Susan Fay West, Certified Organizer CoachYou've had a pretty significant event or change in your life … or two or three in a row.

Empty Nest • Divorce • Widowed • Aging Parents
Parents/Kids/Grandchildren Moving In
Career Change • Self Employment
Downsizing • Death in your Family
AD/HD or other Significant Health Issues

Life’s big changes – We all get overwhelmed sometimes.

Moving onto a next chapter is about new perspectives: letting go, creating a new chapter, reorganizing our surroundings, and choosing new ways to spend time.

You're thinking differently about your “stuff,” your surroundings, and how you use your time.

You feel as if your home or home office-- well, they just don't reflect who you are anymore. Neither does how you spend your time. Too much, too little or not fulfilling.

You're ready to Organize for a Fresh Start and begin your next chapter.


Organize for a Fresh Start - organizing self-help book
 
"West has written on a topic dear to my heart, getting organized to cope with and embrace change and transitions. Organize for a Fresh Start is a great roadmap."
Judith Kolberg, Author
Conquering Chronic Disorganization
 

Smead Product Review – Viewables

January 27th, 2012

Smead’s Viewables – I have wanted to  try these file tabs for a long time; they solve a file drawer problem I have. A nice surprise showed up recently – Viewables, from Smead - because Smead occasionally asks professional organizers to review their products. I like them and will stick with them. Here’s the problem I had with my files and how Viewables solves it.

The first picture shows how I see the files from where I sit, with Viewables now making it so much easier to see what I have.

I wanted a solution for this drawer, which holds current, non-client files: my workshops and presentations, two organizing associations, QuickBooks file of receipts, my book, CEU tracking, and in the back, my current personal files. I’m in this drawer a lot when I’m not on the phone with a client or at their home or  office.

The tabs are viewable from any angle, and in a font size larger than average, helpful because I’m not right in front of the files. I have a top-down view plus a front view.

Color code if you want; the software lets you choose font size and color. Very simple software. I didn’t color code for  organizational purposes, but I love having color around me, so each tab has a color.

Very sturdy tabs. The tabs stick up higher than a typical hanging  file tab, but they clear the desk drawer above.  I can’t imagine these wearing out. Plus, you receive a plastic sheet you cover each tab with, for more protection from wear and tear. And plenty of extra tabs and labels.

They’re not as easy to implement as a simple label maker, but that’s okay, for this small, often used set of files – and worth of it because of the angle I sit at, vis a vis the drawer. Otherwise, I’d  have them on a desk stand (visual clutter and distracting) or have  to kneel in front of the drawer each time to see and find my file. Protecting my knees is a good thing, as I get older.

 

View from the front.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Side and top both say the file’s name.

LOVE the top view!

 

 

 

 

 

I’d definitely use these again; they solve the issue of the angle, are very sturdy and are more fun to  implement, too.

If you want to get some files into better shape, this might be a fun excuse to do so!

If you’re not sure how you want organize your files, and would like to collaborate on best ways for you to find what you need, when you need it, please reach out.

It feels good to know that your important  documents at home or your business  files are useful, and that your “paper life” (because we all have some) is in order.

And then, let’s talk about email and pc files…”Organized enough.”

 

Direct link for Smead Viewables: Click here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Organizing Daily Routines

January 24th, 2012

Ever feel like your day is out of control? This blog article is about organizing your days at home, with ideas for tools to help keep you on track and questions you’ll want to answer before buying or using the free tools.

Questions to Answer before You Choose Your Product

*Are you comfortable with software and apps, more so than paper? Are you often on your device?

*What’s important to keep track of?;

*Where do you think you get bogged down?;

*Who else needs to see the calendar or to do’s (and what technology do they use if you think you’ll need to synchronize);

*How mobile do you need to be;

*What technology do you prefer – type, size of device – or do you prefer paper;

*What “view” is most useful to you (daily, weekly, monthly)?;

*How easy does the software look; pricing; setup time; intuitive?

*Can you sync up or otherwise backup all this wonderful data you’re about to put into your tool? Comfortable with that?

 

A tool can be useful because you get a place to start, a method to keep track, a structure.

A tool can work against you, in a sense, if you don’t know what you want it to do, or if you spend more time setting it up and reorganizing items instead of doing them.

A balance, as with so much, is important.

If you’re not sure what you want, but you know you’re a software person, then take a look at each tool. They are quite different looking even though they do similar things; by reviewing each one for a few minutes, you may figure out what you like or don’t, narrowing down your choice.

 

 

Click on the graphics to go to their sites.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Rhythms of Our Days

January 23rd, 2012

The rhythms of our days: Some days are rushed, even more than others. Some days it feels like you have a bit more time to do what needs doing. Still other days, it feels as if you can barely breathe, only finding slivers of time.

This is about noticing the patterns or rhythms to our days. With that knowledge, we can figure out how to smooth out the rhythm a bit AND to let go of a too-high standard we set for ourselves sometimes.

Think about:

>Your typical Saturday: the activities, who is involved, the amount of time you have on your own, the time you work, the time you spend out of the house, your own energy level, how tie passing felt, what filled the time as planned, and what filled time unexpectedly.

>Now consider a typical Sunday.

What’s the Rhythm of YOUR Days?

>Or focus on the weekdays, each one of last week. Quite a different pace to it all, when you sit back and notice.

 

The days are really not alike when you look at them closely are they?

Some days, it’s about running and keeping up. For now, it has to be. So don’t even try to add in something you want to do. Just do what has to get done.

Other days, you have a slightly slower pace (it’s relative, right?). There’s more time to “fit in” something – whether it’s picking up the kitchen, several clients or prospective clients needing time, or starting on reorganizing your office or your quilting space.

It all fits in nicely, with some breathing space, and you’re less harried. It fits that particular day.

The point is this:

When you look at your day, if you know it’s a “running around and keeping up” day, let go of doing anything extra, proactive, big, or that needs a good chunk of time (> 15 minutes these days).

Let it go. Today’s not that day. But write down your thoughts and ideas so they’re not lost.

On another day, when you have that slightly slower pace, you can get these things done.

And please – not all of them – add in one and see how that goes. What many of us do is pile high the tasks and expectations and end up frustrated. One thing at a time.

Notice the rhythm first. Play with it. And soon enough, you may see ways you can change the rhythms of your days, creating that masterpiece of balance. If not, please reach out and let’s talk about time management together.

 

So Much Change: So Little Time

January 16th, 2012

You’ve been promoted. You’re engaged. You’ve been solo in your business and you’ve added a virtual assistant. You’re finally getting your knee replaced, something you’ve thought about for awhile. Congratulations! Why does it feel so stressful, when you asked for this change?

It’s that stressful, butterflies-in-the-stomach, sometimes-can’t-breathe feeling, in between the times of pure joy at what lies ahead. But then there’s that stuff, that clutter that’s piled up on your desk. Or your time seems squeezed. Your home has more stuff out and around than usual. Where did that come from and why, when you normally feel in control and organized.

It’s because of the change. If regular life is like calm waters, then a big change like any of these introduces the waves. And like waves running up on the beach, there’s the ebb and flow, the ripple effects, and eventually, a new rhythm to the waves.

Calm waters

What’s happening with these life changes? And what to do to calm the waves?

Let Go and Look Forward

Think about the life changes I listed in the first line. You’re no longer looking out only for yourself; there are more people involved now, to keep track of or care for or to consider as you make decisions. Acknowledge this and you’ll open yourself up to new possibilities, new learning and less stress. Be curious. The stress happens when you won’t let go of how things used to be, to allow the new to have a place in your life.  Your mindset needs to shift.

Break Up Time into Chapters or Phases.

With any change, there’s a period of “Oh, my gosh. How am I going to handle this?” An overwhelming feeling of being frozen in time, not so sure anymore of what to do next, or what will happen next. With your knee replacement for example, think about four phases: preparing for the surgery, the time in the hospital, your move home and physical therapy, and your shift back to regular life. Each phase needs different support, different scheduling, and some reorganization at home (physical and certainly systems).

Tackling one phase, and letting the change sink in keeps you in the moment, less stressed, feeling more in control, and also more open to the next phase or chapter.

Give Up Some Control

My experience is that the more we try to control what are unpredictable circumstances (or people), the more stress we experience. When I was a manager, the most structured people had the most difficult time with change. The people who were more laid back had a far easier time of it; they rolled with the changes.

Decide what your have-to-haves are because it will be easier to let go if you know your priorities. Think about other times of change in your life. Rediscover ways you found calm in the midst of the oversized waves.

For example, for me, during different life changes, my calm has been created by: quiet time in the early morning, exercise, a book I could lose myself in, music, puzzles, and my lists.

For different organizing clients, their calm has been: regular time with children or grandchildren; a regular date with their spouse, partner or closest friends; playing the piano; the movies; tea; walking in the woods; 8 hours sleep.

Be sure to create this bit of time for yourself. It will have a wonderful rippling effect.  How do you calm the waves when they get a little too stormy for you?

 

Fire Up Your Biz: Enrich Your Life!

January 9th, 2012

I’m on board as a featured expert!


When Life Interferes:

Making it through Life’s Transitions as a Business Owner.

Stephanie Calahan, coordinator of the telesummit and founder of Calahan Solutions, Inc. in Bloomington IL. has gathered 20+ internationally renowned business coaches and productivity experts, including me!

“We are passionate about sharing our decades of wisdom to guide you in increasing your business success so that you can reclaim your health, wealth and happiness.” Stephanie LH Calahan

So why is this so important for you? We’re living through a truly amazing time, and never before have so many people been called to own their own business and blaze a path to their dreams.

With this shift, we need powerful mentors – inspired communicators who model this new way of BEING.

 

Just the facts

FREE Fire Up Your Biz – Enrich Your Life Telesummit starting on January 18th through February 28th, 2012.

Three experts a week for six weeks.

My topic is  “When Life Interferes: Making it through Life’s Transitions as a Business Owner.”

In a hurry?  Go here for all the details:  http://www.fireupyourbizenrichyourlife.com

Sneak peak at the topics

  • Time Strategies for the Busy Entrepreneur
  • The 3 Surprising Keys that Open the Door to Small Business Abundance
  • From Procrastination to DONE!
  • We’ve Got To Stop Meeting Like This: How to Run Meetings that Actually Get Things Done
  • Mindset Matters: Secrets to a Powerful Mindset
  • Solopreneur Motivation Secrets: Create the Work Environment and Results You Want
  • A Busy Family’s Guide to Getting Organized So You Can Live Your Best Life and Still Enjoy Your Family
  • How to Overcome your Mental Money Barriers, and Break Free to Success
  • Networking for Success
  • Top Tech Tools for Busy Business Owners
  • 5 Keys to Social Media Success: Do it Right, Stop Wasting Time and Get Results!
  • Passion Management: How to Juggle/Prioritize all of the Passions We Have
  • Get the Right Support for Your Business, Inside and Out
  • Get Time and Tasks Managed Quickly
  • Five Secrets to Streamline Your Work Flow
  • Unlock the Secret to Achieving Your Profit Goals
  • Depressing Desks and Psychic Debris: Cleaning up the Work Space by De-cluttering the Head Trash
  • Conquering Your Fear with a Knockout Punch
  • Conquer Email Overload
  • When Life Interferes: Making it through Life’s Transitions as a Business Owner

 

Reserve your place at NO COST with 24 hour Replay access by clicking HERE.

Can’t make the calls?

Or, you want to access the information whenever YOU want? Then we have something else for you…

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This includes 20+ hours of content-rich and inspired conversations with the expert guides from FIRE UP YOUR BIZ – ENRICH YOUR LIFE (MP3 Downloads & Action Guides)
PLUS  Over $900 in Valuable Bonus Gifts

Register now and order THE FIRE UP YOUR BIZ TOOL KIT Package! 

PS from Stephanie directly: The sessions are ALL ANSWERS and no fluff, meaning, we will give you solid actionable, innovative strategies, processes and tools that can take your company to the next level –not a big sales pitch.