Fall is a season of spectacular change. From weather cooling to leaves shifting colors, to kids coming and going. Maybe the atmosphere of change has inspired you to work on projects like organizing drawers and closets for cooler weather clothing or decluttering spaces to prepare for guests and holiday entertaining.

Talk about being inspired! Today I had the pleasure of meeting Kip Tindell, Founder, Chairman and CEO of The Container Store. What a gracious person! He’s just written a new book, Uncontainable, which I can’t wait to read! Kip was meeting, greeting and signing books today at one of his stores. 

Kip Tindell and Linda Samuels

In the spirit of change, inspiration, and my birthday, I’ve put together the Uncontainable Organizing Giveaway with fun tips and goodies especially for you. Part of the giveaway includes a “hot off the press” signed copy of Uncontainable.

Organizing Tips

• Change – This is at the core of any organizing project or endeavor. You’re at one point looking to travel to another. The road might be bumpy, but it’s well worth the journey. As you’re changing your habits, your systems, and physical surroundings, you might be letting go of beliefs that no longer serve you and possessions that have lost their meaning and purpose. Be open and curious about your discoveries as you create what “organized” looks and feels like to you.

• Inspiration – Sometimes our inspiration comes from within, but often we need external nudges. If you’re looking for some visual inspiration, check out the Oh, So Organized! Pinterest boards. You’ll find organizing solutions, words of wisdom, tips, videos, and articles collected for you.

• Birthdays – These are days to celebrate. We’re here. We’re alive. We’re grateful for the creative, loving people that surround us. As a way of celebrating my birthday (today), I thank all of you for being such a giving, supportive, community. If I could, I’d pass out cupcakes to everyone. Instead, let’s all take a minute, imagine the flickering candle on top of the cake (your favorite flavor of course), close your eyes, make a wish, and blow. Wishing your wish comes to fruition.

The Uncontainable Organizing Giveaway goodies were selected to inspire, organize, and rejuvenate you! The winner will receive everything described below (worth over $100):

Goodies Include:

• Autographed copy of Uncontainable by Kip Tindell
• The Container Store $25 gift card
• Oval turquoise metal bin from The Container Store
• Starbucks $25 gift card
• “the day was in dire need of a "Ctrl+Alt+Delete” sticky notes from Anne Taintor
• Autographed copy of The Other Side of Organized by Linda Samuels

Now what? The Uncontainable Organizing Giveaway starts on November 11^th. One winner will be selected (using random.org) on November 17th. There’s no time like the present. Keep reading and enter now!

Contest Rules:

• Comment on this blog post below about your latest organizing project or favorite organizing tip
• 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 comment on this blog post about which of our Pinterest board you like best
• Comment on Linda Samuels - Oh, So Organized!’s Google+ page on the Uncontainable Organizing Giveaway post

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 giveaway) about change, inspiration, and organization. What are your thoughts? Good luck wishes to all of you!

We’re wonderfully human and curious. We like to learn, understand, and get private glimpses of other people’s lives. In this collaborative post series, I typically ask my colleagues to respond to a question related to the topic of the month. This time, I thought it would be fun to have them ask the question to a family member. I wanted to know (and I’m guessing you do too) what it’s like from the family member’s perspective to live with a Professional Organizer.

I was delighted by the responses received from the husbands, sons, and daughters of my organizing colleagues, Leslie Josel, Diane Quintana, Marie Potter, Seana Turner, Janine Adams, and Ellen Delap. I couldn’t resist, so I also asked my family— Steve, Allison, and Cassie —to share their thoughts. My gratitude goes to my colleagues and their beautiful families for being so open and for sharing your personal stories with us.

Sit back, make a cup of tea, and enjoy discovering what life’s really like behind closed doors.

What’s it like to live with a Professional Organizer? . . .

Lists, Lists & More Lists

“What’s it like to live with an organizer?  One word:  lists. To-do lists. Shopping lists. Call lists. Lists on note pads. Lists sent by email. Lists on the blackboard. Lists on the backs of envelopes and on scraps of paper. Basically, everything gets written down on our house.  Lists are living, breathing documents that we live by. Lists are to be kept, updated, managed, studied and followed devoutly. And resistance is futile.”

Wayne, Leslie’s husband

Leslie Josel – ADHD Coach, Author & Speaker

Predictable

“Living with a professional organizer is kind of boring in a good way. Things are always put away or at least where you think they might belong. In a word it is predictable.”

Andy, Diane’s son

Diane Quintana, CPO-CD®, CPO® – Professional Organizer, Author & Presenter

Visual Cues

“Other than the obvious - having a house, life and paper in order - we have maximized every nook and cranny of a small home. If it must be known, we are subject to the testing of improved systems and new products. If I miss the tour of the new system or product, I might reach for something in its usual spot (creature of habit) and get a bit frustrated to find it's been relocated. Fortunately, there are visual cues that come with being married to an organizer - bins, baskets, labels and lists - so that helps. At the end of the day, it simplifies our lives and prepares me for the golden years when my mind goes!"

Chris, Marie’s husband

Marie Potter – Professional Organizer

Wonderfully Human

“Living with a professional organizer- my wife, Linda- has been great (professionally and Oh, So Otherwise). Our house is not large, but under Linda’s guidance we’ve established a place for things that makes it easy to get back to a calm state after a project has caused items to be spread around, or after a party. At the same time, we’re not minimalists and we don’t have a sterile environment. We’re both collectors (I have the bigger stuff), but it all seems to nest together."

I get a smile the few times that Linda has misplaced something, because it shows no matter how well the system is set up, gremlins exist for all of us.”

Steve, Linda’s husband

Linda Samuels, CPO-CD® – Professional Organizer, Author, Blogger & Speaker

Mess Management

“1. Everything has a place.

2. Everything is labeled.

3. You learn early on to close your door when your room is messy so she doesn’t get traumatized."

Bethany, Seana’s daughter

Seana Turner – Professional Organizer, Blogger & Speaker

Full Circle Thinking

“I’m not a naturally neat person. And that’s not to say organization is about being neat, but I learned at a pretty young age what our household ‘mess’ tolerance was. As a visual-tactile person, having physical reminders around (of each of my dozen current projects) helped further my creative stim.

But Mom encouraged me to put things away as I completed each phase of a task. This ‘full circle thought processing’ has been instrumental in how I’ve learned to arrange my time, to-dos, and even keep my workspace… to the point where friends are surprised when I tell them I wasn’t always so organized!”

Allison, Linda’s daughter

Linda Samuels, CPO-CD® – Professional Organizer, Author, Blogger & Speaker

No Difference

“Living with a professional organizer is exactly like living with a professional dog writer or a public relations professional. In other words, I haven’t noticed any difference in living with Janine since she opened her organizing business nine years ago.”

Barry, Janine’s husband

Janine Adams, CPO-CD®, CPO® – Professional Organizer, Speaker & Blogger

Joyful

“I love living with a professional organizer because we both enjoy living an organized life. We are two peas in a pod.  No clothes on the floor, kitchen counters are clear, our home hosts others and our lives operate smoothly. We partner on many of the home responsibilities and work together in businesses. Each of us takes on responsibilities by our strengths and availability. We share calendars through Outlook and each Sunday evening have a family meeting to know what is going on for the week for each of us. Our collaboration and communication make the most of our mutual view of being organized.”

J.Q., Ellen’s husband

Ellen Delap, CPO® – Professional Organizer, Productivity Consultant & Blogger

Bonus With A Twist

“I realize now, after many years away from home, living on my own and with roommates, how much I learned from my mom. There are things I do, daily routines, housekeeping quirks that I do because of her, because of the way she kept our house; clean, organized, with a little twist. I love the fact that I grew up in a house with a professional organizer. Yes, there were times I didn’t understand why we needed to do ‘the quick clean’ before my grandma came to visit, or why a To Do/Packing List was a necessity for every travel adventure (including weekend trips), but these small additions to my growing up have become extremely helpful tools as an adult.

I don't know where I’d be without my mom, without the lessons she’s taught me. I attest what I’ve learned to her being an exceptional mom. Being a professional organizer was just a bonus.”

Cassie, Linda’s daughter

Linda Samuels, CPO-CD® – Professional Organizer, Author, Blogger & Speaker

I don’t know about you, but I really loved hearing from the family members of my colleagues. Living with organizers runs the spectrum from normal to predictable to fun to life-changing and everything in between. Were there any surprises here? I’d love to hear your thoughts (or your family's). Join the conversation!

Marie Potter and Linda SamuelsHave you ever wondered how to foster possibilities? Is it about the things we do? Is it about the things we hear? Is it about the relationships we cultivate, the people we interact with, or the experiences we are open to? Yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes!

I just returned from attending my first POC (Professional Organizers in Canada) conference in Calgary. It was wonderful! The POC members are such a warm, welcoming group who enjoy learning and having a great time together. A special shout out and thanks to Kelly Hipkin, Georgina Forrest, and Stephanie Deakin for the many ways you made me feel welcome.

Mayumi Takahara, Linda Samuels, Mary Dkystra-Novess, Alexandra Ross, Stephanie Deakin, Valentina Sgro, Junko Bradley

It was also wonderful to spend time with leaders from IFPOA (International Federation of Professional Organizing Associations) to discuss the challenges and successes other organizing associations have. Represented were colleagues from Canada, Japan, the United States, and Australia. Heartfelt gratitude and thanks to Stephanie, Alexandra, Mayumi, Mary, Val, and Amanda for bringing your best to the table.

April Miller, Linda Samuels, Laurene Livesey ParkWhile I enjoyed learning about many topics including marketing, goal setting, accountability, disorganization, social media, and technology, what I most loved was meeting new people and strengthening relationships with existing ICD, NAPO, and POC friends and colleagues.

Fostering possibilities is the same as nurturing relationships. They both involve being open and curious, and investing time and energy. As was underscored while in Calgary, the bonds we form with others happen casually and purposefully over coffee, sharing meals, while learning together, listening, observing, while discussing kids, travel, and organizing, while driving from place to place, during elevator rides, waiting in airports, while hanging out after hours, while laughing, dancing, or taking photos. Relationships get nurtured and formed as possibilities are being fostered.

Kelly Hipkin and Linda Samuels

There are many photos from my time in Calgary; some I’ve shared here with you. One of my favorite images is by Mary Dkystra-Novess, NAPO President. She captured a joyful moment of fun when Marie Potter and myself were hugging and posing (feather boas intertwined) at the photo booth during the Awards Dinner. I met Marie last month in Nashville at the ICD conference and we became fast friends. We saw each other again this past week at the POC conference. To me this photo captures the essence of what can happen when you foster possibilities.

Georgina Forrest and Linda Samuels

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation. How do you foster possibilities?

Amy Deagle

Dynamic thought leaders are featured for our “Ask the Expert” interview series. This year we’ve spoken with Whitney Johnson about success, Cameron Gott about enlisting help, Dr. Thomas Armstrong about motivation, Harold Taylor about time management, Erin Rooney Doland about clutter, Francine Jay about letting go, Todd Henry about next steps, Dr. Debbie Grove about change, and Joshua Becker about fresh starts. For October, I’m excited to have with us marketing strategist and coach, Amy Deagle to share her insights about possibility thinking.

As I mentioned during last month’s interview, one of the perks of being active on social media is meeting interesting people that I might not have met otherwise. That’s how I met Amy. Her positive attitude and possibility mindset caught my attention. I wanted to learn more about her ideas for suspending doubt and thinking bigger, so I invited Amy to join us. Before we begin the interview, here’s more about her.

Amy Deagle is a Personal Brand Strategist and Business Coach for networkers who are ready to step up and claim their spot as the CEO of their business, stand out from the competition and help more people than they ever thought possible. Through her proprietary Possibility to Prosperity System™ and Credibility Booster Formula™ she helps others create one of a kind, obsession-sparking businesses and brands to magnetically attract publicity, success and sales. When she’s not transforming girl-next-door businesses into A-List’er brands, she’s obsessing over fabulous stilettos, binge watching Scandal or two-stepping her way to the front row of country music concert. You can connect with Amy on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or website.

Linda Samuels: As a self-described “Lifestyle Designer,” you help others pursue a “life of audacious possibility.” What are some ways to create an environment that nurtures possibility thinking?

Amy Deagle: Make sure that you have your mind in line. By that I mean, make sure you are filling up your brain with positivity and affirmations. Drown out the negative nelly in your head. To start imagining a life of audacious possibility you need to first believe that it is possible for you.

Linda:  What is one obstacle we might encounter? 

Amy:Mindset gunk. We are our own worst enemy. Getting out of your own way and overcoming resistance is a daily battle, but you must take action everyday towards your goal.

Linda:  What are some techniques or questions to ask for imagining possibilities?

Amy:

• If anything were truly possible what would I want for my life?

• If no one was going to be mad, disappointed or upset, how would I actually want to spend my time?

• What service could I provide to the world if I didn’t care what anyone else would think?

• If I had unlimited funds for a year, to spend how and when I wanted, with the caveat that I must do something of service for the world, what would that be?

• How would I spend my free time?

Linda:  What has been your biggest personal challenge around embracing possibilities?

Amy: I have a horrible negative nelly in my head. She is something fierce. It is a daily battle to make sure that I don’t let that negative, scared piece run my life. But even with fear, you just have to jump. You are never going to know what is possible unless you try.

Linda:  What is your most surprising discovery about the possibility mindset?

Amy: As soon as you think you have one path figured out, another one pops up that is even bigger, even better than what you could have possibly imagined … possibility is unlimited … once you start reveling in that mindset, new opportunities and possibilities unfold effortlessly.

Thank you, Amy for joining us. I’m sure that many of us relate to the battle between suspending negative messages and encouraging positive ones to thrive. As you mentioned, sometimes we need to push forward anyway, even when we’re afraid or doubting ourselves. I also like the questions you posed, which helps us get out of our own way, suspend our fears, and play the “possibility” game. And my new favorite term, "mindset gunk." We have to floss the brain of that stuff, right?

Join Amy and me as we continue the conversation. What resonates with you?