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My Happiness Project: When Passion Meets Purpose

01/22/2015 By Nancy Borg With no comments yet

birthday boxesEvery January,  Professional Organizers around the globe are paying tribute to GO Month, (Get Organized month) by participating in some group effort to organize a non-profit organization of their choice.

GO Month is a national initiative in January created by the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) to educate individuals and businesses about the benefits of organization. We volunteer our time to make a difference. Organizations love having us and we love doing it. It’s a win-win.  Many of us work as sole proprietors, so this is not only a great opportunity to demonstrate our expertise but to work together as a team. 

Did you know that in 2011,  Mayor Bloomberg issued a Proclamation, officially declaring January as GO Month in NYC?  To date, we continue to make a positive impact on people, one charitable organization at a time.

This year, I was inspired by the Birthday Wishes of Long Island. This organization provides complete birthday parties for homeless children, including paper goods, favors, and gift for the birthday child (all delivered one large gift-wrapped box).  Servicing over 185 shelters, they believe that all children, regardless of their living situation, should celebrate their birthdays joyfully, surrounded by family, friends, and others who care.

This “birthday in a box” concept was so endearing,  I jumped on the opportunity to help manage their toys, gift wrap, party supplies, miscellaneous donations, and systematize inventory and birthday party packing.  What a happy project!  You know you’re in the right career when you can do what you love to do and work pro bono.

When purpose fulfills a passion, there is no amount of money to validate it. This kind of value is immeasurable.

Call to action.  POLI to the rescue. As project manager, I gathered the Professional Organizers of Long Island and my peeps were on board.  Scheduled two days and two teams and our GO month project was on its way.

As Professional Organizers, we all have different techniques and approaches to organizing, yet interestingly enough, once all together we move in a very synergetic way.  We met our goals and transformed the space in only 2 days.  Each and every one of us got immersed in our specific task with both intensity and laughter.  We had the best time!

We love what we do and these GO projects continue to validate that we are in the right profession.  But even more so, when the organization is so heartfelt and special, it is ever more gratifying to help.  Our hearts were filled with utter joy and happiness while sorting the minutia of party components in quantities beyond comprehension.

Job well done with a great team effort.  Happiness personified 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

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The Key to Finding Your Groove in the New Year

01/06/2015 By Nancy Borg With 6 comments

runnerHello 2015. Time to resume. Back to work, back to school, or just back to day-to-day, and perhaps our old routines. I don’t know about you, but it’s been a very long break and it feels so much harder to get back into a groove.

This got me thinking; are we still inclined to return back to our OLD routines in a NEW year just because it’s comfortable?  Or have we thought about changing it up? Indeed it’s a perfect opportunity to do so.

I would say that if your old routines are still working for you, there’s no reason to fix what’s not broke. But if you are slipping back to the same old routines that no longer inspire you to do better or be better, perhaps it’s time to implement a change.

If you find yourself trudging through the days more robotically, rather than sprinting through 2015 as you thought you would, here’s some encouraging thoughts to chew on.

Time.  Give yourself some time to get your mojo back.  It’s only the first week of January. It takes time to acknowledge what’s no longer working for you.  Personal change happens very slowly, so let it.   If you pay close attention, you will know if you are correctly aligned.  You will feel this.

Organize.  Engage yourself.  To channel your cognitive self,  simply start with organizing anything.  Any space, any drawer, any counter.  When you ask yourself  “how will I organize this?” or “how do I feel about that?” it invites self-discovery.  I always say that the process of organizing teaches you so much about yourself.  It can be very clarifying and eye-opening.

Shift.   Even one small realization can shift your thinking. No need to re-invent yourself.  Open yourself up and you will evolve naturally. Make small shifts, not monumental changes. Walk in those new shoes for awhile and find your rhythm.

There’s lots of pressure to live up to the “New Year, New You” campaign.  And while it is a highly motivating concept, there are those that suggest this implies there’s something wrong with the old you. To that I say with implicit conviction, just be “better,” not newer.

 

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