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Rooting Out Organizing Kinks
Rooting Out Organizing Kinks

If organizing woes happen over and over, and they’re getting you down, find the source. The reasons for strewn items, excess laundry piles, too much clutter may be obvious and easily dealt with. Then again, maybe not. It may take sleuthing to uncover the actual causes so that you can take remedial actions. Let’s begin that journey here and now.

Chronic Disorganization, Mousetrap, & The Rube Goldberg Effect
Chronic Disorganization, Mousetrap, & The Rube Goldberg Effect

Working your way out of chronic disorganization could look like Hasbro’s game of Mousetrap. Your efforts plagued by the Rube Goldberg Effect. What do you do? How do you satisfactorily conquer each of the steps along the way to achieve success? Read on.

If the Gimmick Works...GO For It
If the Gimmick Works...GO For It

I’m not one to advocate for gimmicks, that is, unless they work for me or for you. I was conspicuously AWOL during GO Month. What’s GO Month and why’s there some resistance to plug it? Read on to learn more and see what options might work even better for you.

If I Could Gift You This…
If I Could Gift You This…

If I could make magic happen, I would give you, give myself, give anyone who needs it, one particular gift. It’s powerful, constructive, easy and at the same time oh so hard to manage. What is it? Why am I struggling to use it? How could it change our productivity, our spaces, our lives? Read on.

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

Where’s Forward When the Universe Pivots?
Where’s Forward When the Universe Pivots?

If you’ve ever felt like the universe changed direction, and you no longer felt like you knew which way is forward. Paths are blocked. One glitch after another impedes forward motion. I feel your pain. Lessons are being learned. Read on to see how to pivot when unanticipated change reorients your day.

Hold On... Before You Cut and Run
Hold On... Before You Cut and Run

No doubt, it’s easier to cut and run. Sticking with it requires work, patience, and sometimes financial investment. I’ve wanted to bolt more times than I can count. I’m certain my clients have as well. What are the chances of achieving the desired outcome when you hightail it too soon? What success is within your reach if you give it one more try?

When Monday Falls on Wednesday (And Other Silly Circumstances)
When Monday Falls on Wednesday (And Other Silly Circumstances)

Routine disruptions as a result of mid-week holidays, vacations, time zone differences, and similar situations can throw us off mentally, physically, personally and professionally. Here are some of the challenges I faced during the 4th of July holiday week and how I got back on course when my Monday began on Wednesday.

Temper The Perils of Visual Overload
Temper The Perils of Visual Overload

Our vision is one of our most influential senses. It enables us to experience beauty and pleasure. There’s also a darker side to what we see and how that impacts our emotional state. Many times that unpleasantness happens within or just outside of our own homes. What measures can we take to avoid visual overwhelm or take it down a few notches in the midst of hyper-stimulation? Here are some ideas.

What We Don't Acknowledge, We Can't Fix
What We Don't Acknowledge, We Can't Fix

When something is broken, it most likely won’t get fixed unless we acknowledge it’s not working. When it’s our own stuff, unhelpful emotions might block progress. What can we do to move forward when it’s painful? Here are a few ideas.

Systems: Friend or Foe?--Is your organizing being hijacked?
Systems: Friend or Foe?--Is your organizing being hijacked?

Systems are the most amazing things aren’t they? They are there to help you get organized and stay organized. Except when they don’t. If your organizing efforts are being sabotaged by systems, find out what’s going on and how you can make them work better for you. Read on.

We Don’t Have a Handbook for This
We Don’t Have a Handbook for This

I have a self-diagnosed case of Senioritis, you may recall that from your last school year. It could also be post-pandemic malaise. Or a combination of both. Here’s what’s happening and how I’m addressing the symptoms. That might help you too if your struggling to get through each day with the same vigor of yesteryear.

The Inside Scoop on Multi-tasking: Does it Hurt or Help You?
The Inside Scoop on Multi-tasking: Does it Hurt or Help You?

Too many things going on at once?  Not sure if you’re coming, going or losing your mind? Is multi-tasking really working for you?  What's the harm in doing multiple activities simultaneously?  Learn what the experts have to say and ways to manage multi-tasking to work more effectively for you.

Her Legacy Lives On
Her Legacy Lives On

My grandmother’s legacy showed up in an unlikely place at an unfortunate time, but her wisdom lives on.

Keep Your Head Above Water This Time of Year [Or Any Time]
Keep Your Head Above Water This Time of Year [Or Any Time]

The best gift you can give yourself this and every holiday season is taking care of you. No one else will benefit from what you bring to the table if you can’t. Watch for signs that you or someone in your circles may need an SOS so that you all can benefit from joyful cheer this season and into 2023.

Thank You for Being You
Thank You for Being You

Is there room in your heart this Thanksgiving to thank the one person in your life that might need it the most? The one person who may rarely receive the recognition they deserve? The one person you may have overlooked for too many years? Who is that one person? Let me be the first to thank them.

I Don’t Wanna!
I Don’t Wanna!

900 steps. Not like in walking 900 steps. I’m talking hiking up and down 900 steps on a staircase. Sound like fun? Not really. Do I want to do it? Not exactly. Do I need to? At times, yes. How do I psych myself up? Read on.

Going Nowhere Day After Day: Breaking the Cycle
Going Nowhere Day After Day: Breaking the Cycle

What happens when you’re stuck day after day? The page is empty, the canvas is blank. Frustration grows until the cycle is broken. How do you break the cycle? Here are a few tools that worked (and not so much) for me when this blog went nowhere.

5 Reasons You Can’t Organize like TV Celebrities
5 Reasons You Can’t Organize like TV Celebrities

Bummed that no matter how hard you try, you just can’t seem to tackle messes like the organizing TV shows? There’s a reason you can’t. In fact, there are at least 5 reasons. What are they? What do you need to know to avoid getting down on yourself? I’ve got the inside scoop with a practical reality check.

Get it Done
Get it Done

Are you’re a get it done kind of person? No struggling, no procrastinating, no resistance, completion satisfaction? Kudos if you said yes. If not, read on to accomplish more with less stress. Get your list done.

I Was So Wrong About Laziness…Mostly
I Was So Wrong About Laziness…Mostly

Are you dealing with someone who is lazy? What's going on? Why can't they just do what they're supposed to do when they're supposed to do it? Maybe that someone is you. What I chalked up to laziness for years, wasn't laziness at all. I totally missed the mark. See if you're missing the mark too.

There’s A Hole in My Strudel
There’s A Hole in My Strudel

Watch out for holes. The ones that are hard to see until it’s too late. The ones that deepen and devastate. The ones, when addressed, make your life more simple, much richer. Learn how to spot and manage life’s holes so you don’t crater out.

Leading a Double Life
Leading a Double Life

Leading one life is complex enough. Can you imagine leading 2? Or more? Stepping into the role of running someone else’s life is bound to turn yours upside down. How do you manage time to get it all done? How do you keep it all together? After nearly 2 months of leading a double life, here are some initial thoughts.

3 Little Words
3 Little Words

Words have incredible power. In a split second, the can uplift or devastate. They can also be a catalyst for change. What 3 little words caused a dramatic shift in perspective and action? It’s all in here.

Too SAD to____________
Too SAD to____________

If you’ve been feeling a bit off or way off, give this month’s blog a read. You might just find the light you need to get you up, move you forward, and alleviate feelings of SAD.

Gift Wrapping Up 2021
Gift Wrapping Up 2021

Change is coming. What will it be like? How will we navigate it? Get ready to bid 2021 goodbye, and open your door to 2022. Here are a few ideas how to wrap up what you’re leaving behind and greet what’s ahead. Happy holidays from The Practical Sort.

Where Should She Disco?
Where Should She Disco?

Have you ever gotten an indecipherable message on your phone? Has that message ever been a reminder to yourself? How do you act on something you don’t understand? A cryptic text to myself was how this month’s blog got started. Where should she disco? Does that have anything to do with organizing? Surprisingly yes. How? Read on.

Avoiding Chat Distractions for A Distractible Brain
Avoiding Chat Distractions for A Distractible Brain

How the heck does anyone maintain focus with all that going on? And whoever thought the chat button was a good idea? In this month's blog, I explore the advantages and disadvantages of the Chat video conferencing tool for the distractible brain and offer 7 steps to manage chat to maintain focus without FOMO.

Success Is In Your Hands
Success Is In Your Hands

Our definitions of success are likely not the same. This is your life. You get to decide what success looks and feels like. Then go for it and don’t look back.

Time to Manage Your Time Management?
Time to Manage Your Time Management?

Does time manage you? A long history of lessons has taught me that overextending myself is hazardous. I don’t recommend it. Here are some alternatives to manage your time (wisely).

Get The Shift
Get The Shift

Sometimes a life based on strict discipline can benefit from a strategic shift to another mode of operation. Namely one inspired by the late Dr. Wayne Dyer.