The purpose of the Simply Organised Newsletter is to make your daily life easier:
The Simply Organised Newsletter is supposed to help you, on an ongoing basis, get things sorted out and organised – so you can gain more time, space, clarity, and energy in your daily life – and more joy.
You can sign up for the Simply Organised Newsletter here.
If you want just some quick inspiration, scroll through these summaries of some of the Simply Organised Newsletter emails:
#1 – A clear definition of the goal is important. However, a deep awareness of the desired outcome is more important for your success.
Don’t start to design an action plan directly after you’ve chosen a new goal.
First, determine the reason behind your goal – the desired outcome.
Because it’s the desired outcome, not the goal, that will help you keep your motivation and determination high while you work on reaching your goal.
You find the desired outcome behind your goal by asking, ‘Why? Why is this goal important to me?’
And when you have an answer, you ask again, ‘And why is this important to me?’ Again and again.
(You can find a detailed example of the ‘Why?’-process in the newsletter email.)
#2 – Why you want to give yourself a fresh start at your desk every day. The benefits of the ‘Clear-up your desk’ routine.
Every evening, clear up your desk, even if no one notices it, and switch off your computer, even if you think that’s unnecessary.
The ‘Clear up your desk’ evening routine makes today’s evening AND tomorrow’s morning more enjoyable.
#4 – Getting Things Done: The 2-minute rule.
Sometimes, it’s the small and easy tasks that cause us stress. Because we just don’t do them.
However, we can decide to get really good at small-task management:
CLICK HERE to learn about the 2-minute rule, a very simple and efficient tool that helps us get the little things done as soon as they show up.
#7 – What are your TOP 3 PRIORITIES? And what are you going to do to honour them?
Your priorities give your life direction and guidance.
If you regularly check and update your priorities, you are well prepared to act and react with confidence when you are faced with bigger or smaller decisions in everyday life.
Now might be a good time to deliberately choose your top priorities for the coming 12 months or for the next phase or challenge in your life.
If you are not so sure what your current priorities are or if you struggle to pick the top 3, you can CLICK HERE and do a simple and fast exercise – to get 100% clarity about what’s really important to you right now.
#8 – Every single little action you take matters. Because it creates results. And because it proves to your brain that you are the one who is in control.
Little Exercise
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- Pick one thing you want to improve or change.
- Decide to start super-small and drop the ‘it has to be perfect’ idea.
- Now, define what you will do, just for 5 or 10 minutes.
- And then do it.
#9 – 2 decluttering questions that are very powerful – but might feel a bit uncomfortable.
Do you plan to do some decluttering work – and feel stuck?
If you don’t feel motivated to get your stuff sorted out and to let go of any clutter, or if you are motivated but feel unable to decide what’s actually clutter and what’s not,
I suggest you ask yourself these two questions:
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- Who will most probably (have to) clear up my belongings after my death?
- And what do I want them to think about my stuff – and about me?
This exercise can bring clarity and help make decluttering decisions easier.
#13 – Do you ever question your thoughts? – Why you need to be very careful about what you are thinking.
If something is not as we want it to be, if we have a result in our life that we don’t like, we often believe that something is wrong with us. Or we blame certain ‘unfair’ circumstances in our lives.
Feeling incapable, out of control, and stuck is the consequence, and making any changes to the unsatisfying situation seems impossible.
However, we can do something about it.
We can change the results we currently have by changing the thoughts we currently have.
Answering powerful questions is a great way to test our current thoughts.
One of these thought-testing questions is: ‘If I didn’t believe that, then what would I do?’
Examples:
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- Thought: “Decluttering the garage is a huge job. It’s too much work.” -> Question: ‘If I didn’t believe that it’s a huge job, then what would I do?’
- Thought: “I’m not the right person for this job. It’s a waste of time to apply.” -> Question: ‘If I didn’t believe that I’m not the right person for this job, then what would I do?’
#14 – Read this if you want to declutter your home. And also read it if you don’t want to declutter your home.
I have never met a single person (me included) who doesn’t have any clutter – if we define clutter as anything that doesn’t serve us (any longer).
What about you?
Are you aware of the clutter in your home? Or are you a ‘I have no clutter’ believer?
No matter what your answer is, I suggest that you do the ‘Clutter Percentage’ Exercise to get a clear – and true – picture of the reality of clutter in your home.
#15 – Why you want to choose and pursue a goal – even if you don’t have a specific goal right now.
Of course, we usually decide to set goals for ourselves because we want to achieve or get something that we currently don’t have in our lives. Or maybe we want to change what currently is to something else – usually something better.
However, goal setting not only gets us on track to move towards our goals.
Click here to read more about the positive side-effects of setting and pursuing goals. And about the process of goal setting.
(Or get some inspiration by reading the ‘case study’ in the newsletter email again.)
#17 – How to get out of confusion and into action if you think you don’t know what to do.
Feeling confused from time to time is a very typical human experience.
The result of feeling confused is, of course, feeling stuck and overwhelmed.
And not doing anything.
Fortunately, it is not so difficult to move ourselves out of confusion and take action.
EXERCISE
Next time you think you don’t know what to do or how to do something, write out your problem and then write out these two questions – and your answers.
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- ‘If I did know what to do, what would I do?
- And then, what would I do next?’
Trust yourself; your mind will find the answers.
#23 – Why we don’t do it if we ‘don’t feel like doing it’. And what we can do to make us ‘feel like doing it’. It’s not that difficult.
The good news is that this ‘I-don’t-feel-like-doing-it’ issue can be solved.
The not-so-nice news is that it takes some thought work. But that’s doable.
CLICK HERE to read how to take action – even if you don’t feel like it.
A Weight-Loss-Goal example and a little exercise demonstrate how working on our thinking helps us get things done.
#26 – Each day offers us a huge pool of learning opportunities. Each and every day. It takes only five minutes to make use of these opportunities.
A little evening routine can help us to live every day more intentionally.
EXERCISE
Every evening, sit down for 5 minutes (or do it while you brush your teeth), look back at the day that’s just ended, and answer these 3 questions:
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- What worked well today?
- What didn’t work?
- What am I going to do differently tomorrow?
CLICK HERE to read about the details of the exercise. https://letgo-moveon.com.au/3-little-questions-help-us-make-use-of-every-day-intentionally/
#29 – Why you want to invest 2 minutes each day in your mental and emotional wellbeing. Positive thoughts and feelings help you create positive outcomes.
Did you create a ‘Treasure Chest’ for yourself at the beginning of the year? A little ‘container’ that you fill with positive and good-feeling thoughts every day?
If your answer is no, no problem, you can CLICK HERE to learn more about the details of the treasure chest exercise now. Because – you can start a Treasure Chest exercise at any time of the year. You could start now!
I pick every day one of these questions and answer it in my Treasure Chest:
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- What is a current topic about which I want to have more positive or powerful thoughts and feelings? – Example: “My paperwork and information systems work perfectly for me. I have peace of mind.”
- What is a positive thought/feeling that I want to have about one of the important people in my life? – Example: “It’s always fun to meet my friend XYZ. I enjoyed the evening with her yesterday.’
- What’s something I am particularly grateful for today? – Example: ‘I am glad I found this book on Amazon. And it’s so good to know that the author wrote not only this one but several more. I am looking forward to reading them all.’
- What am I proud of today? – Example: ‘I managed to connect the streaming service 9Now to our TV. This means we can watch the Australian Open live. And it is proof that I can successfully manage technical stuff!’
#32 – Your Essential NOT-to-DO List. This will free up space in your To-Do list. And in your mind.
Unlike a traditional to-do list filled with tasks we plan to tackle, the ‘Not-to-do’ list is about letting go of old aspirations that no longer serve us.
Letting go is not giving up – it’s making an intentional decision to focus on goals that align with our current values and desires.
Here are a few examples/suggestions of things you might want to consider putting on your ‘Not-to-do’ List – to free up space for what truly matters to you now:
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- Cross off those overseas travel plans if the idea of long flights doesn’t excite you anymore. Why not explore beautiful places closer to home?
- Give yourself permission to quit hobbies you don’t enjoy anymore. If the guitar is gathering dust because you don’t enjoy playing it, don’t feel guilty about letting it go.
- Do not aim to run a marathon if this idea no longer appeals to you. Instead, consider daily physical activities that you enjoy and that are easy to fit into your schedule.
- Remove ‘learn to speak fluent Italian’ from your goals. If your travel plans have shifted and language learning feels more like a chore than a passion, it’s okay to let this one go.
- Stop planning to renovate the entire house. Consider smaller, manageable updates that will make your living space comfortable without the overwhelming commitment.
- Let go of writing that book. If it has become a source of stress rather than a source of joy, it might be time to reconsider if this goal is (still) right for you.
Start your Not-to-do list now!
#34 – Downsizing can be challenging. – And it’s a chance for personal development.
One of my clients is considering downsizing, and another plans to move to a similar-sized new home in another town.
Both find it quite challenging to prepare for and organise the move.
Why is it so hard to get a house ready for downsizing/moving?
There are many reasons; these are some of the most important ones:
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- Downsizing is a major life change. – And our human brain doesn’t want us to make changes.
- Downsizing is a lot of work. – And our brain wants us to conserve energy.
- Downsizing requires decluttering (= saying goodbye). – And our brain wants us to keep what we have.
How can we make it easier to get ready for the move?
Yes, downsizing/moving can be daunting, but it becomes much easier if we take the time to prepare properly and approach it step by step.
Starting the preparation early can help us avoid rushing and feeling overwhelmed.
I have compiled a set of powerful questions.
Your answers will help you get into the right mindset and get started.
CLICK HERE to find questions to consider that will make the move easier.
#36 – Why you don’t have to stick to a goal just because you chose it.
Goals provide us with direction, motivation, and focus. They help us get what we want.
However, our goals are not carved in stone.
At any time on our journey towards a goal, we are free to say, ‘No, I changed my mind. This is no longer one of my priorities. I no longer want to go there.’
We are free to decide to go somewhere closer (a similar but smaller goal) or change direction completely (choosing a completely different new goal).
How can we know for sure that changing direction and giving up a goal is the right thing to do?
We can ask ourselves questions like the following (and answer them honestly!):
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- Does the goal still align with my values and my current priorities?
- Does working on the goal energise me or make me feel exhausted?
- What impact would letting go of this goal have on my well-being?
Letting go of a goal isn’t failure; it’s prioritising what’s important now.
It’s about being honest and courageous and making changes – if what we want to achieve has changed.
What about you?
Are you currently pursuing a goal that seems no longer worth the time, energy, and effort? Are you torn between thinking you need to stick to it and wishing you could let it go?
Could questions like those above help you find the right answer?
#38 – How to declutter guilt and shame while you are decluttering your personal belongings and paperwork.
Guilt and shame are not uncommon emotions that arise during decluttering projects.
It’s important to remember that you’re not alone in experiencing these feelings.
However, it’s also important to recognise that they are unproductive and can hinder progress. We need to let go of any guilt or shame if we want to move on.
Let me share a personal experience.
A few weeks back, I decided to create some space on my bookshelves. As I sorted through my collection, I discovered 7 marketing and business-related books that I had bought (some years ago!) but never read. Immediately, a wave of guilt and shame washed over me. I felt guilt for the money I had spent and shame for not following through with my intention to study these books. I felt so uncomfortable that I was tempted to abandon the decluttering process altogether.
But then I reminded myself:
Guilt and shame are past-focused feelings.
And I decided to ask and answer some questions – to loosen the grip of the guilt and shame and then make decisions to move forward and do what I wanted to do (in this case, decluttering bookshelves and creating space).
Helpful questions to ask to overcome guilt and shame:
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- What is my current goal with this decluttering project? – My example: I want to create additional free space on my bookshelves.
- What can I learn from my past experiences with these items? – My example: I love books and tend to buy too spontaneously. Next time I want to buy a book, I will postpone the decision for a day and then consider it again.
- What immediate benefits will I gain by letting go of these items? – My example: I get space on the shelves and prove to myself that I do what I decided to do. (And not let guilt/shame stop me.)
- Does this item serve me in my current life? (Do I need, use, love it?) – My example: I don’t use/read the books; I don’t need them; I like two of them although I haven’t read them (just because I admire the authors).
- How will I feel once I have decluttered this space? – My example: I will feel proud because I’ll have gained space – and dropped some useless feelings.
I decided to keep the two books from the admired authors, promised myself to study them (now!), and decluttered the other five. And I felt good.
What about you?
Maybe you have postponed a decluttering project because you feared guilt or shame could show up?
Use the questions above to help you shift your focus from past regrets to present actions and future benefits.
Remember, decluttering is not just about creating physical space; it’s also about creating mental and emotional space.
#40 – Intentional Living – What do you want to care about? And what do you not want to care about?
Living our lives intentionally includes thinking about and deciding who we want to be and how we want to show up in our lives.
It also includes deliberately deciding what we want to care about – because it’s important to us – and what we are not willing to care about—because it’s not important to us.
What do you want to care about?
Trying to answer this question can feel like an intimidating and overwhelming exercise.
Because there is so much to care about!
Everywhere we look, there is something to care about.
We see so many things – in ourselves, others, and the world – that we want to improve, change, fix, or act on because we care about them.
However, the caring potential that each of us has is limited.
If we try to care about everything that comes to our mind, that attracts our attention, enthusiasm, or passion, we are doomed to fail, get disappointed and discouraged, get exhausted, and burn out.
Because our time, energy, and personal resources are limited – we can’t care about everything.
Once we recognise that it is impossible to care about everything we want to care about, we can decide to focus our caring potential on the things we personally care about most.
We can decide to deliberately constrain our caring by asking ourselves:
What am I NOT willing to care about (any longer)?
And don’t forget to take good care of yourself!
#42 – More Focus might be all you need to move forward faster and easier.
When I ask my clients what they want to change or achieve, most come up with many different ideas.
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- They want to declutter and organise their home so they can enjoy it more.
- And they want to get their physical and digital paperwork in order as fast as possible.
- They also want to feel more satisfied in their relationships; they want to care more and be cared for.
- And they want to be mentally stronger, organise and manage their mind better.
- Managing their time and daily life better is another thing they want.
- And they want … .
It’s good to know what we want, of course.
It’s impossible to move on and reach another place if we don’t know where that place is.
However, moving toward many different places simultaneously in an efficient and successful way is also impossible.
At any point in time, we can only walk in ONE direction.
If we have many places to go at once, we will only become distracted, confused, and overwhelmed.
We take one step in this direction today and another step in the other direction tomorrow, which means we make no progress or slow progress in both directions.
The best way to make progress faster and easier is to focus.
To choose one place and to take step after step to move toward that place.
From there, we can then move on to the next place.
How can we find the thing to focus on first?
Our priorities give our lives direction and guidance. They can lead us to one specific place and then to the next.
I wish you a clear direction and good progress on your journey to the next ‘place’ you want to go.
I will add new newsletter summaries from time to time.