Organizing isn’t just about sorting papers, editing closets, and decluttering junk drawers. It’s also about having the level of order that’s comfortable for you. Getting organized will reduce the stress of life’s details, enable you to accomplish larger goals, and give you more time to embrace your passions.

Dreaming is an essential part of the organizing process. There are several ways to encourage the dream juices to flow.

Dream small. How would you use that time if you had an extra 30 minutes free each day? Would you read a book, walk, or have coffee with a friend? If 30 additional minutes a day seems like a tremendous gift, begin here.

Once you’ve secured those minutes, think about moving on to bigger goals. Life can be overwhelming. Sometimes, we need time to re-energize so that we can be present throughout the rest of our days. I regularly have to remind myself to stop and take that needed break.

Dream moderately. If there are 52 weekends per year and you reserved just four of them to complete a short-term project, what would it be? Sometimes we think about “projects” we’d like to do, but never schedule the time to complete them. With some planning and commitment, it is possible to accomplish some of these dreams.

I don’t know how it happened again, but our garage needs to be organized. Since I’m not excited to get in there and do it, I know it won’t get done unless my husband and I block out the time to do so. Guess what I’ll be doing one of these fall or spring weekends?

Dream big. What would you want to accomplish if time, money, or circumstance weren’t challenges? Let your mind dream without criticism or judgment. Often, we tend to discourage ourselves before even taking our first steps forward. Try to suspend all negativity; there is no harm in dreaming and wishing. Identifying what you’d like comes before any action can occur.

Each New Year’s Eve, our family reflects on the past year and future thinks about goals and wishes for the coming year. We know that not all of our dreams will be accomplished, but we also realize how important it is to record them. The act of taking that one step puts these ideas into motion. When we return the following year to review, we are amazed by how many of our hopes have been realized.

The possibilities are there for you. Whether you need time to rejuvenate, accomplish projects, or push the boundaries of your comfort zone, setting aside time to bring some of these dreams into reality through thought and action can make all the difference in the life balance and satisfaction you seek.

Join in the conversation. What dream phase are you in? What are you thinking about? If you join the conversation and leave a comment on this post, you will be automatically entered to win a very cool "To-Do Tattoo" by Fred and Friends. One lucky winner will be chosen on Sunday, October 16, 2011.

It’s a new month and season. October and fall have arrived, bringing shorter, cooler days. As the leaves begin to change color and drop from their branches, the scene is set for the possibilities of what might come next.

I came across one of Oprah Winfrey’s recent writings, which beautifully captured the ideas of change, possibilities and growth. She said, “The inevitable truth is that everything changes. We’re not meant to look the same or act the same year in and year out. Growth brings new potential. And I know for sure that when you’re open to receiving them, the possibilities just keep on coming.”

Having just returned from a business trip to Las Vegas, I was particularly struck by the energy and feeling of possibilities in that city. Particularly at night on the Strip, there was so much going on. There was a sense that all things real or imaginary were possible. There were masses of people checking out the sights, street performers singing, dancing, or acting like statues, glitter, sparkle and lights everywhere, live and recorded music bellowing from storefronts, water fountains dancing to music, volcanoes erupting on the hour, reproductions of landmark buildings from Paris, New York and Venice accentuating the landscape. The buzz of excitement permeated the streets.

On the top of the MGM Grand hotel and casino was a sign that read, “Alter Your Reality.” I guess that about sums it up. When you think about the possibilities of what might come next for you, it allows you the opportunity to continue on your current path or move in new directions.

What is possible for you in the coming months? How will this season be different from the last?

For those that love to dress-up for Halloween, thinking about the possibilities of what you might be is exciting. Whether you prefer to be Gumby, Buzz Lightyear or Princess Jasmine, there is an element of fantasy as you imagine which persona you will temporarily embody.  Perhaps you no longer dress-up.  Maybe instead you’re helping your kids to select special costumes. For the Halloween celebrators, the days leading up to wearing our costumes and Trick or Treating are filled with possibilities.

We just returned from visiting our daughter in Boston. We took a walk to the iParty store to find some things for her Halloween costume. She was in search of lollipops and a yellow tablecloth. On the way there, I saw Gumby standing on the street corner, waving to people as they passed by. You never know what will inspire you. As it turns out, Gumby did.

There was so much to look at in the store. It was a visual feast with colorful costume accessories like wigs, gloves, stockings, glitter, boas and hats. There were also complete outfits of pre-packaged costumes such as superheroes, ghosts and witches. The choices were almost overwhelming. I watched as people shopped and talked energetically with their friends about what they wanted to be. Dreaming and discussing was an essential first step in the decision-making process.

What if we used our Halloween frame of mind that’s infused with creativity, fantasy and fun to imagine the possibilities in our lives? What if we allowed ourselves to let go of our excuses and to instead envision where we’d like to be tomorrow, next month or next year? Unleash your unedited thoughts. Once they’ve been recorded, begin to sort them into groups such as pursue “Now,”  “Later,” or “Never.” But before editing or sorting, give yourself the freedom and space to capture your ideas.

In the spirit of creativity, whether your inspiration comes in the form of Gumby or a purple boa, I hope that you set aside some time this fall to imagine the possibilities for the next phase of your life.

Many years ago I was at home when from the other room I heard a loud crash and a distressed sounding, “Oh no!” Our younger daughter came to me crying and blurted out, “I didn’t mean to…I broke your coffee pot.” I calmly asked, “You did?” Then to her surprise I hugged her, smiled and said, “Thank you.” She stopped crying as I explained that everything including coffee pots had a life and its time had come. I went on to explain that I'd been ready for quite a while to say good-bye to that particular appliance and now she gave me a good reason to do so. I was grateful.

I often think about that story. To this day, Cassie is still surprised by my reaction. When we’re ready to let go, we can do so almost effortlessly. We might even feel giddy. We are open to the next phase and new possibilities. That’s not the case, however, when we’re not ready.

Fast forward to now, fall 2010. I recently had another coffee maker mishap. This time it was completely my doing. I’m still not sure exactly how I managed this, but as I was putting the pot back on its burner, I knocked the glass into the edge of our kitchen counter and the pot broke.

As I cleaned up the pieces of glass, I remembered what I had said to Cassie, “Everything has a life.” Its time had come. A few days passed and I went shopping for a replacement. The new models were big and chunky looking with more features than I needed. I was frustrated and angry that I couldn’t find a simple, sleek automatic coffee maker. Even though it was just a coffee maker, I was mourning the loss of the one I had. Some of you are surely thinking, “Linda, get a grip! It’s only a coffee maker!” It’s replaceable. It’s not human. It’s just an object.

Why couldn’t things just remain as they were? I suppose that’s how it goes. Sometimes we’re poised and ready to let go, move on and embrace change and possibilities. At other points, we aren’t and need time to transition to the new.

While my husband is not a coffee drinker, he was sympathetic to my problem. After my unsuccessful shopping excursion, he volunteered to search the internet for a solution I’d like. He ordered one and it should arrive any day now. Interestingly enough, as I wait for the delivery, my thoughts have shifted away from loss and are focused now with positive anticipation. I’m looking forward to once again smelling the fabulous aroma of coffee brewing, experiencing that luxurious first sip of morning joe and sharing a full pot of java, food and good conversation with my family and friends.

What wonderful possibilities wait for you as you prepare to let go?