Every time I tell my husband that I will be giving a speech, he asks, "What are you telling them?" I have to laugh, because I've been saying virtually the same thing for 40+ years. I used to feel guilty about it, but I've discovered that even though a speaker says the same words, I don't always hear the same words! I was cleaning out some files (Yes, I have to do that too!) and I found an unedited list of 31 "Ahas" a meeting planner collected from participants after my presentation, "How to Spark Joy at Work."
1. Clutter is postponed decisions.
2. The SYSTEM acronym
3. I need to create a vision – my limitations are time and not knowing where to start
4. Majority of time is spent looking for items needed to complete the job
5. Sometimes it is not that people won’t get rid of things, but they can’t due to an emotional void
6. SYSTEM - save yourself space, time, energy and money
7. Dealing with digital clutter
8. I realized I am emotionally tied to my clutter
9. My lack of organization of my digital files / emails is a carryover from never being organized with the paper
10. Do not postpone clutter. When you are not ready to let go that means you have hold on to it emotionally
11. Revisiting what my passion was as a young girl and assess life today to see if I have maintained and or if it is still a passion
12. There is an emotional story attached to clutter
13. Trying to think about what I liked to do at the age 8…
14. Progress starts with the truth! Loved this quote and will be sharing with family and friends
15. Progress starts with the truth
16. Accountability
17. The definition of clutter
18. Organizing is not about stuff, it is about you and what you care about
19. Organization can be personalized
20. Does it bring me joy / help me accomplish my work?
21. Hoarders are mainly due to deep loss and how to help
22. Setting a weekly reminder to do an organizational task one day each week. Something I plan to start doing for cleaning my desk.
23. Over responsibility is irresponsibility
24. Clutter is emotion
25. Clutter can be digital too... tidying up the same way as physical papers
26. The longer you put something off, the more costly it will be to correct
27. Gosh, everything! One thing – sick plants don’t bode well for organization. I’m going to have my people fix or remove plants!!
28. How critical systems are
29. Emotional clutter is also the problem
30. Progress starts with the truth and I need to be more honest with myself
31. 1 out of 5 employees are looking for stuff and can’t do their job
If you can relate to any of those 31 "aha's," now is a great time to choose the one you would like to address in your personal or professional life. Our goal is to help you create a Productive Environment, an intentional setting where you can accomplish your work and enjoy your life. Join us for our next Tame Your Paper Tiger Online Workshop - http://www.TameYourPaperTiger.com. Check the registration link for the date and time. We'd love to help you develop a plan you can implement and sustain!
In 1978, Barbara took out a $7 ad in a New York City newspaper to advertise her professional organizer business. For 20 years, she focused her business on organizing paper and physical clutter for home offices and organizations. Then the Internet Age came about, and she utilized her principles and expertise to help clients with digital clutter.
Over the past 40+ years Barbara has helped 1000's of companies, and became an icon and top expert in the industry. She has been featured on national media platforms such as Good Morning America, The Today Show and CNN Nightly News. She has also been showcased in publications including USA Today, New York Times, Fast Company, Reader’s Digest, Real Simple and Guideposts.
Barbara and her team teach business owners a 9-step system to go from overwhelmed to optimized. Step 1 is a free Assessment that can be found at www.ProductiveEnvironmentScore.com.