Productive & Organized Home

Have You Seen TLC's New Hoarding: Buried Alive Show? Watch with us!

TLC recently began airing a series called "Hoarding: Buried Alive"  and I'd like you to consider watching episode #3 with me.

Hoarding affects millions of people, including individuals with hoarding behavior or tendencies, family members who fear for their loved one’s health and safety, neighbors and public officials. Multiple generations can be impacted by an individual that struggles with hoarding. 

Shows such as this one are creating a greater awareness of hoarding behaviors as well as some of the strategies used to work with people who hoard.

While I have been watching the episodes since the airing began on March 14 of this year (and really like the way they share such a sensitive topic), I'm especially interested in the one coming up.  You see, we were honored that the TLC series selected our very own Ellen Hankes CPO-CD (certified professional organizer in chronic disorganization) as one of their experts.  On Sunday evening, March 28th, TLC television will air a show that was filmed in Omaha, Nebraska. Hoarding: Buried Alive features Mary as she works to address her extreme volume of personal belongings. Ellen served as the consulting Professional Organizer for the show. 

Today I'll tell you a bit more about the show and also where you can get more information on hoarding and chronic disorganization.

Quiz: What is Your Learning Style? Take this Quiz & Find Out! (via @hellenbuttigieg)

I have been studying learning styles for the past 15+ years and know that when you understand your learning style you can make all kinds of amazing things happen!  My colleague, Hellen Buttigieg, has created a great quiz that will help you figure out your learning style. 

Reserve about 10-15 minutes (it took me 8) and take the quiz below.  If you see more than one answer that applies, pick the one that best reprisents you.

Determine Your Learning Style » Quiz Question Maker

Want to learn more?

If you like the idea of using your learning style to figure out how to organize, then I encourage you to consider reading Hellen's book, "Organizing Outside the Box."  The secret — as revealed in this clear, concise, and compelling book — is to organize according to your natural, preferred learning style. Organizing Outside the Box will help you to:

• Determine whether you are a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner
• Pick the filing, storage, and organizing systems that fit your learning style
• Overcome feelings of frustration, anxiety, and overload
• Organize your thoughts and unleash your creative potential
• Run a  more efficient home and office by understanding the preferred organizing styles of family and co-workers.

Comment and Share!

Did you take the quiz?  What did you learn?  What kind of learner are you?  Let us know below.

Like what you've read?  Then share it with your friends!  Just click the buttons at the end of this post to share with those you care about.

To your success!

PS -- If you've enjoyed this post and want to see more, why not subscribe to our daily emails (Feedblitz) or through the RSS Feed (click here)?  Or, follow us on Twitter!  Or connect on Facebook!

Medication Mania! How to manage multiple medications/supplements a day.

Being accountable for your own health is the first step in being healthy!  However, when you have slews of pills to take at different times of the day, it can be hard to do it right.  Do you have a lot of pills to take or know someone who does?  Maybe it is medication for a medical condition, or nutritional supplements . . .  It can be confusing to track different pills.  I'll show you step by step how we organized one woman's 20+ pills a day.

What is Chronic Disorganization?

Chronic Disorganization - Possible Symptom of a Medical Condition (6 minutes, 23 seconds)

Eat Your Way to Focus

Did you know that the foods you eat can make a difference in the levels of concentration you experience?  Food can help you or hurt you. . . we all know that.  My buddies at Butterfly Reports have shared

Cluttered houses are dangerous and risk lives

There are frequently stories on homes that have gone up in flames and the fire fighters struggled to put out the fire.  When you look at your home, do you see an easy way for emergency personnel to come in and help you, or would emergency staff struggle to find you?  Take a look at a recent story in Oregon.

Cluttered house ignites, makes firefighting difficult | KATU.com - Portland, Oregon | News

Inspection Process - Get Ready!

When you are in the process of selling your home you will likely have to experience the inspection of your home.  Here is a checklist that you can use to get you and your home ready for a good report.  Download preparing_your_home_for_an_inspection.pdf

Chronic Disorganization - What Causes It?

When someone begins thinking of organizing, many questions can pop into their thoughts. Every now and again will select questions from our readers and share our response with you.

Q:  What causes Chronic Disorganization?

Bins & Containers are not Always the Answer

I'm a member of the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD) and I'm always excited when a fellow member is quoted in an article.  Lynne Johnson is our current president and the NY Times talked with her as they were working on a great article A Clutter Too Deep for Mere Bins and Shelves. The article covers number of reasons that individuals struggle with organization.

Do you take your medicines when you should?

I have talked before about how various medical conditions can make it difficult for you to focus and organize.  Often, even if you are being treated for your condition, you could have problems.  Why is that?  It could be caused by not taking your medication or by taking it at the wrong time.  Some medicines are more sensitive than others. 

Do you have a lot of medications to take?  Do you remember to take them when you are supposed to? 

For many, remembering what meds to take at what time is very difficult.  The more medicine you have to take the more difficult it can become.  Here are some things you can do to help:

Chronic Disorganization - Possible Symptom of a Medical Condition

"I must be going crazy!" stated "Bob" a few days ago.  His frustration was apparent and he stated he was desperate.  Although he was extremely bright, he just could not get out of the bad habits that he had developed in his office.  After talking with him for a while he told us that he thought he was helpless, but wanted advice from a professional. He is not "going crazy."  We talked for a while and together determined that he met the initial definition of a Chronically Disorganized individual. 

Chronic Disorganization (CD) has three distinct features according to the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization: