This year I am delving a lot into the science and psychology of habits and mindfulness.  I am interested in the research and exploring how the habits we have already created can act as a springboard for new ones.  Habits are always tricky in the beginning because we have to remember to do them! This is where mindfulness can help us be more organised - we can recall things better when we're being fully present.

The Ultimate Habit Tip:  Start smaller than small and create an anchor
There is some interesting research coming out of Stanford university that is showing it’s all the teeny tiny steps you do everyday that help you get the big things done.  Focus on doing one teeny tiny action towards your goal.  As for when to do the task, they are investigating if you anchor a new habit to immediately AFTER you complete an ingrained habit, your chances of remembering to do it improves dramatically.

The example they gave was if you want to start jogging in the morning, find a task you do every day that is completely ingrained/ you do on auto pilot (e.g. putting the kettle on), and just start one thing you need to do to make your walk possible - ie put your sandshoes on!  So immediately after you put the kettle on - put your shoes on. You don't need to actually jog just yet - you're just trying to create teeny tiny stepping stones.

Organising is a lot like this too.  If you start small and anchor a new habit to an ingrained one, you're on your way!

"I have no space in my bathroom and it is driving me mad!"

This wouldn't be the first time we have encountered this!

Really look at what you need to keep in the bathroom - who uses it - what height are they?

Always go through and toss any empty containers - I promise you'll be surprised how much space you have once you've done this. My clients are always shocked when we do this!

Then look at grouping and sorting your supplies by categories - you may find grouping them by person is also helpful!

Look for the right size containers and how to use that space you have. We have found some clever products to repurpose in the bathroom - really look around you to see what space you have - walls, screens - EVERYTHING is up for grabs in these tiny spaces that are like grand central station!

A statement I hear often is  "I have NO SPACE! How can I fit in everything??"

First really look at the volume of what you own - do you use and love everything you have? Be sure that anything in your space DESERVES to share its life with you!! Take a look at our R-E-V-A-M-P process to help you (see our website/ you tube video below). Remember LESS is MORE

ONCE you have clarity over what you REALLY want to keep - really look at what STORAGE you currently have. The goal in any space really look at what you need it that space and how you can get every wall and piece of furniture helping you to create SPACE for what you want to keep in the room.

The goal is to be CLEAR ON WHAT YOU WANT TO KEEP in this space. Once you know that then you can notice what you need and how you can use it - if you have a blank wall can you add storage cubes, hooks, racks. For furniture can it be dual purpose coffee table with draws/ storage etc? Go from room to room and look at what you want to do in that space and what you need space for.

That's what I like about Ikea - it's great for inspiration and getting that furniture to mulit-task!! In my home the 'TV cabinet' is a BESTA cupboard combo from Ikea - it comes with space for all the usual TV electronic bits PLUS other items I want to have easy access to while watching TV/ keep in that space: blankets, videos, magazines - ALL behind closed doors. I didn't want a conventional TV unit because it didn't meet my storage needs for what I WANT to store in my living room!

Every one of us has 168 hours in a week - no more, no less.  Why is it that some people seem to get so much done, while some of us struggle to do the basics?  

Depending on which side of the spectrum you sit, your either a time realist or a time optimist.

Time optimists are prone to under estimating the amount of time tasks really take, and can take on way too much, why?  Because we are Time Optimists we can do it all! 

Time realists on the other hand know how much time they have and they have worked out what is manageable in that space.  Where the task is big, they’ve broken it down into smaller tasks and allocate time for each one.  They know it makes the job manageable and achievable, so they don’t set themselves up for failure!    They’ve scheduled it into their day (diary) and they stick to it.  If an emergency comes up, they reschedule the task/ activity into another time. They are also ok with saying no to requests that don’t align to their priorities.  Time realists have got it together!

So how do we grow our time management muscles?  We exercise them of course!  This exercise will help you get better at estimating so we can become Time Realists:

• Choose 3 tasks/ activities to do this week
• Estimate how long you think it might take
• Time the activity + Note the % difference
   

I'm so delighted to share that I have teamed up with the amazing Kirsty O'Callaghan from Unity Qld to deliver two WEBINARS WITH 'KIRSTY AND LOUISE' in 2013.

I'm a big fan of Kirsty and admire how she has continued to work with thousands of Australians over the past ten years.

If you're feeling overwhelmed and like it's all too much, it's time to join Kirsty and I for our first fun WEBINAR WITH 'KIRSTY AND LOUISE':  BALANCE? WHAT BALANCE? 

If you're too busy, can never get on top of ‘stuff', and feel like it's all work and no play?
If you're feeling low on energy and consumed by your to do lists with scattered thinking we will share with you the secrets to successfully balancing and decluttering you life today.

Join us on Wednesday 29 May 2013 for the one hour webinar (7 - 8pm AUST EST).
The webinar is only $21.00 per person (or join us for the Balance Webinar PLUS "Relax?! Who has time to Relax let alone cook?!" webinar on Wednesday 28 August 2013).

To book your tickets go to www.unity-qld.com.au