Posts Tagged ‘goals’

Why Should You Hire a Professional Organizer?

Posted on: February 15th, 2017 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

Cathy MendlerWe’re halfway through February already!

After reading last month’s newsletter, what decluttering or organizing tasks/projects have you completed? Haven’t accomplished what you had hoped?

Are you having trouble getting started because you’re overwhelmed? Don’t despair! If you just can’t seem to get started–for whatever reason–consider hiring a Professional Organizer.

THE BENEFITS OF HIRING A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER

People often think it’s a luxury to be able to hire an organizer, but the benefits can definitely outweigh the cost. In an organizing session with one particular client, we found gift cards and cash/cheques which far exceeded the cost of my services that day.

Here are some of the benefits you can expect.

  • Sense of control over your stuff AND your life
  • Better planning and organizing skills
  • Less time spent searching for lost items
  • More effective use of your time
  • Less money spent buying duplicates of things that you already have
  • Ability to prioritize, set goals and focus on tasks
  • Reduced stress and fewer moments of frustration
  • Meet important deadlines
  • Clear and peaceful surroundings that reflect your personality
  • Reduce the amount of time spent cleaning
  • Dispose of unwanted items in a responsible manner and preserve the environment
  • Improve your overall quality of life

Whether you’re hoping to declutter and organize your office, your entire house or a storage locker, consider hiring A New Leaf to help you. Contrary to what some people think, a professional organizer will not make you get rid of everything!

When your computer breaks down, you call your tech company. If your washer stops working, you call a repair person. Why not get a professional organizer to help you with your decluttering or organizing projects?

So get started and turn over another leaf!

Until next month,

a new leaf-cathy.png



A Quote from Rachel Boston

Posted on: January 27th, 2017 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

 

 

Quote

What can YOU do to recycle more?



Checklists for Vacations and Packing!

Posted on: July 26th, 2016 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

 

Get Checking...

 

Don’t forget to check out our Vacation Planning Checklist as well as our Packing Checklist.



Have Your New Year’s Resolutions Survived?

Posted on: January 12th, 2016 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

Cathy Mendler
..DO YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
..  LAST PAST FEBRUARY?

 
..
..
What trait do EVERY one of our clients and probably most of our readers have in common? We want our spaces to be better organized, because we all know that this is one of the greatest keys to motivation, productivity and inspiration. At least 80% of us will TRY to accomplish this by making a list of resolutions this January, while only about 10% of us will actually keep them past February!

What is the key, then, to keeping our resolutions to improve our spaces AND our lives? We need to find the right approach that works for US personally! Here’s a list that we’ve compiled from our experience with helping our clients keep those resolutions all the way to NEXT New Year’s Eve.

1)    WRITE IT DOWN! Any goal is just a dream until you write it down! Making a checklist is NOT just for kids. Keep a chart where you can see it, and check off the boxes as you achieve your objectives.

2)    BREAK IT DOWN! Our resolutions tend to be for LARGE projects, like organizing your home for example. Break large goals down into smaller steps, and try setting up a rough schedule in advance which sets out your tasks month to month. Next, take a look at your tasks, and make a list of things that can be accomplished in a small amount of time and do them first!

3)    NARROW IT DOWN! Most of us set ourselves up for failure by making more goals than we could ever accomplish. Start off with just a few goals. Accomplish those first before you set out to do more.

4)    REMIND YOURSELF! If you are into high-tech, set up mobile reminders on your phone or mobile device. There are many apps available to help you with this!  For the less technically inclined, set up notes where you will see them often and remind yourself of your goals.

5)    MAKE IT FUN! Not every goal needs to be a grueling one! Add enjoyable goals such as adding more plants or cut flowers to your home or redecorating a room. Goals can also be more fun to accomplish when you have a buddy or even a group to help you along the way. Try to stick with positive thinkers. Don’t forget to reward yourself for your good work along the way!

We wish you all the best in the New Year. Our hope is that these ideas will help you to turn over a new leaf and make 2016 your most organized year yet!

P.S. Do you have other suggestions for keeping your New Year’s resolutions? Comment on our blog or Facebook page and let us know!



Yearly Self-Evaluation from Neworld

Posted on: February 3rd, 2015 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

compass_slantedOur associates at Neworld Coaching recommend a

YEARLY SELF-EVALUATION

STEP #1

Reflect on the past 12 months. It is NOT always enjoyable to look back and evaluate… But it is a necessary step towards growth and accountability.

Taking into account the five areas in the “Wheel of Life”… answer all of the following questions on a piece of paper.

  • Business
  • Financial
  • Personal Relationships
  • Health/Fitness
  • Self Mastery

What were your 3 biggest successes of the past year?

Did you  measure your successes in some manner (celebrations or other rewards)? If so… how?

What was your biggest failure?

What lessons did you learn from it?

What goals did you meet? (List up to the 5 biggest.)

What goals did you NOT work on?

Why did you choose not to work towards these goals?

Did you receive feedback from others (clients, associates, family) 
throughout the year? If so… what did you learn from it?

Did you save money toward Passive Income this year? If so… how did you invest it?

What progress have you made towards your Personal Relationships this year?

Are you more or less Healthy than you were a year ago? Explain why.

List 5 ways in which you improved your Self Mastery this year. (Self awareness… Self responsibility… )

What did you do to make YOU a better YOU?

List the 5 things that you are the most grateful for at this moment.

STEP #2

“Dream” about what life could BE like 3 years from today… After dreams are actually written down, they can be considered goals!

Using 5 pieces of paper… Title each with 1 of the areas of life.

Here are some guidelines:

  • Visualize and write your intentions in the present tense — as if you already have achieved what you want. “I earn x dollars” rather than “I will earn x dollars.”
  • Write down the first thing that comes into your mind without judging it. Follow your heart.
  • Use short, bullet points rather than narrative.
  • Start with blank pages and write all over them rather than using a linear format.
  • Use a variety of colors.
  • Write BIG and small.
  • Write on an angle, in an arc or even upside down.
  • Use plenty of drawings and graphics.
  • Do everything possible to engage your creative right brain in this process.
  • Be as clear and specific as possible.
  • The more specific your intentions, the easier it is for your unconscious mind to work towards creating them.
  • Rather than setting an intention to be “fit and trim”, set specific and measurable weight, cardio and fitness targets.
  • Intentions are like magnets… the bigger they are, the more they pull you forward.
  • Don’t worry if you are not clear… capture the thoughts you have even if they are vague.
  • These are intentions, not commitments.
  • You can go back and make changes anytime.

STEP # 3

Set a course for the New Year! Using your notes in the previous pages, begin to formulate a plan for the coming year.

We break it down into Quarters and plan 13 weeks of Goals for each.

Begin by choosing goals that you will accomplish in the first Quarter of the New Year.

~Michael

P.S. If you need help formulating YOUR plan for the next year… actually DO the above exercise… I KNOW it will help you!



What Do YOU Want to Accomplish in 2015?

Posted on: January 22nd, 2015 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

Cathy_Mendler_new-150-x-115                  It’s the beginning of another year!

    Another year is now behind us, and a clean slate is in front of us.


What do you want to accomplish in 2015? Set aside some time to think about what you’d like to do. An important part of accomplishing your goals is planning. Grab a cup of your favourite beverage, find a quiet spot, a pen and some paper. Did you know that if you write down your goals, you are more likely to achieve them?

Brainstorm! Create a master list. Write down all of the big and small projects you’d like to complete this year. Remember, if you break a big project down into small projects, it’s not so overwhelming. Don’t let procrastination stop you before you even start.

  • Step 1 – Estimate – With your master list in front of you, estimate how long you think each project will take. Be realistic.
  • Step 2 – Prioritize your list. Determine what you will work on first.
  • Step 3 – Schedule – When you schedule time in your planner or calendar, you’re making a commitment to do the required work.

Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu told us that “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”

So let’s get started and turn over another leaf!



Committing Your Dreams to Paper…and Beyond!

Posted on: December 20th, 2012 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

“Try a thing you haven’t done three times. Once, to get over the fear of doing it. Twice, to learn how to do it. And a third time, to figure out whether you like it or not.”
   –  Virgil Garnett Thomson

Is there one improvement—even a small one–to help your business run more efficiently or effectively? If you have an Oprah Aha! moment (“a moment of sudden realization, inspiration, insight, recognition, or comprehension”), make note of it, so you can take action in the New Year. Once you commit your brilliant idea to paper, your brain will begin to percolate some next steps.

When you see friends, don’t be afraid to verbalize your ideas or share your hopes and dreams. Your holiday cocktail conversations will be more stimulating! Good friends will support you and tell you that you’re not crazy. They may even hold you accountable, but don’t let that scare you. It will keep you moving forward and help you take the next step–whether it’s big or small.

So start thinking about what you need or want to accomplish in 2013!

DON’T FORGET!

If you use a paper planner or family calendar, remember to pick up a new one for 2013. Mark down new appointments now, so they’re not forgotten.

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST!

It’s OK to say NO to a request–especially during the holidays–if you’re already too busy. And DON”T FEEL GUILTY