I so love this post by fellow professional organizer, Megan Spears, founder of Disorder2Order!

Here’s a little taste…

Photo Source: misstrixie

I like to think that there is good in the ordinary. If look at this picture for example… it’s just a rock on the beach, right? If you look a little closer you might see an elephant drinking from the ocean.

Seeing potential in things that are ordinary is one of the best parts of my job. I see things that others don’t (or can’t) in themselves or their cluttered spaces. The interesting thing is that when I started my business, I had no idea that was going to be so important.

When I started my business it was scary. Really, what did I know about running a business? Was I really going to be able to make money? How was I going to balance babies and a business?

There were moments in that first year that I truly thought I had lost my mind. Now, six years later I am so thankful for my decisions and the obstacles that I have overcome. Not only do I have the best job in the world but I make a difference, and that makes me feel good.

Read the full article

Photo Source: Will Lion

This whole semi-new “single-mom-trying-to-turn-her-lifelong-passion-into-a-viable-full-time-business-and-pinch-pennies-at-the-same-time” thing is definitely something that I could do without! But, as one of my good friends always says, “It is what it is…” (and it has been quite an adjustment, that’s for sure!)

How interesting (…major understatement…) it has been to be forced to choose which of life’s necessities should be paid for this month. Until now, I never fully realized just how many things I have always taken for granted…

Anyway, in light of these unplanned changes in my life and family and home over the past year-and-a-half, I now meticulously scrutinize every single expenditure like I never have before. And, I have come to realize that, aside from the love of family and friends, what Amanda and I truly need boils down to this: car, apartment, electricity, water, medications, and groceries. So, that’s where the money goes right now… absolute necessities only!

Sure, all the “no’s” that Amanda gets from me are tough (on both of us!), but I have no doubt that the time and attention and love that I am investing in my daughter today will reap far greater rewards in the years to come!

So, what about you? Are there things in your life that you could do without? I challenge you to take a moment today to reflect on the true essentials in your life, and I dare you to let go of the rest!

Ladies, why are we so broken? What consistently brings us to that all-consuming black hole of self-deprecation? How is it that we can so fervently profess the extraordinary value that lies within our closest female friends and, in the same breath, allow ourselves to be beaten utterly senseless—emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually—by everyone around us, including ourselves? How do we get to ‘that place’?

These are questions that have weighed heavily on my heart for as long as I can remember, and more recently, having publicly shared about my experience with postpartum depression, lost and then gained treasured friendships with like-minded moms of young children, unwillingly undergone increasingly challenging life changes, and watched countless episodes of ‘real’ reality shows like Hoarders, Intervention, and Snapped, my desire to find the answers has grown at an increasing rate, gaining a sense of urgency along the way.

Why do we find it such a challenge to love ourselves? And, how do we change our ways? What can we do to ensure that we treat ourselves with the love and respect we so richly deserve?

My Simple Solution: Think of my daughter. What kind of role model do I want to be for her? What beliefs do I want to instill in her about her own self-worth? My greatest desire as a mom is to teach my daughter how to be a strong, confident, self-sufficient, and kind-hearted woman. So, that is exactly the person that I must try to be.

Now, what about you? Who are you today? What lessons are you teaching those around you? Remember, you deserve nothing less than the respect and love that you would bestow upon your best friend in a heartbeat. In fact, this is the perfect moment for you to be your very own “perfectly imperfect” best friend.

How do you affirm your self-worth as a woman, a wife, a mother, and a friend? Are there times when you struggle to see your own value? What tactics do you employ to get yourself out of ‘that funk’? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

In celebration of Get Organized Month, professional organizers and coaches from all over the world (including yours truly) have come together to share their knowledge and expertise for this extraordinary online event: The Great Organizing Giveaway. Whether you need help with your home, your office, or your time, you’ll find tons of fabulous freebies including ebooks, tip sheets, audio programs, webinars, and consultations. Plus, you’ll have chances to win program memberships, productivity software, and even an iPod!

Here is just a small sampling of the fantastic resources that will be available…

• [ real neat ] ideas: 35 home organizing tips—grab your copy by subscribing to my ezine »
• Transform Your Combat Zone Into A Comfort Zone
• Perfect Products for Frantic Families
• Top 10 Tips For Instant Feng Shui!
• Personal Medical Organizer
• Change Your Life One Minute at a Time
• “Downsizing Dilemmas – Solved!” Workbook
• Making Being Green Easy: Eco Organizing Tips for the Home and Office
• On a Clear Day You Can Find the Top of Your Desk
• Conquering Paper Clutter Teleclass Recording
• Nine Strategies for Simplifying Your Business
• 10 Easy Ways to Liberate Time Report

So, what do you say? Are you ready to get organized for the remainder of 2010? If so, be sure to visit AskTheExpertOrganizers.com to collect all the fabulous freebies that will help you on your quest. Then, come back here and let me know what resources were your favorites… I’d love to hear from you. Enjoy!

Yay! The new year is here… time for fresh starts, ambitious goals, and endless possibilities! To help you along your journey, I have put together a special offer just for you! Schedule your on-site ‘Productivity Power Hour‘ consultation today! Put my expertise to work for you to increase your efficiency and your profit margin! So, here are the details…

Productivity Power Hour : $100 $50

• Complete tour and needs assessment of space,
• Review of current routines, habits, and organizing systems,
• On-site verbal and written recommendations,
• Rough time estimate and plan-of-action, and
• “How-to” organizing principles instruction.

Book Now

Wouldn’t you like to regain control of your stressful home or work environment so you have the time, space, and energy to enjoy life to the fullest? The volume of information you will glean from this one-hour consultation is literally invaluable! Invest in yourself for a change, and get the new year started off the right way!