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?

When I captured the image of these luscious, lively eggplants at a local farmer’s market, excitement rushed through my body. Their deep violet hue drew me close. In thinking about the pursuit of success, a similar feeling of vibrancy exists when we take action towards our goals.

Last week I attended the annual ICD conference with organizing colleagues and related professionals. We went to learn and connect. The focus of the conference was how we think, act and feel about possessions. As an organizer, these ideas are at the core of the work we do with our clients. There were many presenters including psychologist, Dr. April Lane Benson, Ph.D. who spoke about overshopping, artist Corinne May Botz who shared her work on the Secret Lives of Objects and counselor Carol Berns, Psy. D. who talked about grief and bereavement.

The learning was stimulating, but so was having the chance to meet face to face with my colleagues. Taking time to reflect, converse, and learn separately from my daily routine allows me to grow personally and professionally.

We are very much like the eggplants that were planted from seed and cared for. When we take ourselves away from our normal schedules to travel, meet new people and exchange ideas our beings get nurtured. It is essential to our success.

Allow yourself to step into new environments, be open to learning and slow down enough to appreciate what surrounds you. There is a good chance you will experience that surge of energy that comes from stepping outside of your “normal.” Let vibrancy shine as you move towards the success you seek.

Please join the conversation. What gives you energy and makes you feel vibrant?

Photo by Linda SamuelsI love collecting quotes. They inspire, delight, and connect our experiences with others. Since I’m writing this month about organizing success secrets, I wanted to share some of my favorite quotes about success with you.

1. Action- A lot of thinking, planning, and dreaming goes into the success we desire. Contemplating is not enough. Forward motion with actual steps is essential. We may wish to have less clutter in our lives, but without sorting that pile of clothes on the bedroom floor or stack of papers on the desk, the wish remains just that.

“Action is the foundational key to all success.”

 - Pablo Picasso

2. Attitude- Our self-talk and determination directly influence our success. Are you saying encouraging thoughts or is negativity and doubt getting in your way? Do you tell yourself that you’ve never been able to organize, so nothing will ever change? Or are you telling yourself that while you’ve been challenged in the past, you are working on moving forward with a different result?

“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.”

- Abraham Lincoln

3. Trust- We often become paralyzed by inaction because we’re waiting for all the i’s to be dotted and the t’s to be crossed. Sometimes we have to just trust that if we move forward towards our goals, despite the less than perfect conditions, we will be successful. Perhaps you’re waiting for days of uninterrupted time to start that organizing project. Learn to master the minutes and work in smaller increments. Work with what you do have to accomplish something.

“Don’t wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful.”

- Mark Victor Hansen

4. Perseverance- Instant success rarely exists. In this time where so many of us expect instant everything, remember that there will be mishaps and disappointments on the way to success. Do not give up. Use the difficulties for strength and learning. Especially if you’re organizationally challenged, setting up systems and creating the right balance will not be a straight trajectory. Expect the ups and downs along the way.

“Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.”

- Dale Carnegie

5. Growth- We have the ability to learn, strive and grow. Hopefully we’re never really done. There will always be new paths to explore and ideas to incorporate. Be grateful for the journey.

“The road to success is always under construction.”

- Lily Tomlin

Do you have any favorite quotes about success? Please share them along with your thoughts about success.