The Posh Blog

In last week’s post Are You Too Organized I discussed how sometimes we can create over complex systems or ways of doing things that actually cause us to steer clear from using them rather than encourage us to use them.  I received several comments and e-mails about that article so I wanted to take that thought a little bit deeper. 

Here’s something you don’t hear every day, did you know that perfectionism can actually lead to disorganization?  Yes, it is commonly perceived that someone who is a perfectionist is meticulously organized, but many people don’t understand that what perfectionists want more than anything is for things to be “perfect”.  If a perfectionist cannot create the “perfect” system for doing something in many cases they would rather not do it at all.  This can lead to the exact opposite result of organization. 

Let me give you an example.  When I first start working with clients I asses their personality as it relates to organization.  After seeing their space and interviewing them I am usually able to tell if they are a perfectionist.  This person will often tell me that they really want to be organized but have tried and it just doesn’t work.  Also at a quick glace there are usually piles and piles of paper or clothes or whatever the case may be.  The perfectionist often self sabotages her or himself by coming up with multiple things that need to get done before he or she can actually do the simple task of filing a piece of paper or hanging up an article of clothing.  If they can’t do those other things first, then things won’t be exactly perfect and therefore they just should not be done at all.  Which makes perfect sense really, because who would want to do 11 things prior to doing a one minute task? 

As mentioned in my Are You Too Organized article.  The perfectionist needs to embrace simplicity.  Part of staying organized has to do with how flexible you are.  Your systems are going to have to change as your life changes and as your needs change.  You cannot create a filing system when you are single and in your 20’s that will still be effective when you are in your 40’s married with two teenagers. 

Embrace simplicity, flexibility, and the power of a deadline!

Angela

Copyright (C) 2010 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com.

In the last few weeks I have said this phrase over and over again to my clients “if it’s too difficult, you won’t do it”.  This phrase can be true about so many things in life.  But I have found that when I’m working with client’s I often ask them to tell me about what they have tried before to help them get organized.  Or I will say “explain to me how you currently do things?”  After they show me, often times I can tell that they are putting too many steps into their process. 

For example, if you have files set up for some of your vital records (like your family’s social security cards, birth certificates, etc.) you might just have a file called “vital documents”.  Easy enough, right?  Okay, maybe you could take it one step further and have two internal folders, one for social security cards and one of birth certificates.  But sometimes people will go even further and make a folder for each member of the family.  That’s great, but sometimes adding more steps can make us less inclined to actually do something.  In this case, it can make us less likely to file the birth certificate after we have used it.  Typically you are not going to need to reference your vital documents frequently so if you do not have them separated into sub categories, it’s going to be okay.  The main thing is that when it’s time to put the paper back and re-file it, that it is easy to do so you actually do it. 

The same can be true with pots and pans, clothes, or anything for that matter.  If you have too many steps and you are overcomplicating things, the chances are that you won’t have success.  Keep it simple.  You are more likely to do something if it is easy. 

Is there something in your life that you are making too difficult?  Where can you simplify? 

Angela

Copyright (C) 2010 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com.

I don’t normally recommend for my client’s to buy more magazines, but this one I can’t resist!  If you haven’t already picked up the latest copy of The Oprah Magazine, pictured left, I highly recommend it!  It is the March issue, so if you want it you should act quickly before they remove them from shelves and replace them with the April edition. 

This issue is packed full of great articles on decluttering your life and your mind.  One article follows Oprah through a closet clearing session, who knew Oprah had clutter?  If you feel like you have a difficult time letting go of clutter reading the article of Oprah getting rid of some of her closet clutter may help you to feel like you are not alone.  We all hold on to things for emotional reasons, even Oprah.  There are also several other articles including tips on what to keep and toss, how to recycle some unique items, letting go after the loss of a loved one and more. 

If you can’t get your hands on the magazine in time you can stop by your local library and take a peek.  They often hold back issues of magazines for several months.

Good luck finding the magazine and I hope it inspires you!

Angela

“If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness, and fears.”
- Glenn Clark

Happy New Year!  Over the holiday I saw the movie “Up In the Air” in which George Clooney’s character does motivational speaking on not being bogged down with too much stuff.  In his presentation he tells people to imagine that you have an empty backpack on your back.  He then tells people to imagine filling the backpack up with the things in your home.  First the little things off the shelves and then the big things like the refrigerator and the house itself.  He comments that your backpack is probably getting very heavy and then asks you to put the important people into the backpack.  Then he says what if your backpack catches on fire and you can only take what is important with you?  What would you take? 

I really like this analogy and felt it paired nicely with the quote above. Time and time again, after helping clients declutter and get their spaces organized people will describe feelings like:  “I feel lighter” or “I feel like a weight has been lifted” or “I can actually think now” or “I feel like I can breathe”.  Then months later I hear back from clients who will tell me about something amazing that happened in their life shortly after they got organized.  It is truly amazing.

My question for you is this:  What is holding your back?  Is it too much physical stuff?  Like piles of paper on your floor or old clothes that no longer represent who you are?  Or is it emotional stuff?  Like fear, anger, or jealousy?  

It’s different for all of us.  We all have our own extra “baggage” to deal with.  But this is a new year and it’s time to start fresh and shed some of the things that have been holding us back so we can move into a fantastic new decade easily, confidently, and quickly. 

What will you commit to letting go of this year?  Let me know by posting a comment below. 

Here’s to a new start in 2010!

Copyright (C) 2010 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com.

In the last two weeks I have had: a huge three day client job out of town, moving my own family, going out of town to visit family, and moving a new client into their new 5,000 square foot home, and a few other clients sprinkled in here and there.  These VERY different organizing situations have giving me idea overload!!!  But unfortunately being SO busy with work and home life has left me with little time to write.  Not to worry, I have been jotting down my notes and ideas and I will put them all together into some wonderful new blogs to come.

But to hold you over I wanted to share this quote that I found that I thought was very fitting with all my recent organizing experiences and something we can all be reminded of.

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. Wishing you happiness.”
- Helen Keller

Wishing you happiness.

Angela

Copyright (C) 2009 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com.

If you could redo your kitchen what would you do? 
 
I have lived in my 1,600 square foot home for ten years now.  Yikes!  That was not supposed to happen!!  When we moved into our home ten years ago it was just my husband and I  but at our peak this past May it was the two of us, our 100+ pound Doberman, my four year old, my two year old, oh yes and I was running two businesses out of our house.  Uhggg!!!  I feel cramped just writing about it.  But it was working.  By staying vigilant about purging what we were not using and not making unnecessary purchases like every toy know to child-kind we were able to live in our home while parking two cars in the garage, without having a storage unit, a storage shed, basement or other.  I know living in a small space is possible.
 
That being said for many reasons it was time to move on.  We are now building a slightly larger house and one of the key features for me was the KITCHEN!  I needed a kitchen where multiple people could be working at the same time.  I needed more storage and the Pièce de résistance was the PANTRY!  My current pantry was inadequate for a family of two much less a family of four who typically cooks 4-5 nights per week. I love cooking!
 
What I realized as I was purging once again while preparing to put our house on the market was this: 1. No matter how much you have purged, tossed, or donated, there are probably still things that you simply will never use or need and 2. sometimes you have to rip things out and start with a clean slate and fresh set of eyes to see that you really have more opportunities to make things work better than they were before.
 
Right now may not be the time to remodel your kitchen or buy a new home, but what could you change?  What can you get rid of that is just taking up space?  Could you add a few containers, products, or organizing tools that will give you a big impact without blowing your budget?  If you can’t think of anything on your own, I’m just a phone call away.

Here’s to some creative energy towards your kitchen!  Oh yes, and Happy Kitchen and Bath Month!
 
Angela

Copyright (C) 2009 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com.