You want to soar, stuff gets in the way (neoliminal/Flickr)
Over the last month or so, Jill and I have been emailing back and forth. She shared that she is finally motivated to let go of all the paper she has been storing with her business. I hope you will be encouraged by her story. I asked Jill if I could share our email correspondence. She was surprised that I thought she could be of help to someone else, but agreed graciously. I will post her “Before” pictures soon. Jill has promised to show us her “After” pictures when she gets more work done. I think she has come a very long way already!
Hello Martha:
I have enjoyed reading your 60 tips. Nice to know that I am on the right track and not as bad as I thought!!!
I have my own business as a graphic designer/marketer/printier and I am a paper hoarder. I save samples of my work, sayings, books, reference materials, magazines, business journals, catalogs, postcards, etc. I have the thought of “just in case”
In my office, I have 5 file cabinets with 15 drawers, book shelves, cabinets, etc. with these items stored. I even have the paper piles on the floor in my office which I can’t seem to get through and is driving me crazy….I know it is a bit of OCD. …but I am trying to plow through.
Here is my Serious question: How do you deal with samples, catalogs, etc.? I have had them on file for their information and use as photos of an item, like a magnet, shirt, signage, etc. Do I input all of the info about the catalog/company in a database and pitch the catalogs? Keep them? ETC? I was just trying to make room in my files for other info and to reduce the weight on my floor!
Help! I could really use your advice. Thank you so much.
Jill
Hi Jill!
I am so glad you found the report helpful. Yay! You have systems in place already!
It sounds like you have a filing system for your work-related papers. Before I answer your question of “How do you deal with samples, catalogs, etc?” I want to get a little clarification:
- How often do you use what is in the files in your present projects?
- Are you able to find what you need when you go to look for it?
- Do you replace the old catalogs with the latest version when it comes?
In principle, you probably use only 20% of what you have. The only trick will be to figure out what that percentage represents in your mix.
I may be able to get some hints from your answers to the questions.
You are brave to ask the questions, Jill. Kudos!
Martha Clouse
Professional Organizer and Speaker
Chronic Disorganization: Maria Von Trapp and ADHD?
Tuesday, January 5th, 2010Who wouldn’t want to pretend to be Maria from The Sound of Music? It is a fairy tale story of aloneness to acceptance and love, rags to riches. Did this real life figure truly suffer from ADHD? It is easy to believe from the character of Maria in the movie.
True or not, I was intrigued by the title of the recent article in ADDitude magazine, “My ADHD Story: Maria Von Trapp and Me,” Zoe Kessler’s comparison of her personal experience with ADHD with the character of Maria as we commonly view her, is food for thought.
Unflattering labels, lack of understanding, criticism, and resulting low self-esteem are a few of Zoe’s experiences that parallel Maria’s.
My response is to want to be more understanding, more accepting of differences in people. I want to give that other person the benefit of the doubt when his/her behavior is puzzling at best and at worst repellingly rude. Thank you, Zoe, for this insightful look into a more common experience than we realize.
“How do you take a cloud and pin it down?” Let’s not do that; we need all the clouds, clowns, angels, and moon beams we can get!
Read the entire article here. You can also sign up to be notified of future ADDitude magazine editions via email on the same page.
Posted in Commentary / Other Authors, Featured, Home Life | 2 Responses »
Tags: disorganization, learning styles, simplify