by Heidi | Jan 26, 2015 | Uncategorized
Occasionally, my fantastic clients graciously volunteer to share the amazing transformation of their spaces.
Here is a glimpse of what a home office / hobby space looked like before calling Operation Organization by Heidi for aid:
This room was originally designed as a formal dining room, but the homeowner decided since the family had ample dining space in their eat-in kitchen, this area would be better used as a space to store some of her favorite hobby supplies (scrapbook and sewing) as well as serve as a home base for her growing business as a 31 consultant.
There was plenty of space for all her things – but no strategic plan for where things should belong when not in use. So, things began to pile up. And, since clutter is often magnetic, other random items in the home that did not have a defined place to be stowed also began to collect in there as well…
After sorting through all the boxes and piles to make sure only hobby and business items remained in the space, I suggested re-arranging some existing shelving in the room and recommended purchasing a few additional bookcases to hold business supplies and inventory to house products she either ordered for customers or to place on display for regularly hosted ‘open houses’ . She also needed a dedicated place to process customer paper orders and incoming product which we placed on the top of a lower shelf. We moved the table to the middle of the room to allow a space for crafting &creating / displaying product / or processing paperwork:
There was still plenty of space for her personal craft supplies and a few personal items like magazines and books as well.
Here are a few other before / after views:
~photos of client projects are only shared with written permission~
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
by Heidi | Dec 16, 2014 | Uncategorized
As a Professional Organizer, I am often asked if my own home is super organized, or if I have rigid expectations for my family. New acquaintances often assume that due to my chosen career, it must be the case that our home is always immaculately neat and tidy. Sometimes, they joke that they don’t want me to come over to their house because it probably won’t measure up to mine.
If you were able to get a sneak peek into our home on a random day, you’d likely observe that I am most definitely not what you’d call a ‘neat freak’….but, nor am I a slob or clutter bug, either.
My personal goal is to keep our home organized just ‘enough’ to promote an environment for our entire family to thrive in our current season of life.
While I do practice what I preach by having an assigned ‘home’ for all our belongings to be stowed, (read, A place for everything’ for more) not everything is ALWAYS in it’s proper place ALL the time. (It sure looks/feels nice when it is though – wink, wink!!)
I strive to set up reasonable expectations that allow for all of us to both respect one another in keeping a relatively tidy environment based on personal clutter thresholds, yet have the ability to also feel that our home is a haven to simply retreat from the world and kick back and relax as well. I want our home to be a place where maintaining just the right amount of order allows us to feel peaceful as well as productive, as well as a place where a little bit of mess is okay in order to allow some extra time and energy to just play.
So, how do you know if your home is organized ‘enough’?
The state of your space becomes a problem when it frequently impedes your ability to live a peaceful, low-stress life and/or inhibits your ability to achieve personal or professional excellence. It is also a problem when it begins to impede on other peoples ability to perform their personal best or live a low-stress, peaceful life when sharing a home or work space.
Every family member in your household will likely have varying clutter ‘thresholds’. Some folks don’t mind at all if they are surrounded by clutter, and it does not seem to impede in their ability to lead a happy and successful life. Others, however, feel visually assaulted and overwhelmed by clutter and do not have the ability to focus and function to their best ability when surrounded by clutter and chaos.
Some people would rather relax a bit before attempting to be productive or cleaning/tidying up after a busy or active day, others simply cannot physically relax until their environment is clean and tidy.
Some people are more task focused, others are more relationally focused. Neither are wrong (and we certainly need both traits to be productive as well as connect with one another!) – they are just different . We need to be mindful of where we might need to extend either a little more effort, or a little more grace toward achieving that ‘good enough’ state.
Whether you live in a shared space as a family in a home, or share space as room-mates or co-workers, it’s important to be mindful and respectful of others personal thresholds and thoughtfully consider how your habits may be impacting others. Work on developing a strategy that can allow for both tendencies to thrive.
If you find that you (or others) often feel generally over-whelmed by the build up of clutter/chaos, or stress is high due to constantly loosing or looking for things or there are rooms in your home that cannot be used or enjoyed as they were intended due to clutter/debris, it’s likely that you’re not quite organized enough.
On the flip side, maybe you might be striving to be ‘too organized’ if you’re often over-whelmed at feeling compelled to keep the environment at a certain orderly state or you’re consistently causing others around you to be stressed and unable to relax in your shared space due to always attempting to get them to maintain your un-realistic expectations.
You’ll know you’re organized just enough if you all recognize that life flows relatively smoothly and you can find things without too much effort if you need them. The rooms in a home that are organized ‘enough’ have a distinct purpose and you can use them as intended. If shared spaces and responsibilities promote both peace and flexibility in order to thrive and enjoy life together, then your home is likely organized enough for your individual family.
You’ll likely find that your standards and thresholds of desired order in your home will ebb and flow naturally in different seasons of life – especially life with babies and toddlers vs. life as a single person or an empty-nester!!
It is also not uncommon to occasionally have a lower threshold of tidy-ness for no particular reason other than feeling generally ragged or run-down due to an unexpected challenge that distinctly depletes your energy and you simply need some time to just rest in order to re-fuel your motivation/determination. If, however, you or a family member observes that is happening with high frequency, it might be a good idea to step back and evaluate if what is causing those re-curring feelings can be addressed in other pro-active ways.
One final word: Make it your goal to organize for success, not just to impress.
In other words, try not to compare your personal organizational standards against anyone else. Choose your own standards based on your current season of life and what you and your individual family requires to achieve peace and success, rather than setting standards in order to ‘keep up’ or impress someone else. “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Your home is certainly the number one place where you want JOY to thrive!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
by Heidi | Dec 8, 2014 | Uncategorized
Occasionally, my fantastic clients graciously agree to share the amazing transformation of their spaces.
Here is a glimpse of what her walk-in pantry looked like before calling Operation Organization by Heidi for aid:
Here is what it looks like now!
Before, there was not a specific place for utencils and supplies to be stowed, making it hard to find things when she needed them as well as difficult for others to help put things away after being used.
Now, only things that are used and loved on a regular basis remain in the space. Items are grouped together by type and can be found when needed and put back by anyone with ease.
Some dishes and cookbooks that were not being used as frequently as they were in the past were donated. A few other supplies/accessories needed for entertaining and food prep were re-located to other cupboards, and several out-dated food items were discarded.
All food items are now stored by type on these hanging racks that are on opposite and adjacent walls of the shelving:
Now, it’s much easier for this cooking enthusiast to see exactly what she has available for a favorite family meal, or what may need to be purchased when she wants to try out a new recipe!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
by Heidi | Nov 26, 2014 | Uncategorized
Occasionally, my fantastic clients graciously agree to share the transformation of their spaces.
This client called on Operation Organization by Heidi for support in their guest bedroom:
The family was planning to host some out-of-town guests for an upcoming special occasion, but the guest room had become over-whelmed with clutter that had built up over time and had completely covered the entire room.
Now, the space is a lovely retreat to welcome and host special guests!
~photos of client projects are only shared with written permission~
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
by Heidi | Nov 4, 2014 | Uncategorized
As a Professional Organizer providing home organizing services and coaching, there are several quotes that I like to refer to when working alongside my clients. They serve as helpful guideposts through our organizing journey….
I’ve discussed the importance of defining your personal MOTIVATION to get your organizing motor running…
“MOTIVATION is what gets you started, HABIT keeps you going.”
~ Jim Rohn ~
I’ve also identified that the path to ‘HOW’ to achieve the goal of getting organized appears through a series of SYTEMS, ROUTINES, and HABITS.
“We are what we reapeatedly do. Excellence, therfore, is not an act, but a habit.”
~ Aristotle ~
However, the biggest key to success in achieving and maintaining organization in your home and lifestyle comes down to …
D I S C I P L I N E
To have self – discipline is to TRAIN oneself to do something in a controlled and habitiual way.
Achieving any goal in life is not always an easy or inspiring process.
It’s choice, after choice, after choice…..after choice, of DO-ing what you want MOST over what you want now…
It’s deciding to DO what NEEDS to be done over what you might FEEL like doing…
It’s realizing that even the smallest steps forward are what’s most important. And, understanding that progress a little at a time is more likely to add up to LASTING change rather than big dramatic steps ever will.
Repeated ACTS of disciplined CHOICES lead to HABITS that will produce the fruits of an organized and peaceful life that you’ve been craving.
Look for more thoughts on Developing Discipline here on the Operation Organization by Heidi Blog Soon!!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
by Heidi | Oct 28, 2014 | Uncategorized
One of my all time favorite quotes to reference when coaching organizing clients is by Jim Rohn –
“Motivation is what gets you started, habit keeps you going.”
If you have the goal of getting or staying organized in your home, office or life – take some time to consider the ‘why’ behind that desire. What is the motivating factor that will spur you on when the going gets tough?
Here are a few possibilities:
* Being organized SAVES TIME
Think of all the time you’ll save (or get back) not having to look for lost or missing items.
* Being organized SAVES MONEY
Consider all the money you could save by reducing late fees and eliminating the need to replace things you could not find or did not realize you already had. With new organizing skills, you might eventually be able to save money by planning ahead to take advantage of special offers and sales.
* Being organized REDUCES STRESS & ANXIETY
Being organized produces a sense of peace and calm by having a certain amount of control over your environment as well as being prepared for what is to come.
* Being organized IMPROVES RELATIONSHIPS
Disorganization can be very isolating and can cause a great amount of guilt and shame.
Removing clutter will not only reduce stress or strain for others in your life that share your home, it will also allow you to be more open to socializing and welcoming outsiders in your home. You’ll also likely feel more willing to socialize outside the home whithout feeling guilty of what you’re avoiding at home.
* Being organized SPEEDS CLEANING / COOKING (and any other routine task)
Having all your tools and utencils organized and easy to find will help you be much more efficient and get the job done in no time!
* Being organized IMPROVES PRODUCTIVITY
The more you are able to get done means that there will be plenty more time for FUN!
* Being organized IMPROVES CONFIDENCE & SELF ESTEEM
The success you feel of meeting your organizing goals will empower you to strive to other higher heights in life.
* Being organized IMPROVES FOCUS
A cluttered environment eventually leads to a cluttered, scattered and distracted mindset.
* Being organized IMPROVES ABILITY TO RELAX
Clutter represents multitudes of tasks yet to be accomplished and decisions yet to be made. It’s hard to relax when your surroundings are constantly reminding you all you have left to do.
* Being organized PROMOTES A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
When you’re organized, you are much more likely to plan meals ahead of time, resulting in healthy eating choices. You’ll also have more time to dedicate, plan for, and carry out exercise and fitness routines.
* Being organized CAUSES YOU TO BE A POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON OTHERS
When you are not distracted by clutter, you’ll find it easier to focus on the needs and interests of others (and maybe they just might be inspired / motivated by your success and learn from your example toward getting organized too!)
* Being organized HELPS YOU TO LOVE YOUR HOME
There is usually a large investment that goes toward living in your home. Honor that investment with creating a lovely environment in which to live, work, and play. If we’re really honest, we probably all want our homes to be an outward reflection of what we value and a space to live out what we enjoy. The bottom line is, clutter isn’t pretty. The simple act of removing excess clutter will help you to feel much happier and peaceful in your home.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Perhaps you’re currently feeling completely overwhelmed by clutter & mounting personal organizing goals?? Or, maybe there is a space or two in your home that simply needs a fresh set of objective eyes to bring it to it’s fullest organized potential?
Maybe having an organizing buddy, cheerleader and coach that could encourage you with one-on-one hands on support would help to achieve the success you need and deserve – to allow you to live a more peaceful life you LOVE with more time and energy to fully and freely participate in activities and interests you enjoy!
Contact me to learn more about how to get organized with my Professional Organizing and Family Management Coaching services. Operation Organization by Heidi provides customized organizing solutions to ‘cure’ your unique clutter challenge / condition. Based near Atlanta, Georgia, this Professional Organizer serves clients one-on-one in the surrounding area of Fayette, Coweta, and Cobb Counties :(Peachtree City, Fayetteville, Newnan, Brooks, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth and expanding!)
Email: OperationOrganizationByHeidi@gmail.com or Call: 770-847- 0329 to learn more.
Cheers to meeting your organizing goals!
