OverHall IT!
Vol. 5 Issue 1
Just reading this newsletter won't get you organized...
YOU must take some action!
Organizing Newsletter for Your Life - OverHall IT!
Circulation 6,021
Vol. 5 Issue 1
Publisher: Janet L. Hall
mailto:janet@overhall.com
http://www.overhall.com
(c) OverHall Consulting 2004
Administration information located at end of newsletter
Help Me Help Others Heal Their Environments and Get
Organized - Please forward my newsletter onto those you know
who might need or like OverHall IT!
IN THIS ISSUE
1. Welcome and Happenings
2. OverHalling and Balance
3. Ask the OverHaller
4. Organizing Tips and Tools
5. Jokes, Quotes, and Anecdotes
6. Tips for Professional Organizers
7. Events
1. Welcome and Happenings
It's been awhile since I've last written OverHall IT! I got busy, a
little distracted, indecisive and unfocused, traveling, writing, and
rebuilding my computer, which had a mini melt down. I also
became the President of The Feng Shui Institute International
(
http://www.fengshui-ii.org ) in January, serving a two-year term,
which has taken up a lot of my time getting them organized and
set up to being the membership organization I know they can be.
Check out our site http://www.overhall.com
We've redesigned the site and now you can easily click on the
area you need help with. We've added a whole bunch of new
products that we've found to be useful in your organizing, in the
office, home, and for your children. We hope you like the new
look and navigation.
I've also developed a new product and web site:
http://www.baby-firsts.com
that I hope you will take a look at. I
developed a one page double sided baby book and have found
baby first products that you can also purchase. Please share with
your friends that might be expecting or just had a baby.
Thanks for your support and for being a subscriber,
Janet L. Hall, The Organizing and Feng Shui Wizard
Now, on to the articles!
Working in a Paper Dungeon?
Then you need a productivity and indoor environmental
specialist! Call us today to see how we can help you create
systems that make your work flow better and create a powerful
image for you and your space. 1-800-687-3040 and outside US
1-410-586-9440.
2. Procrastination Excuses:
I Can't Get Focused and I Don't Have the
Time to Figure Out How
by Janet L. Hall
As we continue with our series, Procrastination Demons, I'd like
to ask you:
How do you spend your time and what are you focusing on?
Everyday you go through the same routine, many times unaware
of what you are really doing or not doing. Your life has become
a tangled mess of habits and excuses, especially when it comes
to dealing with your clutter and messes, right?
Today let's look at some of the time and focus excuses I hear
and ones that you might be saying to yourself and others:
Excuse 1: I don't have the time.
Well what exactly are you doing with all your time? Do you
really know where your time is being spent and on what?
You can guess and estimate all you want; however until you
really become aware, possibly keep a time log of how you are
spending your time, you really won't know for certain. Get a
copy of our free time log at:
http://www.overhall.com/time_management_log.htm and keep
track for a day or two, or better yet keep track for a week, of
where and how you are spending your time. After this is
completed you will know what you can adjust, change, or stop
doing to become more focused.
Ask yourself:
>>How many of my hours are really productive or generate
revenue?
>>How many of my hours are spent looking for things?
>>How many of my hours are wasted watching TV, being a
couch potato?
>>How many of my hours are spent gossiping on the phone?
>>How many of my hours are spent surfing the Internet for
nothing important?
Excuse 2: I'm too busy.
Let's get honest here. Are you really that busy that you can't
take a half hour, half or whole day to tackle and sort through
some of your piles, clutter, and stuff? Now I know that when
one does get a little extra time they want to spend it doing
whatever they want and that's okay. What we are attempting to
do is create some semblance of balance.
For instance, if you are curled up in front of the TV or outside
playing, whatever it might be that you do when you catch some
'free time,' and your piles and stuff are overtaking your life
and environment then you are out of balance.
Remember, if you know what to do and are neglecting those to-
do's then you are procrastinating or unfocused. Not too many
people want to clean out their closet or sort through paper piles
when a good movie is on and they could just lay around and
relax without a care in the world. Or go play outside on a
beautiful day rather then stay indoors going through piles. After
all, you'll get your to-do's done one day, right? Which beings us
to ...
Excuse 3: I'll get organized someday.
When will your someday come?
Will you get organized before family services comes and
removes your children from your home?
Will you get organized before your spouse, partner, or
roommate has had enough and moves out?
Will you get organized before you lose a promotion or worse yet
your job?
Excuse 4: I'm waiting for the right and perfect time.
Will the right and perfect time be after the above happens, when
you are rudely awakened and forced to focus on your clutter
issues? Believe me, giving up a TV show or a nice day is much
better then going through the hell you will endure if any of the
above happen to you.
Excuse 5: I have more important things to do.
Have you ever noticed how you don't mind doing the other little
things you've been putting off when you think you're ready to
tackle a project? This could be any project, not necessarily an
organizing project. This happens to all us procrastinators,
including myself. Just when you're ready to jump into something
you suddenly notice that this or that needs taken care of first.
Excuse 6: I'm looking for a quick fix.
If you are looking for a quick fix, well there really isn't one.
Every pile, mess, and disorganized area must be sorted through.
Decisions must be made:
>>Toss: Is it okay to toss?
>>Keep, Donate, or Refer: Where to keep, who to donate or
refer to?
>>Repair: Will you use it if fixed?
>>Recycle: What can be recycled and how will you handle these
items to get out the door?
>>Read: When will you have the time to read and is it really
important to read?
Excuse 7: I have interruptions all day long.
First of all let me tell you that when you have clutter and chaos in
your life you are interrupting yourself!
Ask Yourself:
What or whom is interrupting me?
What or whom is 'taking' time away from me?
What or whom is causing me to lose focus?
After you have identified your what and whom interruptions ask
yourself what you can do to put a stop to those interruptions.
For instance, if you don't know how to properly use the
equipment or technology you are using, that's suppose to save
you time, then you really need to plan some learning time in order
to get the best use out of your equipment and technology or
delegate those tasks to someone more knowledgeable.
If certain people are always interrupting you then you need to
step up and set boundaries with those people. Create some rules
or guidelines of when you are available, and be nice about it.
Excuse 8: I have so much going on I can't stay focused on
anything
This is ME! I have so many projects, products, web sites,
clients, and to-do's it's very hard for me to stay focused at times.
That's just in my business life. I also have things in my home life
and outside my job and home that I want to focus on. You too?
Well let me tell you, one of my coaches got a hold of me at the
beginning of the year and made me sit down with her and make a
list of the things I have going on. Then she told me I had to pick
5 and only 5 items from my list. After talking about and going
through all the items I was finally able to determine and pick out
the 5 most important items to keep my focus on.
Now that doesn't mean I need to give up all the other items on
my list, I don't have to abandon them. I'm just not focusing on
them until I have completed a task from my top 5 focus areas.
So, make a list of all the items you want to get organized,
focused on, and completed and pick out only 5 items, the ones
that are causing you the most pain and chaos in your life and let's
start working on them together.
Don't let your lack of focus grow and overpower you - taking
over your life, and your environment, let me help you.
I'm going to offer you a deal of a lifetime. I am available to work
with 50 OverHall IT! subscribers via the phone up until March
12th to help you get organized and focused at $25 a session.
You can sign up for 1-3 phone sessions with me if you're ready
and committed to getting organized. You must make the time for
our sessions and your homework. Ready to put an end to the
clutter and chaos?
Go to
http://www.overhall.com/Consulting.htm to sign up or call
me at 1-800-687-3040 to arrange your sessions.
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
3. Ask the OverHaller
Q: I keep phone numbers (personal, not business) in a Rolodex
in the kitchen by the phone. My business phone numbers are in
a box in my office on 5x7 index cards so that I can keep notes
on them. Any recommendations? Vicki C.
A: If you only make personal calls from your kitchen phone I
would recommend that you store your personal numbers near
that phone as you are currently doing. If the phone in your office
is used primarily for your business calls then store that box near
that phone. I would also suggest that you purchase carbon phone
message pads to keep by each phone in your home and office.
Have a question you'd like to ask? Email the OverHaller at:
mailto:janet@overhall.com
Please put in the Subject area,
OverHaller Question
4. Organizing Tips and Tools
Since my children are grown I had my daughter test I Did My
Chores, which is a colorful and fun chore board for your
children. She reports that it has helped her and the children love
it; however she recommends that you put a little dab of 'super
glue' behind the I Did It cup to ensure it will stay mounted. Order
today and get free shipping at:
http://www.overhall.com/ididmychores.htm
E-books and Books:
If you haven't already gotten your copy of my newest ebook I
co-authored with Paula Ryan, Effortless Freedom Form Clutter
and Debt, you can check it out at
http://tinyurl.com/pbb1
Jeffrey J. Mayer, president of Succeeding In Business, and
author of many books, has an ebook, "Winning the Fight Against
You and Your Desk," that I highly recommend. This inexpensive
52 page ebook is jammed packed with time saving tips so you
can get more done in less time. I urge you all to download this at
http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=25003
Check out our new product pages for:
Home Organizing:
http://www.overhall.com/organize_home.htm
Office Organizing:
http://www.overhall.com/organize_office.htm
The list is long yet organized in a manner that you can click on
the area you need help with. Then simply click on that area and
you'll be taken to your choice.
5. Jokes, Quotes, and Anecdotes
>>Americans have more time-saving devices and less time than
any other people in the world.
>>The best thing to spend on children is your time...not your
money.
>>Time wasted thinking up excuses would be better spent
avoiding the need for them.
>>Counting time is not nearly as important as making time count.
6. Tips for Professional Organizers
Levels: The Unspoken Secret to Achieving Big Goals
by Joe Vitale
Years ago I attended networking meetings. These
were usually breakfast or lunch business meetings
where people exchanged business cards and tried to help
each other get new clients.
I spoke at many of these events. What I quickly
noticed is that the same people seemed to be at the
same meetings. One observant friend said, "It's the
same people -- and they're all starving!"
That's when I first learned about the concept of
levels. That is, people tend to stay on the same level
of business or social status. When they meet friends,
it's usually in their circle of activity, whether
church, work, school, or some club. As a result, they
rarely get out of the level they are on.
That's not bad. You can stay on the level you are
at and do well. But if you want more, or if you find
yourself starving on the level you're at, you'll need
to go up a level or two.
When I was speaking at these networking events, I
was a notch above everyone in the room. This is not an
ego thing. It's a social perception. I was seen as
being at a slightly higher level than the audience
simply by nature of being the speaker. I was the
authority figure. As the higher teacher, I was elevated
a slight degree on their level.
But that's not good enough. If you want to achieve
big dreams in business, you need to step out of your
circle or network of peers and associates. You need to
go to a group with wider, stronger, richer connections.
You need to go up a level.
How do you do that?
In my case, my books brought me to the attention
of other circles of people, and higher levels of
networks.
For example, when I wrote "The AMA Complete
Guide to Small Business Advertising" for the American
Marketing Association back in 1995, I was immediately
put in a new level. I was now the author of an
important book for a prestigious organization.
This caused new people to contact me. Each of
these people had their own network of people. More
often than not, these networks were at a higher level
than anything I had ever touched before.
Here's another example: When I wrote my book on
P.T. Barnum, called "There's A Customer Born Every
Minute," for the American Management Association back
in 1997, I managed to get the attention of famous
tycoons Donald Trump and Kenneth Feldman. Clearly I had
been introduced to a new level.
If you want to succeed in phenomenal ways today,
you need to go up a level or two on the status scale of
networks. The good news is email makes this a snap to
begin. Anyone alive can be reached through email with
some persistence and cleverness. That's how I first
reached marketing superstar Jay Conrad Levinson,
direct mail legend Joe Sugarman, and even gonzo
daredevil Evel Knievel. I did it all by email.
People write me all the time for favors. I'm now
perceived as an expert, an authority, and an Internet
marketing pioneer. They want to associate their name or
product with me. I love to help people, so I usually at
least give people a chance. But I never endorse
anything without seeing, using and loving what they
have. This is important for me to maintain my level.
And now people write me from higher levels, too.
For example, Dr. Robert Anthony is a man I studied
twenty years ago. Last year he wrote me after reading
my "Spiritual Marketing" book. Today we're coauthors. I
just produced and recorded his legendary audioprogram,
"Beyond Positive Thinking." Two decades ago I was way
below his level. Today we're partners!
Keep in mind that going up a level is different
than thinking out of the box. You can be creative and
still stay on your current level. Brainstorming with
your neighbor is most likely different than
brainstorming with, say, Richard Branson, the
flamboyant owner of Virgin Records.
The point is this: To achieve goals you've never
achieved before, you may need to rise in levels and
participate with new people on a new playing field.
So the lesson today is to consider your current
level, consider your goals, and consider what people
outside of your network can help you achieve them. You
may have to step out of your level (and comfort zone)
to do it, but the step is well worth taking.
It would take an entire book to fully explain the
concept of levels. I don't have that space here. But
before I end this short article, let me offer a handful
of tips for going to a new level:
1. Write something of value new levels will admire.
This doesn't have to be a book. This very article may
introduce me to new levels. One of the main reasons my
name is known to a vast majority of people online is
due to the hundreds of articles I've written and
distributed (like this one you're reading) over the
last ten years. You can write articles, too.
2. Apply for membership in a prestigious organization.
When I joined the Society for American Magicians, a
very old club for professional magicians, I elevated my
position among magicians. Joining the right country
club or business group can do the same thing.
3. Create or join a master mind group. Napoleon Hill
strongly urged people to form master minds. The trick
to making them work is to be among people who are
already successful in the areas you want to succeed in.
Their presence will help elevate you.
4. Write to people in higher networks. When I was first
starting out as a writer, people way above me, such as
famed copywriter Bob Bly, helped me. In later years,
marketing gurus such as Murray Raphel and later Paul
Hartunian, all helped me. I simply wrote to them. They
sensed my sincerity and offered guidance. Today I do
the same for others.
5. Speak at associations or gatherings of people in
higher levels. You'll need to have something unique to
offer, but if you can deliver what these levels want,
you'll be welcomed into their fold.
Again, there is nothing wrong with the level you're
on. You don't want to forget your friends or burn your
bridges. I'm simply suggesting that if you have giant
goals and big dreams, it may be time to take the
elevator up a floor or two.
********
Dr. Joe Vitale is author of way too many books to list
here, including the #1 best-selling book "Spiritual
Marketing," the best-selling e-book "Hypnotic Writing,"
and the best-selling Nightingale-Conant audioprogram,
"The Power of Outrageous Marketing." His latest books
are the best-selling "The Greatest Money-Making
Secret in History" and "Adventures Within." He's
being called "The Buddha of the Internet." Sign up
for his monthly ezine and see many articles by him
at http://www.MrFire.com
I'd like to help you if you need help achieving your goals for
your organizing business. We have several coaching plans
available so email janet@overhall.com
or call me today at
1-800-687-3040.
So you want to be a Professional Organizer?
Check out my one-of-a-kind system, The Wizard's Professional
Organizers System that will give you a jump-start on your
organizing career at
http://www.overhall.com/professional_organizers_system.htm
7. Events
Check out the upcoming Feng Shui Conference being held in
March in NJ at
http://www.fengshui2004.com I'll be there and
hope to meet some of you there.
Teleseminars:
I'm conducting two telesemianrs this month regarding computers
and the Internet. Check them out at:
http://tinyurl.com/2r546
NEED a speaker for your next event? Download my speaking
packet at:
http://overhall.com/Seminars.htm
Smiles, not Piles,
Janet L. Hall, FSII
The Organizing & Feng Shui Wizard:
OverHalling Your Life and Spaces
FSII President and FSIA Faculty Member
Certified Pyramid Feng Shui Practitioner
janet@overhall.com
http://www.overhall.com
Voice (US) 1-800-687-3040 (Outside US) 1-410-586-9440
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) 2004 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.
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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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