Based on my personal experience and over thirty years of helping clients get organized, I’ve learned a few things about what it means to be organized enough. That definition varies from person to person. What feels like being organized enough to me might be different for you. Guess what? That’s okay.

It's a journey to discover what helps you feel, be, and stay organized. I use the word ‘journey’ because getting organized isn’t a one-and-done event. As you go through life stages and changes, your organizing systems will likely need adjustments. Being organized helps make your life flow more smoothly. Being flexible and willing to tweak your systems as needed is part of the process.

Many strategies and products can work for your unique organizational needs. I’ve written hundreds of articles about this on the blog. However, today, I thought it would be fun to give you a behind-the-scenes look at some strategies and systems I use to stay organized with my things, thoughts, time, and space.

What Helps Me, a Professional Organizer, Stay Organized Enough?

Organized Things

Strategy: Create designated ‘homes’ for everything. This gives each possession a specific place to ‘live’ when it’s not in use and a spot to return after use.

Here are some ways I do that:

• Hooks next to the desk for my purse and bags

• Purse with compartments or mesh zipper bags inside larger totes

• Pen cup on the desk that holds only working pens

• Tray on the desk that holds frequently used office supplies like a stapler, tape dispenser, calculator, and paper clips

• Office supply cabinet with labeled drawers that organize similar items together

• Charging station and stands for my iPhone and iPad

• Drawer organizers, open bins, closed containers, and shelf dividers to house specific categories in the bathroom, kitchen, dining room, living room, and bedrooms

• Hook inside the door of a lower kitchen cabinet next to the stove to hang potholders

Organized Thoughts

Strategy: Use specific methods and tools to help clarify, record, and process thoughts. Some thoughts are personal, while others relate to my professional life. As a verbal processor, I find that writing and talking are effective ways to organize my thoughts.

Here are ways I do that:

• Write in my personal and meditation journals

• Log tasks and projects in my 2Do app, which can be scheduled for specific dates

• Place sticky notes and pens next to phones, beds, desk, kitchen and bathroom to jot quick notes, which get transferred or filed

• Keep an AquaNotes® waterproof paper pad and pencil in the shower to capture ideas

• Use a Word or Google Doc to organize ideas and projects

• File ideas into my blogging binder by category that I want to potentially write about

• Enlist help from a family member, friend, or professional to discuss and sort out my thoughts aloud.

“It’s a journey to discover what helps you feel, be, and stay organized.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVOP™

Organized Time

Strategy: Build systems you can fully trust. Use effective strategies and products that encourage intentionality and help you gain better control of your time. When possible, use one calendar along with a separate task app to manage your personal and professional life.

Here are ways I do this:

• 2Do app for scheduling appointments, tasks, birthday reminders, and lists such as ‘Books to Read’ or ‘Books Read’’

• Notes app on iPhone with shopping lists for specific stores, mileage log, and health notes

• Digital calendar with vertical weekly dated layout

• Color-coded calendar to see at a glance where my time is scheduled, the mix of categories, and the white space signifying unscheduled time

• Calendly app to schedule client and personal meetings

• Analog clocks in my office and kitchen to better visualize time

• Use timers to allow me to hyperfocus, remind me when to switch gears, get up and move, or wrap up what I’m doing

• I use different timers depending on the need:

  • Time Timer® , a visual timer for meetings, virtual organizing sessions, and workshops

  • Clock app alarm with auditory alert on my iPhone for switching gears, cooking, and notifying of upcoming meetings

  • Kitchen timer on the stove with auditory alert for cooking or cleaning something with timed instructions

• Only commit to something new after reviewing my current time commitments

• Respect my time and know when to say “yes” or “no”

• Have clear work and personal boundaries

Organized Space

Strategy: Define the purpose and designate zones for each room and area. Organize spaces to support their intended use, maximize the available area, and minimize clutter.

Here are some ways I do that:

• Guest bathroom with a in-wall magazine holder

• Kitchen with a hot beverage station

• Pantry with labeled Elfa drawers for storing gift wrapping supplies

• Laundry room with closets for storing extra cleaning products and paper goods

• Entryway with cushioned bench and open cubbies below to sit while taking shoes on and off and for storing most frequently worn shoes

• Office with a wall slot to fold up and discreetly store my folding screen when not in use

What Helps You Organize Your Things, Thoughts, Time, and Space?

Getting organized enough can help create more ease in your life. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by everything, focus on one category at a time to improve. Which area needs the most attention? Which category do you want to work on first? What helps you feel organized enough for your things, thoughts, time, and space?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

How Can I Help?

Would you like support with getting organized? I’d love to help! Virtual organizing is an extraordinary path forward – Local feel with a global reach.

Let’s talk. I’m easy to reach.

• Schedule a Discovery Call

• Email me at linda@ohsorganized.com or

• Call 914-271-5673

Getting organized is possible, especially with support.

Combining chocolate, motivation, and organizing into one concept might seem like a giant leap. Hang in there. I will share how this connection came to be and how it can help you get motivated to accomplish your goals. The idea began with several disconnected thoughts:

• Ideas for date night

• Passion for chocolate

• Challenges around motivation

• Goal to get organized

I realize that not everyone loves chocolate, lacks motivation, or wants to get organized. However, the motivation concept I will share applies to many situations.

Where Did My Motivation Concept Come From?

One of the gifts I gave my husband, Steve, for our anniversary was a ‘choose your date night’ certificate. Truthfully, it was meant to be more of a daytime date, but you get the idea. I gave him a list of ten possible options to choose from. He could pick one or combine a few into a single adventure.

One of the choices on the list is visiting The Chocolate Room in Brooklyn, New York. Someone described it as a “playground for grown-up chocoholics.” Did I mention how much Steve and I love chocolate?

While reviewing the date options, Steve looked at all the websites. He found this amazing video on The Chocolate Room site, which you can watch below.

Warning: This might put you over the edge if you love chocolate.

How Did The Chocolate Room Video Make You Feel?

I don’t know about you, but after watching the video, I wanted to eat chocolate immediately. Some drool might have been involved, too. In fact, not only did I want to eat chocolate, but Steve and I were ready to hop in the car right then and drive an hour and a half to The Chocolate Room.

The way they described their chocolate experience was so compelling that my motivation to go there and taste everything on their menu was through the roof.

What effect did the video have on you?

What Is Compelling Motivation?

Let’s connect the dots with chocolate, motivation, and getting organized. The main takeaway from watching the video was this: What makes something so compelling it motivates you to do it now?

These are The Chocolate Room video elements I noticed:

• Luscious photography: Used visuals for the desired goal

• Sense activation: Detailed auditory descriptions of what the ‘goal’ feels/tastes like

• Team effort: Showed passionate professionals in support of the goal

• Essential ingredients: Described a positive environment and supplies needed to realize the goal

• Commitment: Dedicated time to achieve the goal

“What makes something so compelling it motivates you to do it now?”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVOP™

5 Essential Motivation Elements

How can you integrate the above elements when you need motivation to reach your goal? Consider these ideas:

• Create a vision board or select images of what the completed goal will look like.

• Write a description or record an audio clip about what the completed goal will feel like.

• Hire your team (professional organizer, coach, or therapist) to provide support.

• Gather tools and supplies needed.

• Plan time and designate time blocks to accomplish your goal.

Collect the combination of ingredients to supercharge your motivation and achieve your goal. Which ingredients make motivation compelling for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

If you need help with motivation and getting organized, email me at linda@ohsorganized.com, call 914-271-5673, or schedule a Discovery Call. Reaching your goals is possible, especially with support.

One of the treasures of being human is our capacity for thought. Ideas that visit your mind can become seeds for creating marvelous inventions or provocative works of art. Your thoughts can turn into action for self-change or positive advances in the world. Thoughts can foster compassion for people in distress or motivate you forward.

What happens when you have unhelpful thoughts? Have you ever engaged in negative self-talk, unnecessary doubt, self-sabotaging thoughts, or word loops that keep you stuck? I have and so have many of my clients. It’s not productive or helpful, but it is a common human experience.

Years ago, I traveled to Austin for an organizing conference. During one of the breaks, I walked into town and discovered this message spray-painted onto the side of a building. It said, “We don’t say fried. We say, deep sauté.” Talk about a reframe! Some of you will agree that eating fried foods isn’t the healthiest choice. Saying “deep sauté” instead doesn’t make the food more nutritious, but it immediately changes my perspective to something more positive. That is the power of the reframe.

While I’m not encouraging you to eat more fried or deep-sauteed foods, I suggest you use this concept to adjust your negative self-talk and other unproductive thoughts.

Let’s test some out.

Instead of:                                          Use:

I’ve never been organized.                 I’m learning to get organized.

My clutter is overwhelming.               I am decluttering a little bit each day.

I don’t know how to get organized.   I will reach out for organizing help.

I’m not good enough.                         I am enough.

I have so much to do.                         I get to focus on what is most important.

“One of the treasures of being human is our capacity for thought.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVOP™

What are some of the negative, self-sabotaging thoughts you have? What are alternate reframes? Does it help you think differently by changing your perspective? Your mind can be channeled in many ways.

The next time you’re going down the adverse rabbit hole, stop. Reframe and adjust your thoughts in a more supportive direction. If you need help reframing and activating, I’m just a phone call or email away. I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to reach out and/or join the conversation.

The last few weeks have been flowing forcefully with a mixture of highs and lows. How have they been for you? I had the joy of speaking at the 3rd International Virtual Summit for Virtual Organisers and exchanging ideas with colleagues from around the globe. On the other end of the emotional spectrum, I experienced the profound loss of my brother-in-law, Larry, while simultaneously marking the first anniversary of my mom’s passing and the tenth anniversary of my dad’s.

When we lose our loved ones, a certain amount of letting go happens because their physical presence ceases to exist. However, they remain with us through our stories, memories, and dreams.

Last month, I read something inspiring that author Todd Henry wrote. He asked,

“What kind of harvest do you want to reap a year from now? And what seeds are you planting right now that will increase your chances of seeing those results?”

When we think about the “harvest” we want to reap, it’s as much about the seeds we nurture as it is about letting go of those things that hinder growth. I often see this with my clients. Their goal is to declutter, let go, and get organized. Clear, calm physical and mental space is the harvest they seek. Yet, it’s essential to let go of some belongings, unhelpful habits, and negative self-talk to get there. The goal is clear, but the journey can be challenging. Progress happens when we finally lean into letting go.

“Progress happens when we finally lean into letting go.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVPO

Circling back to the highs and lows of these past weeks, I think about how they relate to reaping. When I pivoted my business to virtual organizing, I planted various seeds that led to beautiful harvests, including new clients, speaking engagements, and exciting business and media opportunities. I let go of how I used to work, stayed flexible, and reimagined my organizing business. I continue to plant and nurture new seeds as I navigate the changing landscape.

When Larry died on the heels of my mother and father’s anniversaries, I thought about the relationship seeds I planted for all of these decades. Those were nurtured and resulted in close, loving bonds. I wouldn’t trade them for anything, even though my heart aches as I let go. There will be no more phone conversations, hand-holding, or hugs. Instead, I will remember my loved ones in the scent of the pine needles, the laughter at silly jokes, and the road trip quests for homemade pies. 

We plant seeds and nurture them. We lean in and let go. What can you let go of to accomplish the goals you seek? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.