H-A-B-I-T...When 95% of people hear this word, a negative thought pops up in their minds. Typically, most people think of a habit being negative. The secret to your future lies in your daily habits so ask yourself right now, "Are my habits today going to help me achieve my WHY in life?" This is a life-empowering question if you truly ask it and listen for the answer. I received the following excerpt from a very dear friend of mine and felt that it is definitely the best explanation of a habit that I have ever heard: I am your constant companion. I am your greatest helper or your heaviest burden. I will push you onward or drag you down to failure. I am completely at your command. Half the things you do, you might just as well turn over to me, and I will be able to do them quickly and correctly. I am easily managed; you must merely be firm with me. Show me exactly how you want something done, and after a few lessons I will do it automatically. I am the servant of all great men. And, alas, of all failures as well. Those who are great, I have made great. Those who are failures, I have made failures. I am not a machine, though I work with all the precision of a machine. Plus, the intelligence of a man. You may run me for profit, or run me for ruin; it makes no difference to me. Take me, train me, be firm with me and I will put the world at your feet. Be easy with me, and I will destroy you. Who am I? I am a HABIT! One of my daily habits that is the foundation of my life is spending 45-60 minutes each and every morning feeding my body physically by exercising and feeding my mental spirit by reading or listening to a motivational message. This habit warms me up for the day ahead. Everyone washes their physical body and feeds their body every morning, but 95% of people will find an excuse about why they can not find the "TIME" to invest in a habit of feeding their MINDS! This parallels the statistic that 95% of people are dead or dead broke by the age 65. I consider this particular daily habit of mine to be the driving force behind my ability to consistently maintain my intense focus on the journey of success and living a dream life. Is it easy all the time? Of course not, but when it becomes a habit – you will do it! If you commit today to begin each morning warming yourself up for the day ahead by feeding your mental spirit, your entire life will change in a positive fashion very quickly. It is like driving a race car with the emergency brake on and you try to go ahead, but you can’t move. You stay in the same location with your wheels spinning, burning up, making a lot of noise, but not going anywhere! All it takes is to release the brake and you will fly towards toward your WHY in life!! You need to review what your habits are and ask yourself…“Would I recommend MY habits to someone I truly love and care about?” Your entire future lies in your daily habits—positive or negative. You have the most powerful force right now in your hands, the ability to decide what your habits will begin to be. Find Your WHY & FLY!! John Di Lemme FindYourWhy

You know, in psychology there is a rule, especially within the NLP circles that I work in and the literature that I read, it is quite a famous rule; 7 plus or minus 2 – this is the notion that the conscious mind can only keep track of between 5 and 9 discrete pieces of information at one time. Your unconscious can literally keep track of billions and billions of things at the same time aparently (clever thing that it is!), while your conscious mind is more one step at a time and it has a fairly narrow focus. WHatever the truth of this, it is a useful way to expereince your own thinking. Here are a couple of things that you can do to test the extent of your conscious mind: Without writing them down, blurt out now, straight away without thought; - As many brands of cars as you can. - As many film titles as you can. - As many pop groups as you can. Many people run out of steam when they get to ten, usuallly because of the 7+-2 rule. The bottom line is, when the conscious mind is presented with more than 9 pieces of information, it gets overloaded. So before you send me a very clever email telling me off for pointing out the limits of the conscious mind, would you like to know how you can use this to your advantage? Of course you would. When you bear the 7+-2 rule in mind, you can start to organise things so that you work with your conscious mind, playing to its strengths. For instance, if you have a to-do list. Many people that I have encountered have a daily to-do list with 20 or more items on it. This is a recipe for total overwhelm (at which point they often resort to looking for the easiest or funnest thing on the list to do.) The following ideas can help you get a handle on your to-do list really fast, especially if that list has things that are important for your goals and achievements and sense of well-being. Firstly, scan through the list, looking for items that can be grouped together into categories. For example, here is a load of the stuff on my list for this week: Write Adam Up. Bank cheques. Finish writing chapter for new book Prepare for client therapy sessions. Finish project on public speaking. Finish marketing material for new courses. FInish listening to current educational Audio set. Read through solicitors material regarding other business project. Write up script for new audio title. Send out follow-up letters for last weeks clients. Prepare for photo shoot for new Bio. Write up blurb for my new Audio release. Write new web-page copy. Review new CD covers Meet PR people Do proposal for new book for Publishers. Read e-book New course blurb Meet with prospective business artner for new project. Clear inbox. Have a life. Have fun...... The first thing on the list is ‘Write Adam Up’ – for me, "Adam Up" is one of my products, so I write ‘Product’ beside it. Next is ‘Bank Cheques’ – that’s part of our cashflow system, so I write ‘Systems’ beside it. Pretty soon, every item on my list is in a category: Write Adam Up. Bank cheques. Finish writing chapter for new book Prepare for client therapy sessions. Finish project on public speaking. Finish marketing material for new courses. Finish listening to current educational Audio set. Read through solicitors material regarding other business project. Write up script for new audio title: Products. Send out follow-up letters for last weeks clients: Systems. Prepare for photo shoot for new Bio: Marketing. Write up blurb for my new Audio release: Marketing. Write new web-page copy: Marketing. Review new CD covers: Systems Meet PR people: People. Do proposal for new book for Publishers: People. Read e-book: Personal. New course blurb: Marketing. Meet with prospective business artner for new project: People. Clear inbox: Personal. Have a life. Have fun: Personal. This is better! I have now gone from a list of 20 or so items (instant overwhelm) to a list of 6 categories which is well within even my 7+-2 limit. - Products - Systems - Training - Marketing - People - Personal This is what we refer to as chunking in my professional field, and is one of the most effective ways of dealing with any large or complex set of tasks (or set of anything else). You may say “Great, but I’ve got 200 things on my to-do list”. It doesn’t matter – the same principles apply. If you go through your to-do list or your goals lists; just get it whittled down from 200 items to 20 categories, that is better, it is getting it more manageable – go through the 20 categories and see where they group together. Group together goals for your own development; being a non-smoker, growing in confidence, creating wealth, reducing weight etc. The key is to have no more than 9 categories at each level – this way your conscious mind can keep track of it. Secondly, start to manage your to-do list by the high-level categories: You can use this in all sorts of areas to make things more manageable, for example: - To-do lists. - Goals you are working toward. - The filing system on your computer. - Your filing cabinet. - Any project you’re doing. One of the things this allows you to do is notice very quickly if there’s a specific area where you have not been taking much action lately – very useful for helping focus on what needs attention.

Whether you're spending time at the office or are constantly on the move, there are some ways to make life easier while on-the-go. Try these tips: • Stay organized. Use a calendar to write down all your engagements, addresses and phone numbers. Keeping all the information in one place can keep you from wasting time looking for it later. • Find your time wasters. Keep track of the ways you waste time for one week. Do you spend 10 minutes finding your keys? If so, make a key hook by your door-and use it. • Make the most of your trips. Knock a few items off your list on the way to work or at lunch, freeing up some night and weekend time. • Finish what you start. When you work on a project from start to finish, it's one less item on the to-do list. • Readjust priorities. Since you can't really do it all, re-evaluate which activities really need your time and focus. • Look for grab and go snacks to give you a lift. Kraft To Go! snacks, which come in two cheese and cracker varieties, are a great source of calcium. They fit in your purse, briefcase or bag, and are great for women on-the-go who are looking for a wholesome, grab-and-go snack.

Tips to organize files in real-space If you have a system that isn't working, it's probably because it is not the system outlined below. Simplicity of effectiveness is vital for a real-space filing system. To organize files in real-space it should take no more than 1 minute to add so me thing new to your system and no more than 30 seconds to retrieve something. Organize Files - Preparation: Get a large sturdy metal filing cabinet. Get box files and card files. Get an electric label maker. Chuck out hanging file guides. Organize Files - Implementation: 1. Grab a card file as soon as you have paper work that you want to reference for later use. 2. Create a label with the electric label maker with a word/phrase that very obviously identifies what the papers are about. 3. Put the labeled file in your filing cabinet in A to Z order. Maintenance of Organized Files: On computer start a file listing everything that's in your real-space filing cabinet from A to Z. Keep your computer file updated by occasionally flicking through your filing cabinet (it will take less than 10 minutes) to check for items that are not on your computer file and adding anything new. Consider that if you currently have trouble keeping on top of the way you organize files it's probably because the way you have been doing until now is not this simple strategy. The approach outlined above is purposely extremely simple. It really works to do it like this. With that technique for how to organize files in real-space dealt with, we can now think about your way to organize files on your computer. Tips to organize files on computer Experience with clients has taught me that often someone has more clutter on computer than in their home or office. The computer can be a source of great enjoyment and productivity if you organize files on it well. I realize that it doesn't take up any real space in your home or office, which is probably why people let it get so bad, but I found that it effects my clients satisfaction and productivity immensely. Sure there are plenty of manuals on using the computer but I discovered that there was no simple, straightforward explanation of keeping on top of where everything on computer is. So I created an approach that I show my clients and here is the basics of it. Is it frustrating or even somewhat anxiety provoking sometimes to approach the computer? Such feelings are caused by thinking of the amount of time it will take to find what you want whilst half-thinking that it really shouldn't be so out of hand. Well we're about to turn things around. Get into the habit of creating folders on your computer for various topics. Put everything relevant to each topic into the appropriate folder. Create more folders within existing topic folders for sub-topics. E. g. You might create a folder called Health. In that you might have folders for Diet, Exercise, Sleep. Spend time on that process and you will finally feel that you can organize files on your computer very very well indeed.

How important is it to organize life? Everything in our life comes from how we organize it, right? When everything is organized we can do more, achieve more, become more, and enjoy everything more too, can't we? Can't you? Are you Overwhelmed? Frustrated? Dissatisfied? Life throws a lot at you. How are you managing it all until now? Those who organize life will excel far beyond those that don't because Life Organization is the biggest frontier of development opening up this decade. Are you ready for that?! But what is it exactly that you are searching the net for regarding how to organize life? What does it really mean to organize life? Do you want a solid grand system to totally organize life? Do you want some temporary techniques to apply now? Would you like permanent principles for how to organize your entire life? To organize life you will capture every worth while thought to efficiently choose your actions for all that is important to you, without wasting time or losing time, and allowing you to succeed at whatever you desire. At times we get off track, whether practically, or with our efficiency, or emotionally. At those times, I do a 10 Minute Get-on-track review. Essentially it is about writing down things weighing on my mind. I use the following categories of self-questions to help me do my organize life 10 minute focus sessions. Organize Life for Self - Touching on my emotions and physical experience. Accept and appreciate how I feel right now. This is the core of how to organize life. It starts from within. Organize Life for Yesterday - I then take a moment to reflect on yesterday, as that is where I have come from. Organize Life for Today - Think of the fixed appointments, the general layout of your day to come, and where the areas of your day are where you get to decide exactly what you do with the time. Organize Life for Civilisation - What do you want to do in society? What is your place and purpose in terms of contribution and business? Organize Life for Ideally Organized Living - Picture the biggest possible ideally organized living circumstances that fill your fantasy. This connects you with the spark of life. Organize Life for Projects - Now you are ready to consider the actual projects and responsibilities that you have in your life. Tasks, hobbies, interests, pursuits, business ideas, etc. Organize Life for Right Now - Through the above self-question process you are probably now ready to decide on the next step activities to organize your life even more. This 10 minute review might take longer when you first do it. Take your time with it, and remember this article. As a Professional Organizer I can guarantee by doing this simple 10 minute process regularly your life will become more and more organized.

: Everybody knows that the way we think determines the outcome. If your thoughts are like “I can’t write more articles then I do already”, you probable won’t succeed. If you change your thoughts into “I will write more articles then I already do”, you will achieve that goal. Perhaps it’s only one article more then expected, but you did more then you wanted. If you believe in yourself you will succeed at the end. But before you reach that end you have to organize the thoughts in your head. There are two main thoughts, negative and positive. For every negative one you can find an opposite more positive thought. For example if you take a half filled glass with water you can think this glass is half empty. This is a more negative thought. If you approach it with the thought of this glass is half full then you think positive. There hasn’t been a change with the amount of water. Just your thinking changed. It takes time and effort to make those changes. At first you are on the level of unawareness incompetence. We act without thinking. If we want changes to be made we have to learn to use those positive affirmations. We now are one step higher called the awareness of incompetence. At this point you know that you have to learn and use in order to change. When we use them for a while and we see results we reach the level of aware competence. We now use the tools in a perfect way. We see results but to achieve the highest level we need to keep on the good work.. At this state when an opportunity appears we think in possibilities instead of problems. This is the state of mind we want to have consistently. Sure you have less positive thoughts sometimes but rapidly you make that change into a positive thought. Thinking positive has become a natural behavior Keep up the good work and start today. Remember only you can make a difference. powerfulllifesecrets

Over the years, I’ve tried it all, different ways to get organized, with much trial and error. Some worked, some didn’t. I tried some of those fancy looking matching desk sets. They looked beautiful and for some, I’m sure they are perfect. But for me, they took up too much valuable space. Space I needed to proof my work, keep my reference books, or keep those essentials that I use on a regular basis. For me, when I work I want everything within an arms reach. I want to have immediate access to the tools I need to complete my assignments. I have a corner desk, and on it I have my computer, printer, fax, phone, etc. Beside my desk I have a two-drawer filing cabinet. This was possibly the greatest thing I’ve ever done to organize my business. In it I have my files and supplies that I use on a regular basis, such as, client stationery, client files, a file for my receipts, all personal correspondence, paper, folders, etc. Whenever these files get bulky with client documents, I simply empty them into the main filing cabinet. For example, my main clients, whom I’ve been working with for 20 years, their files in the main cabinet are quite large. It’s nice to have the smaller file close by with just their recent correspondence. Plus, when I need a folder, an order slip for my books, a copy of my stationery, it’s all right there. AAAHHH, now that’s convenience. Now for the receipts’ file. I keep it monthly. At the beginning of the month, I simply replace the file with the new month’s file. That way, at tax time, I don’t have to go through a whole year’s receipts and divide it up. It’s already separated. Here are some other organizational tips you might find beneficial: Mail—We have a round basket by a small table by the front door. All incoming mail goes in there first. Then when I have the opportunity to sort through it, I get it and put it in its appropriate place. Always pitch anything you aren’t keeping. All business-related mail is sorted and put away immediately. Anything that might need work done on it is logged into my Daytimer and then put in the To Do Bin. Desk—Your desk should have on it only those items that you use on a regular basis. Look around. What haven’t you used in the last month or two? Start dumping. Find another spot for it. But find the RIGHT spot for it. No Piling of Anything Allowed. This is one of those habits that can be so easy to get into. Definitely one that I catch myself doing a lot! But I stop myself now because I know it will just be brushed off to the side and forgotten. Too often I miss something important and regret the piling blunder again. You will be amazed how much more organized you will feel if you just don’t do this one thing. And time yourself. You think you are too busy, but it takes seconds and how long does it take to look for that missing document. Daytimer—Now this isn’t only for Time Management. Your Daytimer can have a space for all your business cards, appointment cards, etc. How great it is to have all these cards right in the same place. On the date of your appointment, you simply grab the card and off you go. Also, recently I’ve started using the Outlook Express to log in appointments as well. It has a calendar and I can look to it to get a feel for the day and the week to follow. Three-ring Binders – I saved my best for last. I do a lot of research in doing publicity for clients and also have a lot of e-mails that I need to print and save. I use paper that already has the wholes punched for insertion into a 3 ring binder. I will print out important research, client e-mails I need to save, work that I’ve done so I can review it later, etc., on this paper and then put it into the proper binders. I have a binder for all clients, research, PR, myself, and miscellaneous. You would be amazed how clearer things are in a binder than tossed in a file cabinet. For my business it works tremendously. Start the beginning of the day and the end of the day with a clean-up. What a tremendous feeling that is. When you are done with a project, away it goes. When you start the next project, out comes all the material you need. There’s nothing like the feeling of sitting down in the morning to a nice clean organized desk and office. Once you feel this a couple of days, you want to experience this every day so you’ll take the appropriate steps to make it happen.

It's great when the family gets together, but you know that it'll be much greater if all family members can get to know each other and share the family history. Much interest had been given to genealogic researches in the past years, but still, the most common form of genealogic research remains to be the family tree and its branching out. A family tree is a cinch to make if you intend to include only members of your immediate family (parents, sibling, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins) but what if you aim to include the three generations before you? Or what if you intend to find out who your ancestors are? This entails a much larger scope and therefore a more thorough research. This also means more extensive notes, files, pictures, interview transcripts, and other documents. To save you from disorganization and make your research easier, Carolyn Billingsley and Desmond Allen have devised an efficient filing system specifically for genealogic research. The materials they prescribed are easy enough to procure such as a filing cabinet (boxes will do), data records, pens with black ink, file folders, notebook (loose leaf), and notebook dividers. They recommend that you start by making nuclear family records. Printed forms are available to make it easier. Record information by family. Separate your own family record from that of your parents. Use marriages as guide, as each marriage requires a separate data sheet. Fill out forms backward, starting from the present and to the past. Make all information on each family uniform, leave spaces for unknown data and fill them out later when you got the missing links. It is also important to indicate sources of the information. Include birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage certificates with the members' personal information but remember to use only photocopied records. Label sheets with family surnames and put them in file folders duly labeled. Collect and store these nuclear family sheets to larger family groups. To do these use bigger filing folders. Label these folders by the family patriarch's name, for example, your grandfather's name. Include in this folder all files of your uncles, aunts, parent, married siblings, married cousins, etc. An optional step is to add a contents page to give you a clue about what is inside the folders. These will make it easier for you to fill out your family tree and its branches. An organized research will save you the trouble of diving into heaps of paper searching for documents that you think are there but have no idea where to find.

Take some of the stress out of the holidays by getting organized now. The key to holiday organizing is to start early, take baby steps, and make lists (i. e. gifts, budget, meals, cards, etc.). Now is also the time to go through clothes, toys, and other household items to make room for the presents soon to come. Greeting cards can almost cause as much stress as shopping. Plan to complete your cards over a week or two. Gather all your letter-writing materials before you start, and keep them in one place until you finish. If you like to send a general update along with a personalized note, write that first. Then add a personal touch to a couple cards a day, and you will be finished in no time. Before you ever step foot in a store, have everyone make gift lists (including stores). This way you can give to others what they want instead of something that will become clutter to them. Plus, you have one less decision to make. Make shopping easier by setting a deadline so you can enjoy the holiday season. The earlier you start and finish your shopping, the shorter the lines and better the selection. When you can, shop odd hours for a less hectic experience; avoid malls and post offices on the weekends if possible. Shop online when applicable. If you do not know what to get someone for a holiday present, think consumable; a consumable gift will probably not go to waste or add to the clutter. You can even have everyone contribute to a group meal or activity, or you can set up a Secret Santa exchange. When it comes time for wrapping, create a separate space with all necessary supplies so you can wrap easily and quickly, if necessary. For extra-large gifts, use a paper, holiday tablecloth for wrapping paper. Do not overwhelm yourself by cleaning the house from top to bottom; concentrate on the public areas. Guests will appreciate your hard work and still be able to enjoy your company. If you tend to decorate similarly from year to year, take a picture of your decorations to speed the process next year. Prepare for unexpected guests; keep an inventory of quick food items such as cheese and crackers, tea and coffee, frozen cookies, etc. For your planned gatherings, allow enough time for cleaning, cooking, and decorating by counting back from the time of your party. Keep meals simple or ask guests to bring a dish to reduce your preparation time and stress. Delegate or ask for help with some of these activities; it will take a little of the stress off you and may even turn several of the chores in to fun. Once all the festivities have passed, the idea of cleaning up and taking down the decorations may invite some of that stress back into your life. Stop it in its tracks – have an informal “undecorating” party. Most chores take less time and are more fun when you have friendly company and a couple extra hands. When it comes to Christmas decorations and supplies, use appropriately sized storage containers that are sturdy and label, label, label! A couple extra minutes at the end of this season could save hours when it is time to decorate next year. This is also a good time to update your card list while everything is fresh in your memory. If it turns out you forgot someone this year, you can always send a New Year’s card. Just remember, the holidays are about friends, family, and fun. Take the stress out of holiday preparations and enjoy the good times by preparing early, asking for help, and keeping it simple.

"You're invited…" are always welcome words to hear− whether it's to a barbeque, birthday party, cocktail party, graduation, housewarming, girls' night out or other special event. However, most people think planning a successful party takes a lot of time and effort. Not true, according to Evite, the leading social event - planning service on the Web. "By following simple party - planning rules, you can plan a fabulous bash in very little time," said Jessica Landy Raymond, a planning expert for Evite. "Your guests will be so impressed, they'll think you hired a pro!" Organization is essential for seamlessly planning a great social event. Evite has helped millions of hosts plan successful events and offers these tips to take the hassle out of party planning: 1. Choose an event theme-A good theme ensures that guests interact with one another. A great theme-such as a barbecue luau, beach party, '70s-inspired disco, masquerade ball or poker night - will make your party unforgettable. 2. Create an event checklist-Be sure everything gets done on time with a comprehensive to-do list that includes everything from determining an overall budget and selecting an event date to choosing the perfect venue and making a guest list. For tips and sample checklists, check out Evite's Party Checklist. 3. Bring the theme to life-Pull all the pieces of the party together neatly by selecting invitations, decorations, activities and music that complement your theme. 4. Plan the food and beverage menu-The event theme should inspire your menu and beverages. Make sure you have enough food and drink for your guests by consulting recipes and drink calculators during the planning process. For help, try Evite's Drink Calculator and Party Menus & Recipes 5. Relax and enjoy the event!-Remember, the number-one party-planning tip is to not stress about any little things that go wrong. Everyone is there for a good time, and the host should be, too! Tapping into online party-planning resources is a simple and easy way to fulfill all your planning "to dos."

One of the best ways to put more balance in your life is to get rid of clutter. I sincerely believe that a cluttered house or office just creates disorder in your mind, not to mention the guilt you feel about how you should be spending your time straightening up instead of doing what you really want. Start first with the mail you bring in as you come home at night. Spend a moment right in front of the trash can or recycle bin and sort it. Junk mail should be dumped right then. Pile all magazines in the same place, newest ones on the bottom. This way, when you have time to read them, you are looking at the oldest issue first. Bills are next - who wants them staring at you in the hallway every time you come home? Open them up immediately, check the due date, and file them in some type of organizer that will remind you to pay them. Check this file weekly and pay them based on when you get paid. This way, you won’t pay them late and you won’t spend your hard-earned money on late fees. If you spend just five minutes a day going through your mail, this will be one less chore that needs to be done on the weekend.

How many years have you started spring cleaning only to be discouraged by the sheer amount of stuff or distracted by the beautiful weather? Would you like to complete spring cleaning this year, before summer? Then it is time to tackle those big, deep organizing projects such as the basement, garage, and maybe some closets, drawers, or cabinets. Whether you start with the basement or garage, begin in one corner and work your way around the room. Let go of the items you honestly will never use again by asking yourself those tough questions: when did I last use this? when do I think I will use it again? do I like this? If you catch yourself answering maybe to most of these questions, you might want to organize with a friend, family member, or professional organizer who will keep you focused and help you decide “yes” or “no”. Once your remove everything that does not belong (donate, trash, goes elsewhere), you may have all the storage space you need. If not, take measurements of your space and the items you want to store, and go shopping (maybe even in other rooms of your house). If it is difficult to figure out which organizing product works best in your situation, ask the person at the store, do some research on the web, consult a professional organizer, or use another knowledgeable resource. Now, what about those closets, drawers, and cabinets? Once you sort and purge what does not belong, you will probably be amazed at how much space you have. If you need some tips on how to best organize what remains, flip through a magazine, sketch a diagram of the space, enlist a professional organizer, etc. . No matter what you decide to organize, ask for help, make it fun, reward yourself, and maintain the organization. If you do not know where to start, do yourself a favor and schedule a free consultation. In the long run you will save time and money and be more relaxed. Sometimes you need another perspective, someone to keep you focused, or a little bit of expertise.

A lot of people ask me if it's really worth hiring a professional organizer or if you're better off doing it yourself. Both are valuable options, but either way you should understand the specific steps and strategies to having a more organized home, making little changes gradually to simplify life at home. Well at first glance having someone do things for you can certainly seem better than doing it yourself. But there are some big IF's that need to be considered. Remember, you are typically going to pay by the hour (the going rate for a professional organizer can range anywhere from $35 to $250 an hour. So you have to be selective in which small part of the process they'll help you with. Just a few weeks ago I got an email from a customer of mine who recently hired a professional organizer and paid her for a full day. And all she did was hang pictures for 8 hours! Which brings me to another point ... how do you know, once the service is complete, you are going to be satisfied or if you are even going to be able to maintain organization beyond a week, a month or a year from now? Now here's the thing. If you really, really want to make changes to the way you live in your home, you need to start living your life a little differently. You should be able to manage your "stuff" and understand what it really takes to start enjoying the benefits of home organization. Learn what it takes to get organized from the inside-out and discover the basic and simple rules of home organization so you can enjoy more time, more space and a better, happier life at home. Then, even if later down the road you decide to hire someone to help you, you will be more knowledgable, you will understand the process more and -- combined with a few changes -- you will be living in an organized home before you know it.

Let's be honest. Nobody likes rules. But the thing is, if you're serious about home organization, then there are some specific rules you'll want to follow. You'll see how much easier organization will be by taking the following simple steps... Home Organizing Rule #1: "Touch it Once!" This is a form of procrastination and it causes piles because something is being put off until later. It could be a little laziness, but more often it's due to lack of time. The thing is, this rule will save you time. For everything you put off until later, you're touching it twice when it should be just once. You (or someone you live with) is procrastinating and putting things off until later. Why? To save a couple of seconds today, you're wasting five minutes tomorrow. For example... You come home, throw the shirt on the bed because you're going to hang it up or throw it in the laundry basket later. Or you shove it on a shelf in the closet and will hang it later. No good. This is two steps when it should be onemon sense? Of course. But few practice this simple rule of home organizing. Touch it once. The coffee cup goes in the dishwasher, not on the counter and into the dishwasher later. The mail coming in the house should be dealt with immediately...not added to a pile where you touch it more than once for no reason at all other than procrastination. Home Organizing Rule #2: Keep things together that belong together. Sweaters with sweaters. Shirts with shirts. One shelf for snacks and a shelf for cans. Take a look around a fancy clothing store. They're designed to help you (the customer) find exactly what you need. Wouldn't it be nice to find whatever it is you're looking for in a matter of seconds? Same goes for a grocery store. If these shelves weren't organized, these stores would go broke because nobody would be able to find a thing. Home Organizing Rule #3 - Organize ONLY one space at a time. Work on one small space at a time in set increments and try and do it every single day. It might only be for fifteen or twenty minutes, but the key is to get something organized everyday and make it consistent. If you try and tackle too much at once, you won't get done because of an already hectic schedule. Incomplete tasks are discouraging and you might just give up. The smaller the task, the easier to complete And the better you'll feel. Often organizing something as small as a junk drawer or even your wallet can give you the boost in motivation to "step it up" into a bigger project. If you have to do the junk drawer over a two day period, big deal? Take two days to do it. Getting it done is the key. One small step at a time.

We are all faced with problems throughout our lives, some are small, others huge. Depending on how we deal with them, they can be overwhelming and devastate our lives, or they can quickly fade into the past. Attitude plays a big role. With a difficult personal or work undertaking, consider all viewpoints, even those you think you don't like. It just might provide relief from your fearful analysis of the situation. Don't oversize the problem which is often a panic reaction. Discuss the actions that you could take with a friend or co-worker which can sometimes provide a good suggestion and some instant stress relief. Lay out a procedure and slowly complete the first task. The next steps should be easier. Often we will keep on worrying after the decisions are made, which of course is of no help at all. If everything that can be done has been done then it's time to follow through. "Our plans miscarry if they have no aim. When a man does not know what harbor he is making for, no wind is the right wind." Lucius Seneca (3-65) Rejection can be an unpleasant experience, but it just lets us know that we aren't perfect. Who is? Consider it a lesson learned, then forget it and move on with your life in a positive constructive manner. To help solve a difficult problem or to cut down on worrying about making a decision, analyze the situation, determine what must be done and carry it out. In writing or on your PC: Get all the facts. Describe the problem in detail. List all the possible solutions. List the advantages and disadvantages of each. Detail what you will do. Follow through. You have detailed the planning and know that you will proceed in a certain way, but will review it as required. Later. Now it's time to think other thoughts. "What we have to learn to do, we learn by doing." - Aristotle (BC)