Want to be more Organized?

I recognize that not everyone is an "organizer".  It has been my experience that people fall on a spectrum at any given moment in their (busy) lives: Over Organized, Organized, Wannabe Organized, and Who gives a #$%& (enter your favorite expletive).  I am Organized.  With a tendency to be Over Organized.  At which point I throw my hands up in the air and fall into Who gives a #$%&.  EXCEPT I don't stay in the land of Who Gives a #$%& for very long.  Mainly because organization goes hand in hand with productivity.  Productivity is important because it allows me to carve out space and time for the things (and people) I love.

Here is what I have learned from riding the Organization spectrum:

1. Don't over organize: yes, it is possible to over organize.  I have been there, done that.  Over organizing adds steps, time, thought, space which minimize the efficacy of the organizational solution.  Over organizing makes it hard to maintain your process and maintenance is KEY. Examples of OVER organization:

• Archive folders in Outlook: I used to have archive folders in Outlook for my work email categorized by many main topics: my boss, functional areas (Employee Relations, Compensation, Benefits), and by projects.  This was overkill and took extra time to think before I archived.  Why was this over organized? Outlook has a great search feature which would allow me to search words in the To, From, Subject Line, Body, etc.  You could also sort by date, subject line, who the email is from.  Now I just have ONE archive folder per year (i.e. 2013 Archive) and I can easily search within that folder.  If it's in there, I can find it.
• Closet Organization: Don't you just love when your closet is color coordinated?  All like colors with like colors? NO! This is over organized.  It takes too much time to maintain color distinctions and to think through what to do with patterned tops, etc.  I realize some of you are gasping right now but I maintain a more simple approach works just fine (i.e. pants, tops, sweaters, dresses).

  

  Color coordinated...No.
  Functional...Yes!

2. Don't be a perfectionist (or don't invest a lot of time in the solution): We all like when things look "just so".  Getting things "just so" takes time.  Time that can be better spent doing something you love!

• I have spent more time than you know making sure my kids have checklists with pretty font, appealing colors, and adorable clip art (if clip art can be adorable). I like things to look pretty and if that is where you want to spend your time...that is fine.  I am not judging.  From my experience, my kids are no more or less likely to follow a checklist because it looks prettier than a black/white checklist (without graphic). They comply with the checklist because they are either intrinsically or extrinsically motivated to do so.

  

  Somewhere in between elaborate
  and a black/white checklist

• I have also spent a lot of time making sure my organizational components look design magazine worthy.  If you like to do that, again, this is fine.  At some point we have to know the difference between organized, functional and productive.

  

  Not necessarily making a big splash
  in Better Homes and Gardens but looks clean

3. Don't be inflexible: Finding an organizational solution that works for you may take some time.  

• You need to be flexible and open minded in your approach.  If something doesn't work, don't get defeated.    I have executed a number of organizational solutions that just did not work.  They didn't perform the way I expected, too hard to maintain, too complex for others to buy in to. You name it.  If at first you don't succeed, try try again.
  

4. Don't bite off more than you can chew: We ALL do this!! 

• In a moment of disorganized hysteria, you decide everything is offending you so EVERYTHING needs to addressed NOW.  You turn drawers, closets, bins, and baskets upside down.  Now what do you have?  A big overwhelming mess! You can't see the organization through the piles of debris.  At this point you kick it off to the side and leave it for another day...maybe 6 months down the line.  Sound familiar?  Pick ONE project and execute it flawlessly from thought to finish.  Plan it out.  Mull it over.  Do some research.  Research saves REWORK.

  

  (photo)

5. Don't over complicate it: 

• KISS - Keep it Simple Silly!  Everyone in the house, in my case this includes outside caregivers and children, need to be able to understand, get "on-board" with, and execute the organizational strategy.  This is especially challenging with kids.    
• Most of the time an elegant solution will arise from a simple material.  Clipboards are a favorite of mine.  I have even found clipboards in the $1 section at Target.  Hang said clipboard on a push pin and voila...home office solution success. An added bonus is my kids LOVE clipboards.  If I put a checklist for them on a clipboard, they will follow it.  
• Simple solutions tend to be friendlier on your pocket book allowing you tackle a multitude of projects.  Like me, I am sure you have no shortage of nooks and crannies that require a keen eye (and a few dollars) to organize.
  

  

  Streamlined Workstation



Mommy's Command Center!!

Each Clipboard is labeled with
a child's name


Keep Calm and Organize On!

Where do you fall on the Spectrum of Organization? What are some of your favorite solutions? Have a question, ask away!

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August 2013 Goals

By the end of June I made some pretty big changes in my life.  After almost six years as a vegetarian, I started eating meat again.  I made other changes to my diet like eliminating sugar (unless from fruit), no more grains, and started eating more healthy fats.  That wasn't enough so I committed to Maffetone training for my run and bike work outs.  Like any good addict, I also added swimming to my work out plan.  I am sure some of you can see where I am going with this (maybe).  

As July approached I decided it was time to get serious and set some firm goals.  Posting them on the blog was meant to keep me honest.  I plan to add on to my goals each month.  Not to create a laundry list of things to accomplish but these goals are meant to form new habits.  So each month will be a build...an opportunity to create new habits.  Here is how July came together:
 

1. Continue with my heart rate training (I’ve GOT this!) - 
• UPDATE: what possessed me to take this on during the hottest and most humid days of the year?  I did the very best I could.  Some days were more successful than others.  Some days were euphoric.  Some days were soul crushing. By the end of July, I learned how to dream big; have faith; believe in myself; embrace fear; and be committed.  Somehow I emerged from July a new person largely due to my running.  I have discussed it previously on the blog here and here.
2. Complete FOUR 90 minute runs - 
• UPDATE: I fell a little short here due to a family vacation in Vermont.  I just wasn't prepared to tackle 90 minutes of mountainous terrain.  Optimistically I declare this goal a success.  I have worked my way up to 90+ minute runs.  I feel myself getting stronger each time and I look forward to the challenge.
3. Increase my monthly mileage by 10% - 
• UPDATE: While there was an increase in my run mileage, I fell just short of 10%.  I am going to take the liberty and say this is due to a MUCH slower pace in the heat and humidity.  Additionally, I have been running for time, not mileage.
4. Get in the pool - 
• UPDATE: OK, I rocked the sh!t out of this goal! Three weeks ago I could not string two lengths together for form a single lap.  As of my last swim, I swam 1500 yards consecutively.  I have been in the pool twice a week.  It is quickly becoming my favorite work out.
5. Keep the diet changes consistent so I know if the changes are working - 
• UPDATE: I have been very consistent but flexible.  I am experimenting to find foods that work for me and make my body feel good.  The reduction of sugar and increase in healthy fats have all had a very positive effect on my body.  The biggest change I have noticed is my mental functioning.  I seem to have more mental energy.

Sauteed shaved Brussel Sprouts,
Beets, and Salmon

I am trying a new format for my monthly goals.  I will be breaking them up into three categories: Family, Sport, and Life.  Here are my August 2013 Goals:

Family:

• As we wrap up the summer and camp winds down, i will be looking forward to my time off with the kids.  I take two weeks off to bridge the gap between camp and school starting.  Last year the kids and i really enjoyed our time together to slow life down and focus on what really matters in life...each other.  My goal is to be fully present with my children during these two weeks and make sure we cross things off our summer bucket list.

Sport:

• Here are my goals for the three disciplines:
  • • Running: I am going to continue with Maffetone training for a large part of my runs (and cycling).  However, I think I should also throw in some opportunities to run at my goal pace.
    • Cycling: use the bike to effectively cross train and work on increasing strength.  No hard numbers from x mph to x mph.  No pressure.  Just improve...for now.
    • Swimming: I am still working on getting comfortable in the water.  Since i know I can swim 1500 yards, I want to increase that to 2000 yards by the end of August.  No pressure here either.
• YOGA! I need to make the time for a regular yoga practice.  August's goal is to do 5 sun salutations a day (preferably in the morning) AND find one yoga class a week that I can attend.

Life:

• Organization:
  • • We are a busy family and life has been moving a little too fast lately.  I am going to slow life down, focus on getting myself re-organized, and settled in.  This means physically organizing my space to serve my family's current needs.  
    • As I look to set my family's fall schedule, I will NOT over schedule us.  I may have to say "no" to a kids activity here or there but we will all be better off in the end.
• Nutrition:
• Continue eating the way I have been these last few months: lots of vegetables, higher fat, moderate animal protein, no sugars, no grains.  I am not concerned with diets and dogma.  What matters most is how I feel.

Can't remember where I found this but
it pretty much describes where I am right now.

What are some of your goals for August? How do you plan on spending the rest of the summer?

A Random Round Up

Sorry for such a divergence from Triathlon and Training.  However, John and I do have a life that includes other activities while they may not be that obvious.  This week I had my hand in a number of different research projects. Here is a look at how I have been occupying my internet time.

Parenting:
Summer reading striking fear in your heart? Big A is expected to read 15 minutes a day, Monday through Friday.  Big A is a 7 1/2 year old boy on summer vacation...need I say more? We go to the library each week, he picks out a trillion books, and then half reads a few.  Desperate not to turn this into a battle I am trying to walk a fine line. I have been reduced to coaxing, begging, and bribing.

I saw an ad on Facebook for a reading app called FarFaria and decided why not!  I tooled around the app and thought the layout and fantasy land feel would be appealing.  Holding my breath, I demonstrated how to use the app to Big A,  He was hooked.  Here are the Pros' and Con's:

Pro

• Big A loves this app.  First thing in the morning he is looking for the app so he can read a book.
• It has an inviting, fantasy type look.
• Your child can read the book or the book has audio.  Great for Little A but also great for Big A to get a better understanding of how to use inflection and emotion in his reading.
• Reading level is clearly marked.
• No advertising.
• Its free.

Cons

• Content isn't as robust as I would hope but I am sure there are licensing issues or something.
• Content is definitely geared toward a younger age group.  I didn't see any real chapter books (I could be wrong).
• While free you get one download a day.  Big A is interested in reading more but I am not sure the content is worth buying up.

Overall

Download it, it is free! Let you child enjoy the one book a day.  It is definitely worth trying.

Other reading app recommendations: 

• Reading Rainbow.  The content for this app is more robust but still not what I had hoped.  I did buy the six month subscription because they not only had books, they had virtual field trip videos and National Geographic KIDS magazines.
• Live-brary: this app allows me to download e-books for free from my library.  Since Big A seems to like reading electronically, I am running with it!

Motivation:

For work I have been researching ways to engage our workforce.  I came across Daniel Pink's TED Talk, The Puzzle of Motivation. Daniel Pink has authored a few New York Times Bestsellers including Drive and a
Whole New Mind.  I thought the points he made were widely applicable to business, parenting, and sport.


Organization:
I am always looking for ways to better organize my house.  Air tight organization is the only way John and I can manage our busy schedules.   With the last month being so hectic things had started to stray.  Slowly, I am starting to get it back together.

My favorite site for home organizing is iheartorganizing.  I find tons of great ideas there. Then you can go shopping. Can you tell I have some weekend projects planned?

Personal Development:
A blog that I follow is Michael Hyatt Intentional Leadership.  He writes on a variety of topics including leadership, personal development, productivity and publishing.  Michael has an easy to listen to podcast.  A more recent podcast was dedicated to The 7 Benefits of Keeping a Journal.  I picked up a number of good tips including some journaling/writing apps that I am testing out.

Hope you are able to find something of interest from my week of research.  What are the topics that are on your minds lately?

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