OverHall IT!
Balance Issue 8
Welcome to OverHall IT! Balance issue. All
administration
and publication information is located at the end of the
newsletter.
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Vol. 2, Issue 8
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Table of Contents:
1. Welcome Message
2. OverHalling and Balance
3. Tip of the Month
4. Guest Article
5. Events
6. Jokes, Quotes, and Anecdotes
7. Products, Books, and Web Site Reviews
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1. Welcome Message
I was in Raleigh, NC earlier in the month to train with professional
organizer, Barbara Hemphill, in the use of her Paper Tiger Software.
What a product! Guaranteed to find anything in 5 seconds or less!
I am now a PTAC, (Paper Tiger Authorized Consultant) and honored
to have the privilege of joining the many other PTAC's around the world.
I was also honored a week ago when I attended a local women's
conference, put on by the Women's Business Institute, when I was asked to sit on their board. I can't wait to start contributing to the institute!
Yesterday afternoon I took some time out from my busy schedule
for my self. I went out boating and fishing with my husband on the
beautiful Chesapeake Bay. I was somewhat apprehensive about
going because last year I kept getting seasick on these
adventures. I still have NO idea why; it wasn't like me. But I
decided I had to face my fear or it would control me and I would
miss out on all the fun. I'm happy to report that I got my "sea legs"
back!
This issue, and the next three Balance issues, we are going to start
looking at what emotional reasons or fears you might have that
might be causing your clutter problems, and how to face them.
Welcome and thank you to all new subscribers. This year
we have been working on * OverHalling * the spiritual area of
ones life in the Balance issue. (Last year we worked on the
health and financial area, see back issues In the
Computer Corner issue, we are starting to work on * OverHalling *
your computer skills and web site.
Okay, ready to start "OverHalling?"
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2. Sober From Clutter
By Janet L. Hall
Every Sunday in the spring and summer an acquaintance I have
goes out all day to yard sales. It’s her ritual, her habit, and the
"thing" she does on Sunday. She's addicted! She's really looking
for something to feed her Spirit and Soul, make her feel good,
change her life, get what she wants; all the while, all around her
she is drowning in clutter.
Many of the things we do, think, say, and the way we act or react is
out of habit. Most of the time we are totally unaware of these
actions, thoughts, or sayings because they are so ingrained into our
fiber of being, or we are in some kind of pain.
If you want to correct, change, or replace a habit, you must first
become aware of the old habit and replace it with a more desirable
habit.
To break an unwanted habit, such as hitting the yard sales every
Sunday or shopping till you drop, I feel you must look deep within
yourself to discover the true reason you are "spending" like there’s
no tomorrow, or bringing home stuff you really have NO need or
space for! You must admit you have a habit that is undesirable,
and be committed to changing.
Getting "sober" or becoming more mindful of your actions and
undesirable habits will help you become more aware of what you
are buying, saving, or hoarding, and why. It will allow you to be
more in tune with yourself, and cause you to stop and listen.
Hopefully you can correct the habits of "shopping till you drop, piling
up, saving everything for someday, or just in case."
For one whole day, be as conscious as possible of ALL your
actions, thoughts, and sayings towards your clutter, your shopping,
and of saving stuff; from the time your eyes open to close and all
the time in between. Pay close attention to the emotional causes of
your clutter behavior and what effect it is having on you and
possibly those around you. Question yourself; ask why you do the
things you do.
What is your Spirit and Soul lacking, or what fears do you have that
you feel you must buy, collect, or hoard in order to replace that
"lack" or feed that fear?
Many times I have arrived at a clients home or office where it is not
uncommon that they start sobbing and pleading for my help.
As I work with clients, I get to know a lot about them and their life.
Being an "old-hat" at this I can usually see or sense what their
"true" problem is. Not wanting to invade what little privacy they
have left, I usually wait for them to discover or confess what has
brought them close to the point of no return. What has made them
into a "shop till you drop," "a collector of things,"
"a pack-rat," a
QVC junkie, or a "just in case" clutter person.
It always comes down to, in one way or another; their Spirit and
Soul, aren't being feed, fear, or both.
Four Top Emotional Reasons for Your Clutter:
1. Your Spirit, body, and mind aren't getting any love, intimacy, or
attention.
2. You over compensate because you had little growing up, so you
want it now and you want your children to have it all too!
3. You have fear or guilt of getting rid of things that were given to
you.
4. You have so much pain and sadness you think all your stuff will
make it better - it doesn't!
Is your clutter holding you hostage because of your fear of letting
go, fear of not being loved, fear of not being a good parent?
What emotional reason is causing your clutter problems? What are
you doing that might be replacing something missing in your life?
Maybe you aren't even aware of it yet. Stop and really think on this.
Ask yourself WHY you do the things you do. Be honest with
yourself. It's not always easy, I know. This question can open up a
lot of other questions and/or painful memories.
Once you become aware of the WHY, you can start to move
forward and discover the HOW. How can you change these habits,
rituals, and compulsions?
Just like an addict, you need to start rehabilitating your life. Why not
correct the emotional lacking or fear, and replace the addiction of
clutter with the sobriety of getting rid of your clutter?
For the next 31 days, every time you start to bring something into
your life - STOP - and ask yourself, "Why do I feel I need this?
Why do I want this? What is it replacing in my life? What has just
happened; what did I just feel (or not feel), or think that makes me
WANT this?
For the next four issues of the Balance issue of OverHall IT! we will
examine the emotional reasons that might be the cause of your
clutter. Please remember that these are the top four EMOTIONAL
reasons I've come across with clients. If you have any others that
you would like to share, please email me.
This month let's take a closer look at Emotional Reason number 1.
Love, Intimacy, and Attention:
"I don't have anyone to love me," or "My partner and I barely
talk,
let alone have relationships," or "I keep bringing things into the
home and piling up, and then I get noticed, I get some attention,
although it's usually negative attention." I hear things like this ALL
the time.
Any of those sound familiar?
Let's do a little exercise.
Answer the questions below honestly, and write them down.
1. Do you love yourself, and what do you love about yourself?
On the list below write out all the attributes you love about yourself
(I've given an example of mine in case you need help). It's okay if
you can only think of one.
What physical attributes do you love about yourself?
I love the natural white streaks that are starting to flow through and
shine in my hair.
What emotional attributes do you love about yourself?
I love that a book or a movie can be so moving, a child can be so
loving and innocent, or a spectacular scene can be so breath taking
that I’m moved to tears or laughter.
What spiritual attributes do you love about yourself?
I love that I can ASK and I KNOW I will receive.
What creative attributes do you love about yourself?
I love that I can turn a plot of ground into a beautiful garden of
flowers or vegetables.
If there is something you don't like about yourself - step up and start
doing something about it. Stop looking at yourself or thinking of
your "bad" attributes. Focus on your "good". Stop dwelling
on the
negative and only allow the positive in and out. What we focus on
multiplies: good or bad, negative or positive.
To quote Alan Cohen, "But because we are spiritual beings, it is the
inside world that determines our happiness. The most powerful
way to improve your circumstances is by upgrading your
consciousness. If you try to change your situation without
changing your mind, sooner or later you will revert to your former
position."
If there's something about you that CANNOT be changed, accept
and love yourself for who you are.
I love me for me, and you need to love yourself, and give yourself
positive attention before anyone else will or can. Love yourself
unconditional.
I'm a firm believer that if you want someone to love you, you have
to love yourself FIRST!
2. Do you give yourself positive attention, and put yourself first?
For the next 31 days put yourself first; take time out for yourself.
Give yourself the positive attention you deserve. Meditate or pray.
Take a walk on the beach, around the neighborhood, through your
yard. Go fishing, to a game, or an event. Have a soak, or lie in the
grass. Curl up with a good book or watch your favorite movie. Get
a new hair style, a manicure, pedicure, or massage (yes, men can
do this too!)
3. Are you getting in your own way and blocking the flow of love,
intimacy, and attention by surrounding yourself with useless or
unneeded stuff?
4. Are you "spinning your wheels" looking for stuff all day, moving
stuff from one room or pile to the next; too tired in the evening or
weekends to have a relationship?
Love yourself, and your surroundings, and rehabilitate yourself from
your clutter.
Your possessions don't love you - they possess you!
Your possessions and stuff will not end your emotional lacking.
Possessions, clutter, and all your "stuff" are just a temporary
substitute to fill a void, calm you, or satisfy a desire or need, and
most likely causing you MORE pain, chaos, and problems.
5. Has the romance frizzled, gone dry, or disappeared from your
life?
Make a list of all the things that have changed in your love area.
What's missing or lacking? What can you do to change this and
how?
If you have a partner, please talk to them; maybe they are missing
you too.
Find out what you need to do to get romance back into your lives.
Make your list together.
Can you have a "standing" weekly or monthly date?
If you need a sitter, can you schedule in advance?
Will a romantic dinner, interlude, or just a walk, hand-in hand,
satisfy what's missing?
Do you need a weekend or a week away, alone, together with no
interruptions?
Do you just need an unexpected hug, a kiss, a wink, or an adult
conversation?
Only you and your partner can discover, together, what is missing
and how to bring back into your life what you need.
Whether you are single, dating, or whatever your situation, you
need to discover by looking inside yourself what it is you need,
what are you looking for, what will feed your Spirit and Soul.
Ask and ye shall receive, believe this, it will come to you.
For the next 31 days, get "sober" from your clutter EVERYDAY by
tossing or giving away the stuff that is causing your clutter, and
your pain. Remember that you are trying to replace your old habits
and "addictions" with new and supportive ones. As like the addict,
who replaces getting high or going bar hopping, they attend AA
meetings, and discover new ways to spend their time, so must you
find out what you need to do and get to get sober from your clutter.
Arnold Patent said "If you ever feel that you should do something,
lie down until the feeling passes." Let's put a twist on this by
saying, If you ever feel that you need to bring ANYMORE stuff into
your life, lie down until the feeling passes.
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Organize Your Inner and Outer Self by scheduling a consultation
or coaching session for your life, call Janet at 800-687-3040 or
mailto:janet@overhall.com
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3. OverHall IT! Tip of the Month
This tip has been reprinted with permission from a member of
A Clutter Free Life Board.
My husband has a tremendous amount of family photographs,
letters, and paperwork, which mean nothing to him--(i.e. duplicates,
correspondence with people long gone...). However, his father
graduated from Yale Divinity School and they already have many of
his papers. I sent them a quick e-mail and asked them if we could
send them more and they said yes! Today my professional
organizer and I consolidated three dusty books of papers into one
to send to the Yale library and one to keep at home. I know that
many college libraries have set up other programs and it's nice to
know that those papers are safely at Yale for us and for anyone
else to see in the future.
I'd like this section to be yours! If you have a tip that you'd like to
share, please email it to: mailto:janet@overhall.com?subject=Tip
I'd love to hear from you so we can all learn something new!
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Home Managers-(If you make sure the bills get paid, call the
vendors to have repairs done, and keep track of all the important
documents...you are a Home Manager) check out
"The Red WHO, WHEN, and WHERE Home Management Booklet"
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4. 7 SECRETS To a Great Life
By Kathy Gates
A great life doesn’t happen by accident. A great life is the
result of allocating your time, energy, thoughts, and hard
work towards what you want your life to be. Stop setting
yourself up for stress and failure, and start setting up your
life to support success and ease. A great life is the result of
using the 24/7 you get in a creative and thoughtful way,
instead of just what comes next. Customize these "secrets"
to fit your own needs and style, and start creating your own
great life today!
1. S – Simplify. A great life is the result of simplifying your
life. People often misinterpret what simplify means. It’s not
a way to remove work from your life. When you focus on
simplifying your life, you free up energy and time for the work
that you enjoy and the purpose for which you are here. In
order to create a great life, you will have to make room for it
in yours first.
2. E – Effort. A great life is the result of your best effort.
Creating a great life requires that you make some
adjustments. It may mean re-evaluating how you spend
your time, or choosing to spend your money in a different
way. It may mean looking for new ways to spend your
energy that coincide with your particular definition of a great
life. Life will reward your best effort.
3. C – Create Priorities. A great life is the result of creating
priorities. It’s easy to spend your days just responding to the
next thing that gets your attention, instead of intentionally
using the time, energy and money you have in a way that’s
important to you. Focus on removing the obstacles that get
in the way of you making sure you are honoring your
priorities.
4. R – Reserves. A great life is the result of having reserves
– reserves of things, time, space, energy, money. With
reserves, you acquire far more than you need – not 6
months living expenses, but 5 years worth; not 15 minutes of
free time, 1 day. Reserves are important because they
reduce the fear of consequences, and that allows you to
make decisions based on what you really want instead of
what the fear decides for you.
5. E – Eliminate distractions. A great life is the result of
eliminating distractions. Up to 75% of your mental energy
can be tied up in things that are draining and distracting you.
Eliminating distractions can be a difficult concept to many
people, since they haven’t really considered that there is
another way to live. Look around at someone’s life you’re
your admire. What do they do that you would like to
incorporate into your own life? Ask them how they did it.
Find ways to free up your mental energy for things that are
more important to you.
6. T – Thoughts. A great life is the result of controlling your
thoughts so that you accept and allow for the possibility that
it actually can happen to you! Your belief in the outcome will
directly dictate how successful you are. Motivated people
have specific goals and look for ways to achieve them.
Believing there is a solution to the same old problems you
encounter year after year is vitally important to creating a life
that you love. Whatever you think and believe, you create.
Listen to what you’re telling yourself, and adjust that voice if
you need to.
7. S – Start! A great life is the result of starting. There’s the
old saying everyone’s familiar with "a journey of a thousand
miles begins with a single step." In order to even move from
the couch to the refrigerator, you have to start. There’s no better
time to start than today. Don’t wait for a raise, or until the kids get
older or the weather is better. Today, right now, is the right day to
start to take a step in the direction of your heart’s desires. It’s what
you do TODAY that will make a difference in your life tomorrow.
------------------------------
BIO Information: Are you ready for a simpler
and more
purposeful life? Kathy Gates is a Personal Life Coach who
believes that "Life Rewards Action". It’s what you do TODAY
that will make a difference in your life tomorrow. Personal
Coaching can help you set goals, build healthy relationships,
and set up a life that supports your desires. Visit
www.reallifecoach.com
for more information, or
mailto:Kathy@reallifecoach.com
, or 480.998.5843.
NOTE: This article is the property of Kathy Gates and is
protected under copyright. It may be reprinted only as long
as the article and the resource box remain unchanged.
Please email Kathy@reallifecoach.com
with publication
information on any articles you choose to use.
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Office Managers and Business Owners get on track
today!
"The Green WHO, WHEN, and WHERE Office Management Booklet"
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5. OverHall Events
LOOK and SEE-I might be coming to your town!
Coming to Lusby, MD in July!
A new type of Organizing seminar:
Your Home, Your Life
A four week journey that will help you awaken the Spirit in you
and your home! We'll de-clutter, organize, and awaken three rooms
in your home using professional organizing tips, Feng Shui, color,
smell, and meditation.
One hour a week for four weeks 8-9 PM on Tuesday $40
Starting July 10, 2001
Call Southern Community Center TODAY to register: 410/586-1101
Paula Langguth Ryan and I are kicking off our Fall tour
in NY and NJ (OverHall Your Life for More Space,
Time and Money & Break the Debt Cycle-For Good!) and
will be speaking in the following towns:
Tuesday September 25, 2001
Oakland Johrei Spiritual Center
818 Ramapo Valley Road, Route 202N
Oakland, NJ
201-337-2031
Session 925A: 9am-noon
Session 925B: 1pm-4pm
(please indicate which session you're registering for.)
Wednesday, September 26, 2001
SLC Conference Center
22 West 34th Street, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10001
Session 926C: 9am-noon
Session 926D: 1-4pm
(please indicate which session you're registering for.)
Sessions are $39 per person. To register, please call
800/687-3040 or 800/507-9244
Here are just a few of the benefits you'll gain:
*Tame the demons that cause you to "get backed up, piled
up or cluttered up."
*Explore the "5 W's of Organizing" and put them to work in
your life today.
* Master the chaos in all areas of your life using proven
tools and techniques.
*Release the envy and jealousy that keeps you in debt to
others.
*Build up savings using the Penny-A-Day Savings Plan even
if you've never saved before!
*Create a DebtBuster strategy that fits your income without
sacrificing your family's life.
* Develop a vacuum in your life that will cause more money
to flow to you, effortlessly.
If you know of a church or organization that would like to
provide us with a space in your area (we tithe back 20% of
whatever is collected at that seminar in return for the use
of the space), please let us know. We gratefully accept
locations that seat 50-500 people (or more!).
For additional information, please see:
http://www.overhall.com/enoughisenough.htm
Get these seminars on audiotape
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NOT ON THE WEB SITE ! Professional Organizers Read this!
Last call for Pre-Sale Orders for OverHall IT!'s Directory of
How and Where to Discard, Donate, Sell, or Recycle ANYTHING!
for the state of PA and WA. The pre-sales discount ends on July 1,
2001 for those two states. Learn where YOUR clients can take their STUFF!
All other states are still being sold at the pre-sales prices.
Call me today to place an order for your state at 800/687-3040
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Have you gotten your * tickle * for the day? Check out the
secret organizing tool that ALL organized families and
successful people use on a daily basis.
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6. Jokes, Quotes, and Anecdotes
>> You cannot serve both Spirit and clutter.
--Janet L. Hall
>> . . love from one being to another can only be that two solitudes
come nearer, recognize and protect and comfort each other.
--Han Suyin (1917 - ____) Chinese writer, physician
>> A desire to be observed, considered, esteemed, praised, beloved,
and admired by his fellows is one of the earliest as well as the keenest
dispositions discovered in the heart of man.
--John Adams (1767 - 1848) US president (2nd)
>> A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when
words
become superfluous.
--Ingrid Bergman (1915 - 1982) Swedish actress
>> A man without ambition is dead. A man with ambition but no love is
dead.
A man with ambition and love for his blessings here on earth is ever so alive.
--Pearl Bailey (1918 - 1990) US singer, actress
~~ If you have a joke, quote, or anecdote that would fit
well into OverHall IT!, please feel free to email it to me.
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7. Products, Books, and Web Site Reviews
Software:
Kiplinger's Taming the Paper
Tiger, a revolutionary new way
to file and retrieve paper. A random numeric filing system that
will CHANGE your life, and the way you work.
Give me a call at 800/687-3040.
Books:
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz is a rich and well
written book that you will NOT want to put down! I'm reading
it for the second time. A book of Toltec wisdom that explains
how our belief system has us trapped and how and what we
need to do to change our behavior and the way we think.
Experience an ahhh of awakening.
Alan Cohen, A Deep Breath of Life contains a different
inspiration, affirmation, and prayer each day.
Organizer Link of the Month:
Ramona Creel of onlineorganizing has everything you need
to get your life in order!
From tips and articles to organizers and services and products.
Keep up the GREAT work Ramona! Please check out her website.
If you're an organizer and you'd like to be considered for the
link of the month, please contact me!
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FREE ARTICLES FOR YOUR PUBLICATION or WEBSITE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have many articles available for reprint in your publication,
company newsletter, web site, etc. You may use articles
written by me that you see in OverHall IT! All you have to do
is print the article in its entirety along with my byline, and
complete contact information at the end of each article. I
would appreciate a tear sheet or electronic copy too. Back
issues can be viewed at
http://www.overhall.com/issues_and_articles.htm
Thanks
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That's it for this issue. I'll be back shortly with
the Computer Corner issue of OverHall IT!
Smiles, not Piles,
Janet L. Hall
Professional Organizer, Speaker, and Author
Authorized Paper Tiger Consultant
http://www.overhall.com
Organizing for your Inner and Outer Self
Individual Counseling, Coaching, Workshops, and Seminars
If Your Current Systems Aren't Working For You...Get an "OverHall"!
Janet L. Hall is the owner of OverHall Consulting, which is
based out of Southern Maryland and can be reached at
800-687-3040 or 410-586-9440, or e-mail her at:
mailto:janet@overhall.com
Looking for a presenter for your next event?
Janet delivers one-of-a-kind, customized seminars and
workshops, call and book her today for your next event.
Copyright (c) 2001 by OverHall Consulting
P.O. Box 263,
Port Republic, MD 20676
All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce,
copy, or distribute OverHall IT! or any articles by Janet L.
Hall so long as article(s) is kept intact, this copyright notice,
and full information about the author is attached.
ISSN # 1533-0702.
OverHall Consulting is proud to send you the bi-monthly
organizing newsletter that you have subscribed to OR that
someone has forwarded to you. If you are receiving this
issue as a forward, and would like to get your own free
subscription, visit http://www.overhall.com/newsletter.htm
Here in OverHall IT! it is my hope to help you stop juggling
areas in your life around and help you "OverHall" the areas
that might have become cluttered, ignored, or put on the
back burner. I want to help you bring back into focus the
things that are important to you. I want the chaos to stop for
you and help bring you some structure and hopefully some
useful advice and systems so you can accomplish the most
important task...running your life!
Please recommend this newsletter to anyone you know that
is interested in getting control of their life They can sign up at
http://www.overhall.com/newsletter.htm
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