have two small kids. We live in the suburbs. We enjoy having people over to our house. Our lives are unique. Minimalism is always going to look different for us. But it’s going to be about removing the excess possessions that keep us from the things we love the most.

Linda:  You’ve said, “There is more joy to be found in owning less than can ever be found in organizing more.” What are some benefits of “de-owning?”

Joshua:  The benefit of owning less is an important concept—one that most people can easily relate to. It’s just that in this world where we are constantly told to buy more and more, we never take a step back and ask ourselves, “How would my life be better if I owned less stuff?” For starters, we’d have less cleaning, less stress, less debt. We’d experience more freedom, more time, and more intentionality—more opportunity to pursue our greatest passions. And eventually, when the desire for physical possessions is removed, our hearts are open to contentment, gratitude, and generosity. It’s really quite wonderful in every respect.

Linda:  In your just released book, Clutterfree with Kids you share many ways to shift perspectives about how families live with and think about their possessions. What are some first steps for clutter-free living?

Joshua:  The absolute first step is to rethink the all too common “more is better” mentality. One of the easiest ways to understand clutter is to recognize it as too much stuff in too little space. And our homes are full of stuff: our kitchen cabinets, our closets, our garages, and our toy rooms. The first step to living clutterfree is to remove the things in our homes that are not used or needed. Grab three boxes (donate, recycle, discard), pick one room, and fill them up. The key is not to find more storage solutions for your stuff—the key is minimizing the number of things we own.

Linda:  Along with having kids, comes owning toys. You said, “I’m not anti-toy. I’m pro-child.” You make a powerful case that having fewer toys translates into kids with longer attention spans, better social skills, and being more resourceful. What else can you tell us about the “less toys” benefits?

Joshua:  And this is proven by scientific studies. Kids who own fewer toys learn to be more creative, more generous, more resourceful and more perseverant with longer attention spans. There are too many parents nowadays who have a hard time saying ‘no’ to their children. But it is good for kids to learn boundaries and to learn that there are other ways to express love than buying toys and giving gifts.

Linda:  What has been your biggest personal challenge around becoming a minimalist?

Joshua:  I think the biggest challenge for me is often the biggest challenge for others as well. The journey to becoming a minimalist (and I’ll be the first to admit it is a journey, not a destination) is one of the most difficult and fulfilling inward journeys anyone can embark upon. My first mini-van load of things to Goodwill was easy, so was the second. But by the third or fourth vanload of items to drop off, you can’t help but start asking yourself some pretty difficult questions—starting with, “If I didn’t really need this stuff, why did I buy it all in the first place?” And when those questions of life purpose, life focus, and wasted opportunity start beginning to surface, it can be very difficult to realize the level of discontent most of us live our lives in. It is a challenge. And it’s helpful to have someone close to help process the feelings that emerge. It is both highly difficult and beautifully delightful all at the same time.

Linda:  Is there anything you’d like to share that I haven’t asked?

Joshua:  I think I’ve overstepped my word-limit, so I’ll just leave it at that. Thank you for the opportunity Linda.

You’re most welcome, Joshua. I’m grateful for each of your carefully chosen words. Thank you for all the insights you shared about simple living, minimalism, and the significance of less. Your message is positive and filled with hope. I love how you describe your journey as both “difficult and beautifully delightful.” What a powerful underlying concept you explore about possessing less so you can shift your focus away from stuff management and towards what’s truly important and meaningful.

I invite all of you to join Joshua and me as the conversation continues. We’d love to hear your thoughts about minimalism, fresh starts, or anything else you’d like to share. What resonates with you?