Change happens whether it’s sought or imposed. Our perspective or view about change influences one aspect of our experience. Another part relates to our awareness of change. There are many ways we notice change has occurred. Discovering awareness channels are as important to the change process as change itself.

How do you see change?

Revisiting

One experience that consistently enables me to see change is by re-reading passages in my journal. While I don’t write daily, I write often enough to capture questions, challenges, fears, and accomplishments. By taking the time to visit what was, I’m able to see growth and change that’s taken place. It’s a very concrete awareness channel. 

Weathering

I’ve written often about the influence on me of living in the northeast with four distinctly different seasons. In my book, The Other Side of Organized, the seasons create the arc for finding your balance between chaos and perfection. Each season has a flavor and mood. Each season brings an opportunity to reset, to review, to alter. Each season brings visible change to the external and internal landscapes. Every three months the changing season functions as my automatic awareness channel.

Reacting

In a recent conversation with a friend, she described a change she noticed by observing reactions (her own and others) during conversations with family and friends. Her goal was to approach interactions with curiosity rather than a judgmental attitude. Both her own and other’s experiences of their conversations were transformed in a positive way. Growth and change were visible through her newly developed awareness channel.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. What are your awareness channels? How do you see change? Come join the conversation!

It’s time for another installment (v4) 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 change-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 – Growth

Not a new book, but one I’m currently reading, Dr. Carol Dweck in Mindset proposes that developing a growth mindset instead of a fixed one can profoundly influence how you live your life. “The growth mindset is based on the belief that your basic qualities are things you can cultivate through your efforts…everyone can change and grow through application and experience.” With our focus this month on change, starting by looking within is emphasized by the concepts in Dweck’s book.

2. Interesting App – Digital Coach

When change is what you seek, but the door feels locked, consider using the appUnstuck, an “in-the-moment” digital coach. It helps those who feel stuck move forward through a series of thought-provoking questions, tips and action tools.

3. Interesting Assessment – Time & Space

How can we change how we organize and manage our time without awareness, acceptance, and relevant action? Take a look at the newly released Time & Space Style Inventory (TSSITM) created by entrepreneur mentor and speaker, Cena Block. If you want to understand your “natural styles” for managing time and organizing space and for moving forward, this assessment is an excellent starting point for real change.

4. Interesting Product – Organizing

If you’re looking to change your daily getting-dressed-experience from stressful to easy, you’ll want to experiment with this clever tool created by professional organizer, Susan Terkanian. My Wardrobe Geniusis a low-tech tool described as a “personal clothing management assistant,” that helps you assess and sort your clothes so only items that fit and make you feel great are visible and ready for use.

5. Interesting Thought - Change

Integral to change is our movement away from the familiar. While fear is often associated with change, we have the ability to adopt the perspective that change as an exciting opportunity.

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

Our productivity flourishes when we recognize which environments enhance results. We can be intentional, as in creating designed, organized spaces. Or, we can embrace serendipity as in snow days, travel time, or “blob” days.

With chaos and overwhelm being more the norm these days, I’ve been especially aware how my environment influences my ability to not just be productive, but also to feel energized by a fresh start. Last week I wrote about the restart or fresh start button. This week, let’s focus on ways to increase productivity from our surroundings.

Linda’s Environmental Productivity Ah-Has:

Weather - Be it winter snowstorm Juno or rainy day Sundays, there’s nothing quite like a stop-everything-weather day to transform the “were-supposed-to-be” plans into productive days. I was unable to get to my client’s to organize because of the storm. Instead, I’m utilizing the found time to move other projects forward. 

Travel – There’s nothing as wonderful as that quiet, distraction-free time I experience on an airplane. With my busy travel schedule, I’ve been especially enjoying the airplane bubble that allows me focused time to read, plan, think, and rejuvenate. I experienced this firsthand this past weekend with my flights to and from St. Louis for the ICD Board meeting.

Blobbing – In our family, we like to enjoy “blob days” every so often. On blob days we suspend doing anything productive and give into just relaxing . . . guilt-free. We might stay in our pajamas all day, not shower, and hang out without any goals or shoulds. We let the day unfold, agenda-free. There could be movie watching and lots of snacking. Are you wondering how environment can be productive? Sometimes you need to balance suspending the to dos in order to renew your energy and boost your productivity.

What environment best supports your productivity? I’d love to hear from you. Come join our conversation!

We move through our days and weeks. There are times when things just aren't working. Do you know what I mean? Our thoughts are negative. Our stress is sky high. Our organizing systems that used to work “just fine” are not functioning well. We’re not eating healthfully, sleeping well, or taking care of our emotional well-being. We’re kind of a mess.

So here’s an idea. Computers have a restart button. Why can’t we have a fresh start button? Let’s begin simply. Fill your mind with encouraging ideas. Build from there.

Focus on thoughts that will encourage a fresh start. Here are some favorite positive thoughts to get you started:

 

Do you need a fresh start button? Push the button. What’s next for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation.