Whether you’re trying to get organized, embarking on a new journey, making a major life transition, or simply trying to have a productive day, there are some success strategies that can help. Activating any one of these can make the difference between soaring and feeling stuck. Which success tips work for you?

A good dose of play renews your focus.

1. Playing – When you’re in the process of starting something new, you’re bound to feel a combination of excitement and stress. Clearing your mind can help focus your energy in a positive direction, so that you can tackle the challenges before you. Sometimes this involves suspending work to focus on play.

Right now I’m working on many professional and personal projects. Each one needs attention and focus. While I can work for hours on end, successful results are only possible if I pace myself. Instead of working to the point of exhaustion, I take play breaks.

One of my breaks was kayaking on the river with my husband. It was pure joy as I experienced the pull of the paddle sloshing through the water, the beautiful sights and sounds of the wild life, and the fresh air that surrounded me. After a good dose of play, I was able to return to my work with renewed focus.

Investing in a plan is time well spent.

2. Planning – Never underestimate the value of planning. Do you know Nike’s “Just do it.” slogan?  While that might be effective in certain scenarios, for long-term success, planning is an integral part of any good strategy. If you don’t have a handle on the big picture, how will you know what parts need your attention and energy?  Once the planning is done, it makes the doing so much easier.

Recently, I spent a good part of my day, just planning one of my projects. By taking the time to plan, I was able to look at the whole, determine what the various elements were, and figure out what needed to be handled or worked on for each of the areas. And in case you’re wondering . . . Yes. There were lists and charts involved!

Learn to identify where you’re stuck.

3. Identifying – When you take on something new, you might experience stumbling blocks. This is especially true if there are pieces that extend beyond your experience or knowledge base. It’s important to first identify what the sticking points are. Once you’ve done that, access your resources to find your answers. Identifying where you’re stuck and what information you need to get unstuck is essential for successful outcomes.

One of my recent projects is preparing for the ICD Conference in Nashville. It’s just a few weeks away. There are many moving parts including presenting speeches, coordinating meetings, and communicating details with fellow Board colleagues. After I did my planning (see #2 above,) I identified where missing information could be found so that I can successfully complete my projects. I reached out to several people, reviewed some notes, and did some Internet searching. Can you hear my big sigh of relief?

There are many success strategies. What are your tried and true favorites? I’d love to hear from you. Come join the conversation and share with us!

One of the things my organizing clients frequently say to me is, “Linda, I don’t know what I’d do without you.”  They say that because I’m there for them 100% to help them move past overwhelm and reach their goals in the organizing areas they find challenging. While our organizing sessions are often filled with fun and humor, I take my role as helper and support person seriously. I’m grateful for the trust my clients place in me.

Being in a supportive role means suspending my own agenda so that I can help my clients focus on their needs. This is integral to the organizing work that I do. While I love helping others, it’s essential that I rejuvenate and help myself too. Otherwise I’m no good to anyone else.

These days are particularly full with running Oh, So Organized!, working with my clients, being President of ICD, writing, presenting, traveling, managing family responsibilities and more. Recharging is essential. Being outside helps me.

On a recent walk, my racing thoughts of to dos slowed down as I breathed in and shifted the focus to my senses. I noticed the bright sun and green around me, felt the warm summer air, heard the birds conversing and leaves rustling, and smelled the earthy scent of the path below my feet. My walk through the woods led me to one of my favorite spots by the river.

Once there, I planted myself on a rock in the middle of the river. I was surrounded by water. I felt centered and calm as the sun warmed me, the river flowed around me, and I breathed in and out deeply. The river helped me, so that I could continue helping others.

I’d love to hear from you. Come join the conversation and share with us. What are your thoughts? What helps you rejuvenate?

Cameron Gott

Our popular “Ask the Expert” interview series connects you with dynamic thought leaders. This year we’ve spoken with Dr. Thomas Armstrong about motivation, Harold Taylor about time management, Erin Rooney Doland about clutter, Francine Jay about letting go, Todd Henry about next steps, Dr. Debbie Grove about change, and Joshua Becker about fresh starts. For August, I’m thrilled to have with us coach and trainer, Cameron Gott to share his insights about enlisting help.

My wonderful friend and mentor, Denslow Brown introduced me to Cam many years ago. Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of not only hearing Cam speak about coaching and ADHD, but also trained with him directly through Coach Approach for Organizers. I love our conversations whether they are in person, over the phone, or through our social media channels. He’s insightful, interesting, and always offers a unique perspective. Before we begin the interview, here’s more about him.

Cameron Gott is a champion of Global Creatives who helps smart people with ADHD get the stuff done that really matters. He also trains and mentors coaches, and blogs about thriving as a Global Creative. With Denslow Brown and Andrea Sharb, Cam develops and delivers high quality coach training and certification uniquely tailored for professional organizers through Coach Approach for Organizers. You can connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, blog or website.

Linda Samuels:  Your life’s work is about coaching others to take action on what really matters. What prompts your clients to reach out for help?

Cameron Gott:  Clients seek coaching support when they see a real need for change - That what was working no longer works. For my clients it is a desire to have a different daily work experience than just addressing the most urgent matters on their lists.

Linda:  What are some of the challenges we might encounter when we enlist help?

Cam:  Ourselves, namely a fixed mindset powered by dusty old beliefs that no longer serve us like, “To be successful I have to do this by myself!” or “I’m too messed up to be helped!” or “I shouldn’t need help!” These old, fixed beliefs can convince us that enlisting help equals giving up, which in turn equals failure. We don’t want to be perceived as weak so we don’t ask for help. It’s a vicious cycle. False beliefs about ‘going it alone’ can become even more amplified when we think about our biggest dreams.

Linda:  What is the “Lone Ranger” approach and how does it sabotage success?

Cam:  Americans can have a romantic idea about how success looks. It’s based on the image of the lone cowboy, independent and self reliant who rides in to save the day.  Success stories in business magnify this storyline of grit, determination and self-reliance.  These are not bad qualities but don’t be fooled. In this day and age of  connectivity and specialty, success comes through these qualities but also collaboration, communication, strategic support and what Stephen Covey refers to as valueing differences. When we embrace the ‘go it alone/Lone Ranger’ mindset and focus only on the our pre-conceived notion of success, we shut ourselves off from incredible resources and offers of help along the journey.

Linda:  What has been your biggest personal enlisting help challenge?

Cam:Learning about and living with my own unique brain wiring. Diagnosed with ADD at age 28, I had to overcome a lot of shame to reach out for help. I also had to get clear on what I actually needed help with! I am still learning at age 49 about my strengths, sensitivities and challenges. What’s shifted is how I view enlisting help. Before I viewed it from a ‘helpless’ perspective. Now I view enlisting help from a curious/learning perspective, which is very different, very empowering. This approach to enlisting help is a central theme when working with my ADHD clients.

Linda:  What is your most surprising discovery about enlisting help?

Cam:When we open ourselves to help amazing people come forward and amazing things happen.  Some of my richest connections first started out as a request for help.

Linda:  Is there anything you’d like to add about enlisting help?

Cam:Enlisting help is good boundaries practice and management. Be aware, stay engaged and pay attention to your limits. Be open and vulnerable but also be specific with ‘the ask.’ Don’t hand it off completely. Stay informed and stay present. Research your help needs before you ask for help. Help doesn’t mean giving up responsibility or ultimate control. Create mutual agreements with help partners defining roles and expectations with clear end points. When it comes to enlisting coaching help interview more than one coach and be curious about whose agenda they will champion, theirs or yours.

Thank you, Cam for being here with us. Where to begin? There are so many gems that resonate with me like “dusty old beliefs that no longer serve us.” How often do we get in our own way by holding on to ideas that aren’t productive? Guilty as charged! Your “Lone Ranger” idea also strikes a chord with me. How often do we shut ourselves off from potential resources and help because we think we have to do it all alone? Did you write that for me? I’ve learned over time how to reach out for help, collaborate, and let go of the “going it alone” idea. Then there’s your idea about getting clear with what help you really need and the growth and learning that follows. While I could go on and on, I’ll stop here because I’d love to hear from others.

Join Cam and me as we continue the conversation. What are some enlisting help challenges or successes have you experienced? What are your thoughts?

Quotes are one of the many things that I collect. I culled my collection to share with you my favorite ones about enlisting help. Everyone needs help at some point in life. Help comes from internal or external sources. What have you noticed?

Enlisting help from . . . beginning:

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Lao-tzu

Enlisting help from . . . our attitude: 

“It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect its successful outcome.”

William James

Enlisting help from . . . a new day: 

"I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning." 

J.B. Priestley

Enlisting help from . . . others 

“Remember, we all stumble, every one of us.  That’s why it’s a comfort to go hand in hand.”

Emily Kimbrough

Enlisting help from . . . ourselves:

“You are the solution to every challenge you have.”

A. Drayton Boylston

Do you have any favorite quotes to add to the mix? Join us!