Ellen Hankes

Help Conquer CyberOverload

A new book by Your Mind on Media founder and self-described “recovering cyber-addict” Joanne Cantor, PhD, provides insightful and valuable strategies for living and working in today’s media rich world. Conquer CyberOverload: Get More Done, Boost Your Creativity, and Reduce Stress goes a step further than many books by describing in lay language how the brain, and thus our behavior, is affected by the constant barrage of media in our everyday lives. According to Census Bureau statistics, Americans consume 8.5 hours of media (television, internet, radio and more) each day outside of work.

Given the incredible drain on time that media causes, it is no wonder that multi-tasking is needed. Cantor devotes one whole chapter to convincingly explaining why multi-tasking is counter-productive. If we were handwriting a letter or document, we would never think of writing one word with a pencil, and the next word with a pen, continuing to alternate tools until the letter was finished. This is similar to what we ask the brain to do when we attempt to multi-task. The brain has to switch back and forth between the two tasks. Multi-tasking is inefficient, time-consuming and error-prone.

 
This easy-to-read book is full of convincing ways to deal with cyberoverload with sound life-balance principles. While each strategy is explained in easy-to-understand language, each chapter ends with a bulleted list of Practical Steps. With additional features such as quotes and statistics, glossary, index and resource list, the book appeals to various learning styles.

 
As a professional organizer specializing in chronic disorganization, I observe people in their work and home environments who are affected by the time constraints and stress of cyberoverload. In addition, some individuals have physical space issues related to electronic gadgetry. Outdated and unused computer hardware, obsolete software boxes and other unused media-related equipment and supplies takes up valuable space. We have become adept at learning to use the media of the moment, but the obsolete or seldom used media may be relegated to a growing clutter and disposal problem.

Are you affected by cyberoverload? I would like to hear from you.

Chronic Disorganization and Burying Bulbs

  I learned to appreciate that the concept of beauty as well as utility varies from person to person. A person with chronic disorganization or an individual with hoarding tendencies frequently has a unique appreciation of attributes of objects that others may find of of no value. While some of us are more limited in our imagination for uses of a snippet of foil, to the chronically disorganized person the same piece of foil can serve multiple yet-to-be identified purposes in the future.

As my computer has its daily syncing conversation with my Blackberry, I use the time to absorb some inspiration for the day ahead. Currently I am reading For This I Am Grateful: 400 Inspiring Thoughts Form All of Us. One of my favorite expressions of gratitude is the following from Arlene Hess:

(For this I am grateful:) All of those gardeners who bury ugly bulbs in the fall, full of faith that their reward in the spring will be magnificent tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths.

I frequently observe artistically gifted clients who experience chronic disorganization create areas of beauty amongst other chaos. I am grateful for their gifts of expressing beauty in their chosen ways. Together we will work on removing the limitations on their creative potential. As we organize space and time, we work together to identify practices that will be sustainable for the individual and their work or home environment.

Clutter and Depression

Which came first--clutter or depression? Clutter can lead to depression. A person who is depressed may be clutter-prone. 

Depression is the leading cause of disability with about 8% of the adult U.S. population having been diagnosed with depression. A person with a depressive disorder may exhibit a diminished ability to think, concentrate and make decisions. Add that to additional symptoms of fatigue and sluggishness and it is no wonder that chronic disorganization goes hand in hand with some people with diagnosed or undiagnosed depression.

When clutter becomes a issue for those who care about the clutter-prone individual, a common response is to get the clutterer to change his or her habits. That can lead to resistance and anger on the part of all involved. Here are some tips for family members who want to help the clutterer:

• Recognize that chronic disorganization is not a moral issue. A person who is clutter-prone is not a bad individual.S/he can be just as kind and caring as one who keeps a living or work area neat as a pin. People process information and use of space in different ways.
• Focus on good health habits such as rest, relaxation, exercise and a healthy diet. For a person with depression, healthy habits make the brain work better.
• Encourage appropriate support systems such as use of mental health professionals. Working with a qualified professional organizer can result in organization systems that match their unique learning and working styles.

How has depression impacted the chronic disorganization of your loved ones? I would like to hear your experiences!

Reuse: Reality or Ruse?

 People with chronic disorganization or hoarding behaviors often have a preference for reuse of items. Much time and space is dedicated to allocating volumes of material to piles, bins or bags for recycling or passing on to others. Recycling has become part of mainstream American behavior. According to the Paper Industry Association Council, over 57 percent of the paper used in the U.S. was recovered for recycling. Most Americans (87 percent) have curbside or drop-off access to paper recycling.

If you are chronically disorganized or have hoarding tendencies, you may find multiple uses for items. You can recycle materials such as paper, glass, metal and cardboard through community recycling programs. WIth the downturn in the economy some of these public recycling programs are not as profitable as they once were and are in danger of being reduced or eliminated.

Some people want to recycle materials but they become bogged down between the saving behavior and the releasing behavior. For example, Burt saves the two daily newspapers in his garage. Because he lives in the country and there is not curbside pickup, the boxes and bags of old newspapers pile up creating a fire and safety hazard. As the pile grows, it gets harder to muster up the energy for Burt to load up the damp and critter-infested paper. Eventually there is no room for Burt's truck in his garage. Still, Burt believes this material must be recycled. His preference in reuse does not translate into the practice of recycling.

For some who are affected by chronic disorganization there are simply too many steps in recycling. While Jeanette knows someone across town that can use her excess books, she never gets over there and is not sure if her contact still needs them. Jeanette doesn't remember to call the friend so the box sits there year after year. Jeanette truly believes she needs to pass along the books but she does not or cannot take the steps to put her reuse preference into action.

A professional organizer experiences in working with people who are chronically disorganized or have hoarding tendencies can help people like Burt or Jeanette to make the decisions that are consistent with their admirable preferences for reuse.

Do you practice reuse or do you stop at the preference for reuse? I would like to hear from you.

Gifts: Transfer of Ownership

 'Tis the season of generous gifts! The presents are carefully chosen with an eye on the constraints of the budget. We focus on choosing the perfect gift for a special relative, friend or colleague.

Whoa, hold the reindeer. Let's consider some fine points of receiving gifts.

A gift is a gift. There is a transfer of ownership. The gift is presented to another person who becomes the owner of that item. As I work with chronically disorganized individuals who are seeking to de-clutter and organize their living or work spaces, gifts can be items of conflict for them. The conversation often goes, "I would like to donate this to charity, but it was a gift from Aunt Char. It is not my color (size, style or ...) and I cannot use it."

With a gift comes a sentiment of affection or respect. While the physical gift stays with the recipient or moves on to another life, the sentiment can be remembered and appreciated. A true gift is far more than just a thing. A true gift is accompanied by good will. Of course it is important to consider a gift giver's feelings when accepting gifts and putting them to use. It is a fine line to walk, but remember that gift giving involves a transfer of ownership. Focus on relationships and not the things.

Merry Christmas. May you enjoy the gifts of love and friendship wherever you go during the New Year.

 

Holiday Discussions Turn to Loved One Who Hoards

The holiday meal is enjoyed by several generations from tots to teenagers to seniors. Relatives have a chance to visit and catch up on family news. For some families it is a gathering to share ideas on how to help family members who are hoarders.

It is estimated in the United States that there are as many as three million hoarders. These individuals may look, talk, work and appear like any other person. They also may be individuals who have isolated themselves socially and are at great risk from a health and safety standpoint. Extreme clutter in the living space is likely to be a great concern of family and friends even if the loved one who hoards shows little or no concern.

Families who gather at the holidays may take the opportunity to develop a plan to address the adverse hoarding condition in which their loved one lives. The very first step should be reading Digging Out: Helping Your Loved One Manage Clutter, Hoarding & Compulsive Acquiring. This book will give you insight into the changes family members may need to make as well as provide a greater understanding of what your loved one is experiencing. This is more than a how-to book and contains numerous tips and checklists to find solutions through a harm-reduction approach.

How has your family or friendship circle worked together to help a loved one? We would like to hear from you!

Addressing Your Layers of Life

  The early morning or late afternoon walks along the Wabash Trace are wonderful for counting blessings, solving life opportunities (no problems, just opportunities), and soaking in the wonderful fall sensory pleasures.

There are so many layers within the wooded trail. Year after year the leaves fall, the branches and brambles break, an occasional tree becomes more horizontal than vertical. Layer upon layer of material piles up. What was once on top of the pile sinks to the middle, or even to the bottom of the material.

As I walk I think about the wide and varied interests of the fascinating people we have encountered. For some, one new hobby or interest falls on top of the other interests. Overwhelm sets in as there are not enough hours in the day or room in the workspace or home to accommodate all of the material. Things seem to pile up in the brain with the most recent interest falling to the top, obscuring what was important yesterday and the day before.

Come along on a walk with me, and we will talk about your opportunities for addressing your layers of life! We can also talk or email. Let's talk about those layers of life and how you can prepare for the important things ahead in your life!

Milestones in Serving the Chronically Disorganized

  
 Milestones are an important way of measuring our progress on the goals we have set for ourselves. As I completed the nearly two year process for being named a Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization (CPO-CD©), the journey seemed full and rich. As I reviewed everything I had learned and done in those months, it seemed as though I were putting hinges on once separate learnings. With the hinges, now the myriad of learnings came together in a very useful way.

My CPO-CD© counterparts are noted on the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization list. Our specialized training in organizing for the chronically disorganized included skill-building in areas including emotional techniques and boundary setting.

My goal is to better serve my clients. She or he may be an individual in a residential setting, a business person in a corporate environment, a child needing some help with organizing, or a participant in one of my workshops or seminars. We can help you become more productive and organized!

What milestone have you set for yourself? I would like to hear from you!

 

Prevent In-Home Falls with Organization

An octogenarian family member is very good at watching where she walks. Concerned with taking a tumble, she uses handrails and a helping arm as a precautionary measure.

One of every three people 65 years old and older will fall during the next year. The fact that falls among the elderly can limit independent living is a concern to many.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gives some ideas for preventing in-home falls. One of these is to reduce in-home hazards that can cause falls. Some areas that we see with our professional organizing clients that present a trip-and-fall hazard include the following:

• Piles of papers or objects on the floor
• Narrow passageways with clutter on both sides of the aisle
• Nonworking appliances
• Loose or worn rugs
• Electrical cords
• Inadequate lighting
• Clutter
• Crowded garages, basements or attics

Take a good look around your living space as well as that of someone you care about. Are there some changes that can be made to prevent a fall? If you need help or ideas from a professional organizer, consider that option as well.

Chronic Procrastinators Find Many Stop Signs

Procrastination is a challenge for many. Psychology Today says one in five people identify themselves as Chronic Procrastinators. Procrastination can be compared to a huge red stop sign that pops up every time there is a decision to be made or a task that needs to be accomplished.

While there are many reasons for procrastinating, or putting things off until later, here are a few reasons that might resonate with you.

• Lack of information. Janine delays getting a flu shot this year because she hasn't had time to research the most cost-effective place to get the immunization. Should she go to the drug store, her doctor's office or a new store that offers the flu shot? The months fly by. Janine never did get the flu shot. In this information-based world, we never will have all the information we need for every decision we need to make. There is simply not time!
• Inaccurate perception of time required for tasks.It's a fact that we tend to overestimate the time it takes to do the things we enjoy doing and underestimate the time to do the things we enjoy. Doug delays taking out the garbage because it will "take too long" but can spend "just a few more minutes on Facebook."
• Overwhelm. People who are chronically disorganized may find that it is difficult to find somewhere to start with big projects so they delay starting and finishing the task at hand.

If you want to make overcoming procrastination a priority, I recommend It's About Time: The 6 Styles of Procrastination and How to Overcome Them by Dr. Linda Sapadin. Learning more about how and why you procrastinate will help you become more productive and organized.