Small Steps to Bring You Big Wins this New Year

There’s something powerful about getting “organizing advice” from people who have just made huge changes in their own homes, families, and offices. In today’s post, we’re featuring several members of our Steps to Everyday Productivity (STEP) program who posted awesome wins in our members’ Facebook group–and then took the time to share WHY they were able to make such outstanding progress. We hope you feel inspired. Enjoy!

1. Look for support.

Ahhh, this is such a good way to start. No one ever said you had to do your work alone. Sometimes a family member or friend can be your accountability partner–and sometimes you can find groups online (that’s why STEP is here!). Look at this beautiful photo and then check out the quote about the “connecting piece” below.

As for the connecting piece, it is the breakdown into microbursts, taking baby steps and not focusing on the whole “Elephant.” It’s also the support I felt. Somehow I didn’t feel alone and I often thought about all the others that are going through this journey with me. I would see their before/after pics and felt inspired.

Simone

2. Brainstorm the Next Actions for your project.

This beautiful bedroom didn’t happen all at once. Small steps (what we call “Next Actions”) made it happen. You’ll read more about this in the quote below, but you’ll also want to make sure you attend our free training, “How to Finally Stop Drowning in Piles” (linked at the bottom of the post) to learn more and get a free worksheet. Quick note–the “Evernote/Asana” class referred to below is a bonus inside our STEP Mastery Facebook group. Okay, now hear what this community member has to say:

I would advise having a little brainstorm session to figure out what steps or tasks you’re going to need to complete the project. It helped to visualize what my daughter and I wanted the end product to look like, and then focus on a part of that product, and then break it down further. For example, with the accent wall she wanted, we were going to have to search for design ideas, then hone in on what wall paper type she wanted, then purchase it, then make sure we’d have the accessories like x-acto knives and scrapers, etc. I’ve been wanting to try Asana for a while, so I watched April’s Asana/Evernote training from September, and that gave me just the nudge I needed to demystify it enough to try going on Asana.com. There’s still so much to learn, but I’m excited to learn more.

When we were done, we felt jubilant! She’d been wanting her own room for so long, so there were lots of high fives and hugs. She’s so happy and grateful to have a peaceful, pretty place to call her own.

Monica

3. Invite people over.

(Quick FYI, this is what my family did growing up, too! Our house was the cleanest right around Thanksgiving when others would be invited inside…)

My advice to others like me (who signed up 18 months ago and only got so far as photographing all the clutter in EVERY room of my house) actually came from my late husband, who was the neat freak to my system of piles. Anytime he had a home improvement project in his mind like painting a wall or adding bookshelves, he scheduled a dinner party (usually something big like our church choir — he was the choir director). Then we had a deadline AND incentive to get it done. Worked every time.

Pam

4. Make your space YOURS.

Sometimes it’s hard to just “go for it” when it comes to hanging things on walls, selecting furniture, or creating a set-up that you love. Perfectionism can paralyze us, right? But look at this photo and enjoy the advice given right below. 🙂

My oasis. 💆🏻‍♀️👩🏻‍💻

We converted ”the office” into MY office, as I’ll be work-from-home in a permanent capacity. Still designing my command center, but as you can see, there is much more room for clear thoughts and actions!

Amanda

5. Make a decision not to settle.

I’m kind of an all-or-nothing gal… Where my life is right now with health and age, I see life as 2 options.

A. I can give up the big dreams and settle for an OK existence, struggling with a myriad of health issues, and just aim for ‘comfortable enough’.

B. Or I can go All-In, and do what many think is “impossible” or at least “unrealistic”… I want to be more that just “not-sick”, but be healthier than I’ve literally every been. I want to start a new family, and I want get back out in the field doing Search and Rescue, all while growing my business. All of which means I need to be strong, healthy, vibrant, focused, and capable for many years ahead of me.

I’m not ready to be done yet, so I choose B.

And STEP is the only way I will get there.

It’s not an option, it’s a requirement.

Jo-Anne

LOVE THIS. Go Jo-Anne!!!!

6. Use what you have.

This suggestion is honestly GOLD. Especially when setting up an official “Command Central,” it doesn’t make sense to buy a bunch of stuff if you don’t know how/when/if you’ll use it. Starting with what’s already in your closet/garage/etc. gets you moving, which builds momentum. You’re going to love this behind-the-scenes information:

So I took a bit of a break from the modules (I’m in module 3 right now). During the break, I spent many hours over the course of a week on this project of cleaning the office space I’m responsible for. My family still has their own space, but my own feels so much better. My command center currently uses items I already had, and my inbox is literally a cardboard box with the flaps cut off. I organized all of the papers (including a pile from a kitchen counter) into my new filing system, shredded them, or recycled them. I’m down to a small box that is holding a few projects. I wish I had a before picture of my filing space, but I didn’t think to take one. Here’s my after picture, though!

Tanya

Okay, are you feeling inspired? Do you see that YOU can do this too? We are so, so grateful for our amazing community and for their willingness to share their hard-earned advice with all of us. This is truly teamwork, and we’re so grateful to have you with us!

Key Links

Free Training, “How to Finally Stop Drowning in Piles.” (This is a one-hour on-demand class, and we recommend everyone start here.)

Free LearnDoBecome Community Facebook Group We just opened this brand new group to help connect our whole community, and you’ll want to request to join now because we’ll have seven days of short, action-oriented videos launching ONLY in this free Facebook group January 1st through January 7th 2021 (plus more in the future, if you’re reading this later!) to help you organize your mind and help you feel like a million bucks!

Details about Our STEP Booster Series! Brand new trainings AND a module-by-module walkthrough of the program with LIVE group coaching starts January 19th. This is the best time to join the Steps to Everyday Productivity program, if you’ve been on the fence for awhile.