Marie Potter and Linda SamuelsHave you ever wondered how to foster possibilities? Is it about the things we do? Is it about the things we hear? Is it about the relationships we cultivate, the people we interact with, or the experiences we are open to? Yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes!

I just returned from attending my first POC (Professional Organizers in Canada) conference in Calgary. It was wonderful! The POC members are such a warm, welcoming group who enjoy learning and having a great time together. A special shout out and thanks to Kelly Hipkin, Georgina Forrest, and Stephanie Deakin for the many ways you made me feel welcome.

Mayumi Takahara, Linda Samuels, Mary Dkystra-Novess, Alexandra Ross, Stephanie Deakin, Valentina Sgro, Junko Bradley

It was also wonderful to spend time with leaders from IFPOA (International Federation of Professional Organizing Associations) to discuss the challenges and successes other organizing associations have. Represented were colleagues from Canada, Japan, the United States, and Australia. Heartfelt gratitude and thanks to Stephanie, Alexandra, Mayumi, Mary, Val, and Amanda for bringing your best to the table.

April Miller, Linda Samuels, Laurene Livesey ParkWhile I enjoyed learning about many topics including marketing, goal setting, accountability, disorganization, social media, and technology, what I most loved was meeting new people and strengthening relationships with existing ICD, NAPO, and POC friends and colleagues.

Fostering possibilities is the same as nurturing relationships. They both involve being open and curious, and investing time and energy. As was underscored while in Calgary, the bonds we form with others happen casually and purposefully over coffee, sharing meals, while learning together, listening, observing, while discussing kids, travel, and organizing, while driving from place to place, during elevator rides, waiting in airports, while hanging out after hours, while laughing, dancing, or taking photos. Relationships get nurtured and formed as possibilities are being fostered.

Kelly Hipkin and Linda Samuels

There are many photos from my time in Calgary; some I’ve shared here with you. One of my favorite images is by Mary Dkystra-Novess, NAPO President. She captured a joyful moment of fun when Marie Potter and myself were hugging and posing (feather boas intertwined) at the photo booth during the Awards Dinner. I met Marie last month in Nashville at the ICD conference and we became fast friends. We saw each other again this past week at the POC conference. To me this photo captures the essence of what can happen when you foster possibilities.

Georgina Forrest and Linda Samuels

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation. How do you foster possibilities?

Amy Deagle

Dynamic thought leaders are featured for our “Ask the Expert” interview series. This year we’ve spoken with Whitney Johnson about success, Cameron Gott about enlisting help, 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 October, I’m excited to have with us marketing strategist and coach, Amy Deagle to share her insights about possibility thinking.

As I mentioned during last month’s interview, one of the perks of being active on social media is meeting interesting people that I might not have met otherwise. That’s how I met Amy. Her positive attitude and possibility mindset caught my attention. I wanted to learn more about her ideas for suspending doubt and thinking bigger, so I invited Amy to join us. Before we begin the interview, here’s more about her.

Amy Deagle is a Personal Brand Strategist and Business Coach for networkers who are ready to step up and claim their spot as the CEO of their business, stand out from the competition and help more people than they ever thought possible. Through her proprietary Possibility to Prosperity System™ and Credibility Booster Formula™ she helps others create one of a kind, obsession-sparking businesses and brands to magnetically attract publicity, success and sales. When she’s not transforming girl-next-door businesses into A-List’er brands, she’s obsessing over fabulous stilettos, binge watching Scandal or two-stepping her way to the front row of country music concert. You can connect with Amy on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or website.

Linda Samuels: As a self-described “Lifestyle Designer,” you help others pursue a “life of audacious possibility.” What are some ways to create an environment that nurtures possibility thinking?

Amy Deagle: Make sure that you have your mind in line. By that I mean, make sure you are filling up your brain with positivity and affirmations. Drown out the negative nelly in your head. To start imagining a life of audacious possibility you need to first believe that it is possible for you.

Linda:  What is one obstacle we might encounter? 

Amy:Mindset gunk. We are our own worst enemy. Getting out of your own way and overcoming resistance is a daily battle, but you must take action everyday towards your goal.

Linda:  What are some techniques or questions to ask for imagining possibilities?

Amy:

• If anything were truly possible what would I want for my life?

• If no one was going to be mad, disappointed or upset, how would I actually want to spend my time?

• What service could I provide to the world if I didn’t care what anyone else would think?

• If I had unlimited funds for a year, to spend how and when I wanted, with the caveat that I must do something of service for the world, what would that be?

• How would I spend my free time?

Linda:  What has been your biggest personal challenge around embracing possibilities?

Amy: I have a horrible negative nelly in my head. She is something fierce. It is a daily battle to make sure that I don’t let that negative, scared piece run my life. But even with fear, you just have to jump. You are never going to know what is possible unless you try.

Linda:  What is your most surprising discovery about the possibility mindset?

Amy: As soon as you think you have one path figured out, another one pops up that is even bigger, even better than what you could have possibly imagined … possibility is unlimited … once you start reveling in that mindset, new opportunities and possibilities unfold effortlessly.

Thank you, Amy for joining us. I’m sure that many of us relate to the battle between suspending negative messages and encouraging positive ones to thrive. As you mentioned, sometimes we need to push forward anyway, even when we’re afraid or doubting ourselves. I also like the questions you posed, which helps us get out of our own way, suspend our fears, and play the “possibility” game. And my new favorite term, "mindset gunk." We have to floss the brain of that stuff, right?

Join Amy and me as we continue the conversation. What resonates with you?

Do you ever feel stuck? Maybe you’re so over-scheduled that it’s difficult to think beyond that. Maybe life is moving along without any change or challenge in sight. One thing I’ve noticed is that when we remove ourselves from our daily routine, it’s amazing how our minds open up. We’re more likely to explore new ideas, meet new people, experience new places, and be open to possibilities.

I’ve been traveling more this year. While that presents some time management challenges, it’s also been really stimulating and energizing. I can feel the growth and expansion of a possibility mindset.

St. Louis

Being on the ICD (Institute for Challenging Disorganization) Board includes traveling four times a year to St. Louis for our board meetings. My last trip was in July, which was my first time running our meeting as President. I’m heading out again this weekend for our October Board meeting. Talk about possibilities! I get to work with an amazing group of smart, passionate, and talented colleagues that love ICD as much as I do. We spend our time together thinking strategically about all things related to ICD and chronic disorganization. We also have fun along the way.

Nashville

Linda Samuels, Judith Kolberg, and Kathy Trezise at 2014 ICD ConferenceICD held it’s annual conference in Nashville last month. There were lots of firsts. My first time in Nashville, my first time attending conference as President, and my first time presenting at the Awards dinner (that’s a whole other story!) It was an incredible conference. I learned a lot from the speakers, my colleagues, and about myself. I got to hang out with many friends from around the world and made new ones too. When you get that many professional organizers and related professionals in a room, guess what happens? The room is a buzz with ideas and possibilities. It was wonderfully contagious energy.

Las Vegas

Linda Samuels with daughter, CassieRight after Nashville, I had a short time back in New York and then flew to Las Vegas to work with a long-time organizing client. This time, our youngest daughter, Cassie, came with me. I worked while she relaxed. It wasn’t all work though. We also had some nice mother/daughter time. Between the flights and the pool I got to think about possibilities.

Aside from all the thinking time that travel affords, it’s also great for strengthening relationships and forging new ones. For me traveling is about possibilities, creativity, and connecting with others.

What’s Next?

Linda Samuels with Nina Saeki, VP of JALOOnce I return from St. Louis, I’ll be flying to Calgary to attend my first POC (Professional Organizers in Canada) conference. In December I’ll be traveling with my husband to Japan to speak at the JALO (Japan Association of Life Organizers) conference. I’m excited about the possibilities that come from exploring new places and connecting with people.

Are you open to possibilities? What’s next for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation.

With fall in full swing, inspiration abounds with shifting colors and temperatures. Change is all around us, which sets the mood for possibilities. Have you been struggling with getting organized and thinking about possibilities?

In a recent interview I had with my friend, John Hunt for Smead's Season 2 “Keeping You Organized” series, we talked about the three essentials for staying organized: thoughts, time and space. If one or more of these challenges you, keep reading. You might find just what you need to move forward. You can watch the full interview at the bottom of this post.

Thoughts

“Clutter is anything we don’t need, want or use that takes our time, energy, or space and destroys our serenity.”

- Clutterers Anonymous

When our mind is cluttered, it’s hard to feel organized. Doing brain downloads, inviting distractions, or changing scenery, are a few strategies for uncluttering and organizing the mind.

Time

“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.”

- Michael Altshuler

Time keeps ticking. We keep living. It’s how we manage the time we have that makes us feel organized or not. Be aware of overscheduling, ambitious list making, and not focusing.

Space

“It’s not the daily increase but daily decrease. Hack away at the unessential.”

- Bruce Lee

When our spaces are filled with things that don’t support who we are or what we’re doing, we feel disorganized. Reclaiming control, reducing physical clutter, and creating homes for the things that are “home worthy” all contribute to feeling organized in our environments.

For more details, please watch the video.

What possibilities do you see? What organizing areas are challenging for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation.