What's important to YOU is what you should do . . .

I don't send holiday cards. I don't send birthday cards. Nor do I send cards for any occasion other than when I want to communicate via a personal note. This is because I don't really care if I receive cards, and because I suck at remembering dates like birthdays (forgot my husband's birthday last year - that was a bit embarrassing). I'd rather send a card when I want and when I think the recipient will really appreciate the gesture. Not because the greeting card industry wants me to send one on a manufactured holiday like Mother's Day or that 'everyone' sends Christmas cards. Now, I do know there are services to help you remember and even send out the cards. But how much thought is really there? I had to decide that unless it was truly important to me and to the card recipient, it wasn't worth stressing over it.

As I've gotten older, I'm starting to really listen to my gut more. And my gut tells me, besides that I should start exercising more, that life is too short to do things that I really don't want to do if they are not critical to my survival. I found trying to remember the dates, get the cards, make them nice, sign them all was just stressful. They didn't have any personal meaning to me and I was doing them 'just because'. This isn't good enough any more.

Here's some of what I've heard from my clients that fit in this category of "I should's":

• volunteering to chair an event for your child's school
• making Thanksgiving dinner every year for the significant other and their whole family
• signing up for "Music, Mommy & Me" every Thursday morning
  
• networking at the Chamber of Commerce and every business group in town
• blogging and twittering and Linking In
  
• scrubbing the floors every Tuesday and doing laundry every Saturday

So, this post is about looking at the commitments in your life and examining them. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I really enjoy it?
• Does it really need to be done, and are you the only one who could do it?
  
• Am I doing it because I want to or because I feel that I should?
• Is what I'm doing the best use of my time for my business or personal life?
  
• Does it fit in my budget?
• Will it truly matter to anyone else if it gets done?
• Is it part of a routine that doesn't fit your lifestyle but you've always done it that way?

If it is something that helps your business grow, gives you personal satisfaction, or enhances your life - go for it. It may not be what your friends do, or what you think other people perceive as being 'correct', but if it is what works for you - then it's the right thing.

Some of my choices get me good natured teasing from friends who don't share my enthusiasm for making homemade gravies and stews, for reading voraciously, for putting all my stuff in bins and labeling them, for picking up garbage on the banks of the Harpeth River, for twittering constantly, for hanging out at the dog park for hours on end. That's ok. I respect my friends and business acquaintances' choices, and expect them to do the same. And you know what? They do. In fact, the level of respect is fairly high because I enjoy what I am doing and am confident in my choices.

So what things are you doing that are "I should" instead of "I want to"? Those things that are done out of obligation or fear of not fitting in or because you've always done them are time wasters, time suckers and a significant cause of stress for most people. Really look at what you do with your time, and make changes that suit you. If you always do laundry on Saturdays but never enjoy a weekend, make the change to do it one evening during the week (and make the kids help!). If you think that you need to twitter because it's the new 'in' thing but it won't benefit your business or personal life (or give you a migraine every time you tweet),why bother? Do what works for YOU.

Some key signs that a task or commitment is not for you:

• sinking of the stomach
• headaches and back tension
• a nagging feeling in the back of your mind
• procrastination and avoidance
  
• complaining about it to a friend
• obsessing about perfection
• regret after you say "yes"
  

Make the decision, and make the choice, to say "no" and take obligations off of your plate that don't serve your best interest. Some things can't be avoided, and many shouldn't. But there are things in everyone's life that just take up space and could free up time you could spend doing something you really love. Your time is valuable - and focusing on the important things: family, friends, business, and things that give you joy makes the difference between having a life and living it.

Being Creatively Fit: Whitney Ferre was just fabulous speaking to NAWBO Nashville!

I love learning new things, and especially love a speaker that surprises me. I've never thought of myself as creative or using my right brain (too much of a list maker and one who labels everything in sight) but Whitney Ferre of Creatively Fit made me realize that, why, yes I am creative and that by using my right brain creative side, I can spur on my business and my life.

Not only was she just fun to have as a speaker, but she really engaged the NAWBO Nashville crowd with her wit and energy. We had a blast doing her creativity exersizes - with a big shout out to @ExpoMarkers guy Steve Gradman who sent our group a bunch of fun stuff to use during the sessions. Now I was expecting a few markers after I tweeted him to ask if Expo would want to be part of our meeting. I got a huge box of goodies including T-shirts (have to admit my 7 yr. old snagged a bright red Expo shirt,) white board eraser stuff, and gobs of markers - the skinny purple Click ones were my personal favorite!

Anyway, back to Whitney . . . she wrote a new book called The Artist Within, A Guide To Becoming Creatively Fit which came out of her work with clients who developed their business skills through using their right brain and their creativity. I've got my very own copy - and you can get yours, too. It's a fascinating look at what you can do to stretch your limits and look at your life and work from a fresh perspective. As I mentioned, I really didn't think of myself as creative, but then realized . . . well, yes, I am. I have to be in order to visualize how a space can look when it is organized or staged. I need to be able to clearly articulate that not only for my own use but to my clients as well. So even though I can't draw, act or sing (really, really can't sing), what I do IS creative and the more I listen to that part of me, the better I will get at what I love to do. So thanks, Whitney, for sharing at our NAWBO luncheon - your talk got rave reviews and we so appreciate your being there! You can find Whitney on twitter @creativelyfit !

How I Love My Label Maker . . . let me count the ways

I was teaching a seminar on paper management last week, and a gentleman asked, "Why should I use a label maker?" Collective gasp from all Professional Organizers ensued. Seriously, though, there are many reasons, and critical things to consider when choosing and using a label maker. Here's my thoughts:

Reasons for using a label maker over handwriting:

1. Legibility. No matter how good your handwriting is, it will never be as neat and easy to read as a label made with a label maker.
   
2. Durability. Labels made with a label maker tend to hold up much longer than a plain written label, and generally won't smear or run if wet or handled a lot.
3. Consistency. Labels made with label maker have a consistent look and give the project a more professional and finished feel.
4. Fun. Using a label maker is fun - especially for kids - but once you start using one - you'll find yourself labeling everything in the house or office. I usually draw the line at pets and family members.

Things to look for in a label maker:

1. QWERTY keypad. Some of the "home" or "craft" label makers set up the keyboard with ABCD across the top. Avoid this. If you are used to using a regular keyboard as on a computer, you want a label maker set up with the same format. The ABCD will be frustrating and annoying.
2. Portable. I know there are a lot out there that you hook up to your computer but for convenience sake, I've found that the handheld, portable label makers are just easier to use, and you can take them where you need them rather than bring your label making thoughts over to the computer.
3. Crackable tape. Be sure that the label maker tape is the kind that cracks in the middle, not the sort where you have to peel it off. This is really important - if you don't have fingernails it's practically impossible to get the backing off.
4. Comfort. Make sure that the label maker fits comfortably in your hands and that where the tape is cut off is easily accessible for you. I had to use another organizer's label maker once, and where the cutter was located was very awkward for my hand. I would never have known until I tried it. Play around with them before purchase if you can so you make sure it suits you.
   
5. Only get what you need. Don't be sucked into all of the extravagant features that you may never use. Most people only use the basic font, in a few sizes, with black print on white tape. The rest of the features usually never get touched. Exceptions to this would be a crafter or scrapbooker who uses it for more creative purposes, someone who loves to really experiment and play around with gadgets, or a professional organizer. A basic model that has the above listed features is usually all you need.

Two of the more popular brands are Brother and Dymo. Both are good and are comparably priced. I personally use the Brother P-Touch 1280. I've had it about 2 years and it does a great job. My last Brother P-Touch lasted about 10 years, then it bit the dust.
On average you will spend $30-$40 on a good label maker, although you can spend a lot more if you choose (it's not really necessary). Keep an eye out for sales and rebates. at the office supply stores. I can almost always find at least $10-20 off either in an instant rebate or one that you have to mail in. Be aware of the requirements, though, for a mail in rebate. I was a bit perturbed with Brother a few months ago because I had purchased a label maker for a client and it had a rebate. I had given the package to my client and was mailing in the rebate (I had only charged her for the price minus the rebate). Turns out I needed a part of the package for the submission so they rejected my rebate. I'm still annoyed about that one.

One last tip: The best way to store your label maker is to place it in a bin along with extra tape and batteries - and LABEL IT!

Using a label maker can make your life easier - when you can quickly find what you need when you need it because it is labeled - you'll wonder what you ever did without one!

NAWBO Blogging Panel...great fun & I learned a lot

Yesterday, I moderated a panel at NAWBO Nashville (National Association of Women Business Owners). Our panel consisted of:

Kate O'Neill of www.metamarketer.com an "unmarketing" firm focusing on internet strategy

Erin Richardson of All American Pest Control and her blog "The Buzz of Nashville"

Barry Owen, of Keller Williams and his blog on Active Rain

Claudia Young of www.cookeatfret.com

I chose this panel to have a wide range of backgrounds and blogging experiences, and it played out just as I hoped. The group of professional women ate it up and would have willingly stayed for a much longer time to keep learning!

Kate, who is an SEO expert, explained the basics of what a blog is, how to create one and what it really does. The other panelists used their personal experiences for their parts. The best part is that having Kate's expertise, the others were able to play off of her comments. Erin's family has been operating her pest control company for nearly 50 years. Erin is the Business Development Director and is using the blog as a marketing tool and a way to enhance her company's exposure in the community. Barry is a Principal Broker and trainer at Keller Williams in Green Hills and maintains 3 blogs focusing on the real estate market. He looks at the blogs as a sort of "brain dump" where he can explore his ideas, educate the market, and grow his reputation as an expert in his field. Claudia uses her blog as a form of self expression exploring her passions and frustrations with food.

Here's the main ideas we gleaned from this talented panel, in no particular order, just how I remember it:
1. Blogging must be maintained - you can't just start it and not keep it going.
2. To be effective, you must use key words embedded naturally in your text to get the search engines finding your blog.
3. Keep your information to the point, yet entertaining (always a struggle).
4. Have a purpose for your blog - a clearly defined goal when creating it

• who is your target audience
• is it for personal or business reasons and focus it that way
  
• why are you writing the blog
• have a clearly defined point of view and stick to it

5. Start with a blog site like Blogger (which is what I use) or Wordpress.com, but to truly integrate your blog with your website, consider a move to Wordpress.org.
6. Don't go into it with an eye to making money - most blogs don't but can be great enhancements to an overall marketing strategy, or can be strictly for personal enjoyment.
7. Blogging doesn't take that much time, overall, once you've determined your purpose and focus - on average, our bloggers spend about 30 minutes writing a blog post, however, the research for them can take longer.
8. Encourage comments on your blog, and comment on others blogs as a way to increase your web traffic and to gain exposure via other bloggers.

I'm sure there was more but this is what I came away with. I've been writing my blog for a while now, and I learned that I need to define my purpose a bit more and perhaps tweak my profile to better reflect what I blog about. I don't look at it as a way to make money but as a way to give my current and potential clients some insight as to who I am and what I'm all about. I think that is why most bloggers start out - to gain a voice in the vast expanse of the internet world and, if you are in business, to help grow that business in an organic way that, if all goes well, can make your company grow and stay current in today's market.
Thanks to all of my presenters - you have no idea how much I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to join NAWBO and sharing your knowledge and experiences with us!

FREE Home Staging Interior ReDesign Seminar on Thursday, May 28th!

Come by Church Street Flooring & Design in downtown Franklin, TN to learn the secrets of Interior ReDesign. This is using what you have to make a more beautiful and functional space. In this economy - wouldn't it be great to learn some tips and techniques that don't cost much?

4 expert stagers are putting together their years of experience and sharing with you. This seminar is free and open to the public but will be of most interest to those looking to make their living spaces more comfortable, relaxing and inviting - without breaking the bank!

Light finger foods, and door prizes, and some great networking.
Event is from 6-7:30PM on Thursday, May 28th, 2009.
RSVP to me at liz@afreshspace.com or give me a call at 615-509-1933 to save your spot.

Sweet Gravy Studio...my new piece of art...love it!

A few weekends ago we went to the Franklin Main Street Festival in historic downtown Franklin, Tennessee. It was a lovely time and most of the art & fine craft entries were a joy, although there were definitely a few cheesy entries (painted gourds?).

I need more art like I need a hole in the head. I used to own an art gallery and have been collecting art for a long time, plus have inherited pieces. I don't have a huge collection but what I have, I love. Our house is really small, too, so there's not a lot of wall space. But when I saw this piece, I had to have it. The gal who creates these is a hoot and signed mine for me on the back as well which was awfully sweet of her.

She lives in Georgia and has a website: http://www.sweetgravystudio.com/. Go visit it and tell her I sent you. Her piece (now mine) is the one with all the little birds (they look kind of like the twitter birds - maybe I was having twitter withdrawal at the time). It's kind of hard to tell from the photo but there are little bits of vintage fabric embedded in the piece and a saying written around the side. You have to get your own piece to get your own saying...I'm just saying.

The Story Of Stuff: timely and fascinating video about, well, stuff

I came across this video "The Story Of Stuff" on twitter (thanks @organizergal), and thought it was just terrific. I often talk to people (whether they want to or not) about how much stuff there is in the world, in their homes and in their lives. Most of my job is helping people either get rid of, or store, stuff. This little movie explains where stuff comes from, how it is made and where it goes. It's pretty hard core on the environmental bashing and social issues of large corporations and the government, not that there's anything wrong that, I say.

Here's the blurb from the site:

"From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever."

Check it out: http://www.storyofstuff.com/

Myths (and realities) of home organizing shows...blog post by Mary Jo Monroe

As I've said in the past, sometimes I just can't say something any better than someone else. In this case, it's Mary Jo Monroe of reSPACEd (love your company name, btw) in Portland, OR. People get ideas from TV - some great, some not so great. TV has been fabulous for the Professional Organizing profession in that it has gained us exposure and has let people know that we exist and are here to help. But on the down side, it also gives many people unrealistic expectations of what we can do - and especially the amount of time it takes to do it. I read Mary Jo's post recently and it was really spot on. So here it is in it's entirety:
4 things home organizing TV shows don't tell you
On Monday, I wrote about the realities of being organized. Today, I want to bring up the realities of getting organized. Television shows like "Neat," "Mission: Organization," and "Clean Sweep" have opened up a lot of people's eyes to the problems of disorganization in their homes. The shows have done a great job of educating the general public about the existence of professional organizers. But the programs do not show the realities of getting organized. Here is what the shows would have you believe, and here is the truth:
1. Myth: You can get your whole house organized in a day, or even three days.
Reality: The TV shows employ the use of teams of people working 10-12 hour days to organize an entire home. In real life, it is more likely to take you a few months, depending on how cluttered your house is, how often you work on organizing it, how quickly you work, and how many family members you have helping (or hindering) you. Even with a professional organizer at your side, expect to devote a few months to the project.
2. Myth: Hiring a professional organizer means hiring a drill sergeant or design snob, who will force you to throw away your things.
Reality: There may be some demanding, snobby organizers out there, but I've never met one. And if you do stumble across someone and are so unlucky as to hire him or her, you have every right to fire him or her. A good professional organizer is respectful of your decisions and non-judgmental of your possessions and why you choose to keep them. He or she will never force you to part with anything you don't want to. You are the client, which means you have the final say in what stays and what goes. Always.
3. Myth: When you hire a professional organizer, you leave the premises and he or she does all the work. Then you come back for the big "reveal" and are pleasantly surprised.
Reality: How could that ever be true? You have to be present in the house most of the time to tell the organizer what your goals are for the space, why disorganization has occurred, and what items stay and go. Again, no professional organizer is going to get rid of your stuff without your approval. You will know what progress and changes are being made every step of the way. And more than likely, you will be working side-by-side with the organizer.
4. Myth: Once your whole house is organized, it will remain that way from now on.
Reality: Once you lose the weight, do you never exercise again? Once you balance your checkbook, do you never balance it again? Just like with personal fitness and financial stability, maintaining a state of organization takes a commitment, a certain amount of discipline and sometimes an attitude adjustment. Sound difficult? It can be the most challenging part of organizing -- staying organized. But by doing a little bit of decluttering regularly and remembering why you are choosing this new lifestyle, you can continue to keep your home organized. Some people choose to have a professional organizer come to their house once a month on a permanent basis to help keep them on track. You'll never see that on TV.

Way to go, Mary Jo! A lot of what we do as Professional Organizers is educate our clients and the public. This post goes a long way towards this. Thanks for letting me use this info on my blog!