What are We Teaching Our Children with Our Organizing Habits?

Most of us have high expectations for the school teachers that teach our children.

Have you ever thought about what you are teaching your children at home?

Children often mimic their parent’s lifestyle. If you’re unorganized there is a good possibility that your children will be unorganized as well. Are morning’s getting ready for school a disaster in your home? It may be time to re-evaluate what is really going on and why. It may be as simple as getting everyone organized the night before or even turning off the TV until everyone is ready for school.

As parents we have an obligation to teach good life skills and great organizing habits will continue with them throughout their life.

Is it Time to Get Out Your Comfort Zone

Are you feeling overwhelmed when you even think about organizing? It may be time to get out of your comfort zone, which may be holding you back. What are you really feeling and what are you scared of? Is the thought of purging making you sweat with anxiety?
When emotions take over our thoughts they can stop us from taking action. While you are in this mental block what you think, feel and imagine can make you feel scared and powerless.

Your not alone everyone feels like this at some point in their life. There is hope but it will require taking action from you, no one can do this for you.


When you feel like this, identify why you have these feelings and thoughts. Once you understand where they are coming from and with a plan you will overcome your fears. If you have doubts or you’re not sure what to do, then listen to your intuition for guidance. Acknowledge and give yourself permission to feel uncomfortable and then you must move on in order to get out of your discomfort zone.


Believe in yourself and set a deadline for completing the task.

Take small daily steps until you accomplish your goal. Often it helps to see the end result of your organizing.

Visualize what your organized area will look like and how amazed your family, friends and even co-workers will be.

Just think how great you feel. Do what it takes to get out of your comfort zone, NOW.

Leading with Gratitude

Through our life it's important to know,

The people and events that have helped us grow.

These events have challenged us, sometimes taken us to task,

And to get through them, of leadership, we have often been asked.

They maybe simple, or entirely complex,

They maybe fleeting, or a lifetime of events.

Whatever the case there's a gift to be had,

Whether we view the situation as terrific or bad.


For being called to lead is a gift in itself,

We can lead through the challenge or put it on the back shelf.

Authenticity, courage, engagement and play,

These are things that can help us everyday.

Gratitude, conviction, honesty and trust,

These are more of the qualities, an absolute must.

For in leadership, the situations and people that challenge us most,

Are the one's that bring the greatest gifts, and ask us to get close -

"Close" to our awareness, strengths, heart and courage,

"Close" to hanging in there and "staying" even when discouraged.

And gratitude is that special gift that helps us step up to the test,

Lead with gratitude, appreciate the challenge, and give "it's hard" a rest.

The power is in thanking the challenge for coming into your life, - and then finding the learning.

And you can rest assured, that whatever the case,

it will be more powerful then churning.

Thank the people who are in your life, for all the gifts they bring,

No matter who they are to you, gratitude will make both spirits sing.

Be it a colleague or a confidante, a brother or a sister,

a parent or an in-law, a friend or a great listener,

a team mate or a direct report, a mentor or a "boss",

When you lead with gratitude, you will never be at a loss.

So when the going gets tough, work your stuff,

Discover what's true for you.

And when in doubt, step on out,

and lead with gratitude.


Anese Cavanaugh.

Tips for storage organizing

Are you stuffing files, jamming drawers…..
Is this your solution to maximizing space?

Here are a few tips to help your organizing storage containers:

a) Purchase the right container for the item(s)
b) Decide ahead of time how this will improve functionality
c) Take measurements of required containers and intended spaces
d) Purchase only what you need; this saves money & time in returns
e) Beware of sales items that do not fit your purpose; storing these to use "just in case" may create another storing problem

If your storage problem involves purchasing extra pieces of furnishings such as cabinets or bookshelves, STOP. Check to see if there is storage space in your home that is not being utilized such as closets, under beds or if adding or adjusting another shelf could store more items.

Books like Don't Sweat the Small Stuff by Dr. Richard Carlson reflect our national yearning for simplicity. It's amazing how a cluttered desk or disorganized home can add significant amounts of stress to our daily lives. Getting rid of the mess -- or at least organizing it more efficiently -- can be a tremendous relief.

Getting Procrastination Off Your Back

Do you catch yourself saying?
I will do it later… when I have time, feel better etc.

Side effects of Procrastination
-robs you of your time and makes you feel so miserable by prolonging.
- delaying the inevitable can result in serious consequences
- creates fatigue, hopelessness and depression
- drains you of energy

Understanding why we procrastinate
Falling into the trap of procrastinating is a form of coping with our emotions (physical/metal) stage that we are in. While it may provide a temporary outlet, it eventually catches up.

Case Study for Tax Season Procrastination:
Like tax season, ugh…we all face this and procrastinating will lead to missing the deadline. The task is unpleasant, stressful and causes more stress when put off.
Emotions challenged:
Fear of what could be owing-Self-doubt if you do it right, write off the right expenses…
Guilt, Discomfort over not getting the task done
Habits of procrastinating become automatic response

Key to finding a solution for procrastination is
1) Clarity-Identify exactly what your procrastinating
2) Result-What will be the consequence if your keep procrastinating
3) Focus- on what needs to be done


Tips for beating Procrastination


1) Create a “to-do-list”-keeps you focused and see your results. Keep in plain view. If you don’t write it down, it will get forgotten or keeps you thinking about it.

2) Set schedule and deadlines- daily and weekly schedules

3) Do the “nasty- but necessary” jobs first- get it out of the way and now you’re ready for the stuff you love to do

4) Break it down into manageable segments -less stress- & overwhelming

5) Emotions- identify what holds you back- then don’t think about it, just do it

6) Benefits to getting it done now- list them

7) Get help- if you don’t know how like professional

8) Reward Yourself!!! Celebrate during the task and once completed.


It’s back to school time, what is holding you back to organizing yourself and your children.

Just a Mom?

A wonderful friend sent me this note from an unknown author.

I’m hoping you pass this along to other mom’s; remember stay at home dad’s who need to be reminded how important they are as well.

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office,
was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

'What I mean is, ' explained the recorder,
'do you have a job or are you just a .?'

'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman.

'I'm a Mom.'

'We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation,
'housewife' covers it,'
said the recorder emphatically.


I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself
in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.
The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised,
efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like,
'Official Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar.'

'What is your occupation?' she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know.
The words simply popped out.
'I'm a Research Associate in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations.'

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and
looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.
Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written,
in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest,
'just what you do in your field?'

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice,
I heard myself reply,
'I have a continuing program of research,
(what mother doesn't)
In the laboratory and in the field,
(normally I would have said indoors and out).
I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family)
and already have four credits (all daughters).
Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities,
(any mother care to disagree?)
and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).
But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers
and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.'

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she
completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career,
I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model,
(a 6 month old baby) in the child development program,
testing out a new vocal pattern.
I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!
And I had gone on the official records as someone more
distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mom.'
Motherhood!

What a glorious career!
Especially when there's a title on the door.
Does this make grandmothers
'Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations'
And great grandmothers
'Executive Senior Research Associates?'
I think so!!!
I also think it makes Aunts '
Associate Research Assistants.'

Please pass this onto your friends.
Be kinder than necessary. Everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
You never know when a moment and a few sincere words can have an impact on a life.