[PODCAST 304]: 5 Encouraging Thoughts as You’re Getting Organized

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[PODCAST 304]: 5 Encouraging Thoughts as You’re Getting Organized

13d ago 30:31

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(The testimonials and messages from our community that were shared in this podcast can be found toward the end of the page.)

We have a huge, beautiful community here at LearnDoBecome who are working their way to a calm, organized life, and today I wanted to share some ideas that will hopefully offer support. Now, I know when I refer to “getting organized,” I say it as though it is something you can actually achieve–like there will come a day you can check off a box and say, “I’m organized!” We all know life doesn’t work like that. There will always be something to file, a message to return, a mess to clean, etc. But I do believe each one of us can get to the point where we are at an organized baseline—and you can keep it like that for good.

Here are 5 thoughts that I hope will lift you today and lead you toward that organized outcome you’re looking for:

(1) “I am a solution finder.”

In my experience, the most successful people are not looking for reasons they can’t. They’re looking for reasons they can. In our STEP Mastery Facebook group, Taryn created a mad-lib type of recommendation for people posting questions. Instead of saying, “I need help!” or “This is hard,” we encourage them to say something like, “I am currently working on ____ module and I am struggling with _____. I already tried ______, and my question is ______.” Brilliant!

In our entrepreneurial work, I have loved being around entrepreneurs because they think differently. They’re not victims. If something changes in the world or the economy, they don’t shut their doors. They adapt. They ask one another what’s working. They experiment with new ideas. It’s beautiful to watch.

On our visit to Kenya, we did some touring with Mentors International, an organization that provides business mentorship and helps people lift themselves out of poverty. There was one woman we met who runs a children’s clothing store. I asked how she got customers to come to her store, and she told me how she uses TikTok to advertise her new items, and when someone says they want to buy it, she sends it with a motorcycle-delivery guy, who gets paid by the customer upon delivery. I was so impressed!

It’s the same thing when we’re getting organized. Let’s say you keep piling things by the front door. What could you create so that doesn’t happen? Or maybe you’re overwhelmed by projects? How could you reduce the number you expect of yourself?

(2) “I am taking care of myself.”

We often end up disorganized because our time and energy goes to other people and we put ourselves last. Then when we DO put energy towards ourselves, we feel indulgent or guilty or like we’re ignoring all the people around us. Organization is self care. It’s essential. It’s not easy, but for people like us who care for others and devote our lives to being a support, it’s the best way we can replenish and enable ourselves to sustainably serve.

(3) “I am training my brain.”

This is truly what happens inside our STEP program, but this also applies with any other organizational skills you are learning. Some serious, consistent effort up front pays off in spades because when we train our brains to choose order over chaos, that will eventually become our default. For example, we teach people how to designate and use a capture tool on a daily basis. This might feel foreign or annoying when you have to write down every random thought you want to act on, but it’s genius because pretty soon, you’ll naturally capture the important tasks, and you’ll have a system to focus on them, and your brain won’t constantly be spinning with ideas. The reason we end up with piles of stuff is because we don’t have a simple path to decide what something means to us and where it needs to go so we won’t forget it. When we solve this problem and train our brains, everything becomes so much easier!

(4) “I am keeping things simple.”

One of the best updates we made to our STEP program was the “Function Over Fancy” rule right at the beginning. We found that people were pausing their work in order to decide on the perfect desk, the perfect inbox, the perfect file container, etc. But if they had an upcoming move or were saving up for a special desk or something, they assumed they had to wait until conditions were perfect. That is a recipe for becoming stuck. Now we show a bunch of photos of very functional systems that are incredibly simple—I even did a video showing how I worked my whole system using a notebook from the dollar store and a cardboard box with file folders inside. And we’re watching people post now in the group showing their incredibly simple systems that are not “pretty,” but they’re getting the job done. It’s amazing.

(5) “I am getting organized for some very powerful reasons.”

My heart is touched each time I see a written commitment from one of our community members. We invite you to think about your “why,” write it down, and post it where you’ll see it regularly. I’ve never seen anyone say, “I’m committed to getting organized so I can be a lazy person who ignores everyone else and lives a life that is self-centered and indulgent.” (Though, if that’s your why, that’s totally up to you!) Instead, I see people sharing how they want to be excited when they wake up. They want to be present with their loved ones. They want to be able to serve in meaningful ways. They want to hear God more clearly. They want to feel joy on a daily basis and live a full, beautiful life.

Doing things in new ways requires effort. I get it. Right now, I’m working on getting out of sleep debt. I’m sleeping SO much, and it’s taking longer than I thought it would. But as I get myself to bed by 10, make time for the rest I need, and simplify my other responsibilities during this time, I’m telling myself similar things. I’m working towards a solution to my fatigue, I’m taking care of myself, I’m keeping things simple, and I’m resting up for some very powerful reasons.

I know your heart wants to do a lot. And I know it would be amazing if all your dreams could come true right this instant. But I am so, so proud of you for taking these steps and creating an amazing foundation for the future.

Community Highlights and Testimonials

Jennifer wrote, “Hello! I just finished Module 2 and wanted to share the physical part of my Command Central. My favorite part is my Read & Review tray — I think it’s a good candidate for the “use what you have” theme. It’s an ice bin from an old refrigerator . (I’m not sure why it got separated and didn’t leave when the fridge was taken away, but I’m glad it didn’t; it’s perfect here.)”

Here’s the image she shared:

Chantaline shared the following message and images:

CLEAR A SPACE: 10 min burst before and after.
Did everything get set somewhere else for later processing? Yes.
But do I have a clear space to get started? YES!!!

Karen shared this message with us:

“My win for the day…..tickler file really works for me. So does having my planner. I was able to use that $500 gift certificate a nice family bought for my classroom. I was in the area, I easily found the certificate and used it. I have some supplies, viola strings sets, trumpet oil, reeds for clarinets and different sizes of saxophones, a new chromatic tuner and bass rosin. Yay!”