I became interested in working with people with ADHD when I was working as a professional organizer. The clients I enjoyed the most just happened to have ADHD. Why is getting organized so hard for people with ADHD? Lots of reasons! Skills involved with organizing: Decluttering: Making decisions about what to keep and what to let … Read more
Whether it’s website redesign, a new training program for your team, a cluttered garage, or choosing summer activities for the kids, all of these projects can look big and messy. You need a strategy to get your project done! Let’s start with a refresher about the difference between a task and a project: A … Read more
“Why can’t I …” “Why do I always …” “How come I don’t …” How many times have you berated yourself with one of these questions? The questions are good, but the berating, not so much. Let’s try a new perspective: compassionate curiosity. It may help if you add a thoughtful, “Hmmm,” before you ask … Read more
Does this happen to you? You start one project, like reclaiming your kitchen countertop, and suddenly you’re working on three projects: Updating your filing system so you can file the tax documents that came in the mail Researching recycling bins so you can find something large enough to hold all the empty bottles littering your … Read more
I’m noticing a common theme among clients lately, which is the fallacy that it’s better to be efficient. Sometimes, yes, but not always. I’ve learned to recognize these efficiency fallacies when I hear people explaining that they are trying to avoid “extra work.” Here are some examples: Claire doesn’t want to take her donations to … Read more
One of the biggest things that blocks my clients, is the intense focus on their desired goals. But, isn’t it good to focus on our goals? Yes, if we place our focus where it will be most useful. There are two important elements in goal pursuit: outcome and process. Focusing on outcome is great when … Read more
Many of my clients cower in fear at the mere word, “sort.” When I probe a bit further, it’s usually because they tell me they don’t know where to put anything. Ahhh, this is a different problem. My definition of “sort,” has nothing to do with deciding where things go. It’s just about grouping similar … Read more
I just can’t find a system that works. I try something and it works for a few weeks, and then I just stop using it. People tell me this all the time. Often, it’s the reason they call me. So what I’m about to say might just put me out of a job, but I’ll take … Read more
Life is so much easier when you clean up after yourself. In the past, I’ve cautioned about the 2-minute rule, which states that if you can do something in 2 minutes, to just go ahead and do it. There are times when this is not a good plan. Here’s that blog post, if you … Read more
Sorting is a very strenuous activity for our brains. The two-category method can be ideal to make the job easier. Like the name suggests, the key is to limit yourself to only two categories. Here are some examples: discard or keep donate or recycle paper or everything else junk mail or not junk mail business or personal kids or grown-ups sentimental or not sentimental home decor or everything else tops or bottoms garage or house current or archival … Read more