…that was the take away for me from the meeting I attended today. Our guest speaker was Dorothy the Organizer. She was high energy dynamo (can I use that word?) who (while I know she had a plan…she IS a professional!) really seemed to just free form the day. We had invited her as our guest speaker as getting organized is a great kick off to a new year. If you’ve taken my classes, had me assist with your project or even read my newsletters and blog over the years, you know that the FIRST step in my design system is clearing out what you DON’T want to make space for the stuff that you DO! With that said, even I am guilty of some bad habits – I like to think it’s part of the creative gene, but that still isn’t always easy.
Today, Dorothy’s presentation was super timely and very motivating…enough that I decided to share THIS today instead of our previously scheduled article.
Here’s a sampling of the tidbits from our meeting:
TAPP: Dorothy’s acronym for what to do with your STUFF
T: Toss (simply get rid of it: the clothes that don’t fit, the stuff you don’t use)
A: Act (RESPOND to that invitation, recycle that old computer)
P: Pass it On (share it with someone who will love it more than you, donate it to charity)
P: Pile it or File it (acknowledge you’re keeping it and put it somewhere!)
Permission to Pile: Are you a piler or a filer? I’ve always loved and preached Julie Morgenstern’s philosophy of first looking at the way you handle things NOW before deciding on an organizing system. I am not sure why it took me 20 years of battling a filing cabinet to finally have the aha moment to realize that I (like most creative types, I think) am a PILER. This means I don’t want sort stuff when it comes in. It’s not in my nature to do that, so why fight it? If you are filer, more power to you…wish I was! The trick to being a piler however, is to actually schedule a large enough window (We call this a PROJECT :)) of time to go through the pile when you have the time and put that block ON YOUR CALENDAR.
Have a pile of business cards that you’re always meaning to scan, file or insert into your business card binder? If that’s not your nature, label a bin ‘business cards’, empty your handbag or briefcase or pocket of all accumulated cards, then schedule a block of time monthly or quarterly to go through and make decisions about them. Use the same philosophy for receipts.
Paralyzed by Perfection: THIS expression came from another organizer completely, but Dorothy did address the issue today and I find it incredible appropriate when it comes to home decor projects. Do you find you can’t move forward with a project, be it decorating or something else? You want everything to be ‘just so’, effectively stopping you from moving forward? Nothing is ever perfect. Deal with it! In my biz, it’s almost an occupational hazard! There is ALWAYS a new fabric, a new finish, a new ‘look’. We get worried that we’re going to miss something or not have it perfect. In our effort for perfection, we get stopped and don’t get the project completed. Are YOU paralyzed by perfection? Sometimes good, is good enough! Sometimes getting the job done: the kitchen tiled, the bathroom painted, the draperies hung is more satisfying that striving for PERFECTION.
I’m interested to hear from you! Shoot me a quick email and let me know, are you a piler or a filer?
Have some clutter issues of your own? Interested in connecting with Dorothy? Here’s a little background and contact information for her!
Emmy Nominated Organizing Expert
A&E Hit TV Show “Hoarders”
Author Chicken Soup for the Soul
PBS & QVC Personality, The VIEW, Dr. Phil Expert
Speaker & World Traveler
Phone: 888-229-5346 Fax: 818-597-0618
Email: dorothyb@
Web: www.DorothyTheOrganizer.com
Facebook: DorothyTheOrganizer
TWITTER: Search for DORTHYtheORGNZR
