Leslie Josel

Leslie Josel "Ask the Expert" interview about MotivationThe popular “Ask the Expert” interview series connects you with industry thought leaders. This year we’ve spoken with David Allen about time management, Peter Walsh about clutter, Sheila Delson about letting go, Laura Berman Fortgang about next steps, Judith Kolberg about change, and Sue West about fresh starts. This month I’m excited to bring you a trailblazer in the professional organizing industry, Leslie Josel, to share her insights and wisdom about motivation.

Leslie and I have been friends and colleagues for almost 10 years. We met through the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD). Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work with Leslie on several projects in addition to having time to just socialize with her. She has tremendous energy, drive, compassion, and a fabulous sense of humor. What can I say? She’s savvy and a lot of fun to be with. My deepest gratitude goes to Leslie for taking the time to join us. Before we begin, here’s more about her.

Leslie Josel is the Principal of Order Out of Chaos, an organizing consulting firm specializing in student organizing and chronic disorganization. She is a member of NAPO and holds her ADHD and Hoarding Specialist certifications from the ICD as well as her ADHD coaching certification from JST coach training.  Leslie is known as a respected resource on ADHD and Executive Functioning in students and has been featured in national broadcast and print media on these subjects. She also speaks nationally to parent and educator groups on a variety of issues and topics facing students today. Leslie is the creator of the award winning Academic Planner: A Tool for Time Management(a student planner that helps teach students time management). She is also co-author of The Complete Diabetes Organizer, being released later this year. You can connect with Leslie on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest, blog or website.

Linda Samuels:  What motivates people to move forward when they are feeling overwhelmed?

Leslie Josel:  That's a tough one as each individual comes to motivation with their own set of unique obstacles and drive. But I like to work with my clients to help them understand that motivation can be to some degree needless.  Believing we have to "feel" like doing something in order to actually do it can lead to not getting anything done.  Sometimes if we simply just begin, we can become motivated as the task is in action.

Linda:  What suggestions do you have for sustaining motivation when you encounter setbacks towards your goals?

Leslie:Most would say picture the end result. "See" yourself where you want to be. For most (including me), I like to reflect on where I've been. Seeing how far I might have gotten or even staying still (no backsliding) is very powerful in putting me back on track.

Linda:  What are your favorite techniques for getting motivated?

Leslie:  Some of my favorite techniques for staying motivated are doing the hardest or longest task first, constantly building in rewards, faking urgency (creating deadlines), working at my "peak" energy times, and setting timers.

Linda:  What has been your biggest personal motivation challenge?

Leslie:  My biggest personal motivation challenge is to exercise more. I've tried it all – classes, equipment in my home, making appointments with myself – all of it. You name it; I have tried it. Buddying up is the only thing I have found to work. Accountability is key! And having someone literally pick me up at my house!

Linda:  What is your most surprising discovery about motivation?

Leslie:  My most surprising discovery about motivation is how motivating fear can be. Fear can be paralyzing for some and highly motivating for others. I know that fear is what propels me forward. To some degree it is probably insecurity or self doubt of some kind. “Do I know enough? Have I done enough homework? Will others find me knowledgeable and my content useful?  What will happen if I don’t…?”  All of those questions are what keeps me going. However, for others that same feeling can be completely paralyzing. In fact, in a lot of my clients fear is the first obstacle we work on to get unstuck.

Linda:  What else would you like to add?

Leslie:  I try to strip the layers away when working on motivation techniques.  The build up or anticipation is usually worse than the task or situation itself.  So when I get hit with the “I don't want to,” I flip it upside down and say don't do it because you have to; do it because you can. I am a huge believer in good enough. I believe you need to create energy around your tasks to sustain motivation and to that point environment is key. Surround yourself in an environment that will provide a state of high enthusiasm to create motivation. Kind of like a natural caffeine boost!

Thank you, Leslie for sharing your thoughts about motivation. Your no nonsense, practical approach is Oh, So Leslie! There are so many valuable nuggets here. In particular, I appreciate the useful perspective of removing the “don’t want to” and replacing it with “because you can.” That’s a powerful strategy as it distances us from our negative feelings and refocuses us on the doing.

I invite you to join Leslie and me as we continue the conversation. We’d love to hear your thoughts about motivation. What resonates with you? What are your recent motivation challenges and strategies? 

How do you get motivated to move forward when the idea of “perfect” colors your goals and actions? If you or someone close to you struggles with perfectionism, then you’ll understand how challenging this can be. There’s hope. Will you consider a slight shift in perspective? If so, this could make all the difference.

You might be familiar with the quote, "To err is human; to forgive, divine." I've combined that quote with other interesting versions of it to look at perfectionism and motivation in new ways. How do you work through being imperfect?

4 Working Through Imperfect Tips

1. Think Letting Go

“To err is human; to forgive, divine.”

– Alexander Pope

Failure is integral to life’s journey. Embrace the imperfections that are part of being human. Forgive yourself. Forgive others. Let go of being perfect.

2. Think Learning

“To err is human, but it feels divine.”

– Mae West

Expect that you’ll make mistakes. Make this a positive by using your imperfections as growing experiences.

3. Think Liberating

“To err is human; to admit it, superhuman.”

– Doug Larson

While it might be challenging to admit that you’re not perfect and that you make mistakes, do it anyway. It might be freeing. Fess up. Release the perfectionism pressure.

4. Think Comically

“To err is human, but to really foul up requires a computer.”

– Dan Rather

It helps to remember that we’re not alone in our challenges. Having a sense of humor, being flexible, and solution rather than blame-oriented can help increase our motivation and push us beyond our perfectionistic tendencies.

How are you working through imperfect? What motivates you to move forward? Come join the conversation and share your thoughts.

Are you feeling motivated to declutter your spaces, let go of the things you no longer want, and organize your environment to support your needs? The less-frenzied pace of summer is the ideal time to take on those organizing projects you’ve been thinking about. The heat has arrived along with the Hot Organizing Giveaway. I’ve put together goodies and tips to motivate you to action.

Summer Organizing Tips

• Be Inspired – Not sure about where to begin with your organizing projects? Use think time to read and get inspired. There are many articles on this blog including posts about clutter, change, motivation, and letting go. If you prefer visual inspiration, browse through my collection of themed organizing Pinterest boards.
• Be Prepared – Feeling inspired? Next step is to prepare for your organizing project. Are there any supplies you need like boxes and bags for releasing things? Are there organizing products to purchase? You can find an array of organizing containers and products at my favorite retailers including The Container Store, Target, See Jane Work, Office Candy Gals, and Bed, Bath & Beyond.
• Be Rewarded – Have you completed all or part of your project? Organizing can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Pace yourself. Make sure that you take breaks, refresh, and reward yourself. Grab an iced tea or coffee, sit back, and admire the organizing work you’ve accomplished so far.

The Hot Organizing Giveaway goodies were selected to inspire, organize, and rejuvenate you. The winner will receive everything described below:

• Inspiration – Autographed copy of The Other Side of Organized by Linda Samuels
• Preparation – The Container Store $25 gift card
• Reward – Starbucks $25 gift card

I know you can't wait to win this fabulous group of favorites. The Hot Organizing Giveaway starts on July 9th. One winner will be picked (using random.org) on July 15th. There's no time like the present. Keep reading and enter now!

Contest Rules:

• Comment on this blog post below about your summer organizing project
• Comment about the giveaway on the Oh, So Organized! Facebook page
• Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter and include @LindaSamuels when you do
• Subscribe to The Other Side of Organized free monthly e-newsletter for continued inspiration and motivation
• Follow Oh, So Organized! on Pinterest and share which one of my boards you like best by commenting on this blog post
• Comment on Pinterest about Oh, So Organized!’s “Organize for Summer” video
• Do one or all of the above to enter. The more you do, the more times your name will be entered to win (up to 6 total entries!)

You are personally invited to join the conversation (and contest) about organizing, motivation and inspiration. What are your thoughts? Wishing you all the best of luck!

When I was a little girl, I remember being on a road trip with my family. It was a hot summer day. We’d been driving for hours. My parents were in the front. I was in the back seat nestled between my sister and brother. All of the sudden, my Dad saw a sign for “Homemade Pies.” He loved homemade anything, and especially homemade cherry pie. We left the main road and followed the signs in search of pie. We drove and drove and drove. I’m not quite sure what went wrong, but we ended up getting lost and never finding any pie. To this day, I still remember how intensely motivated and focused my Dad was in his pie pursuit. It makes me smile.

I was reminded of the pie quest when my husband and I were recently on a day trip. We saw a sign that caught our attention. As we whizzed past the “Texas BBQ” sign, we debated the pros and cons of turning the car around to have an early lunch. Since we love BBQ, we were motivated to reverse course and change our plans.

So the question is, what motivates you to action? What motivates you to change course? Is flexibility involved? It might not be a “Homemade Pie” sign, but perhaps it’s a different kind of sign like having a deadline or an accountability partner. Maybe it’s the physicality of crossing something off your list. Does the sign come in the form of a particular song, scent, or image, which motivates you to change, organize, or let go?

What are your motivational “signs”? Come join the conversation and share your thoughts.