Have you ever tried to build a new habit, make a change in your life, or learn something new? Think of one of those times. Did you go it alone? Or did you have help and support? For most of us, when we’re doing something outside our skill set or comfort zone, reaching out for help is the secret sauce for success.

You might remember that I set a big goal to create a healthier lifestyle almost a year ago. My main objectives were to change my eating habits, exercise more, and lose weight. Could I have done this without help? Definitely not! My husband, family, friends, and Noom coaches and lessons provide support. I’m still working on my goals, and I’ve made significant progress. I’m 25 pounds lighter, feel better physically, and am more flexible and energetic.

The ‘Noom lessons’ help me tremendously. The app sends me daily articles that deep dive into the psychology of weight loss, provide encouragement, include practical advice, and describe ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle. One piece of Noom’s wisdom that resonated with me was “Practice makes progress.”

Notice it doesn’t say ‘practice makes perfect,’ a familiar phrase. Because what or who is perfect?

I love how the practice-makes-progress concept encourages experimentation and ongoing action. Practice infers something you are working on and supports a growth mindset. It allows space for success, failure, and learning. Progress inspires incremental change.

“Practice makes progress.”

— Noom

I recognize how instrumental enlisting help is for achieving my goals. My organizing clients also experience these benefits. I love being on their support team.

Some ways I help my virtual organizing clients are to:

• Define realistic goals

• Experiment with new habits

• Declutter and organize their things, thoughts, time, and space

• Create maintainable organizing systems

• Integrate accountability

• Reflect on the changes they are making

• Navigate overwhelm, backsliding, frustration, and discovery

• Celebrate their progress and success

We focus on small, consistent, gradual change. My clients practice new habits, experiment with organizing systems, shift their perspective, and make progress. It’s genuinely inspiring to see their positive changes.

What changes are you actively working on? Do you have help? Do you need help? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

Have you ever been disappointed by an experience you’ve had? If so, you’re not alone. Would you like to learn some ways to turn an unsuccessful experience into a successful one? One small change can make an enormous difference. I was curious about my colleagues’ ideas, so I reached out to this fabulous international group – Seana Turner, Nacho Eguiarte, Jill Robson, Diane Quintana, Ellen Delap, Janet Barclay, and Cris Sgrott-Wheedleton.

I asked them, “What is one essential ingredient needed to have a successful experience?”  Their responses are unique and inspiring. My deepest gratitude goes to each of them for sharing their wisdom with us.

What is one essential ingredient needed to have a successful experience? . . .

Flexibility

“Life is rarely 100% predictable, so I believe the key to having a positive experience is flexibility. This doesn’t mean failing to make plans. Quite the opposite! Having a scaffold of structure in place allows me to nimbly respond to the unforeseen, to keep going when I hit a roadblock, and to enjoy (rather than dread) surprises. So often we are discouraged or disheartened by unexpected developments, but some of the best times I’ve ever had were when I showed up prepared, but also open to whatever the next step might be.”

Seana Turner – Professional Organizer, Blogger & Public Speaker

Attitude

“No matter what recipe you’re making for dinner you’ll always need some salt. That would be a key ingredient. So the “salt" in having a successful experience for me is attitude. With a good attitude you can overcome every possible bad situation, and with a good attitude you can upgrade a good situation into a fabulous experience. No matter what, attitude is a must.” 

Nacho Equiarte – Professional Organizer, Architect, Grieving Counselor & Blogger

Acknowledgement

“How has the experience made you feel? Did you feel heard? I think most of us have a successful experience when we feel we have been listened to. How often do we need help or advice and we feel that the person is not really listening, just giving a stock answer? I know in my occupation, I have spoken with other organizers on how we communicate with our clients, and it is our listening skills that are just as important as our organizing skills.”

Jill Robson – Professional Organizer & Blogger

Positivity

“One of the most important ingredients to having a successful experience is your attitude. Think about it this way, you’ve set your goal, you know the steps to take to achieve your goal, and you’ve decided that it’s going to be difficult to achieve. Your attitude is such that from the outset you’re predicting failure. So, your journey towards your goal will probably be beset with bumps in the road, which turn into mountains because you’ve doomed yourself from the start. However, if you switch the channel deciding that this goal is worthwhile and that you’re going to achieve it your attitude is positive. There may be bumps in the road but you will overcome them and the journey itself will be a positive learning experience.”

Diane Quintana, CPO®, CPO-CD® – Certified Professional Organizer, Author & Speaker

Readiness

“A successful experience begins with a readiness for new perspectives. When a client begins our work together ready for change, it makes change happen. They are alert and aware of possibilities and reflect actively on this as well as during our session and after we conclude.  Success comes in baby steps with small changes they make as a result.”

Ellen Delap, CPO® – Professional Organizer & Productivity Consultant 

Confidence

“To achieve success, I have to believe in myself and my ability to accomplish that which I’m trying to do. Reminding myself of similar challenges I’ve overcome in the past can be very helpful, so I file complimentary messages I receive in a special folder in my email program and re-read them whenever I need to boost my self-confidence.”

Janet Barclay, MVA – Web Designer, Blogger & Virtual Marketing Assistant

Willingness

“I think any successful experience starts with a willingness to make a change and experience something new. I personally, never like to go through any change.  I am very resistant to doing things differently. It is part of my personality. However, I have learned over the years, that my personal growth and success can be directly attributed to making life transitions and embracing change. Now, I just acknowledge to myself that I don’t like to change, but I also acknowledge that there is a possibility that it will be good for me. I give it a try, and most of the time I embrace it, and it becomes habit. I recommend my clients to try small changes, one little one at the time.”

Cris Sgrott-Wheedleton, CPO®, CPO-CD® – Professional Organizer & Blogger 

Having a successful experience can feel illusive. With the wonderful concepts that my colleagues shared, you now have some new ways to approach your experiences. Whether you choose to adjust your attitude, be more flexible, or embrace the changes, a successful outcome is possible for you. For me, one ingredient that colors all others is my attitude. If I go forth with optimism and positivity, it flavors my experiences with exactly that. So even if the outcome differs from the plan, I can view it as a learning experience instead of a failure.

Which ideas resonate with you? What is one essential ingredient you need to have a successful experience? 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.

It’s time for another installment (v3) of the “What’s Interesting?” feature where I share my latest discoveries that inform, educate, and relate to organizing and life balance. Included are fun, inspiring, and interesting success-related finds, which reflect this month’s blog theme. You’re a wonderfully engaged 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 – Home Organization

Hot off the press is the new e-book, Room by Room Organization For the Home, from my friends at Smead. It’s a collaboration of organizing tips from Professional Organizers from around the country (including yours truly.) It’s a wonderful collection of quick tips to help you experience organizing success. Click here to download your free copy.

2. Interesting Product – Gadget Organizer

Cocoon’s organizing products are an inventive line of bags and cases that are designed to store, carry, and protect your gadgets and accessories. One of my favorites is the laptop backpack with built in GRID-IT® organizer. Replace cord and gadget clutter with organized tech success!

3. Interesting Assessment – Strengths

Working from your strengths is a success strategy. What if you aren’t sure what your strengths are? One strengths assessment is Clifton StrengthsFinder® 2.0. Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D., who is the father of strengths-based psychology, created it. To learn about your top five strengths, invest in an assessment and your success. Are you curious about my top five strengths? Just ask me below in the comments section and I’ll gladly share them with you.

4. Interesting Fact – Social Media

In a recent Fast Company article, “Man and His Machines,”Om Malik wrote, “The world of information has surpassed human cognitive powers. More than 100,000 tweets and nearly 250,000 Instagram photos are shared per second.” No wonder we’re challenged with processing information and using social media. How can you focus the most useful and relevant information when there’s such great volume being generated each second? What tools do you use that help you successfully navigate social media?

5. Interesting Thought - Success

Success is a way of being and not a singular event. Experiencing failure, experimentation, and frustration are integral to your success journey.

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