In March, I introduced a new blog feature, “What’s Interesting?to share my latest discoveries that inform, educate, and relate to organizing and life balance. Round two of this feature includes fun, inspiring, and interesting time-related finds, which reflect this month’s blog theme. You're such an engaged group. I look forward to your feedback, participation, and additions to the collection I've sourced for you. What do you find interesting?

What’s Interesting? . . .

1. Interesting Read - Focus

The One Thing by Gary Keller

On route to Phoenix last month for the NAPO conference, I discovered The One Thing – The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller. He begins the book with a Russian proverb that highlights his message, “If you chase two rabbits you will not catch either one.” Keller shares strategies for focusing your time and energy around doing the onething that’s most important. He says, “...extraordinary results are directly determined by how narrow you can make your focus.”

2. Interesting Resource – Time Saver

This online resource, CashInMyBag.com, saves you time and pays you money upfront for your used designer clothing and accessories that you want to sell. After providing you with a quote, they’ll send you a box with pre-paid shipping label, making the process quick and easy.

3. Interesting Conference – Disorganization

The Institute for Challenging Disorganization’s (ICD) annual conference is September 18-20, 2014 in Nashville TN. Organizing and related professionals from all over the world will gather to learn from each other and industry leaders including ADHD expert Russell A. Barkley, Ph.D. and organizing pioneer, Judith Kolberg. Sessions include topics such as hoarding, ADHD, coaching, decision-making, and the latest research on chronic disorganization.

4. Interesting Product – Timer

I am a long-standing fan of Time Timer products. The timers, which have a visual time-elapsing display are available in electronic and physical versions. My favorite product is the 3” square timer, which I use for speaking, coaching, and teaching. At the NAPO conference, Time Timer introduced new options...colored cases instead of just black. I bought the turquoise timer and used it just this week for a coaching session with one of my clients.

5. Interesting Thought - Start

We only have so much time in a day, week, year or lifetime to accomplish our dreams. Why procrastinate or stress any longer? Start today. Now is all we have.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. What are your interesting finds? Do any of these resonate with you?  Come join the conversation!

Jane Pollak

Jane Pollak "Ask the Expert" interview about Possibility ThinkingThe “Ask the Expert” interview series connects you with industry thought leaders and gives you the opportunity to participate in inspiring conversations. This year we’ve spoken with Dorothy Breininger about success, Dr. April Lane Benson about enlisting help, Leslie Josel about motivation, David Allen about time management, Peter Walsh about clutter, Sheila Delson about letting go, Laura Berman Fortgang about next steps, Judith Kolberg about change, and Sue West about fresh starts. This month I’m thrilled to bring you business coach, Jane Pollak, to share her insights and experience about possibility thinking.

While Jane and I have never met in person, I have been following and hearing about her for many years. I have several colleagues that rave about her unique ability to help entrepreneurs clarify, focus, and connect. When I contacted Jane to invite her to be interviewed, she generously accepted. You are in for a treat. My deepest gratitude goes to Jane for taking the time to join us. Before we begin, here’s more about her.

Jane Pollak is one of the Northeast’s foremost coaches of entrepreneurial women and a living example of how to turn a passion into a thriving business. Jane’s story is an odyssey that led her from remote craft fairs and customer rejections to an invitation to the White House and appearance’s on NBC’s Today Show. The lessons Jane learned along the way led her to share her story and give advice to struggling entrepreneurs, travelling the country and beyond. Her book, Soul Proprietor, is not only inspiring and motivating for the entrepreneur or small business owner, it is a handbook of lessons that one could apply to the business of everyday life. You can connect with Jane on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, blog or website.

Linda Samuels:  You’re an expert in helping women entrepreneurs “achieve uncommon success.” What are some ways to create an environment that nurtures possibility thinking?

Jane Pollak:  It’s obvious to everyone looking on what lights you up. But we rarely give ourselves permission to listen deeply to what we really want. Sharing your dreams and visions with one or more other like-minded souls is like putting Miracle-Gro on your garden. It will flourish. Having others reflect their belief in you back to you in a group is powerful.

Be aware of how you language your vision. Eliminate words like “should” and “try” which, subtly diminish our intentions.

Linda:  What might get in our way?

Jane: Other people’s needs. Women are born nurturers and caretakers. Johnny forgot his violin. Your elderly mother needs to have cataract surgery. It often falls to you to take these tasks on, but it may not be necessary, and it most definitely CAN be done on YOUR schedule. I’ve had clients who are desperate to write, create, you fill in the blank, and are unable to put two hours together in their day.

At some point, you need to stake a claim for yourself. Some confuse self-care with being selfish. I don’t adhere to that. I believe that the example you set for your families, friends and colleagues is worthy of the risk it takes to do that. Johnny can experience the pain of his forgetfulness, and you can take your mother for surgery on a day that works for you. Once you get into the habit of scheduling time for YOU, there’s no turning back and it becomes the norm, not the exception.

Linda:  What are some techniques or questions to ask for imagining possibilities?

Jane:  A typical one that has remained evergreen for that reason is: If money, health, location and family obligations were not an issue, what would you really like to do? Or, what would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?

Many women will not even allow themselves to fantasize about possibilities for fear of failure or fear of success. It’s a loaded question and requires a lot of personal development work to get there.

A talented coach will be able to deeply explore your vision once they’ve broken through the layer(s) of resistance. What blocks us is not lack of talent as much as putting many obstacles in our way.

Linda:  What have you observed about the relationship between letting go and possibility thinking?

Jane:  They are mutually beneficial and must co-exist. It would be challenging to have possibility thinking without letting go…of preconceived ideas, demands, guilt, worry, etc. If you want to paint a great masterpiece, you may have to let go of having an immaculate household. I heard a wonderful saying once that has stuck with me for nearly 20 years: Housework, if done correctly, will kill you!

Linda:  What has been your most significant personal challenge around embracing possibilities?

Jane:  Getting divorced at age 63 after a 38-year marriage. While I was comfortable knowing I could support myself and be of value for another few decades, I am a relationship person and had to embrace the possibility of finding love in my 60’s—which I have. My self-talk had to be tamed – Men are only looking for younger women. All the good men are taken. Etc.

Linda:  Is there anything else you’d like to share about possibilities that I haven’t asked?

Jane:  Yes. I could not, nor would I advise anyone else, to do this at home alone! Support is vital in every aspect of our lives. When it comes to possibility thinking, it’s what will get you through the rocky road whether it’s someone to hold your hand, have your back or encourage you to continue to follow your dreams. They can get lost very quickly if you venture out alone.

Thank you, Jane for sharing your wisdom about possibility thinking. There are so many riches here including the uplifting words such as “flourish,” and “vision.”  I love your calls to action like give yourself “permission to listen deeply,” share your dreams with “like-minded souls,” be mindful of how you “language your vision,” "stake a claim for yourself," or learn how to tame your self-talk. These ideas exude possibilities.

I invite you to join Jane and me as we continue the conversation. We’d love to hear your thoughts about possibility thinking. Which ideas resonate with you?

Laura Berman Fortgang

Laura Berman Fortgang, Now What?® CoachingThe “Ask the Expert” interview series features dynamic, inspiring leaders. This year, we’ve spoken with Judith Kolberg about change and Sue West about fresh starts. As we shift our focus this month, I’m thrilled to bring you a pioneer in the personal coaching field, Laura Berman Fortgang, to share her thoughts about next steps.

In 2006, I had the pleasure of hearing Laura present “Have A Business Breakthrough!” at the NAPO conference in Boston. She captivated the group with her energy and insights. My sincere gratitude and thanks goes to Laura for taking the time to join us. Laura’s interview moved me to tears because she spoke to the best of who we can become. Before we begin, here’s more about her.

Laura Berman Fortgang is internationally recognized as a pioneer in the personal coaching field and as the author of five books including Amazon bestseller, Now What? 90 Days to a New Life Direction and The Little Book On Meaning, which was a finalist for a Books for a Better Life Award alongside the Dalai Lama. Laura is a trusted media resource having appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show and all the national morning shows. She is also a sought-after professional speaker. Laura is founder of Now What?® Coaching and was a founding member and early board member of the International Coach Federation. You can connect with Laura on Facebook, Twitter, website, or blog.

Linda Samuels:  You’re a pioneer in the coaching industry and expert on helping others to become their best selves. How can we successfully prepare for “next”?

Laura Berman Fortgang:  The best gift you can give yourself as you prepare for the ‘next’ is to reduce the stress and anxiety in your life as much as possible. Hearing your own inner promptings and recognizing opportunities that are around you are not likely to happen when you are in a state of alarm over your circumstances.

Build in time to exercise, to have some fun and to meditate or journal as ways to ease your body and mind into a state where you can be receptive to new ideas and build the courage to take action.

Linda:  Sometimes our end goals seem so far away that we intimidate ourselves into inaction. What are some of your favorite strategies for moving past stuck?

Laura:  Small and steady is the motto for getting unstuck. Reduce the action steps into very small, do-able pieces and re-ignite your engine for action by having small successes.

For example, take on one thing a day towards your dream or make a deal with yourself to make two phone calls a day to people who can shed light on your chosen direction or help you explore the feasibility of an idea you have.

Small starts adding up and before you know it, you’ll be past ‘stuck’.

Linda:  What if “next” isn’t obvious?

Laura:  It is often not obvious what is ‘next’. The key is to follow the crumbs.  Even if it seems scattered and unfocused at the start, follow every lead and every whim until traction begins to occur or until your excitement in one area or another starts to build. 

Observe where things start falling into place and pursue that path. It’s taking you to your ‘next’ (or some variation thereof.)

Linda:  What has been your most surprising discovery about figuring out “next”?

Laura:  The most surprising thing is that if you start thinking that you are crazy and everyone is telling you so because of what you are considering as a next step, you must understand that you have found ‘IT’. That idea, inkling, nudging or longing is exactly the one you need to be pursuing. 

Many will run.  Only the brave will stay the course and be happier for it!

Linda:  What has been your biggest personal challenge around taking the next step?

Laura:  For me, the biggest personal challenge has been reconciling that the past is not to be repeated but rather to be rolled into what’s coming next. In other words, I have been slow to accept when it’s been time to move on. 

Linda:  Is there anything you’d like to share that I haven’t asked?

Laura:  I would ask:  What is the most significant tool you use to help people find their next step?

Surprisingly for many, it is not their resume. To many a client’s surprise and disappointment, I don’t look at someone’s resume when we begin the process of learning about them.  The reason for that is that it tells me only the chronological, logical progression of your career. It does not tell me if you are using all you have available to you. I know you are not, or you would not be calling me.

The most important tool I use is someone’s life story. I use a very specific way of extracting someone’s life history and then we analyze it together for specific clues to what would make the most satisfying future direction. 

A resume is linear and logical. A life story is not. And it is there that the rich information waits for the exploration of what’s next.  It’s very exciting.

Thank you, Laura for your generosity and insights about next steps. There are so many wonderful ideas here. Your thoughts about preparing the canvas or self so that you can be ready, rested, and open to next resonated with me, as did your “follow the crumbs” idea when next isn’t obvious. Perhaps more than anything, though, your last point about discovering next by exploring one’s life story rather than resume, really spoke to my core. Our stories reveal patterns, strengths, and passions.

I invite all of you to join Laura and me to continue the conversation. We’d love to hear your thoughts about next steps, getting unstuck, or your discoveries. What are you thinking about?

When you are stuck, how do you figure out the next step? I asked several of my wonderful colleagues (Geralin Thomas, Andrea Sharb, Tracey Foulkes, April Lane Benson, Sue West, Val Sgro, Yota Schneider) to think about this question and share their personal strategies with us. Their fabulous responses are filled with honesty, humor, and creativity. My gratitude goes to each of them for taking the time to reflect, and give us their insightful, encouraging words of wisdom. If you are feeling stuck, perhaps one of these ideas will work for you.

When you are stuck, how do you figure out the next step? . . .

1. Help Another

“When stuck I intentionally and purposefully find someone who needs help and then I help them. Helping someone who needs or wants assistance forces me to think about something other than whatever current challenge I'm dealing with. I've learned that being isolated rarely helps me figure out my next steps and while it's much easier to stay home alone, I've found that being helpful is the antidote to being stuck.”

Geralin Thomas, CPO-CD, Professional Organizer & Organizing Instructor

2. Coach Self

“When I’m stuck, I coach myself, like I’d coach a client. I get curious about my roadblock and what can get me going again. Questions like:  What is really getting in the way of me moving forward? What do I want from the project? What makes the project important to me?  What has worked for me in the past in similar situations? These questions will generally get me beyond stuck.

Andrea Sharb, CPO-CD, ACC, COC, CPO, Professional Organizer & Coach

3. Call Accountability Buddy

“I freak out, and then procrastinate. Get annoyed at myself for procrastinating and start asking why I'm freaking out. It's usually from overwhelm, taking on too much, or being shoved in a direction outside my comfort zone. I then call on an accountability buddy (I have a few), and unpack what I am thinking and feeling. Breathe, then break into my favourite mantra 'absolutely no excuses' - pick myself up and step forward. Success is in the doing, so I might as well just get it done."

Tracey Foulkes, Productivity Specialist 

4. Pause First

“When I'm stuck, the first thing I do is take a pause to clear my head. I might meditate and then go outside (no matter what the weather) and do some kind of physical exercise. Then I'm likely to start making notes or talk to a friend about my stuckness, try to pull it apart, and look closely at just one piece of it. Finally, I carefully set a realistic, measurable goal related to that one piece which continues to melt some of the glue!”

April Lane Benson, Ph.D., Psychologist & Author 

5. Activate Strengths

“I use several strategies, mostly taking advantage of my natural verbal processing. These also compensate for not being able to order steps as well in my head as outside my head. I use a written set of decision-making criteria to filter business ideas through. I talk through the problem aloud to myself, to a colleague or my business coach. I write about where I am stuck. I’ll map out the steps to a process so I can see a logical next step. I’ll research to access my intuition or sometimes to gain confidence. I’ll use strategies from a similar situation simply to gain momentum.” 

Sue West, CPO-CD, COC, CPO, Professional Organizer, Coach, & Author

6. Research, Sleep, or Chew

“It all depends what I'm stuck on. If it requires an answer I can research, I go to the Internet; if I need basic knowledge, I use the children's section of the public library. If it requires judgment, I seek the advice of trusted colleagues, and then I sleep on it. If I'm stuck writing a passage in one of my novels, I pace around, talk to myself, and literally chew on something; somehow the chewing motion unleashes the creative part of my brain.”

Val Sgro, Professional Organizer & Author

7. Be Patient and Open

“Life experience does come in handy. It helps me to remember that I’ve been there, done that before and I came out all right. This knowledge strengthens my resolve and confidence in the fact that, eventually, it will all work out! Invariably though, I have to surrender to the process and allow the answers to come to me, at their proper time! I have to be willing to stay open to the experience of being stuck! This is the greatest challenge . . . doing what’s in front of me while waiting for the fog to lift - when time and circumstance are ripe for me to act!” 

Yota Schneider, Life Transitions Coach

Which strategies resonate with you? While I appreciate and use many of these strategies, the one I focused on this past year was Yota’s. Today marks the one year anniversary of my Dad’s passing. I had to be patient and wait for the “fog to lift” before figuring out next. Sometimes we’re able to force ourselves forward and other times we need that waiting space as we travel through a transition. I’d love to hear from you. Come join the conversation and share your thoughts about being stuck, favorite strategies, or next steps.