A few weeks ago, I wrote about some of the positive mindset changes my clients experience during their virtual organizing sessions. A common theme is going from overwhelmed to unstuck.

Whether clients are overwhelmed or not, all grapple with “What’s my next step?”  This is the intriguing part. How do we figure out what to do next during a virtual organizing session? What do some typical next steps look like?

If you are curious, continue reading. I will share my latest discoveries with you.

How to Figure Out Next

It’s probably no surprise, but figuring out next begins with asking thought-provoking questions and listening carefully. We check in first before we start organizing. With curiosity as our guide, we discuss how things went in between sessions, discover successes and challenges, and find out what’s happening now. Is a current circumstance affecting their energy, mood, or preferences? All of these discoveries go into finding next. 

Once we’ve talked, I can tell if my client is clear about their next step or need help discovering it. If they are unsure, we clarify and discuss several options. It’s always their choice, which is one of the powerful aspects of virtual organizing work. When clients choose what they want to focus on, they own the process and are invested in the outcome. 

What Next Looks Like

Each client has unique organizing goals and needs. Their projects differ in scope and focus. Clients want a range of help from me, including brainstorming, planning, body doubling, focusing, system designing, resource-providing, list-making, and more. While working, we focus on decision-making skills, letting go, mindfulness, awareness, and moving forward one small step at a time. The organizing work happens in their offices (at home and work,) bedrooms, closets, kitchens, pantries, laundry rooms, bathrooms, dining rooms, living rooms, garages and other areas.

“Taking that next step builds momentum.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVPO™

During each virtual organizing session, they experience change and progress. Taking that next step builds momentum. Below is a small sample of clients’ next steps and successes they experienced during their one-hour virtual organizing sessions:

• Created a goals list of organizing tasks and projects for every room in the house

• Edited and cleared papers from the office floor

• Brainstormed ideas for the most effective use of the space

• Edited expired make-up and personal care products

• Edited and decluttered items on the bed

• Sorted and organized backlog of mail

• Created a filing system

• Drafted a project to-do list

• Edited and decluttered the pantry

• Cleared out old files 

• Edited and organized a box of papers

• Created a to-do list

• Edited and organized memorabilia

• Organized books

• Edited a stack of magazines

• Edited and organized clothing closet

• Organized mind clutter

You may wonder why I shared this list. It’s simple. Next begins somewhere. While your goal may be huge, big can be overwhelming. But with focus, small blocks of time, and some guidance, you will get there, one paper, box, or decision at a time.

Where did your next step bring you? Did it create the momentum to continue organizing? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

For over 27 years, I worked with my clients onsite in their homes or offices. In early March, when the pandemic began, I shifted to virtual organizing. One of the things I love about being a professional organizer is helping my clients facilitate change. Every client is unique. Their readiness for change varies greatly, as do their goals, circumstances, strengths, and personalities. Pursuing change can be challenging. It’s not uncommon to get discouraged or feel overwhelmed. I help my clients see possibilities, especially when they are feeling challenged.

Even though I may see a path forward, not all clients are ready to do the work needed for their desired goal. Of course, when they are ready, it’s amazing to watch the process unfold quickly. Some projects and people move more slowly. It is not good or bad. Change takes the time it takes.

You may remember that I started taking yoga classes at Encourage Yoga with Al Bingham about a year ago. The pandemic led him to close his physical studio space. However, fortunately for us, classes continued to be offered on Zoom. I am grateful for the mind and body benefits of regular yoga practice. Besides the body and breathwork, I appreciate the philosophical ideas Al shares about yoga and life. While I rarely have time during class to write down Al’s words of wisdom, I managed to capture one treasure, which I’ll share with you.

“Holding on to the permission to let things change.”

— Al Bingham

Often while organizing, we talk about letting go. I ask, “What are the things in your life that have overstayed their welcome?” or “What are you are ready to release and let go of?”

I love that instead of Al encouraging us to let go, he suggests that we hold on. It’s not about holding onto stuff, but rather holding onto an idea that allows the possibility for change. When we’re pursuing change, we often dig into what we know instead of being open to possibilities. In holding on, we can feel comfortable in the familiar, even if it’s painful or no longer serving us. 

It takes courage to change. And if letting go seems too scary, what if you reframed that idea? Give yourself permission to allow change. In that process, you might just let go. Offer yourself permission to pursue what’s possible.

Visceral change is all around us as we watch the fall leaves turn amazing colors. On my daily walks, I can’t get enough of the reds, greens, yellows, and oranges visible at every bend. This change continues as the leaves die and float to the ground. The trees’ branches become visible and bare. Change is impossible to ignore. As the season cues us for change, let that be your inspiration for embracing possibilities. If you need help seeking the change you desire, let’s schedule a virtual organizing session. I’m ready and available to help you.

What possibilities are you anticipating? What changes do you want? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.