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Organization Organizing and simplifying are lives are "hot" topics these days. New stores are popping up like Unique Storage, magazines such as Real Simple and web sites like flylady.net (Thank you, Sue H.). Plastic storage containers seem to be endlessly on sale at the local Target. Professional organizers are busier than ever. (See end of newsletter for a local resource.) In part, it's because we live such hectic lives. We dream of "getting organized" and leading a "simpler life." So why don't we? We know that taking the time to organize and simplify would help us to create much needed space in our lives. Space, openness, room…all equal a little bit of freedom…more room to breath. We have jammed pack our lives with activities and things. Instead of making us feel fulfilled and content, the activities and things start to run our lives. They begin to have the control and not us. So, let's regain control this month! We'll work on decluttering our lives -- Spring cleaning, so to speak. We'll get a handle on our Tolerations. We will specifically attack those Tolerations that relate to excess things and activities. What are Tolerations? They are those things, people, and activities that we put up with on a regular basis. They sap our energy every time we think of them or see them. Here are just a few:
There are thousands of kinds of Tolerations. (In fact, if you'd like to see a list of 1000 possible Tolerations, e-mail me and I'll send you a list!) You see, the more things you have, the more energy you must expend. Each "thing" you have requires attention from you. It must be cleaned, insured, filed, stored. For example, the larger house may be beautiful, but it will need furniture, increased insurance, more cleaning, higher taxes, higher utilities, etc. Is the dream house really a dream house or a self-imposed burden? Are our belongings enhancing our lives or depleting our time and increasing our worry? And what about all of those activities we've gotten ourselves into: The investment groups, the school committees, the sports organizations for our kids, the church functions. People are counting on us. We can't just walk away…or can we? The trouble with Tolerations is that they tend to build up, one at a time, until we are tolerating more things than we are aware of. Most people, when they really think about it, create a list of about 50 - 60 Tolerations. That's a lot of tolerating on a daily basis. In fact, it's way too much. It's too much because each thing we tolerate drains a bit of our energy. Every time we see it or do it, a little bit of our enthusiasm and power is zapped away. We feel burdened, overwhelmed. We're not as creative. We feel unmotivated. Would you like to feel inspired, energetic, optimistic, less stressed? Handle one simple Toleration. See what happens. Guaranteed you will get an energy boost -- No need for new vitamins, no additional caffeine required, just a little determination and maybe some elbow grease. So, read below for the Action Steps and begin to create a toleration free life this month. THIS MONTH'S ACTION STEPS Start by creating a list of all of your Tolerations. Here are some categories to get you thinking:
Once you have a complete list (and take your time with this…give yourself a week to catch them all), remove the items over which you have no control. Some things in life we just have to tolerate because they are completely out of our control, like some health problems. Concentrate on those items that you can take action on. To focus on Spring Cleaning for this month, narrow your list so that it only contains those that pertain to things or activities. (Your ultimate goal is to streamline the things and activities in your life, so that only the ones that enhance your life remain. If you don't use it, give it away. If you don't enjoy an activity that you are currently committed to, gracefully make your exit.) Next, pick the 5 Tolerations that bother you the most on a daily basis. Decide on a way to eliminate each one. Tell a friend about a toleration and what you plan to do about it. Have them hold you accountable for tackling it. We tend to rely too much on ourselves to make things happen in our lives. It is ALWAYS a smart idea to enlist support, if support is available. Extra Credit: Don't just handle the toleration. Get to the source of it and handle that, or you'll just have to tackle the same toleration over and over. Look for a way to eliminate the source, or set up an automatic system to handle it. For example, if scheduling baby-sitters is a constant bother, schedule them in advance for the same days each month or have them call you once a week to see if they are needed. Put a system in place to eliminate the toleration. More Extra Credit: OK, so you've handled a bunch of Tolerations. Good work. Maybe you've already stumbled across it, but if not, look for a pivotal toleration. One that you can zap and resolve a bunch of other Tolerations automatically. For example, making more money would replace the unreliable car, pay for a housekeeper, etc. Getting a new job might take care of an unsupportive work environment, too low pay, etc. It may not be a quick and easy change, but something to be on the lookout for…find your pivotal toleration. Whenever you take care of a toleration, take a minute to sit back and realize how you feel. Each time you pass that cleaned off desktop, don't you get a lift, a little energy boost? Remember that lift. It's what will keep you motivated to handle still more Tolerations. Have a rejuvenating March. If you'd like help in decluttering or organizing your home or office, I highly recommend Bobbie Heil of Sort It Out, Inc. She has years of experience organizing on a personal and professional level. She's currently offering lower introductory rates. Her business is to help others sort out the things that:
You can contact Bobbie at
610-296-8381 or baheil@hotmail.com. Tell her Joanne sent you! Book Suggestion (from client Kirsten - Thanks!):
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