Your Personal Treasure Hunt

Beautiful sunny days.
Warm solid hugs.
Laughter of kids playing outside.

Those a a few things that pop into my head that make me feel good. I've been playing a little game lately by myself using everyone that I come across during the day. From the moment I wake up in the morning with my boys, to the person pumping gas across from me, onto the guy in the car that cut me off, and the lady I held the door for as she entered a store.

The game is simple.

1.As you come across people during the day, acknowledge at least one positive quality that they brought to you.
2. The object is to find that quality that you find attractive.
3. As soon as you identify it, write it down.

Examples from my list:
Made me laugh
Said "thank you"
New client excited about working with me
Helped me make a connection
Taught me patience
Cooked a great meal
Beautiful eyes

This "game" will result in a list of qualities you treasure.
Treasures you desire in your life and business.
These traits are perfect for you to have and attract.
You are limited by only how much treasure you can amass.

As you acknowledge more and more positive treasures in your daily life, the negative events become smaller and smaller. Until they become simply a minor bumps in the road and perhaps create a moment for you to enjoy the little bumpy ride in life.

Spend a day on your personal treasure hunt.
What qualities did you find for yourself?

Radio Gig

Ha Ha Ha .... very funny.
I've got laryngitis, again.
(let me know when you are done laughing ... really, c'mon that's enough)


I've been avoiding some phone calls this week because my voice sounds pretty rough.

Last week I did have my voice and was on the radio!
My first radio appearance on WPOS 102.3 FM was last week. So much fun!

I spent about one hour chatting with CJ during her show, "The Chat Room!" We talked about getting organized and went through the list of 10 Ten Minute Tasks.

I'm working on getting the audio clip to post on here, having a bit of technical difficulties with it....rrrrr, I'll figure it out.

Talking on radio is a lot tougher than I thought. I have a new respect for all the radio DJs out there.

BIG thank you to CJ for having me on the air with her!!

Now, I think if I stop talking so much my vocal chords would heal a bit quicker. There are some pretty bad colds out there this season.

Have you been hit by a brutal cold this season?

Don't You Quit

I've been meaning to post this poem given to me by Tom Baur, owner of New Life Spine Center. He's a wonderful person and just one of those people that lifts you up when needed. I am thankful he is my friend and 'kick in the pants' at times.

There's no title (perhaps someone out there can name it).

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will
When the road you're trudging, seems all uphill
When the funds are low, and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh
When care is pressing you down a bit-
Rest if you must but don't you quit
Success is failure turned inside out
The silver tint of the cloud of doubt
And you never can tell how close you are
It may be near when it seems afar
So, stick to the fight when you are hardest hit
It's when things go wrong that you must not quit.

Let's get out there and make the day a success!

Who inspires you?

Taste the Tingle

School's out around here.
My boys are with their father (ah...peace and quiet).
I am kicking back and enjoying myself.


Been awhile since we have had a little quiz to delve into our personalities.

You Are Cinnamon Flavored Gum

You are daring, active, and a little outrageous. You crave adventure and novelty. You like to mix things up. Your personality is extra spicy and larger than life. You love to have fun, and you are passionate about everything you do. You're definitely a fiery person, and you don't back down from a fight. Most people love your fire - but you can be a bit too intense at times!

What Flavor Gum Are You?
I kinda like that description.
Suits me pretty well.
Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

So, What's your flavor?
Bonus if you can match a classic brand

WEN SEMI on ABC

My good friend, Cheryl Engfer, and I kicked off the SE Michigan chapter of the Women's Entrepreneurial Network (WEN) the beginning of this year. WEN SEMI has been so much fun for both of us.

This month's meeting we were very excited to have Rebecca Regnier from 13 ABC-WTVG, Toledo be our guest speaker. She shared some secrets to marketing your business in the media. GREAT information! Thank you Rebecca.

Here's a couple little clips that aired on the news from this event:
(I edited them together with some info slides at the end)

WEN is such a great fun and supportive organization.
Thank you to the "3 Lindas."
You ladies ROCK!!

What organization do you belong to that just makes you feel good?

Transforming a Woman

As "Sharon" walked me through her home, she appeared quite complacent about the appearance of her home. Her home was not the worst I have seen, though she had stated concerns with every area we walked through.

Spare room had kitchen items stored because lack of space in the kitchen, laundry room had items that didn't quite get put away, kitchen counters covered with groceries, diningroom with stacks of husband's magazines, tools & materials, office stacked with keepsake boxes & supplies, and her bedroom overrun with clothes.

Usually I can see where we need to start, but Sharon just sat down on her bed and sighed. I have to admit I was a bit stumped for a moment as where to start. Then I decided let's start here in the bedroom and get these closets sorted out. My thought was that Sharon needed to take care of herself, get a place of peace in her home, a place that she can relax and begin to feel good about herself.

The gameplan: I pull clothing out of the closets and set them on Sharon's bed. She separates the items into keep and donate. I took the keepers and placed them back into her closet, and bagged up the donated.


As we continued, Sharon began picking up the pace of purging clothes. That was until I went to hang up a blouse with ... shoulder pads. OK, I'm pretty easy but I really had to point this out. Sharon laughed (I mean really laughed) and agreed to donate it instead.

Clothes were being tossed aside.
Plastic bins were emptied.
Dry cleaning bags and hangers began piling up around us.




In the end, Sharon had 18 bags of clothes and 3 bags of linens for donation.
21 bages in total!




"This is just amazing!" Sharon continues with, "I called you because you seem to really enjoy what you do and truly care about the people you help." WOW! For me, it was wonderful to see her eyes brighten, face smiling, she was even walking taller. Seeing people become happier makes my job the best in the world!

Sharon is now motivated to continue working on the other areas of her home. She needs to just take her time and pace herself. Soon her whole home will feel amazing to her.

What gets you motivated to do your job?

Permission to Say No

Spring is approaching, even though the snow is still covering my yard. As my Facebook profile status states:
"Angie Weid is excited about the return of the wonderful smell of earthworms crawling across the sidewalks in springtime." (wanna be my friend?)
Aaah.....do you know the smell I'm talking about?

Spring is also a good time to evaluate your commitments.
I am beginning to look at where my time is being spent vs. what benefit am I getting from it.
Interesting I found this article this week about saying "No" to some things.

Let's look at a week: (warning math lesson ahead)
24 hours/day = 168 hours/week
168 hours/week - 56 hours sleeping/week = 112 hours/week (8 hours/night sleeping)
112 hours/week - 40 hours working/week = 72 hours/week
72 hours/week for everything else that is life.
WOW! I hope you are making the most of your time.

You can't do everything. You can try, though you will certainly burn out at some point likely resulting at screaming at your kids for leaving their boots on while running through the house like monkeys (not like that really happens).

It is OK to say 'No.'
Here are a few tips on saying 'No:'

1. You deserve to take priority. Take time for yourself. Make sure you give yourself some free time to pamper yourself, just relax, or work on a hobby. Perhaps it is only 10-15 minutes, better than zero. In our home, my boys know that "if mommy is not happy, no one is happy."

2. Do not make excuses for 'no.' People respect honesty and hate hearing excuses. Treat yourself right and you can't help but treat others right too. If you need to use humor to lighten the 'no', do it!

3. Do not make commitments you're not prepared to keep. Saying 'no' is only a refusal of that particular request. Taking on a task that may overwelm you will only result in added stress in your life and resentment toward the commitment. Much better for you to say 'no.'

4. Remember you don't have to give a reason. We don't give reasons when we say 'yes' so why should we have to give a reason for saying 'no.' A simple 'I appreciate you asking, but no thanks' will often do the trick. Kick your guilt to the curb!

5. Set limits. If you are only available to help for 4 hours on Saturday, tell them that and stick to your limits. Keep in mind to be firm but polite. You need to recognize how much you can reasonably do.

6. Delegate. If nothing else works or you begin to feel a bit a stress building, remember to ask for help. Perhaps delegate some of your commitments to others. Delegation is the key to being a good leader. Break up things among family members, friends, organizations, or co-workers. Allow others to help you.

I guess if all else fails next time someone asks you to do something you really don't want to do, and feel like you can't come up with something quickly, just tell them "Oh, I'd love to, but Angie said No." I'll take the heat for you.

What did you say 'No' to?

Birthday Love

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

12 Birthday cards
6 Text message greetings
8 email cards
dozen or so Happy birthday phone calls

That is a lot of birthday love!

The day started out with "Birthday celebration breakfast" as Jacob exclaimed, which entailed party pancakes (pancakes with sprinkles and swirling chocolate chips), banana pancakes for me, 1 lb of sausage and 1 lb of bacon, chocolate milk in 'fancy' glasses. What was left after this onslaught of food ... a few small party pancakes. Scares me to think what these boys will eat in their teens.

After clearing the driving of snow, again, and a bit of playing in the snow, I headed off to the gym for an amazing workout, a fantastic business meeting and some shopping.

Picked up some pizza for dinner, the boys made me an awesome birthday cake with help from my mom. Home to a relaxing moment in the hottub. Kids in bed at 8pm, little surprise visit from someone special (yep, Soul, a "hot date").

Just an absolutely wonderful day! Would not change anything about the day ... well, I am getting sick of the snow.

Birthday month is not over yet, still 21 days to celebrate. Then all the attention will turn toward Leasa, who also takes the month of April to celebrate her birthday. We are seaking someone to sign up for May celebrations. Anyone out there?

What are your plans for your birthday?

The Story of the Blog

Recently a fellow Bloggin' Friend, Debby Peters, tagged me to answer a few questions about my blog. I love these little memes.

What is the story behind the name of your blog? "I Organize You" is my website address, without the www. and .com in the beginning and end. My intention is for this blog to be about organizing, but sometimes I gotta share a life story. Plus, I'm not all about organizing. I'm more about having fun and enjoying life.

Why did you start out blogging in the first place? I started my blog after a Certified Networker class, thanks Debby. Not sure what I was going to talk about here. Then this creature has kinda developed into a great resource for me to share projects, client stories, tips and tricks ... and anything else that drifts into my little head. My hope is that you enjoy my thoughts and stories, perhaps find some encouragement. Definitely a smile along the way.

What is your best blogging experience? Your worst? It's all good. I have been contacted by Good Housekeeping Magazine, couple TV stations, made connections with other professional organizers, and most importantly have some great new bloggin' friends around the world! People tell me they love my blog and the stories I share. For that I am quite thankful.

I don't know about a bad experience. SPAM is just MAPS backwards. And maps can take you places. If I get spam (which I don't very much), no big deal. Guess if someone thinks they will gain from being exposed through me, so be it. It's a compliment.


What do you think will happen to your blog in 2008? Like everything I do: "It only gets better baby!" I believe Oprah will find my blog and enjoy this little diamond in the rough.



Who I'm tagging?
Louise
Leasa
Rebecca

What's a tidbit from your story?

Sometimes Being a Mom is Tough

Being a mom the last 24 hours has sucked. Period.

Matthew has been diagnosed with Juvenile Polyposis since he was 4.5 years old. Every year he has a colonoscopy to remove any colon polyps that develop. Today was #6. I keep thinking that the prep will be better the next year, but it is not.

First there is no solid food from the time he wakes, which to a 9.5 year old kid mine as well be starving them for a month. Then at 3pm I have to get Matthew to drink 12oz of Milk of Magnesia within 1 hour and wait for the 'fun' to begin.

Well, Matthew couldn't drink the stuff. (can ya blame him?)
I'm balling my eyes out for forcing him.
He's throwing it up.
(Hey, my kitchen floor is now clean)

The test went good, only 4 polyps. Matthew was awesome. He is one strong little man. I cannot imagine what Matthew will accomplish in his life.

He's one tough kid, and I am incredibly proud of him.

Anyone over 50 yrs old out there and haven't had your colonoscopy? What's your excuse?

Organizing NASCAR

Linda Parker, Remax Preferred Associates, asked me to share some organizing tips with her TNT group this morning, which was a lot of fun. Then we headed to her home to get her home office organized.

I visited Linda about two weeks ago and chatted about her goals for her office, leaving her with some organizing "homework" before I returned for the project. She did a great job sorting through a couple boxes of papers giving us some added space to get organizing.

We worked on organizing her business materials and supplies. I would pullout a stack and have Linda sort through the items: Toss, Shred, Keep. As she finished a stack, I handed her another one. I dusted the cabinets and organized the papers and supplies as the project went along.

Her NASCAR collection was nicely displayed along the shelving near the ceiling, but her growing collection had taken over the top of a dresser. I suggested some bracketless shelves to display these items instead of a dresser top.

As we wrapped up the project for the day, Linda and I talked about her next set of organizing "homework" to be completed before I come back to work on "The Other Side." (look for that post in April)

I collect sand from all my adventures: Guatemala, Mexico, various Carribean islands, Alaska and many other US states. I have a cabinet that it is displayed.

How do you display your collection?

In Your Face Organizing

The Toledo Free Press has been a wonderful to me. My advertising in this great publication has been key to getting the word out to say:
"Hello, I'm here and I can help you."
Thank you Jennifer Anderson, my advertising executive.

You ROCK!!!!

Every three months we change up the ads to keep them fresh and fun ... just like me.

This week's ad is targeting family's in need of organizing intervention help. There was a post a few weeks ago about a two families I had helped out (click here).

These next months ads have a bit of in your face attitude to them with the good intention of I'm here to help you get this project done. It will be interesting to see how the ads are received.

I'm not an Organizing Ogre, though I am firm and decisive on helping people feel better about their space. Feeling that Spring is upon us here in the northern hemisphere, time to put all excuses aside, and get ORGANIZED!

What task do you want to accomplish this spring?
(or Fall for the fans in the southern hemisphere)

I'm Back ...

"I'm baaack in the saddle again!"

March 1st is here and I've decided to regain my focus. Aerosmith's 'Back in the Saddle' keeps popping up on the radio for the past couple days, so I took that as a sign.

I've posted before about staying on FOCUS.

"If you do get thrown off course, you have to keep bringing yourself back to what you want to accomplish." ~me

You'd think I'd listen to myself for once.......

Today is going to be a fabulous day.
Spin class this morning.
Lunch with a very good friend.
Onto the dive shop to pick up some SCUBA GEAR!!! (i'm a little excited)
Perhaps hit some golf balls.
Beautiful dinner this evening.

I'm feeling recharged and ready.
My focus is back. Bring on March!!
(p.s. only four days until my birthday)

How are you spending this beautiful weekend?