4 Steps to Clean Up Your Life & Get Organized
4 Steps to Clean Up Your Life & Get Organized
How can entrepreneurs use their organizational habits to improve productivity and efficiency?
First, I often say, "A place for everything and everything in its place" is only half right. Messes are inevitable, but when everything has a designated place, recovery becomes much easier. To assess whether something is truly organized, I rely on four key questions: Does it work? Do you like it? As an entrepreneur, you need to enjoy the systems you use, or you won’t sustain them. Does it work for others? In a business, you must consider how your systems affect your team. Lastly, can you recover quickly? Messes will happen, but the key is minimizing the time it takes to clean them up. For example, my office might look messy on a Thursday, but Friday is my control day. Everything must be put back in its place within 30 minutes. If it takes longer, that’s a red flag that something in the system needs improvement.
Another challenge for entrepreneurs is managing the blessing and curse of constant ideas. Many entrepreneurs excel at starting projects but struggle to finish them. To stay focused, you need to regularly ask yourself, “What really matters here?” One of my favorite reflective questions is, “If you left this earth tonight, what regret would you have?” The answer to that question often reveals a form of clutter, whether it’s physical, mental, or emotional. Identifying and addressing these areas of clutter helps entrepreneurs regain clarity and focus on what truly matters.
How can entrepreneurs clear clutter to gain clarity and stay focused on their vision?
Start by clearing the clutter, focusing on each item—whether it’s a physical object, a piece of paper, a digital file, or an idea in your head—and asking, “Is this something I really want to pursue?” If the answer is no, you get rid of it. It’s like peeling back the layers of an onion. As you let go of what you don’t need or want, your true vision begins to emerge. This clarity is exciting because once you know your vision, you also know what steps to take.
People often ask, “What should I do?” But the better question is, “What will you do?” Organizing in itself has no value unless it’s tied to a purpose. Some people spend all their time organizing but never take action. Entrepreneurs often fall into the trap of trying one thing, abandoning it when it doesn’t work, and repeating the cycle without sticking with anything long enough to succeed. However, when your vision is clear, you can stay focused and consistently move forward, leading to success.
How can entrepreneurs prioritize family and business?
I started my business with the goal of putting my family first—that was the whole reason. In our certification program, most participants are women and mothers. What sets us apart is that, unlike thousands of organizing consultants, we work virtually. This allows us to serve clients worldwide without ever meeting them in person, which has been a significant win. It’s more cost-effective since there’s no need to travel, and many clients feel more comfortable because they don’t want us to see their mess. Often, they’re embarrassed, thinking, "I’m a successful person; I shouldn’t have this mess."
Interestingly, we’ve found that virtual work helps clients learn more effectively. People learn best kinesthetically—by doing—so when we organize in person, we sometimes do tasks for them that they really need to do themselves. Virtual organizing has become a win-win for everyone.
On a personal note, I’ve been blessed with my husband of nearly 37 years, a retired army colonel. We’re very different—he’s private and not social, while I’m more outgoing—but he’s been a huge support. Early in our marriage, he told me, “My job is to block and tackle so you can fly,” and that’s exactly what he’s done. His financial acumen has also been a great blessing.
When interviewing specialists to join our team, I always ask how their family feels about their entrepreneurial journey. It’s incredibly difficult to succeed as an entrepreneur without family support. Sometimes, that simply means explaining how your work benefits them and why it’s important. Communication is key.
What steps create a clear, measurable process for success?
Creating a specific, measurable process that is easy to understand and communicate is essential for achieving success. Simplicity is key, which is why we developed a five-step process that forms the foundation of everything we do. It begins with stating your vision by clearly defining what success looks and feels like—whether it’s clearing clutter or improving a relationship. Next, you identify your obstacles, considering past challenges, what hasn’t worked, and what fears or barriers are holding you back. Then, you commit your resources by determining how much time, money, and support you’re willing to invest. This step also involves identifying who can assist, whether it’s someone on your team, in your family, or a mentor in your mastermind group. The fourth step, design and execute your plan, is where you take actionable steps to achieve your vision using the resources you’ve identified. Finally, you must sustain your success, which is often the hardest part. Plans rarely work perfectly the first time, so this step involves reviewing and adjusting to maintain progress over time. The process is powerful because it’s personalized to each individual’s goals and circumstances, making it easy to apply to all areas of life. For example, one client used this process with his family to plan a vacation, demonstrating its versatility and simplicity. This structured approach empowers people to overcome obstacles, achieve their goals, and make a lasting impact.
Why do personal challenges impact business success?
Everything that goes wrong personally or professionally impacts your entrepreneurship. I realized I had an estranged relationship with one of my daughters. It hadn’t worked out well, and I recognized it as a regret. I decided to address it, and as a result, she visited me, and we spent a few wonderful days together. These personal matters directly affect your business because, as an entrepreneur, your business reflects your life. When something in your life isn’t right, it inevitably impacts your business. It’s a meaningful connection to consider.
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.*
