We know you want an organized home. (Who doesn’t?) So, this week, we’re launching our Step-by-Step Home Organizing Party at LearnDoBecome.
The Vision: I would love for each of you to feel calm and organized. We want to help you create a generally clean home (not perfect!) that is an ideal environment for building a strong family, doing your most important work, and thriving in all areas. That way, your space will lift and support you as you face all the things that life throws at you!
So if you are feeling overwhelmed–or if you’re just excited to get things more organized–and you would love support for creating an uplifting environment, we are here to help you! Listen in to hear the nine foundations of an organized life. We’ll be diving into each lesson more in-depth during future podcasts, so stay tuned for those as well!
LESSONS
1. Create Your Ideal Family Routine
We want you to have time for focused work and flexible activities–time to organize and time to replenish. The idea behind this first lesson is to help you create the structure you need; that way, when you decide you want to take on a big project (like organizing the house), you aren’t simply adding it to the piles of other “to-dos.” Here’s the schedule we outlined for our family this past week!
2. Put Out the Fires (and Take Care of YOU)
When we have serious things going on that are overwhelming us, it’s incredibly difficult to think about the future projects and goals we would like to accomplish. Projects like getting the closet organized don’t really seem like a priority when we are feeling as though life is crumbling around us.
This means we need to put out those fires first–the ones that demand our immediate attention–before we have the ability to dive into the other projects and establish an organizational system.
3. Determine Your Highest-Value Activities
Everyone has goals–whether or not they are written down. When we identify those main goals, it is vital to also take the time and identify activities that will best help us meet those goals. We can then engage in those high-value activities and effectively make progress. Otherwise, we may find ourselves weighed down by miscellaneous tasks that ultimately get us nowhere in terms of our goals.
4. Map Out Your Home and Life Organizing Plan
This is where we will use David Allen’s Natural Planning Model to 1) create purpose and principles, 2) outline an outcome vision, and 3) brainstorm, organize and create Next Actions. We’ll take the areas of your life–mental, physical, and digital–and help you create a life map that is personalized for you.
5. Implement the 3-Box Method
When I first learned to declutter, these are the principles that worked for me. You can dive in and learn more about this in our previously-recorded podcast–linked in the resources below!
6. Extract, Establish, and Execute Your Next Actions
All of us could improve at identifying Next Actions and making them happen. Any time a task is sitting on our list–or we are procrastinating moving forward on something important, it is typically because we don’t have the Next Action properly identified or written down. When this happens, it is then time to re-evaluate and find the true Next Action that will motivate us to keep going on our project.
7. Master the Art of Essentialism
The basic principle of essentialism is helping us recognize that we can’t do everything. We place a crushing mental load on ourselves when we try to do too much. Learning to apply the art of essentialism–and put down the debilitating mental load–has changed my life!
8. Learn to Successfully Organize as a Family
Family-centered productivity is really important to me. Frequently, productivity principles are taught in the context of the corporate field. It is a completely different story to move a business or project forward in the context of family life. When we are trying to organizing our homes, being able to work in tandem with our children is not only going to give us the opportunity to model how to do these things; it is also where we will build lasting, meaningful relationships.
9. Keep the Party Going with a STEP Command Central
In this lesson, I will be showing you some basics of processing incoming papers and information effectively. In doing so, I will also show you how a STEP Command Central can change your life.
Want to Join the Party?
If this sounds like your kind of party, you can sign up at LearnDoBecome.com/party to gain access to each lesson as they are published and celebrate alongside us as you progress through the nine lessons! We’ve already got links and resources ready for you there! Also, if you know of anyone who would benefit from these lessons, be sure to invite them to the party by sharing that link with them–the more, the merrier.
Related Resources
The Three-Box Method for Organizing Your Space
If you’re looking for a simple, step-by-step process to streamline your “stuff,” this is an incredibly doable way to get started.
In this podcast, I shared specifically how I had gotten “stuck” with some picture frames, and worked through to identify the Next Action I needed to move forward in putting them away.
Free Training: How to Stop Drowning in Piles
We’re going to be providing even more support and coaching for this Organizing Party in our Steps to Everyday Productivity (STEP) Mastery Facebook group. So if you’ve been thinking about joining STEP Mastery, now is such a good time to join! Come learn more in our free class!
April, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad during these difficult days. Please know that you and your family are in my prayers.
And, there isn’t a day that doesn’t go by that I don’t thank God for finding you and Eric and LearnDoBecome, especially during these uncertain times. I am so glad that I have gone through the STEP program and have created a Command Central. Having a Routines and Responsibility sheet for my day has been invaluable even though it has changed just a bit since I am home more. Having a plan in place has given me much comfort and direction. Take care.
Jody, this made my day! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Keep up the amazing work!
April, so sorry for your loss, I can feel your pain as I too lost my dad in a very similar way, very difficult. God is so good and holds us up with His everlasting arms no matter what we go through.
On another note so far these podcasts are family based, however I’m a widow so I don’t have a sounding board anymore and I don’t have family to assist in my mess. Hopefully I will be able to get through this with your help, although I’ve tried many other programs and have failed miserably, never been able to get ahead, it seems like it just gets worst. But here I am trying again, perhaps it is God’s plan for me through this stay at home time, where I’m not able to be with family and grandchildren. I’m a helper and an encourager, meeting others needs before my own and I’m so worn out and actually very thankful for God’s divine disruption in our lives. It’s a time for all of us to draw nearer to Him and His ways, to realize He is the Master and that life is a gift that we need to fully enjoy.
Kathy, I can see what a compassionate, capable person you are, and I am so excited you are here with us. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. xoxo
April, sending hugs and love your way. My brother died the day before yesterday, and our family too is dealing with streaming a graveside service instead of the funeral we would have wanted for him. Like you, we’ve known this was going to happen and that he is so much better off but somehow it’s still a shock and feels so sad. Add to that Pandemics, earthquakes all that is happening with your daughter, home schooling etc. and I don’t know how you are finding it in you to do anything else.
Thank you for sharing your life and talents! You are amazing!
Jennifer, I’m sending a huge virtual hug. Thank you for your kindness and resilience. We’re cheering you on!
So sorry to hear about your losses April Perry and Jennifer Young. Dealing with death is always tough and now especially with the social distancing. May God’s grace and peace surround you.
We have been praying here in NC for you guys in Utah with the earthquakes on top of everything else.
I do appreciate your STEP program…making progress here. I love working at my command central!!! Just added a few parts two weeks ago when I first started social distancing…..this area makes me smile while i am working.
April and Eric: this new offering of yours could not come at a better time……..Finally…..it might be possible for me to become organized.. Looking forward…..and thank you.
So excited for you!!! Wonderful to have you here!
April, you’re in my thoughts and prayers, both as you grieve and as you deal with your energy and health. I listened last night to your episode 83, and as always appreciate your honesty with us and your kindness. After a very long work day for me, you brought a peaceful end to my day. Thank you.
Thank you, Diane! I appreciate your thoughtfulness and send a huge hug!
April, I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad and your health problems. We’ve been sick over here too, but being quarantined (while still trying to do distance learning online) is perhaps going to turn into an opportunity to create a command central SOMEWHERE and SOMEHOW. I have been stuck on step 1 for a few years now. Let’s party!
Karen, thank you for your kind thoughts. We’re so glad you’re here for the party! Feel free to move onto the next step in the program. We don’t want you feeling stuck! Be sure to check out the Facebook group if you’re part of Mastery. The members there are so supportive and helpful!
So sorry to hear about your loss with your dad . My prayers are with your family.
Looking forward to these classes as I look so forward to each Podcast you put out.
You are such a Blessing to my life and I know so many others ♥️🙏
Thank you for putting this together. I am in California and I have family in Salt Lake City. We both are dealing with Sheltering in Place and earthquakes. I just want to tell you that I normally find podcasts irritating (please read on) but I love yours. Your podcasts are very easy to follow because of the detailed notes that come with each podcast. They are also very human. I also love reading all the comments following them.
Hi, I tried to click the Opt-In button to accept the Party Invitation, but I’m not sure it got Accepted. Could you check to make sure I’ll receive information?
Thank you for doing this. I love your program, and after kind of stalling out at Module 4-5 for a couple years, I finally processed the piles of paper I stacked on my DR table and now am on a roll (with time home social distancing!). I feel very productive and am accomplishing a lot!!
Brenda, that’s awesome! We’re SO proud of you for tackling those papers. You’re doing this! We’ve got you registered for the party. 🙂 So exciting!!
Elizabeth, I’m so glad to be helpful to you! Sending a huge hug!!
Sorry for your serious loss of your dad, Miss April. Hope all of you and your family are okay. Remembering them out loud with others… talking not just about the huge contributions he made to all of your lives, but the tiny things… May God bless you in honoring your father still, and may you greet him every day now in the Cloud of Witnesses that he certainly shares with your mother. You will be okay. God knows what you and your husband and your children WILL need from Him now that grandpa is gone from Earth. Be Blessed! May You protect this family, Father, from every curse, every unnecessary suffering. I ask you to bless them with your bounty even more now than before. Especially April’s husband too!
Such sweet words. Thank you so much, Sara! Sending a huge hug!
Hi! Super excited about these lessons. I can’t wait to be able to afford your program. That’s why I appreciate these complimentary lessons so much! Thank you!
Thanks for being with us, Sandi! We look forward to having you join us soon!!
So sorry to hear about the passing of your father. My prayers go out to you and your family May happy memories of him fill your days.
Now something to celebrate. I deleted my 46,000 emails today. My computer screen says your Inbox is now empty,
Good work, Shelladie! We’re thrilled to have you with us and we look forward to hearing your success stories! Thanks so much for your well wishes. We appreciate you!
LOOKING FORWARD TO MAKING A CHANGE.
NO MORE PUTTING THINGS OFF.
THANKS
Welcome, Mariellen! We’re so excited for you!!
April, Im sorry for the loss pf your dad. He will always be present in your heart and watching over you and your family.
Thank you so much, Nohra! xoxo
I have organized myself slightly differently. I take several on-line classes and handle my own finances. Since I am mobility limited, I spend most of my day in my recliner. I use a file jacket for each project I am working on and use folders within the jackets. For Bills/Budget, I use folders: Pay ASAP. Paid (Hold until next bill comes in), Needs Action, File (tax ded. etc.), and Contributions (give when funds are available.) Each evening when I plan the next day I take out whatever folders contain what I need.. For instance, Needs Action if I’ve scheduled time for phone calls, lesson notes, vocabulary drills, paper to be written for a class. etc. When I finish it goes back into the appropriate jacket and if all goes smoothly, I have an empty Today folder by 8:00 p.m.. I am setting up the other thinigs on a table with Weekly Schedule on a Posterboard. I use a loose-leaf notebook as a Bullet Journal with sections for the other items instead of folders.
Dear April, Praying for comfort in your time of grief since your Dad’s death.