Under Control Organizing

Category: Self Management

  • Can we manage time?

    Stephen Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, states that “Time management is a misnomer, the challenge is manage ourselves.” Yet, we have this obsession to learn “time management?”  Time is a commodity.  How do you spend time?  Can you make time? When the day is done, what have you accomplished?  We…

  • The Battle between Two Wolves: The Conflict of Decision Making

    One evening, an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, “My beloved grandson, the battle inside every person is between two wolves. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, false pride and ego. The other is Good. It is…

  • Why You Can’t Get Organized: When Organization is a Phobia

    Is it “can’t” or “won’t” when it comes to summarizing the reasons people fail to organize their stuff? And does it apply to you? “Can’t” implies inability. “Won’t” is the lack of initiative or desire. The five main reasons fall into BOTH camps: Can’t AND Won’t. CAN’T – Don’t know how Mindy (fictitious name) tells…

  • Why People Hold Onto Stuff

    “Y is a crooked letter.” This was my grandfather’s standard response to the basic question of childhood “Why, Grandpa?”.  My interpretation of that expression is that the answer is complicated.  And, when it comes to human behavior,  it almost always is. Why do people hold onto stuff? The answer is complicated because there are so…

  • Organizing, Gratitude and Asking for Help

    The grocery-cart-return area was about 20 feet away, but the able-bodied, middle aged man rolled his emptied grocery cart to an level surface next to his car instead.  I just couldn’t walk away. “The return area is right over there”, I stopped, pointed, and said with a smile. He froze, unexpectedly confronted.  “Yes, it is”,…

  • Organizing Options for Care-giving and Care-getting

    I heard it said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. The other day, I received a call from a client who confidently exclaimed “When I get stuck, I ask myself What would Marcia do?” Wow!!!! I was flattered and glowed with pride. I pride myself in setting a good example by practicing what…

  • Simple Ways to Streamline your Life, Be More Productive and Stay Organized

    Start with a few simple ways to streamline your life, be more productive and stay organized: Manage your schedule Send yourself reminders via email, app or electronic calendar. Set up a separate inbox for your reminders, and check it daily. Use a family calendar to track family commitments. Eliminate multiple calendars, or be sure to…