Tag: Time Management

My Message to the Graduates, As We Start a New School Year

This past  May, I had the distinct honor of giving the following commencement speech for a middle school graduation.

“My name is Colleen Klimczak, and I am a School Board member of Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124.

On behalf of our school board and superintendent, I would like to welcome you all.

More importantly, and this is more important, especially tonight, I am also a parent of one of our graduates this evening. My Son is sitting out there, robed in green and probably shaking his head at his mom right now.

Sorry, kiddo. I wish I could say that this is the last time I will embarrass you, but we both know that is probably not the case.

I want to say
Thank You
to all of you here
for coming.
And not just coming to this graduation ceremony.

You see, as a parent – my graduate this evening is my youngest of three – I know all that goes in to getting to this point.

Thank you to our teachers and staff who have instructed and guided our kids along the way. These students have benefited immeasurably from these dedicated, passionate educators.
As a board member, I thank every one of you for your service.

And as a parent, I thank each of you that has had a hand in guiding my son.
These educators arrive early, stay late, they’re in the classrooms and hallways, at extra events on evenings and weekends, they are always available via email. Trust me, I know.
And they truly have our students’ best interests in mind. We are so fortunate, and I am so grateful.

Thank you, parents. And grandparents and aunts and uncles and all those folks who also show up.
Every.
Day.

I’m not even going to finish the equation, of number of mornings multiplied by number of school years so far! Lunches packed, backpacks, homework, gym uniforms, sport uniforms, band instruments, car pools, field trips, forms completed. Then there are the games and concerts and events that we are seriously SO happy to attend. A shout out to John’s grandparents who are here, and who have showed up to EVERYTHING for my three boys over the years.

Students – yes, tonight is about you, but some time this evening, please stop and look your parents and grandparents and significant adults in the eyes and thank them for helping you get to this occasion. They love you so much, trust me.

And now, Students!

All of you here may not know this, but this an amazing group of young people.
I have known some of them since kindergarten, and even before that.
I’ve been so blessed to spend time with some of them over the years, and watch them all grow. They are smart, funny, engaged and curious, civic minded and involved.

Students, I have three things to ask of you this evening.

First, Do the right thing, even when no one is watching.
Don’t bother with easy, or just skating by, just because you think no one will notice.

YOU will notice.

And once you know you can count on yourself to do the right thing, your confidence and capacity for doing the right thing will grow.

Perhaps you’ll find yourself in a situation and you’re not sure what the right thing to do is?

Go with kindness. Justice. Fairness. Thinking and thoughtfulness. Those are always going to be the right thing. And the Right Thing might not be what everyone else is doing, but that’s ok, they are just waiting for you to set an example.

Second, Find your people.
Look around, and see the people that are doing what you want to do, what you aspire to do.

Surround yourself with good people who will lift you up, build you up.  Who aren’t about drama, who are also the ones doing the right thing even when no one is looking.

Find and appreciate those people, and
more importantly, strive to be that best person for others.

Finally, Start and end with gratitude.
Be grateful for your natural born talents and your diligently honed skills.
Be grateful for your family who loves you, for the education you are working for, for your friends and our community.

Imagine, remembering just one thing you’re grateful for as you start and finish your day every day.  Imagine how great that would feel, and how much that small habit would positively impact your life.

So:
Do the Right Thing; 
Find Your People; 
And Start and End with Gratitude.

I’m going to take my own advice here, and say thank you, Central Middle School class of 2018, for letting me get to know you. I can’t wait to see what each of you will continue to achieve in big and small ways, in the years to come. Congratulations and Well Done!

To:

Receive more ideas and suggestions like these;
Book time with me in person or virtually;
Arrange a presentation for your upcoming event; or
Discover the benefits of Organizational Coaching;

Please contact me.

Call / text 708.790.1940
Online at  http://peaceofmindpo.com
www.Facebook.com/MColleenKlimczakCPO
Via Twitter, @ColleenCPO

Did You Know? August Is National Wellness Month

Did you know?  August is National Wellness Month!   Let’s take an organized look at wellness!

What does Wellness look like to you?  When I talk to clients about time management and strategic planning, there are recurring wellness themes that often accompany clearing clutter and getting organized.

 

Nutrition.   

Get back on track:  Perhaps you had healthy habits working for you earlier in the year, but maybe you’ve lost intensity or focus.  Every day is a great day to start fresh!

Let today be the day to: order a salad for lunch instead of a sandwich and chips; make an effort to increase your water consumption; check out your local farmers market for seasonal produce; or get back to tracking your food choices (my personal plan for this week!)

Better yet, set some goals:  Setting a deadline can boost your motivation, so choose a date in the next month or two to achieve healthier outcomes or weight loss, and map a plan per week to achieve those goals!

 

Better Sleep

We read articles in August about adjusting children’s sleep schedules for Back To School bedtimes.  Let today be the day we try this as adults, too!  Binge-watching summer shows messing up your sleep hygiene (Game of Thrones for me)?  Or maybe those yummy iced coffees?  Back off the caffeine, step away from the screens, head to bed a little earlier!

Traveling last week, I was reminded how much I really love my bed.  Now is also a great time to review your mattress, pillows and sleep environment in general, and make sure everything is working towards the goal of better sleep!

 

Appointments and Screenings

We’re over half way through 2018 (unbelievable, right?!).  Grab your calendar and make some phone calls or go online to schedule any remaining required screenings or appointments for the year, such as:

  • your annual physical;
  • suggested preventive health screenings, appropriate for your age; 
  • your annual flu shot;
  • an annual eye doctor appointment, especially for students and teachers heading back to school;
  • your twice annual dentist appointment;
  • visits to the chiropractor, podiatrist, etc.

 

Exercise.

What activities do you like?  How can you weave them into your schedule as exercise?

Our morning walk today was pleasant, with the cooler morning temperatures. I enjoy seeing my community’s lush yards and beautiful flowers.  I read a book while on vacation called Deep Work, and the author was just talking about the benefits of being outside in nature to boost our moods and productivity.

Last week, we rented bikes and biked the 8.2 mile loop on Mackinaw Island (see picture!).   I highly recommend the experience, and it reminded me how much I love to bike.  So on my August list is “make sure my bike is road ready”, and start biking for errands and leisure!

Now is a great time to sign up for exercise classes for Fall, too!  Some local yoga classes have caught my eye, and are starting soon.  What is calling to you?  Go and do it!

Get up, get out, get involved!

 

Self Care

I am negligent when it comes to self care, but I am working on it!  It has been an stressful summer for me, and I have come to realize that Self Care can’t be optional!  Yesterday, I had a massage along with my chiropractic adjustment, and made sure to schedule my August appointments for both before I left the office.

I talked to a friend about meditation yesterday, and she suggested YouTube for short meditations for affirmation and for better sleep, so I will check those out.

Other components for self care for me have been respecting my boundaries (and occasionally saying No), fueling my body with healthy foods and relaxing with reading.  That may not seem like a lot, but for me, it’s progress!

What could you do this week, to treat yourself kindly?

 

For National Wellness month, set goals and take action, or at least get back on a healthier track after some summer shenanigans (or is that just me?)!

Any Day – EVERY DAY – Is A Good Day to Start Fresh

It’s a new week.  A new month.  For some, it’s a new fiscal year.  It’s the second half of the calendar year.  It’s a holiday week.  It’s a Tuesday.

Some of you may say, “Whatever, Coll.  It’s a Tuesday.  What’s your point?”

My point is… well, I guess I have a couple of points.

First, time is completely arbitrary.   It’s all relative.  

I know, that is a weighty statement.  But, weighty or not, it’s true.  Time is a human construct, a way of conceptualizing the phenomenon of Time Passing.  Even though I coach lots of people in Time Management, I am still the first to say that Time is arbitrary.

However, and here is the real point of today’s post, Any Day – EVERY DAY – is a good day to start fresh.

We’ve had a busy few months.  I’ve mentioned the two graduations and accompanying round of award banquets / events / concerts / ceremonies / parties.  We’ve also had a health challenge or 2 (everyone is fine), some work and service challenges, and everything in between.  And it’s all good, and we’re doing fine.

Everything I mentioned has required mental and physical energy, and I have been glad to spend both!  But this week, after a big event this past weekend, I am feeling a shift in my focus.  I must admit, yesterday I was just feeling a lack of focus :), but today  – I am looking forward with a new vision.

I am feeling motivated to mentally clear clutter and make plans to move forward in a number of areas, and I invite you all to do the same!

Accept that time moves, and moves quickly, whether we want it to or not.

I was chatting with a friend yesterday, her oldest son and my youngest son are both heading to high school in the Fall.  I was talking about the boys preparing for college, and then apologized for rushing, to which she wisely replied “It’s 4 years, we have to think that way.  Just yesterday, they were in 5th grade”, and it really does feel that way.

Take a few moments to appreciate where you have been.

One of my favorite exercises around Time Management and Productivity is writing my Done List.  Mine is typically a day or week at a time, but imagine what your list of major accomplishments in life so far would be!

Appreciate all the moments that lead you to this place in this time today.  Be grateful for the good, forgive the bad, and learn from both.

Next, take stock of where you are today.  How are you doing?  What is awesome, and what could be a little better?

What areas do you want to work on?

  • Personal Wellness
  • Financial Wellness
  • Work, in general
  • Professional development
  • Nuclear family
  • Extended family
  • Fun!
  • Spiritual development
  • Community Service
  • (Fill in yours here!!)

And, Where do you want to go? Looking at your focus areas above, what more do you want to do with your

  • week?
  • month?
  • summer?
  • year?

Today (and this week, this month, this season) is a new opportunity to make positive change.  What will you do with your opportunity? 

A new idea occurred to me the other day, to change our shopping habits to save time and money.  EXCEPT… that is not actually a new idea.  It’s a goal I stated wayyyyy back in January (and probably last year), but I think it’s time to create a plan and task list and deadline for it, and make some progress in that area.

Same thing for my personal wellness.  Good habits slip sometimes when life is especially crazy, so this week, I am also re-committing to some neglected wellness goals.

These are just a couple of examples from my own mind.  What will yours look like?  What do you want to do with your time, arbitrary or not?  Today is the Day!  Any Day – EVERY DAY – is a good day to start fresh!  Got get ’em!

It’s Time to Prune Time Clutter. Less Really is More.

Thanks for the feedback regarding my article a few weeks ago, “I’m Not a Gardener, But I Know How to Prune”.  It seems the imagery resonated with many of you.  This topic was always intended as a two-part post because we can’t address physical clutter without talking about Time Clutter.  We can prune away unproductive time practices just like pruning away unproductive clutter!

Do you ever feel like you’ve got a million things to do today and you’re scrambling to just get something done?  Yep, me too.

About a month ago, I started to prune my To Do list.  It had become a dumping ground and, even though I really love my list, that habit was NOT serving me well!  I had unrealistic expectations of myself and my time, and I set myself up to fail daily by leaving too many tasks on my daily list.  Failure feels rotten, as does scrambling and stressing to complete tasks.

I added the following to the top of every day’s To Do list:

“TASKS MUST BE ACTIONS: Review; Prioritize; Allot time; Emails / Calls – 5 minutes or less; Actually schedule; Make June list.”

So, what does this mantra mean?

“Tasks Must Be Actions:”  My To Do list holds a lot of information, but only actionable steps or errands.  I keep ideas elsewhere.  “Change The World” is a great idea, but it’s not helpful on the To-Do list.  Only actions are permitted – “Send graduation announcements”, “call the chiropractor”, etc.

“Review”: Multiple times every day, I review my schedule for the day (and maybe week) and my To Do list.  If I have a full day of clients and appointments, I cannot reasonably expect to complete 20 tasks or run 10 errands.  If I happen to find a couple of hours free, though, I can fill that time with productive tasks.   “Review” means I have a clear idea of what my day may hold.

“Prioritize”:  We all know that not all tasks are created equal, especially when it comes to productivity. A strength of my To Do list is that I list EVERYTHING that needs done – today and tomorrow, next week and next month.  All these tasks are important, but they don’t all need to be done RIGHT NOW.  I set my tasks for the day based on the urgency of the task and the time available today.  And tasks that aren’t a high priority for today are assigned to another day.

“Allot Time”: How long do tasks really take?  This is very important information for us to have!  For example, “text client to confirm appointment” takes 30 seconds, while “Write blog and newsletter” usually takes a couple of hours.  Yet they are listed on today’s list one after the other.  Allotting time for tasks lets us know what we can fit in the time we have.  Daily, I look at my task list and assign 5 / 10 / 20 / 30 or 60 minute time allotments to each Errands or Task.  If I allow too much time, I’ll have some wiggle room.  If I don’t allow enough, I’ll have to wait to complete other tasks until later (which is why prioritizing is SOOO important!)

“Emails / Calls – 5 minutes or less”:  I was stopped by a train this morning.  In the few minutes I waited, I checked my To Do list and made two phone calls.   Very often, I will tackle 5-minute tasks first, just to see how many I can check off!  And I only give them 5 minutes!  So I try to be clear and succinct in my phone calls and my emails!

“Actually Schedule”:  These past few weeks, I’ve been more specific about actually scheduling tasks.  Meaning, I’ll spot a clear 30 minutes on my schedule between clients and plan 6 5-minute tasks for that time.  Or a couple of 10 minute tasks.  Just one more way to make my To Do list work for me!

Finally, the “June List”: Or July, or Autumn or next year.  I have lots of tasks I want to complete and goals I want to reach, though some of those don’t need to be completed any time soon.  I keep the Task or Errands, but I assign in to a day far in the future.  Yes, I have a September list already, with a couple of house projects I want to tackle then.

We all have time and productivity clutter we can prune.  Look closely at your tasks and time this week, and see where you, too, can cut away the unproductive branches to help you grow!

Self-Care in Little Bite-Size Pieces. Or Perhaps a Smoothie.

It took 40+ years (okay, closer to 50), 20 of those as a mom, but I’m finally figuring out Self Care, and the difference between Self Care and Me Time.

First of all, can we just call it something else?  My friend Jan clarified for me – Self Care is investing in good habits now to help Future You later.  So, some days, it seems self-care is actually survival.  It’s taking care of the basics of life, so there is something left in us at the end of the day.  For a long time, “Self-Care” seemed too selfish and warm and fuzzy for me, but now I understand how essential it truly is.

I coach people in Time Management all the time, but “Me Time”?  Well, Me Time still escapes  me.  Perhaps it was the 12 minutes of reading the new Dan Brown book before nodding off last night, or relaxing with some yard maintenance on a beautiful sunny day.  That will have to be good enough for now, and I’m ok with that.

Here, friends, is organizer insight applied to Self Care.  Read on, or not.  It’s up to you.

Be Nice To You.
I’m not terribly judgmental… except of myself.   Even if I notice a shortcoming in someone else, I try to accept it with compassion or just let it go… except when it’s me.  Conversely – and you can tell me if this is true for you or not, as well – I also have the utmost faith in my own abilities to do pretty much everything, and all at the same time.  Until human fallibility comes in, and then I’m back to being overly judgmental of myself.

So, my first suggestion for self care for you and for me  is to be nice to you, and show yourself the same compassion you show others.

Also, be nice to you because you may be the only one who knows you are suffering.  This is not because your loved ones don’t care.  They might not notice that you’re having a rough time.  Perhaps you have made life seem so easy for so long that no one even worries about you, or it may just take too darned long to explain or ask for care.  Like so many things, this may be up to you, dear.

Nourish yourself.
Feed yourself with healthy foods, and do it regularly.  Start with you, so you have energy to help others.  This is how I ended an email yesterday morning to my accountability partner:  ” Ok, cutting this short.  Heading to a hoarding clean-out, so nice Colleen is going to take care of future Colleen by spending the next 10 minutes making a healthy smoothie, packing a healthy lunch and dressing for safety.”

Figure out how to make nourishing yourself easier.  I spent part of my dinner-making time Sunday prepping food for the week.  I cleaned and cut produce, hard boiled eggs (my preferred packed-lunch on the go), and pre-bagged some snacks.  Preparing a Sunday dinner is relaxing to me, so it makes sense for me to hang out in the kitchen for a few more minutes.  Not so for you?  Don’t worry.  Cut corners, seriously, anywhere you can.

Take your nourishment with you.  As my son and I headed to school before I went to yesterday’s client, I placed my go mugs in my van cup holders, saying “Life Blood” (coffee) and “Breakfast” (my Greek yogurt / banana / whatever other fruit I have smoothie).   Let’s face it, plain Greek yogurt is sort of gross, but its a nutritional powerhouse and makes a great fruit smoothie I can sip as I drive!

Don’t bother with what you just don’t care about.
Over the weekend, I discussed with my friend Karen how great it is to be our current age.   With maturity has come the freedom to say “Nope, don’t need to know this.  Don’t need to worry about that.”    The things I do need to worry about are very real and plentiful, but it’s not EVERYTHING anymore.  Whatever the next fad or celebrity or TV show – nope, no thanks, I’m good.


Find your people.
Find your people.  Reach out to them often.  Make it brief, though, because truly – some days, who has the time? But share the love as much as you can, even in little ways, because we all need a boost some days.

Take care of you, friends.  And know that the rest of us are here to back you up when you need it.

Celebrate Earth Day in Little Ways Every Day

Earth Day is April 22nd.  This week, I was planning to write  an epic article about making big changes to create big change!

But then I was realized that we can create big change through small but consistent positive steps every day.

I was reminded as I (and you can try these, too):

  • Filled my re-usable water bottle with home-filtered water;
  • packed a lunch to eat between my client appointments;
  • washed and re-packed my reusable drinking straw;
  • opened yesterday’s mail while standing over the recycling bin;
  • added errands to Friday’s Errand List (if you plan just one trip for all of them, you can save time, money and fuel!);
  • planned our weekly menu, incorporating food we already have (saving time, money and minimizing food waste);
  • wiped down the bathroom counter with a concentrated cleaner we mix and dilute ourselves;
  • opened the blinds and curtains during the day while the sun warms the house;
  • grabbed a sweater instead of turning up the heat;
  • made sure my stash of re-usable shopping bags are back in my van where I need them; and
  • encouraged and assisted my clients today to reduce, re-use and recycle.

These steps aren’t even hard to make.  Little steps, turned into habits, taking no time at all to complete regularly, but amounting to a big difference over time.  Like so many challenges, weight loss or fitness or getting organized, progress towards a goal is made daily in small increments.

So, with Earth Day just around the corner, how can you celebrate taking care of the earth every day?  Not just once a year but every day in little ways?

A Great Morning Starts the Night Before, 2.0 Edition (Not Just For Kids!)

Back in 2011, I wrote “A GREAT MORNING STARTS THE NIGHT BEFORE!” for a Back-to-School newsletter.   The original article, found here, is still pertinent and useful for kids and families!

I’ve learned a lot since I published that article!  And I still find myself re-considering how to tweak my routines.  Our days are complicated lately!  While I work on un-complicating them,  I still have to get to bed at a reasonable hour, get up and out of bed in the morning, and complete a handful of tasks before I leave the house every day!

I am older and wiser (as are my kids!), so today, let’s take another look at “A Great Morning Starts the Night Before”!

  • Look Ahead. 
    • In my original article, this was a solitary step for me as Mom to take. These days, the teenagers and I all need to check in with each other and with the upcoming calendar.
    • Part of parenting is to foster planning and self-management skills in our young adults (and working on that for ourselves, too!). Some days, there are scheduling challenges or car usage juggling!
    • I look at the calendar for the next few hours, days and weeks, and ask the important questions of myself and my sons to move us forward.  I may jot down those questions on a dry erase board, in case our schedules don’t synchronize.  (For example, “Where is the grade report from last Friday”, “Does your tux jacket need dry cleaned after last week’s concert?”, etc.)  They can start working on answering these questions in my absence!

  • Meal Planning:  I’m the only person who packs a lunch anymore, so lunch making isn’t as important as it used to be.
    • However, ensuring we have portable breakfast foods on hand has become more important, as has dinner meal planning to make sure I have a meal planned that works with the next day’s schedule.
    • Instead of assigning a specific meal to every day, I may list 5-7 quick and favorite meals on a note near the fridge, and make sure we have the ingredients on hand for each.
    • Then I can choose a really quick meal on days we’re strapped for time, or a more involved meal if I have a little extra time.

  • “Lay out clothes for tomorrow, for you and your children” was the statement in the original article.  However, as we and our kids grow and evolve, we know this gets a little tougher!
    • Laundry maintenance.  The success of this step relies on maintaining the laundry process (and yes, I have started a load of laundry as I’ve been writing this).  By “maintaining the process”, I mean – keep the laundry moving along and don’t let your wardrobe options pile up! For example, start a load every evening, and toss it in the dryer every morning while you get ready for your day.
    • Another key to success in this area is to have a standard ensemble to wear for your typical day.  I am NOT the person to give fashion advice, but I am the person to offer suggestions that will save you time and aggravation.  Spend an hour some evening, and put together a handful of outfits you can easily use when you’re strapped for time.

  • “Pack Your Bag the Night Before”.  This piece of advice never grows old.  I had an early morning breakfast meeting today, so last night, I made sure my notes were in my bag.  We still stumble, as the completed forms I laid on the middle-schooler’s backpack for him to take back to school today are still laying on his dresser…  but tomorrow is another opportunity to turn stuff in!

  • Go to bed.  Good sleep hygiene is vital to success, for all of us.  A reasonable and consistent bedtime and calming night-time routines, including planning and prep for the next day, help ensure good sleep and a better morning tomorrow!
To:

Receive more ideas and suggestions like these;
Book time with me in person or virtually;
Arrange a presentation for your upcoming event; or
Discover the benefits of Organizational Coaching;

Please contact me.

Call / text 708.790.1940
Online at  http://peaceofmindpo.com
www.Facebook.com/MColleenKlimczakCPO
Via Twitter, @ColleenCPO

Creating a Landing and Launch Pad Where There Isn’t One

Many of our homes were built around the idea of “everyone uses the front door”.  Larger entrance, coat closet, etc.  However, many of us do not come and go from that front door.   Last week, a friend asked if I could help with her new homes’ back door / drop zone / launch pad.  In her words,

  • there is no place for coats and bags;
  • the space is small and hard to manage;
  • adding in winter accessories like glove and hats makes the problem worse;
  • taking coats to the bedrooms makes no sense;
  • everything gets dumped at the door, and is now spreading into the kitchen; and finally,
  • “I’m gonna lose my crackers!”

Picture this:

  • The back door is where all five family members exit and enter.  
  • For scale, when the back door is open, it spans the entire width of the space.
  • The back door leads directly into the dining area in the kitchen.
  • The back door landing is a step down from the kitchen, and is the landing for the stairs going down into the nicely finished basement.

The family is quite organized, and they have done a lot to maximize the space they have while settling into this new (new to them) home.  There is a small set of hooks next to the door for keys, umbrellas and the dog leash.  There is a counter a few feet from the door where family members can drop their bags as they come home.   But they lack coat / accessory / bag storage.

We all may have an organizing challenge like this….

Often-used space that occasionally drives us crazy!

Spaces that every family member uses!

Spaces that can make or break our daily routines and flow!

Spending a little time and energy organizing these spaces saves us hours of headache (and yelling) in the future!

Here’s How:

State your purpose for the space. For my client, the purpose of the back door space may be “An attractive space that helps with timely and stress-free arrivals and departures”.   Once you state your purpose, Pare Down what is in the space to only the items that feed your purpose. My friend’s back door / landing pad space should be

  • geared towards a quick and easy transition, typically exit;
  • aesthetically pleasing;
  • as clutter-free as possible.
  • If you look at something, and you feel yourself frowning as you wonder “Who’s is this? Why is it here?  What were they thinking?”, those are all good indicators that something doesn’t belong in the space you are working on!

Once you know the Purpose of the Space, Look up and down and all around for storage solutions!

Keep it Safe!

Since this space is a heavily traveled walk way – in and out of the house and also up and down the stairs  – safety is very important.  Storage solutions will need to keep the walk way and stairs clear.  I will recommend coat hooks as solutions, but only on one side of the stairwell, to keep it as clear as possible.

Shelves, shelves and more shelves.

  • Any empty walls can be considered storage space.  To keep the walk way clear, I may recommend shelves high on the walls for baskets of accessories or off-season items.
  • Shelves, too, near the ceiling could hold decorative baskets with extra accessories, if needed.
  • Add shallow shelves above the command center in the kitchen, and add baskets for extra sunglasses, charging cords, and maybe one for each family member.

That Door Has Potential!   Consider the door itself in the organizing solution.  

  • Invest in an over-the -door coat rack; and / or
  • invest in an over-the-door shoe rack, for shoes but also for accessories; and/ or
  • if the door is metal, purchase heavy duty magnetic hooks for coats, like these…

Install some – okay, maybe a lot of – hooks:

  • Everyone gets a couple of hooks for their own bags and coats.
  • Consider key hooks, especially if any one shares a car.
  • Command Hooks are a personal favorite, too, for this type of challenge.
  • Double deck your hooks:  Consider installing two lines of hooks – the upper set (at eye level)  for accessories and keys, and the lower set, installed 6-8 inches below the upper set, for coats, umbrellas or longer hanging items.
  • Since my kids were little (and would take off with my car keys!), my handbag has been hung on a high, heavy-duty hook near the back door, with my keys securely clipped to it.

Expect and embrace maintenance.

  • I really wish I could say that once we organize a space, it will stay organized forever.  However… that is not typically the case.
  • Once a week, clear everything and put it away.   The shoes and coats will slowly migrate back to the landing / launch, but at least once in a while, the space is clear.
  • Keep an empty storage bench at the bottom of the stairs, for that day when you have a house full of people and you just want the space cleared!
To:

Receive more ideas and suggestions like these;
Book time with me in person or virtually;
Arrange a presentation for your upcoming event; or
Discover the benefits of Organizational Coaching;

Please contact me.

Call / text 708.790.1940
Online at  http://peaceofmindpo.com
www.Facebook.com/MColleenKlimczakCPO
Via Twitter, @ColleenCPO

If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes.

(Click here to see / hear me read this article on a Facebook Post.)

I have an article half written for publication this week regarding great questions a client asked about menu planning.  But that is not the point of this post.

Fact is, my thoughts on the menu-planning article were pushed away this morning by the recurring mantra “If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes”.  (I googled this quote, to give it and it’s author proper credit, but it is unclear as to who actually coined the phrase.)

“If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes.”

This phrase has been rolling around in my head since last night when I co-taught a class with my friend Mark at the Oak Lawn Public Library on Bullet Journaling.  Bullet Journaling is a great productivity tool, and I promised some of the class participants that I would publish more about it soon.  But that is not the point of this post.

“If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes.”

People don’t attend classes because they want everything in their lives to stay exactly the same. People choose to learn about new things because they want to think or do things differently.

“If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes.”

So, what do you want to change about your life, and what are you willing to do differently to create that change?  Some times, change happens to us from the outside.  Sometimes we are the catalyst for change from inside.  In this instance, I am asking YOU what YOU want to change or make better.

“If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes.”

Last Fall, I was asked to make a really big change, to take on a responsibility that would help my community.  One of my very wise sons asked me 3 questions:

  • “What will change, from day to day, if you take this on?”
    • The answer was “I will have to make room in my schedule for these new responsibilities, but I can and am willing to do make the necessary modifications, to let go of a few roles and responsibilities to make room for this new one.”
  • “What GOOD can you do?”
    • This was the more important question for me.  Yes, this big responsibility might be time consuming and a little intimidating, but the idea of the GOOD that could come from the change was enough to inspire me to act.
  • And, “What did Dad (my husband) say when you told him?”  That one made us both laugh!

Change is exciting and motivating and energizing.  It can also be occasionally terrifying, uncomfortable and paralyzing.  Change can be difficult.

What if the change is the wrong change?

Yes, but what if it’s the right one?

What if change is awkward or hard or uncomfortable?

Yes, but what if it’s not?

“If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes.”

There is an old adage that I read recently, “There are 7 frogs on a log, and one decided to jump. How many are frogs are on the log?”

The answer, of course, is 7.  Until that one frog actually jumps, there are still 7 frogs on the log.  Decision making is important, of course, but real change only comes from Action.

“If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes.”

So, think your thoughts, dream your dreams and make your plans. Then act.

Take that single small first step towards change on your own terms.  Jump off that log.  Because “If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes.”

When Our Morning Doesn’t Start As Planned…

I slept late this morning.  I woke early, as usual, but with a raging headache, not usual.  So I opted to stay in bed instead of taking a walk. I got another hour of sleep but woke up discombobulated.

We all may oversleep, or run late, or wake to find out that our 9 am meeting has been moved to 8 am instead.  And suddenly we need to get out the door as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Here are a couple of strategies to try:

Read this post quickly and then put down the phone.
Or step away from the tablet, computer or TV.  Seriously.  You’re in a rush, why in the world are you looking at your screens? There is not time for that today.  Put down the tech (and make sure it’s charging if needed) and get moving.

For next time…
Use your technology for the tool it is.  Set alarms on your tech to ensure you wake up on time. Make sure your tech is charging before you hit the pillow.  Find apps for morning meditation or motivation, and create play lists to improve your morning routine.

Focus on NEEDS, not WANTS.
Focus on Survival tasks, not maintenance or progress.  Clothing, food, hygiene, shelter, safety.
Do you usually work out, exfoliate, meditate or phone a friend?  Nope, not today. Your choices flew out the window with your wake-up time. Catch up later, if your schedule allows, but for now, focus on Needs.  You need a shower, clothing, food.  Focus on those, then see what time you have left before you need to leave.

More importantly, for next time:
Pare down your morning routine so whether you’re on time or not, or its a work day or weekend, you don’t waste time or steps.  Take care of your needs (and your kids’, if applicable) first, and then move on to maintenance or progress steps.  Shower first, get dressed and grab some breakfast, THEN start a load of laundry or check your email.

Rely on a Uniform.
For the mornings when you’re in a rush, reach for a tried-and-true favorite.  Save creativity for another day when you’re not in a rush.  We pay more attention to what we wear than anyone else does anyway (except for that one co-worker….), so reach for an ensemble that you know works.

For next time…
Establish a handful of go-to  outfits.  Professionally speaking, I have an informal uniform for client appointments and some dressier ensembles for meetings and presentations.  If time allows, I stretch the fashion boundaries, but if I’m in a hurry, I know what works.

A client referred to her summer wardrobe as “The Uniform”.  I thought she was referring to her profession, but she said “The Mom Uniform – neutral shorts or skorts, a v-neck t-shirt in a range of colors, cute sandals or sneaks… you know, the mom uniform”.  I inspected my own dresser drawers and I realized she was right.  Looking around at a soccer game a few days later, sure enough – mom uniforms.  I consider this a good thing. I have found clothes that work and are fun, are easy to pick out every day and pack for a trip.  Find that combination for yourself and run with it.

A few more tips:

  • Select a go-to group of accessories, too.  I have a dish on my desk with my watch, standard earrings and a few favorite bracelets.  Which leads me to:
  • Have just one place for your essentials (phone, keys, wallet, etc.), and make a habit around keeping them there.
  • Stock up on healthy and portable breakfasts.
  • Keep your gas tank filled, to keep your morning commute moving.  Make your own coffee, for the same reason.

Don’t make a habit of these rushed mornings, but if you find yourself in a hurry, give these strategies a try!