Declutter Your Life: Lisa Woodruff on Mastering Organization
Ready to declutter your life? Lisa Woodruff, a beacon in the world of organization, shares her vibrant journey and insights into transforming chaos into clarity. As the founder and CEO of Organize 365, she has helped countless people reclaim their lives through the power of organization. Her journey is not just about tidying up spaces but about fostering a skill that can lead to substantial improvements in every facet of life. Let’s delve into how organization can be your tool for success.
Key Takeaways:
Organization as a Skill: It’s a lifelong skill that can be learned, irrespective of age, significantly improving both personal and professional life.
Personalized Organizing Approaches: Success in organization depends on personalized strategies that fit individual lifestyles and challenges.
Decluttering vs. Organizing: It’s crucial to distinguish between the high of decluttering and the enduring impact of effective organization.
Embracing the Power of Personal Organization
The Art and Science of Organization
Lisa emphasizes, “Organization is more than just tidying up; it’s a skill that can be developed and refined.” The talent for organizing involves more than just clearing out clutter; it’s about setting up systems that prevent chaos from returning. A significant part of this skill is understanding that surface-level cleanups are temporary fixes. To sustain serenity in your spaces, you need to instill habits and systems.
She recounts her own experiences, “At 40, I was at the bottom of the pit of despair. I had lost control over various aspects of my life, and everything felt chaotic.” Lisa’s solution was to methodically organize her life, a skill that not only restored order but opened doors to new opportunities. Her story underscores that organization is a tool to reclaim control over life’s chaos, enabling one to thrive despite challenges.
Personalized Approaches to Home Organization
One of the critical insights Lisa offers is the role of personalized strategies in successful organization. “Focus on yourself first before trying to organize others,” Lisa advises. This
philosophy not only respects individual autonomy but also acknowledges that what works for one person might not work for another.
When dealing with shared spaces, such as a family home, Lisa’s approach is to empower each individual to take charge of their domain. “If I was organizing the woman of the house, we would focus on her half of the closet,” she says. This individualized strategy helps in managing resistance from others who might not share the same organizational goals. It’s about creating a ripple effect; once one person sees the benefits of an organized life, others are likely to follow suit.
Children, for instance, can be quite receptive to organization when it’s tailored to their needs. Lisa shares, “We label children’s bedrooms as their mini apartments.” This not only gives them a sense of ownership but makes the task of keeping their space organized more manageable. By breaking down the overwhelming task into smaller, personalized sections, organization becomes more achievable and less daunting.
The Journey from Decluttering to Increased Productivity
Decluttering has become a buzzword in the organization world, thanks to influences like Marie Kondo. However, Lisa points out the distinct differences between decluttering and organizing. While decluttering provides the immediate satisfaction of a cleaner space, it’s the organization that ensures longevity and prevents the return of chaos.
“Decluttering works initially, but if used as your only strategy, you begin to over-declutter,” Lisa explains. This can lead to the removal of items that are still needed, driven by the pursuit of the high that comes from quick wins. The real challenge lies in organizing—taking enough time to sort things such that everything has a place and every place serves a purpose.
Lisa’s insight into the neuroscience behind organization highlights why people struggle with moving beyond decluttering. “In your executive function, you have working memory, organization, and planning,” Lisa shares. To attain higher productivity, organizing skills are crucial as they lay the foundation for effective planning. Essentially, without a structured system in place, planning efforts tend to be futile.
Organizational Strategies for Retirement and Legacy Planning
Transitioning into retirement or even simply downsizing can present unique organizational challenges. Many individuals in this life stage grapple with parting from possessions laden with sentimental value. Lisa’s approach is both empathetic and practical. “You can keep every single thing you want,” she assures, emphasizing respect for personal attachments while also presenting practical solutions.
For retirees, one essential task is the organization of medical and financial documents. “You must print out and create binders of your medical and your financial information,” Lisa insists. This preparation not only aids in personal management but significantly eases the burden on those who might step in during emergencies. By organizing such crucial aspects, one can ensure peace of mind for oneself and loved ones, fostering a smoother transition into later stages of life.
Lisa also encourages enjoying the memories associated with physical items rather than feeling pressured to declutter aggressively. “Bring out the photos at every holiday and tell the stories,” she suggests. By celebrating memories rather than viewing them as clutter, retirees can find joy and connection in their possessions.
Lisa Woodruff’s expertise in organization reveals it to be a transformative skill, one that goes beyond mere tidying. It’s about reclaiming control over chaos, fostering a sense of ownership, and ultimately paving the way for increased productivity and a more fulfilling life. Reorganizing not only one’s physical space but also one’s approach to life and its many phases shows just how powerful and liberating the journey towards organization can be.
For those seeking to embrace this journey, Lisa’s Organize 365 Podcast and her community offer a wealth of resources and support, guiding you every step of the way.
Connect with Lisa to Declutter Your Life:
https://www.instagram.com/organize365/
Connect with Bev:
Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenover50rock
https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverleyglazer/
Get the Fulfillment Guide: https://reinventimpossible1.lpages.co/life-perspective-inventory
Need advice? Schedule a time to talk: https://calendly.com/reinventimpossible/15min
