I’m happy to bring you the newest installment (v6) of the “What’s Interesting?” feature where I share my latest discoveries that inform, educate, and relate to organizing and life balance

I’ve included unique and inspiring enlisting help-related finds, which reflect this month’s blog theme. You’re a wonderfully engaged group. I look forward to your participation and additions to the collection I’ve sourced for you.

What do you find interesting?

What’s Interesting? . . .

1. Interesting Read – Letting Go Help

After meeting the Minimalists, Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, at the NAPO conference this past April, I was inspired to read their book, Everything That Remains. It’s a memoir about two friends and how they went from being unhappy, stressed, and burdened by their possessions to changing how they lived and focused their energy.

Their journey included repeatedly asking this powerful question, “Does this thing add value to my life?"  That enabled them to let go of clutter and embrace minimalism.

Ryan writes, “When we get rid of the superabundance of stuff, however, we can make room for life’s more important aspects.”

2. Interesting Fact – Mood Help

Some easy fixes and help for improving your mood include scent and nature. If you’re feeling tired, eat a peppermint. For a non-caloric alternative, place a few drops of peppermint oil on a tissue, hold it to your nose, and breathe deeply. The aroma will stimulate the part of your brain that is responsible for arousal.

According to researchers at the University of Essex in England, to improve your mood and self-esteem, engage in five minutes of outdoor activity every day.

Experience an added benefit by being outside next to a body of water like a river or lake.

3. Interesting Conference – Disorganization Help

The Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) will have its' annual conference in Cleveland, Ohio, September 17-19, 2015.

Organizing and related professionals will gather from all over the globe to learn about compassion fatigue, hoarding, ADHD, memory loss, nervous system resilience, and the latest research on chronic disorganization.

I'm looking forward to attending and learning from the experts so that I can better help my clients. Are you going? I'd love to see you there!

4. Interesting Product – Colorful Help

Do you need help organizing your papers and desk supplies? Check out Poppin, a line of functional, colorful, and joyful organizing products. Their packaging and messaging even make deliveries fun.

It’s hard to choose my favorite product because they have so many, but one is the Softie This + That Tray, which comes in twelve beautiful colors, like most of their line.

I keep one on my computer tray to organize sticky notes and small toys. Can you guess which color I have?

5. Interesting Resource – Consignment Help

Do you have clothing and accessories in excellent condition that you no longer want? Would you like to sell them in a hassle-free way?

Try ThredUp, a unique online service that makes consigning simple. Items consigned that don’t sell, you can opt to donate or return to you.

6. Interesting Thought – Community Help

Every one of us experiences challenges. Find the people in your life who will lift you up, help you with your struggles, celebrate your successes, and be your cheerleader. They are your community.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. What are your interesting finds? Do any of these resonate with you?  Join the conversation!

Given that it’s the era of iPhone, iPad, iThis and iThat, I thought that it would be interesting to add a few more iThings to the list. How about iHelp and iAskforhelp? These are very different yet equally important. We tend to lean more heavily towards one “i” than the other. Which direction do you gravitate towards?

Let’s dig deeper by asking some questions.

iHelp

• When was the last time you helped someone?

• Was it months ago? Years ago?

• Was it today or yesterday?

• Were you asked to help or did you volunteer to help?

• How often do you find yourself in the helping mode?

• Who do you help? Do you help family, friends, colleagues, or clients?

• What are the benefits you receive from helping others? 

“It’s impossible to do everything ourselves.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVOP™

iAskforhelp

• When was the last time you asked for help?

• Do you freely ask for help?

• Do you feel guilty asking others for assistance?

• Do you feel like things will get done better, faster, or more efficiently if you do them yourself?

• When you aren’t sure about the next step, do you procrastinate or reach out for help?

• What type of help are you most comfortable asking for? Is it for home repairs, life guidance, organizing help, or family care?

• What type of help are you most uncomfortable asking for?

• What prevents you from enlisting help?

• Last time you asked for help, what was the outcome?

• What are the benefits you receive by enlisting help?

While I would like to have a combination of both helping and enlisting help, I’m more often in the helping others mode between clients that are in need of organizing help, coordinating care as my mom ages in place, and my role as President for ICD.

Yet even though I’m often in the iHelp mode, I recognize the value of asking for help. It’s impossible to do everything ourselves. I’m a huge advocate of teams, especially building teams. The energy of a focused group can accomplish way more than the energy of one.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. What is your relationship to helping and enlisting help? Come join the conversation!

One of the things my organizing clients frequently say to me is, “Linda, I don’t know what I’d do without you.”  They say that because I’m there for them 100% to help them move past overwhelm and reach their goals in the organizing areas they find challenging. While our organizing sessions are often filled with fun and humor, I take my role as helper and support person seriously. I’m grateful for the trust my clients place in me.

Being in a supportive role means suspending my own agenda so that I can help my clients focus on their needs. This is integral to the organizing work that I do. While I love helping others, it’s essential that I rejuvenate and help myself too. Otherwise I’m no good to anyone else.

These days are particularly full with running Oh, So Organized!, working with my clients, being President of ICD, writing, presenting, traveling, managing family responsibilities and more. Recharging is essential. Being outside helps me.

On a recent walk, my racing thoughts of to dos slowed down as I breathed in and shifted the focus to my senses. I noticed the bright sun and green around me, felt the warm summer air, heard the birds conversing and leaves rustling, and smelled the earthy scent of the path below my feet. My walk through the woods led me to one of my favorite spots by the river.

Once there, I planted myself on a rock in the middle of the river. I was surrounded by water. I felt centered and calm as the sun warmed me, the river flowed around me, and I breathed in and out deeply. The river helped me, so that I could continue helping others.

I’d love to hear from you. Come join the conversation and share with us. What are your thoughts? What helps you rejuvenate?

Quotes are one of the many things that I collect. I culled my collection to share with you my favorite ones about enlisting help. Everyone needs help at some point in life. Help comes from internal or external sources. What have you noticed?

Enlisting help from . . . beginning:

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Lao-tzu

Enlisting help from . . . our attitude: 

“It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect its successful outcome.”

William James

Enlisting help from . . . a new day: 

"I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning." 

J.B. Priestley

Enlisting help from . . . others 

“Remember, we all stumble, every one of us.  That’s why it’s a comfort to go hand in hand.”

Emily Kimbrough

Enlisting help from . . . ourselves:

“You are the solution to every challenge you have.”

A. Drayton Boylston

Do you have any favorite quotes to add to the mix? Join us!