I’m betting that most of you have heard of the “OHIO” system for handling paper, email, and other tasks. Many advocate the “Only Handle It Once” system, particularly for paper piles. I’ve been asked multiple times at presentations about my opinion on the subject, and does it really work? My answer is yes. Aaaaand…no. It
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This paraphrased quote from Toni Morrison speaks to so much that gets in our way in our lives. Whether it’s an excess of physical stuff, an overburdened schedule, a miles-long to-do list, negative self-talk, unhealthy habits, or toxic relationships, letting stuff go is the key to being able to soar in our lives. One of
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So the tragicomedy that is 2020 is fast coming to a close. As I sit here to write this last newsletter of the year, I find myself in serious need of an attitude adjustment! Throughout the year, I’ve been so focused on what I don’t have and what I can’t do that I’ve let my
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An often-quoted phrase in the organizing industry is, “clutter is postponed decisions,” from the wisdom of long-time organizing expert Barbara Hemphill. Making timely decisions is the heart of getting and staying organized, but many of us struggle with even the most basic of decisions on a regular basis. Having piles of paper on your desk
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“All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision. But as that decision is repeated, a habit sprouts and grows stronger. Roots entrench themselves and branches grow. The task of breaking a bad habit is like uprooting a powerful oak within us. And the task of building
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How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! That old expression carries a lot of wisdom in just a few words. Feeling that sense of overwhelm that can happen when you look at any area of your life that needs organizing. Whether it’s your home, your office, your calendar, or your to-do
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Every year around this time, I’m reminded of how blessed my family and I have been to have a comfortable home filled with love, affection, kindness, good health, and yes, probably more material things than we need. I think that in the world of organizing and decluttering, we can get so caught up in letting
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Between “minimalism,” “sparking joy,” and “the magic of tidying up,” the organizing and productivity world is full of buzzwords these days. Of all of them, I think minimalism is the victim of many negative misperceptions. When folks conjure up minimalistic spaces, they see sterile and impersonal homes and offices. The process evokes feelings of extreme
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One of the most frequently asked questions I get in my presentations is about how to deal with the disorganization and clutter of someone else other than the person posing the question. Occasionally the guilty party is a co-worker (or a boss), but the majority of the questions are related to frustration with the people
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About six months ago, a lovely little book with a rather morbid title was published and immediately exploded in popularity. The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning is a short, simply written book that seems to have resonated with so many in our stuff-burdened society. Margareta Magnusson writes of her journey with de-cluttering, Swedish-style, as she ages.
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