Life Organized Podcast

Ep. 40 - When You Need A Little Self Care

At the time this episode is posted, we find ourselves in the heart of a family season… which might mean that your reservoir of self-care is running pretty dry. But the Chinese yin/yang symbol is a perfect metaphor for balance, teaching us that in the middle of one extreme we crave its opposite. That means that what might be missing from your summer right now is the kind of self-care that we give ourselves in a personal season.
So how do we do that in the summer, when there isn’t much time and everyone is competing for our attention? We implement one of my favorite tools, Power Hour, and create small, imperfect habits to nourish mind, body, and spirit.
In this episode I share the what, when, and how of implementing Power Hour, as well as a powerful new way to move forward in self-care habits.
For full show notes, click HERE. 
Links:
Episode 36 When You Need to Organize your Summer
Get Organized Fast – Your FREE guide to organize your home, time, and mindset 
The Life Organized Membership
Tools Taught In This Episode:
Power hour
Physiology before psychology
Keystone habits
It doesn’t have to look a certain way
Floors/ceilings
“Give me 6 hours to chop down a tree, and I’ll spend the first 4 sharpening the axe.” – Abraham Lincoln
“I’ve found that the more I expect of myself, the less I actually do.” – Stephen Guise, author of Mini Habits

Ep. 39 - When Things Don’t Go As Planned

Well, as John Lennon said, “Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans.” There are plenty of ways we get to experience “life,” and the inspiration for this particular episode came to me as I was sitting on the front porch of our Airbnb home, looking out at the lake instead of boating on it, because our boat broke.
It was so tempting to sink into disappointment and negativity, because my brain wanted to keep telling me “We should be out on the water right now,” but that thought just led me to a vacation experience that I didn’t enjoy. So whether it is a vacation - or something different, like relationships, finances, health, or even as simple as your plan for your day - our brains have a tendency to generate a lot of clutter (in the form of negative thoughts) when things don’t go as planned.
Thoughts have power, and as I give you a glimpse into my vacation that didn’t go as planned, we really investigate the idea that “Your thoughts call the shots.” 
In this episode we talk about using one specific tool to shift the way you experience things not going as planned, and this is something you’ll want to keep in your back pocket so you can pull it out when you need it. Download this episode and have it at the ready, because, as John Lennon said, life is just a series of events that happen instead of what we were planning on. 
Tools Taught In This Episode:
When things don’t go as planned, identify the most troubling thought, and then sidestep it. Immediately look for ways to shift into gratitude for what IS happening.
Do you want to be right? Or do you want to be happy?

Ep. 38 - When You Need A Little Boost

Wouldn’t it be nice to wake up every morning in a good mood? Or just have an extra boost of optimism or energy in your day? Subconsciously we are always looking for pick-me-ups that can do just that – and we often turn to spending money or snacking on junk food for that quick boost. But there is something we can do to experience a happier state more regularly – and that is to organize our home. 
“A rising tide raises all boats,” and the state of our homes can be much like a rising or falling tide – we go up or down as our home vacillates between organized and unorganized. There is so much power in making this connection, because we can consciously design our lives to include more organization, so we can regularly experience that little boost.
In this episode, I share 3 easy ways we can organize more often, so we can give ourselves that little boost.
Create a routine, or regular time, to do organizing projects.
Turn to organizing in moments when you feel imbalanced our out of control
Bust some clutter every day with my Clutter Busters technique
Links:
Ep. 5 - When the Clutter is Driving you Crazy
Ep. 33 - When You Wonder What Clutter Does to You
Clutter Busters, free

Ep. 37 - When Your Kids Want Screens During The Summer

As we head into summer, kids and screen time might be on your mind. And that’s exactly why I interviewed Andrea Davis from betterscreentime.com. Andrea's mission is to teach parents how to worry less about technology and connect more with their kids. And what better time to focus on this than during the long days of summer that are around the corner?
Because kids’ brains are still developing, this is a particularly vulnerable time to place tech in their hands. That’s why it’s important to take an honest look at what is open and available in the cyberworld when you hand your children a device. Andrea suggests that you take the time to discuss with your kids what they love and don’t love about tech; when and where devices will be allowed; and installing passwords, protections, and limits to keep kids from accessing harmful material.
She also recommends designing your summer with intention as an alternative to screen time. This includes setting goals, teaching your kids important life skills, and keeping them busy with productive and engaging activities, which is exactly what my Organize Your Summer mini-course helps you to do. Healthy screen habits + Organize Your Summer make the perfect match!
Also in this episode, we talked about how technology can be viewed through the lens of the 3 C’s: Create, Connect, and Consume. Not all time spent on technology is to be avoided, as it assists you to be creative and also connect with family and friends. The 3rd C – Consume – is the aspect of technology that needs to be managed with time limits and boundaries.
And don’t you worry – there are plenty of tips for how to help teens with healthy screen use, especially when social media apps like snap chat appear to be a vital way they connect with their friends. Tactics such as installing an app on mom’s phone where it can be closely monitored, and choosing an app like Marco Polo that allows teens to connect with fewer true friends in a safe way rather than connecting with endless friends where dangers exist can help you navigate the tech journey with teens.
Andrea’s parting advice: Foster connection with your kids. Connecting one-on-one promotes strong relationships and good mental health, and also gives your kids a safe place to come when they do access something online that makes them uncomfortable.
What to do next:
Download Andrea’s FREE Quick Guide to Family Tech plan.
Check out Andrea’s Creating a Tech Healthy Family* (for families w/kids ages 5-13)
Or check out Untangling Teens and Tech* (for families w/teens ages 12-17)
*Use code HAPPY20 for a 20% discount, expires June 17, 2023.
Links: 
FREE: Your Quick Guide to Creating a Family Technology Plan 
FREE: Am I Ready for a Personal Device?
Untangling Teens & Tech  
Organize Your Summer mini-course

Ep. 36 - When You Need To Organize Your Summer

Well, the last day of school is around the corner, and if you’re anything like my clients, you are feeling a little nervous about how this is all going to work once the kids are home for the summer…
…because it’s a big job. Entertaining the little ones, keeping a close eye on the big ones, staying on top of the never-ending stream of dirty dishes, and finding time to work, take care of yourself, or pretty much accomplish anything else.
If there is one magic bullet to help you organize your summer, it is the paradigm shift I am sharing in this episode. 
The way you look at something really does make a difference – and this summer we need that difference!
So put in your air pods and walk your dog, fold the laundry, drive the carpool, or take a walk with me. Let’s spend a few minutes talking about how we can organize your summer.
“You will never have this summer with your children again. This summer is a gift. Breathe and notice. Study their little faces and feet. Relish the charms of the present. Enjoy this summer, Mama, it will be gone before you know it.” - Jen Hatmaker (edited)
Tools In This Episode:
Personal and Family Seasons
Links:
Ep. 11 - When It’s A Family Season
Organize Your Summer Mini Course

Ep. 35 - When You Need To Say No

Don’t you just hate that feeling that comes right after you say yes…when deep down you know you should have said no?
We’ve all been there. 
You already have a busy day ahead, and your sister asks you to watch her kids that afternoon.
You’ve promised the kids you’ll take them swimming, but you hear yourself telling your boss you’ll have that project completed today.
Why do we do this?!
It’s not that saying yes is bad. 
But we need an easy way to recognize when to say yes…and when to say no.
And that’s exactly what I give you in this episode. 
It goes a little something like this:
 “If I say yes to _______, I am saying no to ________”. 
In this episode we will learn this mantra well - so you can avoid that awful moment when you should have said no - but didn’t.
And great news…you can get this tip as a friendly reminder on your phone right when you need it with the free download I'm offering at LifeOrganizedPodcast.com/no. 
No more guilt. No more overwhelm. No more regret.
Just the peace of mind that comes with a well-timed no.
Links:
'Freedom To Say No' Reminder, Free
Life Organized Membership 
Bootcamp

Ep. 34 - When You Are A Mother

With Mother’s Day right around the corner, it seems fitting that we reflect about motherhood.
Lots of emotion around this subject, for sure.
Motherhood is equal parts difficult and amazing, and it’s pretty easy to feel like you’re not doing it right.
But in this episode I share an experience about how I stepped into my own as a mom.
It doesn’t look the way my mom did it.
And I realize now that that’s ok.
In this episode I share a mantra that has been a game changer for me - and hopefully it will be for you, too.
So this episode is my Mother’s Day gift to you.
Whatever it is you can give is exactly what your kids need from you.
Links:
Life Organized Membership
Get Organized Bootcamp
Top 10 Tips To Get Organized Fast, Free

Ep 33 - When You Wonder What Clutter Does To You

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the clutter in your life?
I know I have. In fact, a couple of weeks ago I found myself in huge amounts of clutter because of a flood in my basement. 
It was awful! I was so overwhelmed by the mess - and as the clutter got bigger and bigger, my motivation to clean it up got lower and lower. 
Have you felt that way, too? 
In today’s episode I will talk about a very simple but effective way to get in control of the clutter in your life. 
I like to call this method “Just Take Ten” — a cool new tool that eliminates overwhelm and creates instant results. 
But that’s not all. This episode also includes some very interesting research that explains why clutter affects us in such a negative way.
Ready to Just Take Ten and get on top of some clutter? Let’s do this.
Links:
Clutter Busters
Life Organized Membership 
Bootcamp
Ep. 5 - When The Clutter Is Driving You Crazy 
Ep. 26 - When You Have Doom Piles 
 

Ep. 32 - When You Need A Little Motivation

Ever feel like you could use a little motivation? 
And I mean for anything? To cook dinner? To clean the bathroom? To get the kids to practice or do their homework? To exercise? To get up on time in the morning?
We all have a million things to do everyday, and a lot of them are pretty mundane and boring, BUT they need to get done.
So…how are you supposed to get everything done on your to-do list when you're just not 'feeling it'? 
You’re in luck. In today’s episode, I share the 3 M’s to help you build a relationship with motivation so it becomes a frequent and familiar part of your life!
Links:
Ep. 2 - When You Don't Know Where To Start
Free Wallpaper/Printout

Ep 31 - When You Want To Feel More Control Over Your Life

Um….couldn’t EVERYONE use a little more control?!
With so much happening in our lives, getting more in control can sound like a fairy tale.
But it’s not.
With a simple routine, we can stop fighting fires and feeling behind the 8 ball. We can stay on top of what needs to be done, and even make space for a few of the things we really WANT to do.
What is that routine?
Weekly planning. 
In this episode, I’ll tell you all about it!
Tools mentioned in this episode:
Weekly planning
Find a regular time for weekly planning.
Build your week around existing commitments
Incorporate tasks that you WANT to do.
Quotes:
“You either pay the price of success or you pay the price of failure, but either way you pay the price.”
Links:
Life Organized Membership