OverHall IT!
Vol. 3 Issue 9
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OverHall IT!
Organizing Newsletter for Your Life
Circulation 4,293
Vol. 3, Issue 9
Publisher: Janet L. Hall janet@overhall.com
http://www.overhall.com
( C ) OverHall Consulting 2002
Administration information located at end of newsletter.
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Help Me Help Others - Please pass my newsletter on to
those you know who might need or like OverHall IT!
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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. Welcome and Happenings
2. OverHalling your Office and Home
3. Guest Article
4. Ask the OverHaller
5. Computer Clutter
6. Feng Shui Tip
7. Products, Books, and Web Site Reviews
8. Jokes, Quotes, and Anecdotes
9. Tips for Professional Organizers
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1. Welcome and Happenings
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A Special welcome to all those from NSA Convention that I
met this past week in Orlando and to all who have signed up
through hiplists.com During the convention I met so many
nice people but I had two unexpected surprises when I not
only met but had my picture taken with Jack Canfield and
Mark Victor Hansen, authors of The Chicken Soup series
and the fabulous Dottie Walters, author of Speak and Grow
Rich!
While in Orlando I was welcomed into the home of fellow
organizer, Jeanine Carson of NorthStar Organizing Services
and was able to attend the unofficial Orlando Chapter for
Professional Organizers. What fun and education I had with
all! And another treat was one of my organizers that I coach,
Shirley Green of Personal Records Organizer, flew in from
Colorado to attend Tom Antion's Electronic Marketing BUTT
Camp. Wow, What a fabulous six days!
To all those that emailed me their challenges, you should
have received your FREE gift via email, titled OverHall IT!
Free Gift. Thanks to all who took the time to email.
This month I bring you my article regarding challenges and
change (no finger pointing, just something to think about)
with a FREE bonus for you in the article from my dear friend
Rick Butts. And we have a wonderful article by PO Dawn
Roth. Be sure to check it out.
Well, on to some organizing, space clearing, and Feng Shui.
And don't forget to check out this months Computer Clutter
Column.
Thanks for your support and for being a subscriber,
Janet L. Hall, The Organizing and Feng Shui Wizard
***** Do Your Employees Need Organized? *****
Call the Organizing Wizard and let her cast her "spells" on
their clutter! Janet delivers a one-of-a-kind, customized
workshop or speech. Call 800/687-3040 and book her
today!
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2. Organizing Challenges and Hurdles
By: Janet L. Hall
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By choice or happenstance you have become disorganized.
Life seems to be spinning out of control, and until you make
the choice to take some action things will only remain the
same and probably get worse.
Do organizing challenges and hurdles stand between you
and the life, office, or home you would like to have?
With every drawer, cabinet, closet, desk, office, and room
you attempt to organize you might be faced with hurdles:
>>What to keep
>>What to toss
>>Where to store items
>>What to let go of
>>How to let go of your stuff
>>Where or who might need or benefit from stuff that's
STILL USABLE.
However, each HURDLE you overcome and each area you
clear will make you stronger AND get you closer to having a
less chaotic life.
Maybe you've tried on your own to declutter but couldn't get
over the feelings of discomfort, or pain you might have had
to face. Maybe your obstacles are deeper inside you;
emotional baggage one of my clients calls it.
While dealing with all your stuff your feelings or thoughts
might be upsetting to you as you sort, toss, and organize.
You might feel anxious or stressed out, or unable to make
decisions. You might not LIKE to face all your clutter.
Sir George Bernard Shaw said, "Never mind likes and
dislikes; they are of no consequences. Just do what must be
done. This may not be happiness, but it is greatness."
What feelings or thoughts start bubbling to the surface when
you attempt to organize?
Write them down, or email me.
Would you agree that choosing to be and being organized
would bring a POSITIVE change in your life?
Why not make a choice today towards positive change, and
start taking control of your life? Positive change can be
difficult; sticking to a schedule or routine can be demanding,
and you might find you'll have to "give up something" to
obtain your organizing goals.
Go ahead, challenge yourself and make a new choice today,
I dare you. You must apply and make a special effort to your
challenges.
Can you make a special effort to give up for an hour or a day
of watching television, reading, or surfing the Internet to work
on getting control of your life?
What can you give up?
Write it down and ask someone to hold you accountable.
What can you give up for a week or a weekend?
Write it down and ask someone to hold you accountable.
What are YOU willing to do to make a positive change in
your life and your future?
Oh, I can hear you now! I see you’re getting ready to zip me
off an email with all your reasons and excuses. Please
don’t, I’ve heard them all. BUT what I want you to do is write
out the excuses you are telling YOURSELF for your
disorganization and then read the following:
In the January, 2001 issue of Oprah, Dr. Phil McGraw
answered a person's question about losing weight in which I
would like to quote here for you to think about. When Dr.
Phil is speaking of weight or food you should substitute
clutter or stuff you continue to bring into your life (or any
other challenge you might be having):
"You aren't helpless, you aren't lost, and you don't have the right to give up on yourself.
Your first and greatest challenge is not the struggle to lose 175 pounds, it's to overcome the self-defeating
internal dialogue that has paralyzed you. You're telling yourself that you are incompetent, that you are unable
to create change. You're stalled because you are responding to this kind of self-inflicted criticism, not to
the actual challenge of losing weight. Having convinced yourself of your ineptitude, you might even
be consoling yourself with food, the very substance that has contributed to your problem."
Are you consoling yourself with buying more stuff or bringing
more stuff into your life that you don't really need nor have
room for?
So what are you going to do about your challenges and
hurdles?
You can study, learn, and gather as much information as you
want, but it won't make a tiny difference in your life unless
you put it to work. I've discovered a little book that helped me
to make quantum leaps in implementing good ideas. My
friend Rick Butts has just published The Big Butts of Life -
Get Off Your Excuses and Do Big Things!
Rick has excerpted some powerful ideas from this fun and
easy read, and is offering them to you FREE as subscribers
to OverHall IT!. Just send an email to
mailto:kicking@RickButts.com
for Rick's excellent three-day mini-course, and start kicking
those Big Butts (excuses, challenges, and hurdles) out of the
door and start doing the things you really want!
Good Luck and let me know how you are doing.
********* Get Extra Help For Your Challenges *********
The month of August I'll be conducting many teleseminars to
help you with your challenges and organizational goals.
Class size is limited to nine but I will be offering them often
and at different times of the day and evening. Each
teleseminar will be one hour long and will cost $15. I will be
sending out a special notice when I have the dates and
times firmed up. If you would like to pre-reserve a space,
please email me at (please note if evening or day class is
preferred)
mailto:janet@overhall.com?subject=teleseminarreservations
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3. 9 Shades of Procrastination
By Dawn Roth
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Unfinished business makes us feel less than competent. We
delay action and call it procrastination. Realizing your
underlying reasons for this delay can give you the insight
and motivation to act.
*Distractions* It is next to impossible to complete tasks
without focus. Keep a to-do list about the project. Buffer
yourself from internal or external temptations to delay.
*Indecision* If you are at odds about an element of a task,
use a pro/con list and set a deadline to get started on the
work.
*Unpleasantness* If the task is not to your liking it can
still be tackled easier if done first and accompanied by a
reward you value.
*Fear of Failure* If you delay getting started to avoid the
consequences of a poorly done job, focus on the process
and not the end result itself. Be clear about your
expectations and do your best.
*Complexity* Large projects don't have to be daunting when
you break them into small manageable tasks. Schedule the
toughest elements for your peak energy times.
*Uninteresting* If something is not bringing you joy or any
other benefit you can see, why do it? Reevaluate and drop
it unless absolutely necessary.
*Authority Issues* If you've been put upon by a higher-up,
clarify the expectations and do what is necessary. If you
still delay for personal reasons, decide if you are the
right person for the job.
*Perfectionism* When you sabotage your motivation with
impossibly high standards, these need a reality check.
Determine the effort to reach the objective and realize that
80% for you may be 110% for others.
*Non-Urgent* Things that lack immediacy are easily put off.
Adopt a proactive approach first, and then figure the
long-term cost of delay.
====
Daniel and Dawn Roth - Squared Away, Inc.
Want 50+ ideas to help you get better organized?
Visit http://www.getsquaredaway.com
http://www.getsquaredaway.com
and ask for our free
Organizing Tip-Kit. Learn to organize your life, home or business.
Find out ways to manage your time, finances, or relocation.
***** 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 at
http://www.overhall.com/tickler_file.htm
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4. Ask the OverHaller
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Hi Janet,
I am a (VERY) young wife, I have been married for almost
two years now. My husband and I have two dogs and we
own a NEW home in Florida. We both work from 8-5 Mon
thru Fri. The problem is it seems like we never get anything
accomplished. I have been reading your newsletters and
looking at your website, it is great. All of the tips and ideas
are wonderful, but I have a bigger problem.
See I would love to use all of the advice you have but I just
can't seem to actually put any of it to use. It's not that I am
lazy...well I guess in a way I am, we both are...but I am just
so tired after work and it's late so I just want to relax. When I
get home I just throw my purse down on the kitchen table
look at the mail and throw it down on the coffee table and
start watching TV. I don't even cook dinner a lot of the time
because I usually forget to THAW anything out in time and I
am too tired to worry about defrosting anything so I just
throw something quick in the microwave...so we eat the
same thing most of the time.
When I finally get the nerve to start cleaning it seems like an
endless mess and I end up quitting before I get started. So it
just keeps escalating until I finally get it done which can take
days to finish because it has been days since I have done
anything.
Once I get everything cleaned it looks great! But then....it
starts all over again and it will be another week or so before I
get anything done...And the worst part is I am always
worried someone is going to stop by and my house
is a WRECK. WHAT CAN I DO! Plus every time we have to
pay bills I have to go searching through the stacks of paper
on the tables.
I need some way to get MOTIVATED and some way to help
me KEEP things organized so I don't make a mess again. I
know it should be easier to keep my house clean but I just
don't know what to do. I am SOOOO tired and drained most
of the time and I am depressed a lot and that doesn't help
when I look at my house and it makes me feel like I am not
being a good wife...I need your help...for my sake and my
husbands.
Can you please help?
Sincerely,
a desperate wife
Dear Desperate Wife,
Sounds like you are in a RUT! Yes I believe I can help you.
First you know you have to have ENERGY, willpower, and
DISCIPLINE to accomplish ANYTHING in your life.
Let's start with your energy level, or lack of it. Please take
the time to go see your doctor and get a physical. Get a
blood physical. Tell him what you have told me, "I am
SOOOO tired and drained most of the time and I am
depressed a lot" You might be deficient in Iron or something.
Find out NOW and start working on getting that better.
Can you "discover" why you are depressed? Do you hate
your job? The commute? What is causing the depression?
Because I've recently became a Feng Shui Practitioner I
want to ask you this..really take the time to do the following
and let me know what it is...When you walk into your home,
what do you see? Stand in the doorway and really look.
What is the art, what is the focus from the doorway? Do this
exercise in each room where you like to sit and from your
bed.
Create baby steps for yourself by starting with the mail.
Make it a HABIT to sort over the garbage can, throw out
EVERYTHING that is not correspondence to you and your
husband, bills, or checks. Place all the bills in one pile, a
pretty basket or something (they will still be in a pile but all
together).
UNPLUG the TV! Or better yet put a scarf over it. What type
of shows are you watching? The news? Depressing! Start
being very selective to what you watch. Watch only things
that will bring you joy and pleasure or teach you something.
Let me suggest two books I think you will REALLY benefit
from:
The Power of Focus by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen,
and Les Hewitt and The Big BUTTS of Life, by Rick Butts
(www.rickbutts.com
www.rickbutts.com
) These are FABULOUS BOOKS. Start
with Rick's because you can read it in a matter of two
hours or less. DO THE EXERCISES. Read instead of
watching TV.
Go outside when you come home to relax,
read, or just be still to regain some energy before tackling
the chores inside. Take an hour or half-hour. Grill dinner and
enjoy the great outdoors.
Make yourself a note and tape up at the last lock you lock at
night in your home before going to bed. The note should
read, Take something out of the freezer. Go do it. You will
always have something thawed for the next day.
As far as other people are concerned, here is what I say,
"Stop by and visit me anytime. If you want to visit my house,
make an appointment!"
If you need additional help I provide Organizing By Phone.
This I believe will work well for you and hold you accountable
for what you do or don't do. If you would like to know more
about how this works, I would be happy to speak to you
about this or through email. Or if you decide to get a PO to
come to your home and help I can probably recommend
someone I know in FL.
Good Luck and please let me hear from you again.
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5. Computer Clutter
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How long has it been since you cleaned out your email
folders or did a back up? Just a friendly reminder to do
these important tasks at least monthly.
*********** Clean Up Your Computer TODAY***********
Running out of space on your hard drive?
Don't know how to do backups?
Want to save your documents to a different media?
Get the ebook everyone is talking about:
How-To Clean and Organize Your Computer is
available at http://www.overhall.com/clean_computer.htm
52 Pages with Screen Shots so you can easily see where
to click.
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6. Feng Shui Tip
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Here are three focus and concentration tips excerpted from
Nancilee Wydra's book, Feng Shui Goes to the Office:
>> Have visual access to the entrance door, but not a direct
view.
>> Position yourself to focus on a wall at a distance from
your desk. Hang objects that soothe and motivate, such as
framed awards, a large plant, or a water feature.
>> Do not face a busy street.
You can purchase this book by visiting:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/0809228726/overhallconsulti
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7. Products, Books, and Web Site Reviews
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Books:
Jeffrey J. Mayer, president of Succeeding In Business, and
author of many books, has an E-Book, "Winning the Fight
Between You and Your Desk," that I highly recommend.
This inexpensive ebook is filled with humor; Are you a
Pilamaniac? to step-by-step instructions on Creating Master
Lists, Master Files, and Your Master File Drawer. I urge you
all to download this inexpensive but very informative ebook
at:
http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=25003
And Jeff just introduced two more fabulous ebooks:
Setting and Achieving Your Goals and Taking Control of
Your Workday.
Your Goals is loaded with setting specific and meaningful
goals, mapping them out and putting them on your to-do list
(something I teach all my clients). Heck he even found a
software program that helps you do your mapping for your
business or personal life.
http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=25003
Your Workday is packed with tips on planning your day,
avoiding interruptions, master list, meeting deadlines and
MORE!
http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=25003
Web Sites:
Focusing Resources has some great articles at
http://www.focusingresources.com
The Focusing Institute has six steps you can work with at
http://www.focusing.org
Check out my new web site:
http://gurusofinternetmarketing.com
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8. Jokes, Quotes, and Anecdotes
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>> I have always grown from my problems and challenges,
from the things that don't work out, that's when I've really
learned.
--Carol Burnett
>> Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you,
they're supposed to help you discover who you are.
--Bernice Johnson Reagon
>>... focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found
not in finishing an activity but in doing it.
--Greg
>> A mind at peace, a mind centered and not focused on
harming others, is stronger than any physical force in the
universe.
--Wayne Dyer
>> Don't dwell on what went wrong. Instead, focus on what
to do next. Spend your energies on moving forward toward
finding the answer.
--Denis Waitley
>> Focus on remedies, not faults.
--Jack Nicklaus
>> Goals provide the energy source that powers our lives.
One of the best ways we can get the most from the energy
we have is to focus it. That is what goals can do for us;
concentrate our energy.
--Denis Waitley
>>I try to learn from the past, but I plan for the future by
focusing exclusively on the present. That's were the fun is.
--Donald Trump
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9. Tips for Professional Organizers
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Are you searching for places to present workshops or
organizational training? Check out your local Parks and
Recreation Centers, Senior Centers, or look in your yellow
pages under Training. Contact them to see how you can
offer your workshops.
*****Would You Like to Be a Professional Organizer? *****
Secrets of a Professional Organizer and How-To Become
One is now available as an electronic downloadable ebook.
If you'd like to become a professional organizer and learn
what it takes to be a business owner, then check out my new
book. You can get it TODAY as a downloadable ebook and
start working on becoming a business owner and a
professional organizer. Check it out at:
http://www.overhall.com/become_an_organizer.htm
Read what veteran organizer Kathy Paauw had to say
about this ebook:
Janet,
Wow! I just reviewed your eBook, and it is
packed with some great
information. I have not seen a more comprehensive and helpful
resource anywhere else for those who are getting an organizing
business established. Your eBook is so comprehensive that I may
recommend it to some of my non-organizer clients who are starting
a business. Congratulations on a job well done! You've obviously put
a lot into this.
I'll be recommending your eBook to the
Professional Organizers I am
coaching in their start-up businesses.
Best wishes,
Kathy Paauw, Paauwerfully Organized
Organizing/Productivity Consultant & Certified Professional Coach
www.orgcoach.net
orgcoach@gte.net
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***** Learn How to Get FREE Publicity *****
My friends and associates Tom Antion and Joan Stewart
have put together a GREAT publicity ebook, "How to Be a
Kick Butt Publicity Hound." Learn how to get all the free
publicity you can handle with this Giant new reference
training manual. Tom and Joan reveal all their tricks and
techniques to get millions of dollars worth of free publicity.
29 Chapters PACKED with how to's and such things as
"How to Define Your Publicity Goals, What the Media Want,
Identify Story Ideas, and much much more. Anyone that
needs publicity needs to invest in this ebook! To learn more
about this or to order, Click:
http://www.antion.com/t.cgi/123221/publicityhound.htm
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We want your Organizing, Space Clearing, Feng Shui, and
Computer tips, techniques, products to review, and
jokes in 2002, mailto:janet@overhall.com
or send to address
below.
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Smiles, not Piles,
Janet L. Hall
The Organizing and Feng Shui Wizard
Let me work my "spells" on your Clutter, Life, and
Environment!
http://www.overhall.com
"If your current systems aren't working for you... get an
"OverHall"!"
Janet L. Hall is the owner of OverHall Consulting, and
Organizing By Phone, 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
Janet can "OverHall" your office, home, and computer
clutter and can deliver a customized speech or seminar
for your next event.
Copyright (c) 2002 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.
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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!
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