Tag: organizational book
An easy, effective assignment.
Grab a garbage bag and take a walk through your home. Open up closets, look under the beds, and inside drawers. Pick 5 things that you no longer need or want, or that just no longer have a spot in your life anymore.
Choose things like shoes you no longer wear, old jackets, boardgames, old make up or hair products, books, toys or something out of your kitchen. It may be your favorite jeans… the ones that you can’t even wear out of the house anymore because they are so worn out.
 
As you put things into your garbage bag, let go of any feelings you have associated with those items. Say “thanks for being there for me, but I need to move on”.
Be sure to find at least 5 items, and feel free to get rid of more (but don’t spend all day on this).
This task should take less than 10 minutes, if you walk fast and make quick decisions. It’s only 5 things. No excuses. Just go do it now.
Look through the garbage bag and decide what you are going to do with your 5 items. If the item is garbage (not reusable), put it there now. Decide if you want to donate, or sell, the remaining items that are still usable. Put the items you intend to donate into your car so you can drop them off on your next outing. If you plan to sell some items, decide how you are going to do that and then do it. Take pictures of your items and upload them to Kijijji, or decide on a date for your next garage sale. If you think trying to sell the items will be a hassle, just donate. You will be making someone’s life better. By doing this exercise, you will also be making your own life better. Reducing the amount of stuff you have in your life can increase your efficiency and reduce your stress. Namaste.
Be Prepared for Monday.
What causes stress? Anxieties about time management. How will you get it all done? Alleviate stress and be more prepared, calm and excited about your week by doing a few simple things each day. Here are some simple tips to help you get more efficient, and feel more prepared, quick.
- If you have not done so already, you need to keep an agenda or binder that accurately shows your time. I was taught by one of my coaches to use an agenda with one day on each page, and to use my own hand to write in it (versus typing everything into a computer). Writing with your own hand is very powerful. You can print daily calendar sheets from Outlook and keep them in a binder if you are anxious to get started right now.
- Write down everything that you need to do each day in the appropriate time slots, and then include the stuff you want to do (there is a difference). Need: get groceries. Want: go to yoga class. Although I could see myself arguing for need on the yoga class…
- Use the notes section to write down all of the projects that you are working on, or tasks that need completing. Things like “book dentist appt” or “finish writing article for yoga journal” or “look up easy easter crafts to keep my kids busy, and me sane, while they are on Easter break”.
- Cross off tasks as you complete them, or put check marks beside them. Do what feels right for you. If you do not complete a task on the day you had it written on, just keep moving it forward to future days. Eventually you will do it. When things come up suddenly, you will need to assess how to prioritize it based on everything else you have going on. Only make changes to your existing schedule if what comes up is an absolute emergency, or is something of extreme importance to you. You may be able to tackle it the next day, so do your best to stay focused on your original plan. But be sure to write everything down as it comes up so you never forget a thing.
- Look at your week and see where the tasks you need to complete might best fit in. If you drop your kids off right by a registry office, perhaps you can squeeze in your vehicle registration renewal when you drop them off, then get groceries, pick up your mail, and get the coffee that you earned. Work smart, not hard. There is always time to do what you need to do, but you need to plan for it.
- Every day, at the end of the day, review your day, and then look at the next day. Create a plan in your mind of what you would like to get done based on the time you have, and then write that down. Seeing your next day all laid out for you can really ease the anxieties of a busy lifestyle. It is easy to feel overwhelmed with everything you need to do, but when you see it all written down, you will know that it is achievable.
- On Sundays, review your week, and plan everything accordingly. You will sleep much better on Sunday night knowing that you have a plan that is scheduled to suit your needs.
Allow for some flexibility in your schedule, but if you want to take on the world, you have got to be accountable to yourself and your schedule. Plan it, then do it! You have full control over your time, and your stress.
Happy Monday!
Round out your life.
It is a commonly held belief in Feng Shui that rounded, smooth things give off gentle, more positive energies while squared, pointy edged items give off a harder, more negative energy. All I know for sure is that I love the energizing feeling of being seated around a round table with my family for a good old Chinese Food dinner… and I do not like the scars that I have on my shins from the pointy edges of my children’s beds.
So “go round” whenever possible, and with everything in your life. Namaste.
Tips of Fengshui: Enhance with Plants
A Warm Welcome to all my new Edmonton Friends! I enjoyed meeting each of you at my book signings in Edmonton over the last couple of days.
My next book signing is this Sunday February 26, 2012 in Calgary at
Chapters Dalhousie Station from 1 pm to 4 pm. Come out if you can.
Today I want to remind you to add plants to your life. Plants can have an amazing impact on your life. Plants clean your air naturally. Plants absorb negative energy and create positive energy. Looking after something beautiful that flourishes with your attention will make you feel good. And seeing your plants everyday will make you smile on the inside.
Choose a variety of flowering and tropical plants. Some plants are easier to care for than others. If you’re new to plants, the easiest thing to do is start reading the little info cards that most places have attached to their plants. These will tell you the name of the plant and how to care for that type of plant. Plants love being watered on a schedule, so water them on the same day each week, or more frequently if they need it.
To maximize the impact that plants can have in your life, place them in the following places:
- On your desk at work. I like the wealth corner for this one (left corner of your desk).
- In corners. Corners give off negative energy. Plants can absorb some of that negative energy.
- You may have a room in your home that does not feel comfortable. Add as many plants as you can there.
- Bathrooms. Absorb some of the negative energy that emanates from this area by keeping plants near to the toilet.
- Anywhere that is appealing to you and not in the way.
I truly believe that that the more plants you add, the better you will feel. So just keep adding plants whenever you have the opportunity, without cluttering your home, of course. Each room in your home should have at least one plant, in my opinion. Do what you can to add one plant this weekend. Getting cuttings from someone you know who has healthy plants can be one cost effective way of adding plants to your life.
Happy plant hunting everyone! Namaste.
Out with the Old, In with the New
A few weeks ago, I cleaned out my office thoroughly, did all of my filing and got my desk looking neat and sweet, and I pumped up the good energy of my desk using Feng Shui. In just a few short weeks, I have moved out of that office, and yesterday I officially welcomed someone new to that office! Gotta love that turn around!
Clear out the clutter in your life, keep things organized and do not hang onto too many things. Keep it simple. Let go of the old, unused, unwanted stuff in your home, and in your life, and you will immediately make room for new, exciting things. Get ready for some change! Namaste.
Happy Monday!
When life dumps on snow, make snowmen, snow forts, and snow angels. Try out snow shoes, go skating, skiing or snowboarding. Don’t have snow where you live? We have lots here to share! Canadian living at its finest! Have a great Monday. Namaste.
Don’t do too much.
Feeling stressed and overworked? Not able to take a sick day? Assess what you are doing with your time. You may have to let something go. You do not have to do it all, you just have to do what you need to get the results you want. And if what you are doing causes more stress for you than the benefits, let it go. Namaste.
Clear some clutter.
Pick 1 small area in your home or office today that has been driving you crazy. Spend 10 minutes removing the clutter from that area and reorganizing it. Set a timer for 10 minutes and be done when it rings. Stand back and smile at the fact that you just fixed one thing that was driving you crazy! Namaste.
Obstacles.
When you encounter an obstacle in your life while you are pursuing something, don’t freak out. The obstacle is not the end of your pursuit. It is there for a reason. Don’t give up. Be more creative about getting around the obstacle. Ask more questions, and have faith. The Universe always provides exactly what you need, at exactly the right time. Namaste.