Marie Potter and Linda SamuelsHave you ever wondered how to foster possibilities? Is it about the things we do? Is it about the things we hear? Is it about the relationships we cultivate, the people we interact with, or the experiences we are open to? Yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes!

I just returned from attending my first POC (Professional Organizers in Canada) conference in Calgary. It was wonderful! The POC members are such a warm, welcoming group who enjoy learning and having a great time together. A special shout out and thanks to Kelly Hipkin, Georgina Forrest, and Stephanie Deakin for the many ways you made me feel welcome.

Mayumi Takahara, Linda Samuels, Mary Dkystra-Novess, Alexandra Ross, Stephanie Deakin, Valentina Sgro, Junko Bradley

It was also wonderful to spend time with leaders from IFPOA (International Federation of Professional Organizing Associations) to discuss the challenges and successes other organizing associations have. Represented were colleagues from Canada, Japan, the United States, and Australia. Heartfelt gratitude and thanks to Stephanie, Alexandra, Mayumi, Mary, Val, and Amanda for bringing your best to the table.

April Miller, Linda Samuels, Laurene Livesey ParkWhile I enjoyed learning about many topics including marketing, goal setting, accountability, disorganization, social media, and technology, what I most loved was meeting new people and strengthening relationships with existing ICD, NAPO, and POC friends and colleagues.

Fostering possibilities is the same as nurturing relationships. They both involve being open and curious, and investing time and energy. As was underscored while in Calgary, the bonds we form with others happen casually and purposefully over coffee, sharing meals, while learning together, listening, observing, while discussing kids, travel, and organizing, while driving from place to place, during elevator rides, waiting in airports, while hanging out after hours, while laughing, dancing, or taking photos. Relationships get nurtured and formed as possibilities are being fostered.

Kelly Hipkin and Linda Samuels

There are many photos from my time in Calgary; some I’ve shared here with you. One of my favorite images is by Mary Dkystra-Novess, NAPO President. She captured a joyful moment of fun when Marie Potter and myself were hugging and posing (feather boas intertwined) at the photo booth during the Awards Dinner. I met Marie last month in Nashville at the ICD conference and we became fast friends. We saw each other again this past week at the POC conference. To me this photo captures the essence of what can happen when you foster possibilities.

Georgina Forrest and Linda Samuels

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation. How do you foster possibilities?

The popular “Ask the Expert” interview series connects you with dynamic industry thought leaders. This year we’ve spoken with Erin Rooney Doland about clutter, Francine Jay about letting go, Todd Henry about next steps, Dr. Debbie Grove about change, and Joshua Becker about fresh starts. For June, I’m thrilled to have with us prolific writer, speaker, and time management guru, Harold Taylor to share his expertise about time.

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Harold for many years through one of our industry associations, the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO.) He’s been a frequent speaker and exhibitor at the annual conference. In 2002, I remember when he came to New York and presented his “Making Time Work for You” workshop for the NAPO-NY chapter professional development series. I still have the fabulous handouts with a great Harold quote that says,

“You cannot manage time; but if you manage yourself wisely in the time at your disposal,
time will work for you.”

— Harold Taylor

Tonight I'm looking forward to attending the teleclass "Sleep as a Time Management Strategy fot he CD Client" that he's presenting to the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD.) My deepest gratitude goes to Harold for taking the time to join us. Before we begin, here’s more about him.

Harold Taylor,CEO ofHarold Taylor Time Consultants Ltd., has been speaking, writing and conducting training programs on the topic of effective time management for over 35 years. He has written 18 books and has presented over 2,000 workshops, speeches and keynotes on the topic of time and life management. You can connect with Harold on Twitter, blog or website.

Linda Samuels: As time management consultant, speaker, author, and trainer, you’ve been helping others manage their time and lives for almost 40 years. In what ways do the time challenges we had decades ago differ from now?

Harold Taylor:  There is a greater need than ever for time management because of the increasing speed, complexity and distractions of today’s environment. We are working faster, driving faster, communicating faster, eating faster – in short, we’re living faster.

In addition to time problems introduced by the latest technology, such as increased choices, incessant interruptions, unrealistic expectations and concomitant stress, our bodies are not designed to operate at warp speed and we are faced with a variety of ailments to the point that “keeping well” has become another time consumer.

We now have a longer lifespan than any previous generation, yet about a third of us claim we do not have enough time. Technology allows us to quickly dispense with trivial and low-priority activities so we are able to take on more trivial and low-priority activities. The emphasis has been on doing things faster but relatively little emphasis on working smarter.

For example, email is faster than writing or typing letters but we send and receive more messages. Some people in my workshops claim to receive hundreds of emails in a day. Since the line between work and personal time has been eliminated, people answer email and phone calls during lunch hours, text message while driving and watch videos during a son’s baseball game. We are allowing technology to control us rather than the other way around.

Linda:  For those that are especially challenged with time management, what strategies are most effective?

Harold: The most effective strategies in this digital age of speed are to work with purpose, plans and priorities. Most people resist prioritizing because they want to do it all. The consequences include unhealthy and inefficient attempts at multitasking, working longer hours, and cutting back on sleep.

We have to accept the fact that we can’t do everything, and establish a set of personal policies (which identify our values), set specific goals, and schedule appointments with ourselves to actually get the work done. This requires the use of an appropriate planner, a lot of self-discipline, and the commitment to regain control of our time.

Linda:  Can you describe your “holistic time management” approach to living and some of the benefits?

Harold:  I define holistic time management as “applying the strategies necessary to lead a happier, healthier, longer, more productive and fulfilling life.”  It is based on my belief that rather than trying to get more things done in our lifetime through efficiency, it would be more rewarding to focus on extending our lifetime. Not only would we get more done (even if we did nothing to increase our efficiency) we would have more time to enjoy whatever life had to offer.

The major topics covered in a workshop on holistic time management fall neatly into an acronym that spells out the word HOLISTIC – Health;Organization; Lifestyle; Internal body time;Spirituality; Time use; Interpersonal relationships and Cognitive skills. These all impact our longevity as well as our time management.

Linda:  What has been your toughest personal time management challenge?

Harold: My toughest personal time management challenge as I get older is not to become an “activity packrat,” crowding more activities into an already busy schedule without getting rid of other activities in the process. I think this is more difficult as you age since you can finally see the top surface of the sand in the hourglass.

Linda:  Do you have a time management philosophy or mantra?

Harold: I’m not sure if it’s a philosophy or mantra, but I do believe we should never regret having squandered time in the past; because even squandering can be enjoyable, and there are lessons learned, personal growth or other value in everything we have done or not done in the past. And we can’t change it anyway.

Linda:  If you found yourself with an unexpected extra hour on a particular day, how would you spend that time?

Harold: If I found myself with an unexpected hour on a particular day, I hope I would either spend the time doing more of whatever I was doing at the time - or wondering whether I had missed putting the clock ahead in the spring.

Harold, there are so many ideas here that resonate with me like the effect technology has had- how we manage or don’t manage our time. I love the clarity of your message that we need to “accept the fact that we can’t do everything, ” and the that “squandering [time] can be enjoyable.” I also never heard the term “activity packrat.” It’s an interesting concept to consider that our schedules can become just as cluttered as our spaces if we’re not aware.

Please join Harold and me as we continue the conversation. Share your ideas about time management, favorite strategies, and the role technology plays. What are your thoughts?

As we welcome the new month, we also begin a new time of the year. New evokes opportunity, change, and growth. Time can feel expansive or limiting. What will time be like for you? Do you ever feel like you're not ready? Do you feel like it's not yet your time to do, to try, or to get out there?

“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn’t happen at once.”

 - Albert Einstein

Is fear or lack of confidence holding you back?

• Maybe you don’t feel ready for organizing your paper piles.
• Maybe you don’t feel ready to say “yes” to a job with more responsibility.
• Maybe you don’t feel ready to volunteer.
• Maybe you don’t feel ready to try something outside your comfort zone.
• Maybe you don’t feel ready to . . . (fill in the blank).

Here’s the good news. Time helps us get ready, though we might not realize it at first. The “ready” can involve acquiring new skills or making a gentle perspective shift. We’re never 100% ready for venturing towards uncertainty. However, there’s a good chance that we’re ready enough. Know the power of taking small steps. Acknowledge your previous challenges and successes. These prepare you, so when the time comes, you’ll be ready enough.

This past week, I attended the NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers) conference in Phoenix where professional organizers from around the globe gathered to learn and exchange ideas about our industry. While there, I was invited to speak in Japan at the JALO (Japanese Association of Life Organizers) conference. I’ve never traveled to or presented in that part of the world. While I don’t have all the details worked out, time prepared me to be ready enough to say, “Yes” to this wonderful, exciting opportunity.How does time prepare you? What does ready enough look like? What becomes possible with a perspective shift?

Erratic temperatures and a changing landscape accompany the fall season. One day it’s warm. The next it’s blustery. One day the trees are covered with intensely colored leaves. The next they’re bare. Change and variety are abundant. The swirling leaves accentuate the feelings within. With all the tumult, how do we engage in mindfulness?

Do transitions and uncertainty have you feeling unsettled? For me, the churning I see outside mirrors what I’m experiencing inside. During these times, being mindful and open helps me feel centered and grateful. If you're feeling stressed by the season and upcoming holidays keep reading. You'll discover ways to shift your focus to help you feel more energized, mindful, and grateful. 

1. Connect

The season of gatherings and parties is here. I’m looking forward to going to and hosting many events from birthdays to Thanksgiving to dinner parties and more. I enjoy hosting as much as being a guest. I’m grateful for the face-to-face time celebrating and hanging out with family and friends. My heart feels full and grateful being around those that I love.

2. Dance

There’s nothing quite like dancing to any type of music (live or recorded) that makes me feel alive. The other night my husband and I went to a dance party, where a favorite band, Zydegroove, was playing. Not only did we enjoy hours of dancing, but we also got to hear great music and see wonderful friends. Surprisingly it was my face that hurt (not my legs) from all the hours of smiling. Dancing was joy and smile inducing.

3. Look

Whether it’s the red and orange leaves, the morning light streaming in through the windows, or my blue violet office area, I’m drawn to color in its variety of hues. My eyes are delighted, and my heart beats more quickly when I stop to soak in the visual beauty that abounds.

4. Touch

While I’m not thrilled about wearing extra layers or bundling up, I am enjoying the textures of the wonderfully cozy blankets, velveteen gloves, and super soft sweaters that get layered on these days to keep me warm. I literally enjoy feeling my way through the season.

5. Write

For the writers among us, I know you appreciate the value of the blank page. This fresh canvas gives us a place to sort, share, challenge, and question. In times of pain, happiness and everything in between, we have the written word as our source of solace. As a journal writer, turned author and blogger, I'm grateful for this form of expression to share and connect both with myself and with all of you.

6. Learn

Education comes in many forms such as life lessons, conversations, or more traditional learning. Recently, I took a few social media courses. I attended Melanie Duncan’s Pinterest online webinar with a self-study component, and Lisa Kaslyn’s Content Marketing in person course at a local venue, Watercooler. Both were affirming (of what I already knew) and valuable (what I want to learn.) I appreciated these opportunities to expand my thinking and feel invigorated.

7. Explore

Whether I’m reading a new book, like Alina Tugend’s Better By Mistake, checking out a blog post such as Karla Jennings' “10 Adorable Characteristics Happy People Have”, or gathering with colleagues, considering other ideas and perspectives develops new connections in my brain. This past weekend, I spent several hours with veteran NAPO professional organizer colleagues. We discussed ethical, organizing, and business challenges and successes. We told stories and supported each other over the sudden loss of one of our industry leaders and mentors, Angela Wallace, who will be deeply missed. Especially important in times of loss and sadness, idea exploring and sharing creates those ah-ha moments and life affirming sparks.

Being human means living in a state of flux. We can let this unnerve us, or instead, we can embrace our moments with energy, openness, and gratitude. How do you engage in mindfulness? Come join the conversation.