The newest installment (v8) of the “What’s Interesting?” feature is here with my latest discoveries that inform, educate, and relate to organizing and life balance. I’ve included unique and inspiring people-related finds, which reflect this month’s blog theme, wonderfully human.  You are such an engaging group. I look forward to your participation and additions to the collection I’ve sourced for you. What do you find interesting?

What’s Interesting? . . .

1. Interesting Read – Speaking

Louder Than Words by Todd Henry

Never one to disappoint, Todd Henry in his newest book, Louder Than Words, describes a process to harness the power of your authentic voice through identity, vision and mastery. Henry writes, “You have to let go of your fear of what you think you must be so that you can embrace the possibility of what you might be.” Whether you’re designing, leading, or pursuing your life’s purpose, you’ll discover compelling, deep questions and strategies to help you on your journey. With understanding of self comes clearer direction, sense of purpose, and clarity of action. He says, “…your voice is both your single greatest possession and the most critical asset you share with the world.”

2. Interesting Challenge – Listening

WYNC’s Only Human broadcast is sponsoring a fascinating, week long project (November 16-20) to help us become better listeners. You can participate by taking the Mimi test to find out how well you hear, engage in a daily challenge to improve your listening skills, or access podcasts and written transcripts. One of the premises of their Listen Up project is that because we spend so much time interacting digitally, we don’t have to use our listening skills as frequently. Beatrice de Gelder, a professor of neuroscience and psychology explains that when our conversations are by text or email, we miss a lot of critical information such as facial expressions, tone, and gestures that help us understand someone’s message. Are you ready to boost your listening skills?

3. Interesting Product – Visualizing

There are many ways to generate and capture and develop ideas. I’ve used post it notes, lists, journals, drawings, voice messages, and conversations. The Brilliant Ideas Launch Pad designed by Kari Chapin takes brainstorming to another level. It’s designed to capture your seed idea and turn it into something greater. The pad includes numerous templates to encourage exploring and generating new ideas, moving ideas from your brain to paper and figuring out next steps. The templates have many options including working backwards, using a funnel technique, or using a brain download method. When it comes to brainstorming, “There are no rules except this one: There are no bad ideas in brainstorming. Every thought can lead to a brilliant idea if you take your time and keep challenging yourself.”

4. Interesting Tech – Feeling

Keepy is one of the most interesting new apps I’ve come across for parents. It easily lets you organize kids artwork, schoolwork, photos, and mementos, while enhancing them with voice and video narration. Once you save your still and moving images, sharing those beautiful memories with family and friends is simple. Capturing memories digitally also gives parents the option to let go of the physical papers and mementos. Enjoy more memories, less clutter.

5. Interesting Thought – Doing

One of the gifts of being human is not being perfect. Making mistakes helps us learn. They become the seeds for growth.

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

I’m heading to Toronto this week to attend the Professional Organizers in Canada (POC) conference. I’m looking forward to traveling, learning, seeing colleagues and meeting new ones. Mostly, though, I’m excited about the possibilities and new ideas that traveling inspires.

For this week’s post, I offer you a single idea to enjoy and ponder. A quote I collected a while ago was relevant to this month’s possibility thinking theme. For you . . .

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”

— Anne Lamott

What becomes possible when you unplug? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation.

From what I’ve observed, success feels like success when we’ve struggled in some way to overcome a challenge. The amount and complexity of the challenge varies. Experiencing challenges that we often refer to, as failures, are hallmarks of success.

On a daily basis, I work with my clients as they overcome their organizing challenges and experience success. Their success happens, not in one grand gesture, but in small increments that we celebrate and acknowledge as we go.

Recently, I was struggling to write a particular piece. The deadline was looming. My ideas weren’t flowing. I thought I’d never get it done. Or if I got it done, it wouldn’t be good enough. It wouldn’t communicate what I wanted to say. Oh, yes. I was beating myself up. Nice, right?

“That wonderful, positive energy surge that overcoming obstacles produces is success.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®

Giving up isn’t my style, yet I was clearly stuck. I did a few things to push forward. I offer them to you. Feel free to try some of these the next time you're feeling challenged.

7 Ideas for Getting Unstuck

• Reach out to a few people to talk over some ideas

• Write despite the fact that the words aren’t gelling

• Let go of any pre-conceived notion of what it should be

• Allow ideas to percolate while sleeping

• Get clarity around the key message

• Read the words out loud

• Write, edit, and write some more

Here’s what happened. The words began flowing. The message came together. I experienced that wonderful, positive energy surge that overcoming obstacles produces. Success.

What does success feel like to you? What helps you when you’re facing a challenge? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation.

What becomes possible when we shift our thinking to the “what if” mode? I’m talking about letting go and allowing ideas to generate without judgment or negative commentary or disparaging remarks. Where will your thoughts take you?

In truth, permitting yourself to dream and allowing the “what ifs” to surface can be challenging for some. Is it for you?

Enjoy some space to explore...

Do you need help getting your “what if” juices flowing?  If so, try one of these strategies:

1. Nature Nudge – Being outside, especially this time of year when the fall leaves are changing color, helps us expand our thinking. On several recent outside jaunts, it was impossible not to feel inspired by the views around me. The expansiveness of nature’s beauty opened my mind to larger, unencumbered thinking. Being surrounded by the fresh air and blue skies allowed me to breathe in positivity.

2. People Nudge – Having stimulating conversations with your people (family, friends, or colleagues) is a great way of encouraging the “what if?” mode. Being around others that are thinking big and imagining what’s possible can inspire us to expand beyond our current constraints. I just returned from the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) conference in Denver where I had the opportunity to exchange ideas with wonderful colleagues from around the world. It was definitely a “what if?” idea booster.

3. Paper Nudge – Allow your inner thoughts to be captured on paper. This is another way to shift into the possibility-thinking mode. If paper isn’t your medium, try other ways to download your ideas like using a voice recorder or computer. I use a combination of techniques including writing with a pen in my journal, typing on a keyboard, and talking out loud with others.

There are many other ways to get the “what if” thoughts flowing. Have you tried, organizing your space, traveling, exercising, creating, showering, or reading? What actions work for you? What’s possible this season? Come join the conversation.