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How Well Do You Know Yourself?… The Secret to Your Personal Productivity

03/29/2012 By Nancy Borg With no comments yet

Not everyone is a self-actualized person.  It takes a very insightful individual to pay attention to who they really are.  I like to call this sixth sense, one’s life rhythm. Essentially, it is understanding what makes you tick.

We all approach life so differently in accordance with our own individual personality styles.  I have often blogged before about our unique learning styles and how these different modalities affect the way we understand organization, but I recently have realized that we must also factor in our general life rhythm. Are you in or out of sync with yourself?

Making a real connection with our consciousness will impact how we move through our lives and will organically affect our productivity. 

Let’s talk about stress. We all manage our anxiety levels in a discriminatory way.  Have you thought about how you handle pressure?  Are you a last-minute person, or do you like to prepare?  Do you delay making decisions, or do you cut to the chase?  Do you get a vicarious thrill from living on the edge, or do you play it safe? When you’ve answered  all of these questions, you will gain a keener sense of who you are, and discover if you are indeed in touch with your inner you.  There are so many layers to all of us, it is so very difficult to identify each and every one of them.

These triggers will formulate the patterns of one’s life organization.  I have seen time and time again from clients that no matter what organizational principles I implement, their natural personality style beats out any systematized solution I provide.  One client in particular, continuously stresses to me that she’s unlikely to prepare ahead of time for any meeting, manage her child’s readiness for after-school activities, or respond in a timely fashion to any social engagement.  She just shoots from the hip, and is very comfortable with that.  I’ve realized that her reaction to cause and effect is immediate.  This formula has always been her life rhythm and will always be.

From a personal perspective, although extremely organized, I understand that I function at my optimum, under extreme pressure.  As a college student and way beyond academic life, I have always preformed best under duress.  Somehow, whenever I leave myself with too much on my plate with too little time, I fully engage in the challenge of succeeding.  The cogs start to rapidly turn, my energy and commitment morph into high gear, and I recognize that I am fueled with the pressure of a deadline.  My organizational skills are heightened.  I know and understand that I perform best this way.

Certainly, there is no cookie cutter pattern to living an organized and productive life.  But before you can even attempt success, you must first really understand who you are at your core. Get in sync with yourself.

Identify your proclivities.  Work with your strengths and outsource your weaknesses.

Think about what feeds your productivity gene. Can you identify your life rhythm?

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The Most Organized Holiday of the Year

03/22/2012 By Nancy Borg With 4 comments

Each Spring is punctuated with the joyful celebrations of both Easter and Passover. Granted, all holidays have beautiful traditions and rituals, but Passover in particular, is unique in its own fashion.  It is one of my favorite holidays, albeit extremely laborious (especially if you’re observant). It is rich in tradition, history, and customary laws and it requires a heightened sense of organization. Naturally, as a Professional Organizer by trade, and as a person who loves to pay attention to detail, this holiday speaks to my heart.

The very first Passover took place in Egypt thousands of years ago and many consider it to be the most beautiful of all holidays.  It is the oldest holiday on the Jewish calendar. The Passover Seder brings together families and friends who eat, drink, and sing together, while reciting the old-yet ever new-story of the Exodus from Egyptian slavery.

The level of observance may vary, as some must kosher their entire home and kitchen to invite the holiday in. Having a separate additional set of dishes, pots, pans, and utensils to clean, are often a part of this change-over process.  Many households consider this transition the opportunity for their grandiose Spring Cleaning. And yet there are others that simply prepare a festive meal without the need to make it such a labor intensive prep.  There is a wide range of observance, for sure.  But regardless of how you welcome Passover, it is safe to to assume that a typical Passover Seder always involves family gathering around a holiday table reciting from the traditional Haggadah and celebrating this festive holiday in very similar ways.

The Judaic translation of  Seder, means “order”, and so there are specific foods eaten at specific times prior to the main meal. There is a set order for everything that happens during this time.  The Seder Plate sits at the head of the table (generally in front of the Leader), displaying the five foods that all have a symbolic reference to the tale of the Jewish people’s freedom from Egyptian slavery.  Each guest has a copy of the Haggadah.  Supervised by the leader, all guests participate in responsive readings from the Haggadah and once reciting the prayers in unison, all eat the special traditional foods at the same time.  There is an obvious sense of an orderly agenda that is being methodically followed. “Haggadah” means to “to tell” and that is the purpose of the Seder; to tell the dramatic and exciting events that Passover recalls.  It is customary to re-tell the story of the Exodus of the Jewish people from slavery, and pass it on from generation to generation.

Make no mistake about it, the preparation for the Seder is extensive and detailed.  The duration of the ceremonial portion of the Seder meal may differ from family to family.  But regardless, the responsibility falls on the hostess, who is required to coordinate the entire schedule and manage the service of the meal. Timing is key. The matzah ball soup MUST be hot, the brisket should be carved ahead of time, and all the side dishes should be landing on designated platters, ready to go.  If you are not organized, this could go badly. Hopefully, there are happy helpers available to refill the wine glasses, clear and reset the table for each course.

From year to year, I save my notes on menu choice, recipes, guest lists, etc.  In this way, I can recall what worked and what did not, and make adjustments for the following year.  A good practice for any holiday planning.

There is something beautiful to be said about that wherever you are in the world, those observing this holiday are all following the same order of practice.  There is little deviating. The Seder Plate is prepared with the same components throughout the world.  This Jewish holiday unites people in a way that no other does, because it is organized in the exactly the same manner.  This dinner is like no other ordinary dinner.  There is a definite pace that is controlled by the ritualistic practices and the re-telling of the Passover story. The customs are abided by in the same order. And no matter how the menu varies, you can be guaranteed to find a box of matzah set on every table.  Everywhere, families are singing “Dayenu” in the same tune, one voice. It is essentially the same in any country you travel; consistent and repetitive. It’s something to look forward to each and every year.

No matter your religion, adhering to certain rules and customs may seem confining but I believe it connects humanity. We all need structure and parameters.  During this holiday, we are restricted with our diet, and are forbidden to eat leavened bread.  Like anything else, once deprived, we learn to appreciate our freedom more deeply.  We are grateful to be free from tyranny and we are happy to return back to normalcy at the end of the holiday.

One of my favorite Passover delicacies is the “Charoset,” which is a mixture of nuts, apples, wine, and cinnamon.  During the ceremonial portion of the seder, we dip this with a leaf of  bitter romaine lettuce. What we glean from this is this…life is bitter-sweet .  The sweet and pleasant taste of the harvest impresses upon us that, no matter how bitter and dark the present appears, we should hopefully look forward to better days.

Nice take-away.  Do you have a favorite holiday that aligns you?   Do you prepare and plan for it?

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The Value in Organizing Your Past

03/14/2012 By Nancy Borg With 8 comments

We all spend our lifetimes creating memories. We want to savor the good times and sometimes commemorate the sad ones.  Time does not stand still, and so we must understand that “this too shall pass,” doesn’t merely refer to the hardships…it means that even the happiest of times must come to an eventual end.  All the more reason to appreciate and treasure them.  Sustainable organization is key.

But it takes great effort and TLC to preserve and honor our memories.  So often, we are rushing through our lives and don’t take the time to organize the memories.  Taking digital photos is great, but how frequently do we print them out into albums?  Storing them in organized folders on your desktop is easy and accessible, but is it ever utilized?  I bet, no.  I would guess that friends, family, and even next generation, would enjoy sharing them more in a book they can all touch.

To me, it’s all about sustainable memories, and I’m going to tell you why.  My mother has always had a proclivity to organize everything, especially our family photo albums. She took great pride in creating a pictorial account of our entire family history, organized and labeled each binder in consecutive years. The albums trace the lives of my parents even prior to their marriage, and on through through their golden years.  All of our family memories are captured in those albums; countless vacations, birthday and anniversary celebrations, camp visiting days, holidays, weddings, births, bar and bat-mitzvahs of my children, are all documented.  Truly, it is storytelling at its best.  My Dad has since passed, and so I find significant comfort in glancing through these special albums with not only my Mom, but with the rest of my family.

This past winter, my brother (who resides in Italy for the past 20 years) and I, shared a short visit in Florida, where my mother now lives.  We reminisced through our childhood and had fun connecting the pieces of our past. The best part about it was that we were able to pinpoint a particular year that we wanted to revisit, and immerse ourselves in that album. We took turns picking favorite years and times of our lives. One of my my favorites is still the 1942 album where I can gaze at my Dad as a handsome young soldier.  My own children get to see a different kind of Grandpa too.  Priceless.

These photos are not strewn all over in some random box in the attic, nor separated or torn in tattered envelopes. They were honored, preserved and displayed into beautifully bound photo albums.  These will pass down for generations to come for all to enjoy. They will not be lost.

And as the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, I continue the tradition of organizing our family photo albums.  I get kidded for this all the time, but everyone can always depend on me for having the latest celebration in our most recent album.

The organization of your past need not stop at photos. If you have an old collection of favorite tee shirts, there are quilting companies that will sew them all into a beautiful patchwork quilt.  What an amazing way to honor the actual fabric of your life!  You may not be able to still wear them, but you can definitely still enjoy them.  They are a part of your past that can still bring you pleasure today.  Sustainable.

One of my clients was struggling with letting go of her abundant collection of special cartoon logo sweaters that were just sitting on a shelf in her closet (they are now too small, and she hasn’t any daughters to pass them down to) until I suggested she create comfy blankets out of them for her sons.  She was teary-eyed at the thought of passing down this very special piece of her and being able to still enjoy them, in yet a different way.   It’s something her children will always have and can pass down to their children.  Sustainable.

Ditto to sport jerseys, medals, or any memorabilia…place them in a shadow box and frame them.  Trophies can be deconstructed and then you could just mount and display the award plaque on a velvet backdrop, with pride.

Find innovative and resourceful ways to organize your past and create sustainable memories for your family.  They will find immeasurable value in it because you’ve shown them how to cherish things you love.

Now that’s what I would call a teachable moment with great sustainability.

 

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What March Madness Should Really Be About

03/07/2012 By Nancy Borg With no comments yet

Nope, the month of March is not just about college basketball mania.  It’s about transitioning into a new season; a natural motivator for change. Yet another opportunity to check in with yourself and perhaps, re-align.

Although there might still be a chill in the air, we can sense that brighter and warmer days are just around the corner. I am struck with how this positive mental attitude is so contagious all around me.  Everyone appears to be in a better mood knowing that Spring is on its way. Sure, we are all going to have bad days now and then, but we know they are short-lived because with the early onset of daylight savings time, the change of season is closer than further.

So let’s get busy and changing our mindset before the Spring weather is upon us.  Set goals NOW and visualize the end result. Have a plan to ensure that they are attainable.  Think about what you want to accomplish this Spring that you did not follow through with last year. What tripped you up?  If you have fallen off the wagon in regard to exercise, then get back to the gym and onto the tread mill today! Or maybe try something new and trendy like Soul Cycle or go back to basic core work with Pilates.  On that first gorgeous Spring day you’ll feel great about your mind, body, and soul, instead of regretful and disappointed.

Organize your to do list  NOW and prioritize the big picture plan for Spring/Summer and break it down into small doable parts. Taking the time to think about it might make you accountable for actually doing it.  By giving yourself ample time to mentally prepare, you are giving yourself a fighting chance to accomplish at least some of your goals.  Too often, we procrastinate until we are overwhelmed with too much to do and so nothing gets done at all.

Don’t wait for Spring to pop up and catch you by surprise, then realize that it came and went and you never cleaned out the garage. Trust me, before long it will be Summer and you know you won’t be able to resist the pull of the beach and you’ll be thinking….you’ll do it tomorrow !

Reset the clock and reboot yourself.  Make March your month to literally Spring forward to a fresh and exciting new start. Consider this a brand new make-over.  It’s all about change.  Change of season and perhaps a change in you. Plant new seeds and cultivate new ideas.   Be inspired by an azure blue sky and a beautiful sunset.  Go crazy and be overzealous with your wish list.  Get motivated.  Change something.    Make March Madness your own kind of frenzy.

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From Clutter to Gold and Paying it Forward

03/02/2012 By Nancy Borg With 2 comments

I think I can say without fear of too much opposition that most of us have too many unworn clothes.  We tend to hang onto our stuff for three basic reasons;  we just may want to wear it one day, “so and so” gave it to us, or it is too expensive to just give it away.

Let’s review the facts. Chances are, if it’s been in your closet for over 2 years (which is 2 cycle seasons, so that’s being kind), the probability of it ever making onto your body, is slim to dim.  Let’s face it, we all want to wear the “new” stuff.  If the item you’re having trouble parting with was a gift, don’t think for a minute that the person is coming over anytime soon to check up that you still have it.  As far as the cost of the ol’ favorite blazer (and I mean old and weathered), realize that you’ve already worn it to death so it essentially owes you nothing.  You have already benefited from that purchase ten times over.

So once you’ve established that half the clothes in your closet no longer reflect who you are today, perhaps you can let them go. Your closet should be more of a snapshot of your current life rather than looking more like a museum of archival clothing from your entire past.  The easiest purge should be the clothes that are tattered, torn, threadbare, or stained. Take another careful look and I would guess that some of the more vintage clothes from back in the day did not stand the test of time so well, as their imperfections are now glaring back at you. Broken zippers, missing belts and buttons may prompt you to donate to the less fortunate.

But what do you do about the finer, gently worn things that you no longer enjoy, or no longer fit? I’ve witnessed so many clients struggle with surrendering their designer handbags and dated blouses until I refer them to a consignment shop.  Make no mistake about it, this is big business.  In the face of the new economy, and in the spirit of shopping smart, these stores are a great find. I’ve often visited one shop in particular, and I was astounded by the array of merchandise. They only accept high-end couture pieces that include all apparel, shoes, coats and furs, handbags, sunglasses, jewelry, belts and an extensive selection of miscellaneous accessories. Their clients bring in their gently used things, and once sold, they receive a percentage of the sale.  Their customers, though far from destitute, are happy to see discounted designer prices on clothing they once indulged in at regular price.  It is indeed, the sign of the times.  Everyone loves a bargain.  The affluent client who will probably wear an evening gown only but a few times before she retires it, is thrilled to have an opportunity to recycle it.  Likewise, the customer who could never afford such an extravagance, may now have the option.  It’s a win-win. Let me tell you, this store is hopping.

But no matter the economic strata, everyone can benefit from clearing out their closets.  Share and share alike.

You can opt to pay it forward and DONATE your unwanted clothing to others more needy.  Or, you can surf the Internet and convert your undesirables into revenue.

Today, we have so many possibilities to pay it forward and receive cash with viable resources like EBay, Craig’s list, and a variety of thrift-type shops…it’s cash for clutter!  Simplified, it’s the fortunate reality that someone else’s trash can be another one’s treasure. Did you know that there is a new rising trend to have “clothes swap” parties, where people meet up and exchange their old stuff for someone else’s and leave with new favorites?  I consider this one massive communal recycle.

So it’s time to dig into your closet and jump on this happy train. Recycle.  It’s the future.

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