Stupid gym shoes

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Posted March 29th, 2012 in Mindset | 0 Comments

So I mentioned a few months ago that I had started going to the gym. I made a commitment to do it and Nelson and I have agreed to go at night after work.

Yesterday wasn’t a stellar day for me. I was disorganized (the horror!) and a cascade of things just made it worse. And honestly, when I got home at 7 pm, the very last thing I wanted to do was go exercise.

But I’d made a commitment to my health and working out was part of that. So, I strapped on my stupid gym shoes and did a brisk 2 miles on the treadmill. And I felt better for it.

Business is the same way. We make commitments to our clients and staff members to show up. Even when we don’t feel like it.

We commit to being in touch, to showing up prepared, and doing what we say we’re going to do.
Being organized helps you do these things regularly and reliably. And my hope and goal for my newsletter is that it will help you be better organized so you can show up more consistently for your staff and clients alike.

I shot a quick video that talks about why I decided to launch this newsletter. I hope you’ll check it out:
Organize for a Reason - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cf7gjwWbuBM&feature=youtu.be

The first issue should hit mailboxes the beginning of May 2012 and the monthly investment is very affordable at $21.95. It’s like getting me one-on-one each month to help you get – and stay – organized!

And you can officially join me next week!

In the meantime, ask yourself how you’re showing up – regularly, reliably and consistently – or a little unorganized, unfocused, and unhappy to be wearing those business shoes?

Parade of Horribles

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Posted March 27th, 2012 in organization, small business | 0 Comments

Yesterday I was listening to NPR as they blathered on about the health care debate here in the U.S. They said the Supreme Court Justices were firing off questions about a one a minute and it was a lively day of discussion.

And then the NPR announcer said something about the justices trying to get the “Parade of Horribles” out of the way.

Parade of Horribles? What is this?  Turns out Wikipedia knows everything:

“A parade of horribles is also a rhetorical device whereby the speaker argues against taking a certain course of action by listing a number of extremely undesirable events which will ostensibly result from the action. Its power lies in the emotional impact of the unpleasant predictions; however, a parade of horribles can potentially be a logical fallacy.”

Turns out that those horribles are “made up” and they generally are never as bad as the person imagines them to be.

Of course, this made me think about people who want to get organized, but never do.

They talk about it a lot. They read about it a lot (ahem…) but in the end, their internal chatter (hello, Monkey Mind) keeps them from actually doing the work of getting organized.

What are some of the excuses I hear?

  • I don’t have time to get organized
  • I won’t be able to find what I need after I move stuff all around
  • My piles are working, I swear
  • Being organized just isn’t important
  • My messiness doesn’t bother my staff/spouse/partner/office mates/family
  • I don’t have money to spend on this right now
  • My disorganization isn’t affecting my clients at all

The funny thing is, I *always* find money when I help someone organize. Whether it’s a check they forgot about, cold hard cash, or  15 prospects in their email, the money is there.

Because there’s such a return on investment for getting organized, and because it is such an important skill for success, I’m constantly surprised by these arguments.

In the end, though, they’re just excuses. A business owner’s very own “Parade of Horribles.”

If you ask ANY of the hundreds of clients I’ve worked with, they admit their made up story – their Parade of Horribles – turned out to be not that bad.

To that end, I’m giving you another option for getting organized. Last week I announced the fabulous new newsletter that will start hitting mailboxes the beginning of May! And it’ll come right to your door, which you can then shut, sit down, and create some space and time to read.

Topics will range far and wide, from getting your desk organized, to using technology more efficiently, to working on your Five Essential Business Systems (TM). You’ll get them in print and there will be links to audio and video instructions.This way, no matter which way you learn, I’ll have you covered.

1. Each month you’ll receive a paper copy of the newsletter via snail mail.
2. I’ll go into detail on one topic per month to help you get organized, systematized, and managing your time like a pro.
3. In addition, I’ll offer links to an online PDF version of the newsletter (in case you really like reading online)
4. And finally, you’ll get links to online supplemental audio and video of the topic so I can also “show you” and “tell you.”

The first issue should hit mailboxes the beginning of May 2012 and the monthly investment is very affordable at $21.95. It’s like getting me one-on-one each month to help you get – and stay – organized!

And you can officially join me next week!

In the meantime, are you ready to end your very own Parade of Horribles around organizing?

Out of Overwhelm

Sincerely,

Angie

Organization is an essential business tool

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Posted March 22nd, 2012 in Best Of Posts, organization, small business | 0 Comments

I don’t know about where you live, but here in Charlotte, NC, it sure feels like spring already.

  • My car is coated in yellow pollen
  • The windows in the house have been open for several weeks
  • My seedlings are sprouting like crazy
  • The insects are busy – flies, bees, and inchworms galore!

It’s March, people! What is going on?

Regardless, this time of year gets me thinking about spring cleaning.

I mean, how many of you have desks (or floors) coated in paper? Your email inbox contents continue to sprout like weeds. And those business cards and sticky notes? They are everywhere, creating clutter and noise, and adding to your feeling of stress and overwhelm. “I’m so busy,” you say with exasperation (or is that exhaustion?).

Being diligent about keeping up with it all can be difficult. Maybe my weekly email rants about being organized and systematized help (I hope they do, anyway). But would you like something more? A meatier bit about organizing your desk? A system for managing business cards? How about details for using Gmail or Outlook more effectively?

I sincerely believe more email isn’t the answer.

To that end, I’ve concocted a solution to help introduce topics like the ones above. I’ll dissect them in writing, teach them with a mini-lecture, and then
show you what I’m talking about via video. This way, no matter which way you learn, I’ll have you covered.

And this information won’t come in the form of an email.

Today I’m excited to announce something that will help you with spring cleaning all year long: Organization as an Essential Business Tool Monthly Newsletter.
Here’s what you’ll get:
  1. A full color, eight page paper copy of the newsletter delivered to your door
  2. Specific and actionable detail on one topic per month to help you get organized, systematized, and managing your time like a pro.
  3. Links to an online PDF version of the newsletter (in case you really like reading online)
  4. Links to online supplemental audio so you can listen and learn
  5. Videos of the topic so I can also “show you” the solution right then and there

The first issue should hit mailboxes the beginning of May 2012 and the monthly investment is very affordable at $21.95. It’s like getting me one-on-one each month to help you get – and stay – organized!

I was going to create a separate advanced-notice sign up, and then I decided to assume you’d already be interested. And you are, right?

So, instead of asking you to add your name to another list that might generate more email, here’s what I want instead from you:

Where can I help you organizationally that will reduce your stress, increase your focus, and create systems that will naturally lead to
more revenue and help you get more clients?

If you could have me explain – in writing, in video, and in verbally – anything related to getting organized, working more efficiently and doing less, well – what would
those topics be?

Email me by replying to angie@yourorganizedguide.com now!

Sincerely,

Angie

P.S. This monthly content wont’ be fluff – my aim is to dig into the Five Essential Business Systems and deconstruct them in a way that you can easily
see how they will help improve the day-to-day running of your business.

P.P.S. Additionally, the point of this newsletter isn’t tidy files and pretty containers – the point is getting you organized in such a way that it naturally results in increased revenues, more clients, and a less-stressed you!

Eat, Sleep, Poop, Beg

Posted March 20th, 2012 in Uncategorized | 0 Comments

Day in and day out, the dogs in my house know what is important:

  • Eat
  • Sleep
  • Poop
  • Beg (or at least do one heck of a job reminding us owners that they haven’t eaten recently)

Why is it that we owners have such a hard time knowing what’s important?

I recently read somewhere that most of us let our email drive our day simply because we literally don’t know what to do next. We either can’t decide and thus turn to what’s easy (email) or we don’t know our priorities, so the loudest or most urgent tasks (email usually) win.

It so doesn’t have to be that way.

Yesterday, a great friend and colleague reached out to me and said she’s ready to make real changes.

“I want to manage my time and commitments better. I want to use email as the tool rather than the driver. I want to be able to do more.”

Let me be clear: her time with me won’t be about about helping her do more, better. It’s about helping her do less, well.

The dogs have it right: pick priorities (just a few of them) and do ‘em every single day. And those dogs are fat and happy for it.

How about you? Are you ready to pick your priorities and be fat and happy, too?

Risky calls, regular postcards and the secret to success

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Posted March 16th, 2012 in processes, small business, systems | 1 Comment

I heard some brilliant advice recently from my friend and former client Craig Dunn, owner of Carolina Office Solutions here in Charlotte.

He said, “Now is the time to take small risks. Make small investments in your business, in your employees, and in yourself.”

I couldn’t agree more and was delighted to hear him share such an important message so succinctly.

One of my current clients put this message into action recently. I encouraged him to take action – any action – that would begin refilling his pipeline. My suggestions included:

  • Former customers – call them up and ask how their business is doing. Ask them what they need and then help them find a resource to solve it. Or send them a card just to say, “Hi” and remind them you’re out there (Craig has started doing this again regularly and consistently – people notice and he stays top of mind)
  • Current customers – what’s ONE thing you can do to “wow” them? To go the extra mile? To delight and surprise them?
  • People “in the know” – Want to break into a new industry or work with a different batch of clients? Reach out to industry leaders and ask for advice. What does this industry need? Share your heartfelt passion and vision for helping. See if you can discover solutions with the help of these people “in the know.”

The thing is, it’s easy to give to these suggestions. It’s even easy to agree you’ll do them. The hard part is taking action. It’s risky. It’s scary. There’s the very real potential for rejection.

But what if taking action – any action – really works? What if those small risks, those small investments, are the unspoken secret for success?

With my support and encouragement, my client took action and it is paying off handsomely. His phone is ringing. He’s talking to potential clients and he even has a meeting set up with one particular person “in the know” in response to an inquiry letter he sent. How cool is that?

Are you ready to take small risks? To invest in your business? And take ACTION? Here’s a great way to do it and it’s seriously a game changer:

Out of Overwhelm

A One Minute Workday

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Posted March 13th, 2012 in Mindset, routines | 0 Comments

Ok, yesterday I didn’t actually work for only one minute, but it sure seemed like it.

My eight hour day literally flew by.

What I was doing is less important than how I was feeling. Or rather what I wasn’t feeling. I was literally unaware of time. I wasn’t hungry. I don’t even think I stopped for a restroom break.

It took my client’s assistant coming in and asking, “Are you going to lunch?” around 1 p.m. for me to stop and regroup.

I call it “losing time.” It’s when I’m so in the flow of work that I forget everything else. My ability to get massive amounts of work done cheerfully, easily and quickly is at its max.

Yesterday was that day for me.

When was the last time you had a day like that? When you were in the zone, in the flow, and so enjoying your activity that you forgot time?

Or are you still slogging around, wasting time on administrivia, plucking away at data entry, and avoiding doing great work through procrastination, social media surfing, and the like?

I know you’re ready to focus. I know you’re ready to carve out dedicated time in your schedule to get in the zone and feel the flow. I’m ready for you to call me so I can show you how focus can quickly turn your slogging into a one minute workday.

My client and friend, Dr. Karen Geiger said, “Working with Angie has helped me get back control of my time and live the life I want to live.”

Distracted by numbers, comments, and Facebook

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Posted March 8th, 2012 in Mindset | 0 Comments

I have just one question for you today:

Are you relentlessly focused on the one or two things that actually make you money in business? Those actions that get you clients and increase revenue?

My newest client called me because he realized how much he wasn’t focusing on those things. Social media, his website analytics, and commenting on blog posts are sucking up his precious time with far too little ROI. It’s time he knows he should be spending getting in front of potential clients.

His commitment to a VIP day is admirable. Business growth, success, and focus on the future are the driving factors for his decision.

He’s investing time, money, and attention on the right things.

Are you?

Grocery-getting and being organized

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Posted March 6th, 2012 in organization | 0 Comments

After a weekend away, Nelson and I came home to a rather pathetically empty fridge. I headed over to the grocery after work, picked out what I needed and stood in line behind a little girl who was running around using her jacket a Wonder Woman cape.

After her mom paid for groceries and they left, it was my turn. I loaded all my stuff onto the conveyor thing as the cashier got started.

About halfway through the checkout, the cashier looked at me and said, “I really appreciate how you’ve organized all your food here. You put all your meats together, all your dairy and cold items, here are your veggies, and then you’ve grouped everything else at the end. It makes bagging really fast and easy.”

I looked over my purchases and indeed, I had organized my purchases into categories without even really thinking about it.

I laughed and told the cashier it was my job to be organized. This led to an exchange of business cards, a mention of my organizing videos on my website, and an all-round interesting visit to get groceries.

If you’re not naturally organized in your life, let me show you how some simple and easy changes to your day can make a BIG difference.

And then you can be delighted too when someone comments on how organized YOU are!

A miracle happens in your office

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Posted March 1st, 2012 in organization | 0 Comments

Happy first day of March! As we begin blasting into spring (was it ever winter, really?), my thoughts turn to spring cleaning and getting organized (of course).

I have a question for you and I honestly would love to hear your answer:

I’m curious to know…if you went home for the weekend and while you were away there was a miracle at your office…and when you got in Monday morning, your desk, your email, or even your business was perfectly organized….how would you know?

From frustrated to freedom

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Posted February 28th, 2012 in processes, small business, systems | 0 Comments

Last week, I finally moved into some office space. It’s a quiet place to work where I can write, shoot video, and meet with my local clients. It’s a keyman-type building and I’m surrounded by about six or eight other small businesses.

I happened to have my door open mid-week and here’s a conversation I overhead in the hall:

Business owner: Ok, we’re all set. The total amount is $65.

Customer: How can I pay this?

Business owner: I can take cash or check today.

Customer: You don’t take credit cards?

Business owner: No, I’m sorry, I can’t do that here.

Customer: Oh, dear. I wish I’d known that. I don’t ever carry checks with me.

An awkward silence ensued. The business owner told the customer to pay via Paypal from a certain page on her website.

The customer reminded the business owner about her coupon. Another awkward silence ensued. The business owner said,
“I don’t have that amount set up on Paypal. You’ll need to pay the full amount via credit card online today and then next time you can use the coupon.”

Really?

I have to ask – are YOU making it hard for your customers to do business with you?

Are you creating moments of uncomfortable silence for your customers?

Or are you showing up reliably and professionally, with systems and processes that work?

It’s impressive the number of business owners who are calling about my new programs. They are ready to invest in themselves, in their businesses, and to move from frustration to freedom.

Being unorganized in front of clients?

Awkward.

Again, let me ask you: how much is your disorganization costing you?

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