Latest / Simple Enough: Organizing, Productivity, and Mindset for Entrepreneurs / 1. Organizing Starts with the Dream, Not the Stuff

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1. Organizing Starts with the Dream, Not the Stuff · Simple Enough: Organizing, Productivity, and Mindset for Entrepreneurs

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  SPEAKER_00: You've got the ideas,
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  SPEAKER_00: you've got the ability,
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  SPEAKER_00: so why does it still feel like you're sinking in your life and your business?
• 0:07
  SPEAKER_00: Stick around.
• 0:08
  SPEAKER_00: It doesn't have to be as hard as you think it is.
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  SPEAKER_00: If you're smart and capable,
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  SPEAKER_00: but overwhelmed by too many decisions,
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  SPEAKER_00: half-built systems,
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  SPEAKER_00: and things you keep meaning to get to, you're in the right place.
• 0:21
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to Simple Enough.
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  SPEAKER_00: I'm Miriam Ortiz-Pino,
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  SPEAKER_00: Certified Professional Organizer,
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  SPEAKER_00: Simplicity Expert, and Money Breakthrough Business Coach.
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  SPEAKER_00: For over 25 years,
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  SPEAKER_00: I've been helping people connect organization,
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  SPEAKER_00: productivity,
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  SPEAKER_00: and money mindset so they can do their best work and live a more satisfying life.
• 0:43
  SPEAKER_00: I wanted to start this show because there's so much bad information out there right now.
• 0:49
  SPEAKER_00: It's really a shame that they don't really factor in how you want to be and who you are.
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  SPEAKER_00: So I thought I'd help you out.
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  SPEAKER_00: I'd like for you to start with who and how you want to be, not how to hide things from yourself.
• 1:07
  SPEAKER_00: I know my clients tend to be really interesting, interested people.
• 1:12
  SPEAKER_00: And they turn into entrepreneurs because they have so many wonderful ideas.
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  SPEAKER_00: So many ideas that they often find it hard to figure out what to work on and when.
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  SPEAKER_00: This leads to lots of open loops,
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  SPEAKER_00: lots of unfinished projects,
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  SPEAKER_00: lots of closets full of other ideas they haven't gotten to yet.
• 1:31
  SPEAKER_00: So I really want you to think about how often you've said to yourself,
• 1:37
  SPEAKER_00: I don't have time to get organized or I'll organize when I have time,
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  SPEAKER_00: but you're never going to have the time until you get organized.
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  SPEAKER_00: So it's a catch-22, right?
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  SPEAKER_00: You have to find the time to get organized, but you need to get organized to find time.
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  SPEAKER_00: And that's where I come in.
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  SPEAKER_00: It doesn't have to be so hard.
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  SPEAKER_00: I really want you to take some time to set yourself up for success.
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  SPEAKER_00: And it can start with the little things because it turns out baby steps create lots
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  SPEAKER_00: of little extra time.
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  SPEAKER_00: Exponential results come from...
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  SPEAKER_00: Incremental improvements.
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  SPEAKER_00: And so I think instead of looking for the right tool,
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  SPEAKER_00: app, or process, you can just begin a different way.
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  SPEAKER_00: We can start creating Creating a nurturing and supportive environment
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  SPEAKER_00: that automatically leads you to get those things in place that you need
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  SPEAKER_00: to do your best work.
• 2:39
  SPEAKER_00: In addition to thinking you'll have more time one day, people tend to start in the middle.
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  SPEAKER_00: They rearrange and they put things in boxes and put labels on them.
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  SPEAKER_00: And that's just hiding the stuff.
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  SPEAKER_00: Really, we want to start connecting the tasks to your desired outcome.
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  SPEAKER_00: So what do you want?
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  SPEAKER_00: That's what I want to know.
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  SPEAKER_00: What do you want?
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  SPEAKER_00: Some people have a hard time with that one,
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  SPEAKER_00: but if we start with the dream, we can simplify the process from there.
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  SPEAKER_00: Because when you know what your desired outcome is,
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  SPEAKER_00: you can reverse engineer your Your setup, your workflows, your processes.
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  SPEAKER_00: We want to pick what's essential to get the job done.
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  SPEAKER_00: And then, and only then, we want to add more things into the mix.
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  SPEAKER_00: Think of it like when you make cupcakes.
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  SPEAKER_00: You need the equipment,
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  SPEAKER_00: the ingredients,
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  SPEAKER_00: the things like a bowl and a spoon and the eggs and the batter,
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  SPEAKER_00: you know, that turn into the batter.
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  SPEAKER_00: You put them in an oven and bake and And then you cool them on a cooling rack.
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  SPEAKER_00: And then,
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  SPEAKER_00: only then,
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  SPEAKER_00: do you get to decide if you're putting frosting,
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  SPEAKER_00: icing, drizzle, sprinkles, cherries, whatever else you want on there.
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  SPEAKER_00: But the bottom line is you got to start with the cupcakes.
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  SPEAKER_00: And to get the cupcakes,
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  SPEAKER_00: you got to start with the ingredients and the equipment that go into making
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  SPEAKER_00: the cupcakes.
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  SPEAKER_00: Same thing for everything in your life, really.
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  SPEAKER_00: So when you have that desired outcome in mind,
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  SPEAKER_00: you make better decisions because you have criteria and you know where you want
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  SPEAKER_00: to end up.
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  SPEAKER_00: It's still a grand experiment and you're going to have some failures
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  SPEAKER_00: and you're going to have some successes.
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  SPEAKER_00: But what if the experiment allowed you to complete more of your tasks?
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  SPEAKER_00: I have a client that called me for,
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  SPEAKER_00: it's actually been quite a few years now,
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  SPEAKER_00: but originally she wanted to create more room to do her crafts.
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  SPEAKER_00: She was a busy professional woman,
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  SPEAKER_00: and she had recently inherited a whole lot of things, and she loves to shop.
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  SPEAKER_00: She loves beautiful things.
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  SPEAKER_00: And the house had gotten a little bit away from her after an illness, and she wanted to regroup.
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  SPEAKER_00: At the same time, she was trying to decide when and how she was going to retire.
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  SPEAKER_00: And going through her things and looking at it with that desired outcome
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  SPEAKER_00: that she was going to retire and she wanted more time for creativity,
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  SPEAKER_00: we were able to go through her things rather quickly.
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  SPEAKER_00: And create some systems that allowed her to leave her old identity behind
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  SPEAKER_00: and start creating the new one.
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  SPEAKER_00: And she is experiencing so much more fun and freedom now that she's clear about what she wants.
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  SPEAKER_00: And part of that figuring out was part of the organizing process.
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  SPEAKER_00: So it's all connected.
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  SPEAKER_00: You get organized.
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  SPEAKER_00: You can be more productive.
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  SPEAKER_00: You have more freedom to do the things you want to do.
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  SPEAKER_00: And the more you clear out,
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  SPEAKER_00: the more you have space for wonderful things to come into your life.
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  SPEAKER_00: I hope you're beginning to feel a little bit enlightened and empowered as I aim
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  SPEAKER_00: to give you insightful things that you might not have thought about to help you
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  SPEAKER_00: on your organizing journey.
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  SPEAKER_00: And there's no shame in it.
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  SPEAKER_00: Even the most professional of professional organizers Organizers have little pockets
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  SPEAKER_00: of clutter here and there because life is constantly in flux.
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  SPEAKER_00: Our situation changes and we have to be able to adapt and accept that things can change.
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  SPEAKER_00: New things are coming in.
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  SPEAKER_00: Old things are being let go.
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  SPEAKER_00: It's a rotating system.
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  SPEAKER_00: It's important to start curating what you want to have the life you want.
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  SPEAKER_00: There's no shame in trying yet another one until you find the perfect one.
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  SPEAKER_00: And the key is to not give up on a process too soon.
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  SPEAKER_00: Just because it didn't work on the first pass or the second pass or
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  SPEAKER_00: the third pass doesn't mean it's not going to work on the fourth.
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  SPEAKER_00: So you're going to get to learn distinctions as well.
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  SPEAKER_00: Is this really not working or am I just still developing the habit?
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  SPEAKER_00: So here's how we're going to do things around here.
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  SPEAKER_00: I'm going to give you insights.
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  SPEAKER_00: It's all about practice, not perfection.
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  SPEAKER_00: Progress comes from the practice.
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  SPEAKER_00: And being an organized person requires the practice,
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  SPEAKER_00: the adjustments,
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  SPEAKER_00: the curation, because life is a rotating system and a constant curation.
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  SPEAKER_00: And these are the skills that are going to help your future self adapt
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  SPEAKER_00: to future situations as they arise.
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  SPEAKER_00: So you don't have to redo,
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  SPEAKER_00: you merely adjust,
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  SPEAKER_00: scooch things over here,
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  SPEAKER_00: attempt something slightly different over there, and it all comes together.
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  SPEAKER_00: I think that creating a business and a life you love starts with the foundation of
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  SPEAKER_00: a nurturing and supportive environment that includes a Be Better practice and
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  SPEAKER_00: an abundant money mindset, and that great systems free you up to be your best self.
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  SPEAKER_00: I want to reassure you that feeling disorganized in any given moment is not
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  SPEAKER_00: a reflection on how capable you are.
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  SPEAKER_00: It is a chance for you to explore and experience the complete formula of being
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  SPEAKER_00: an organized person.
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  SPEAKER_00: So let me leave you with a fabulous little exercise that'll get you started.
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  SPEAKER_00: I call it dreaming.
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  SPEAKER_00: Really, I don't call it anything.
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  SPEAKER_00: What we want to do is get you in the habit of thinking about reverse engineering what you want.
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  SPEAKER_00: So I want you to sit on your couch,
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  SPEAKER_00: even if you have to move a pile of stuff to make it happen,
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  SPEAKER_00: just scooch the stuff over,
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  SPEAKER_00: sit down on your couch,
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  SPEAKER_00: let's say in your living room, because that's where couches usually are.
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  SPEAKER_00: And I want you to take a glance around and then take a deep breath and And close your eyes.
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  SPEAKER_00: I want you to begin to imagine what activities you would like to participate in in this space.
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  SPEAKER_00: If we are using the living room as the example,
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  SPEAKER_00: imagine watching TV, reading a book, playing a game.
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  SPEAKER_00: What other things do you like to do in your living room?
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  SPEAKER_00: Conversations with friends?
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  SPEAKER_00: Just think about the activities for a second.
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  SPEAKER_00: And then think about...
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  SPEAKER_00: How you would like to feel when you do those activities.
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  SPEAKER_00: Okay.
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  SPEAKER_00: Now,
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  SPEAKER_00: a few of us are going to have a hard time imagining things in visuals or imagining
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  SPEAKER_00: the future at all.
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  SPEAKER_00: If that's you, it's okay.
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  SPEAKER_00: It comes with some practice, but the way around it is to imagine things.
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  SPEAKER_00: Or to borrow someone else's reality.
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  SPEAKER_00: So a description from a book,
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  SPEAKER_00: a picture in a magazine, a TV show scene where there's a living room you admire.
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  SPEAKER_00: Just pick one of those and start to put yourself into that space.
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  SPEAKER_00: What are you doing?
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  SPEAKER_00: What things do you need to do the thing you're doing?
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  SPEAKER_00: And how does it make you feel?
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  SPEAKER_00: Sit there for a second and feel those things.
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  SPEAKER_00: Now, take another breath.
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  SPEAKER_00: And then open your eyes.
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  SPEAKER_00: Start glancing around your room.
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  SPEAKER_00: Don't get up.
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  SPEAKER_00: Don't start throwing things away.
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  SPEAKER_00: Don't start feeling bad.
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  SPEAKER_00: We are just sitting here observing what is in the room that might be in the way
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  SPEAKER_00: of what you just imagined.
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  SPEAKER_00: Are there piles of paper in the corner?
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  SPEAKER_00: Are there toys scattered about?
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  SPEAKER_00: Are there old hobbies taking up a bunch of space?
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  SPEAKER_00: Are there old packaging and food left out, snacks that don't get put away?
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  SPEAKER_00: Start thinking about what you can remove from the space that'll help you create
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  SPEAKER_00: a more nurturing environment in that space.
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  SPEAKER_00: That's all you gotta do.
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  SPEAKER_00: You did it.
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  SPEAKER_00: You're good.
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  SPEAKER_00: Now, every time you come into the living room,
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  SPEAKER_00: you might notice one more thing that could possibly go.
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  SPEAKER_00: You don't have to do it yet.
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  SPEAKER_00: Just begin thinking about all the things that might be in your way.
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  SPEAKER_00: You can repeat this process in every room of the house.
• 10:59
  SPEAKER_00: And then we'd move on to the next step.
• 11:03
  SPEAKER_00: But that's for later.
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  SPEAKER_00: That's all about decluttering.
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  SPEAKER_00: And in addition to it being for later, just think, you haven't even gotten off your ass yet.
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  SPEAKER_00: I'll see you next time.
• 11:12
  SPEAKER_00: In the meantime, have a delightful day.
• 11:15
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you so much.
• 11:31
  SPEAKER_00: To officially enter,
• 11:32
  SPEAKER_00: visit morethanorganized.net slash podcast launch and submit the entry form.
• 11:38
  SPEAKER_00: Entries close at midnight Eastern time, August 30th, 2026.
• 11:42
  SPEAKER_00: If Simple Enough resonates with you,
• 11:44
  SPEAKER_00: you can support the show by following,
• 11:47
  SPEAKER_00: sharing it with a friend, or leaving an honest rating or review where available.
• 11:52
  SPEAKER_00: Visit morethanorganized.net/podcastlaunch for the official entry form
• 11:56
  SPEAKER_00: and complete giveaway details.
• 11:58
  SPEAKER_00: Remember to enter before midnight Eastern time on August 30th, 2026.
• 12:03
  SPEAKER_00: No purchase necessary,
• 12:05
  SPEAKER_00: subject to the official rules and eligibility requirements, void where prohibited.
• 12:12
  SPEAKER_00: Thanks for spending this time with me today.
• 12:14
  SPEAKER_00: Before you go,
• 12:15
  SPEAKER_00: choose one thing from this episode that could make life just
• 12:18
  SPEAKER_00: a little simpler this week.
• 12:20
  SPEAKER_00: Not perfect, just simple enough.
• 12:22
  SPEAKER_00: Come join me on Substack at morethanorganized.substack.com and remember,
• 12:27
  SPEAKER_00: organizing doesn't have to be so hard.
• 12:29
  SPEAKER_00: I'll see you soon.
• 12:30
  SPEAKER_00: In the meantime, have a delightful day.