Feb 28th-29th

February is a fascinating month to me! Why is it the shortest month? Every four years an extra day is added on (leap year)! Since I was a child, February 28th is a magical day to me!

I have an idea for a book series based on Feb 28th and 29th. I haven't fleshed out the details but its something I will get to someday. Happy Birthday to those of you who were born on this day! Happy Birthday to those you were born on the 29th and celebrate it today (or March 1st)! It must be a trip for you guys! Or is it a burden, problem or source of sadness?

I know its not the same thing, but I have a birthday on Mothers day. Its Mexican Mothers Day every year. Other than that my birthday falls on the day before or day after and about every 5 years it falls on the day! I have to share my birthday with all the mothers of the world! LOL  I mean I love mothers but I want a day that is my own! On my 40th birthday, my mom and I had to negotiate how we were going to celebrate both! LOL!

Enjoy today and Happy March folks!!! Spring is around the corner!!!

Thursday's Tip: Get Rid of Excuses!

I am going to say something that may be a tad bit harsh. This is something that I realized after years of looking for motivation. It is the truth that many folks don't want to hear.

If you want to achieve anything, YOU have to be your OWN motivation! Anything else is really just an excuse! 

Don't get me wrong, for some people it is a great way to be held accountable. For others it is the companionship. And I like to be with other like minded people. But ULTIMATELY it is up to YOU!

I hear things like, "But my husband doesn't..." "No one in my house wants to eat healthy" "No one will go with me to the..." I am NOT saying that there aren't OBSTACLES to the path of success. I am not admitted that it can be HARDER when your partner, or household isn't on the same page. It can be TOUGH when you are alone and you are trying to make change happen.  So you have to really, really, really be honest and know that stuff and then WANT to really go for what you want NO MATTER the situation.

You are a mother of four. You can make them one dinner and make yourself another kind of meal. You can't find anyone to go with the gym. Still GO! And look at all the people there for inspiration. They are working towards their goals too.
Your husband doesn't want to work out, still workout! That is HIS stuff.

If there is something that you want and it requires ongoing attention, then you are going to have to work for it. And you may have to go it alone...

The Wednesday Tip: Afterbuzz TV

AfterBuzz TV is an online broadcast network that specializes in after-show podcasts for a wide range of television series such as American Horror Story, Mad Men, American Idol, Boardwalk Empire and The Vampire Diaries.

With over 20 million weekly downloads from over 200 countries, AfterBuzz TV is an online broadcast network created by E! host Maria Menounos and producer Keven Undergaro. Nicknamed the 'after-show' network, when viewers finish watching episodes of their favorite shows, they can go to afterbuzztv.com to watch or listen to a post-game 'after-show' for that series. On each AfterBuzz TV after-show an eclectic and knowledgeable mix of celebrities, personalities and industry professionals break down that night’s episode, take calls from fans and interview guests. The network produces over 60 after-shows per week. The network also produces "Spotlight On", an in depth, long-form interview series with stars and show runners.

One in particular I love is for Days of Our Lives. I am a guest co-host on occasion. Its a lot of fun. Tune in!!!

Here is the one I did last Sunday:

A Tuesday Tip

I believe that before you can organize your space, you have to really want it and want to KEEP it organized after the initial work.

To organize it once and then let it go is a waste of everybody's time!

You have to make TWO commitments.

One: The commitment to organize.

Two: The commitment to maintain the organization.

When You can honestly make those two commitments, you will be able to begin the process.

A Monday Tip

Everything starts with our minds.

Change will happen whether you like it or not. How you adapt to it and work with it are the important factors. And it all starts with our minds.

I invite each of you to stand in front of a mirror and say FIVE times:

I welcome change in my life.

I believe in saying it into existence.

I invite you to say it every morning for a week.

Maybe you will start to believe it,

A Tip On How To Answer The Interview Question: Why Were You Fired? or Have You Ever Been Fired?

Everything is in the words. How YOU say something can determine the outcome of a situation. Some of us have been fired from jobs. If you work long enough, then you will have had many different job situations. Sometimes it is because the company closed, or moved, or downsized. Those answers are straight forward. But what if it is for "other" reasons.

Be careful in your wording and tone. You want to sound positive about the experience, even if it wasn't. You want to sound like it stopped being a "good fit" for both you and your employer. You CAN take a poor situation and turn it around to sound like a learning experience. For example: "Yes I was fired. When we talked, I realized they were right that I wasn't a good fit there anymore. I learned a lot from that job and decided to look for a job that is better suited for me."

The bottom line is no more the reason you were fired that you DON'T sound bitter. You want to sound like you evolved from that situation and you ARE the right person for the job.

A Song That Always Puts Me In A Good Mood!

1989's "Back TO Life" by British artists Soul II Soul ALWAYS puts me in a good mood. Its a positive message song. The beat is up and moves you. It's a classic that still holds up today!!

New Music From An Old Friend: Prince "Art Official Age"

Art Official Age is the thirty-third studio album by American recording artist Prince. The album was released on 30 September 2014, by NPG Records under a renewed license to Warner Bros. Records, marking the second collaboration of both parties since 1995's The Gold Experience. 

I LOVE the album. It sounds like 80s Prince to me! Plus I am fan of Dance Prince and Funk/Pop Prince. I have been playing it while organizing my company receipts. I've played it while cleaning out a clients closet. From the electro dance opening number Art Electric Cage, I was hooked. 

Friday The 13th

I like Friday the 13th's!! I'm not superstitious, so it like them. I think its funny that it's Friday the 13th on the EVE of Valentine's Day! hehe...

Do I have any advice today? hmmm. lets see....if your house is cluttered and messy, then be careful you may trip or fall or brake something. Maybe TODAY is the day to get the organization and declutter STARTED!

300 Posts and Counting...

It is no surprise to me that my 300th post falls on the 11th of this month! The Number 11 is my FAVORITE number! And 300 sounds like a nice number too! In general I don't believe in LUCK, but I do believe in gratitude and good fortune. I'm trying to put out good in the world...in the world of self help and self improvement. I get back so much from you guys and I really appreciate it! This all makes the world go round!! I love it!

I hope you are finding something useful or inspiring from my posts. If TODAY is your first day seeing my blog, welcome and take a look through my past blogs. You might just find the information you were looking for.

I am also inspired by others and if you have any questions or have topics you would like me to cover, please let me know on here or at jlottjr@aol.com.  Thank You so very much for the support!!

With A Little Help From My Friends.

Sometimes motivation happens when you have a good friend around. It has to be someone who is invested in your success but doesn't tell you what to do. It should be someone who will hold you accountable but not berate or bully you.  Find a friend who is non judgmental and supportive. Maybe you both want to get organized. Work together. Work towards the path of success for both of you!

Here's A Couple of Quotes To Get Your Week Started!!

Have a GREAT Monday and a Productive WEEK!!!

It's FRIDAY!!!!! The Last Day of THIS Challenge!

You were good students this week. You followed my instruction step by step.

Today you are either looking at an uncluttered space or a bag/basket/box on the space STARING right at you! What I was trying to accomplish with this challenge was to show you step by step how to clear a space. But I also wanted you to REALLY look at that space and be honest about why it is cluttered or messy. I would hate for you to clear the space only to make it messy again. Maybe the space is right by the door and you have a habit of dropping everything there. For me it used to be the bed. I had a giant king size bed, so I could sleep on one side and all of my books, and clothes and papers would be on the other side. It just became a habit...that I needed to break.

You can take that bag/basket/box off that space if you want. Revel in the fact that ONE space is uncluttered and nice. I invite all of you to continue the work.

Today's challenge is:

To repeat this weeks challenges on EVERY space that needs it! If you continue, eventually you'll have everything in its right place. 

This is ONE way to unclutter. If your spaces are REALLY big and cluttered, you can use this method but you may want to use other methods that I suggest in this blog that go a little more indepth. But this method is a good one to start.

Heading TO The Homestretch!! It's Thursdays Challenge!

Happy Thursday Folks!! The daily challenge continues. If you are joining us for the first time today, I suggest you go back to this Monday's post and start there. For those of you already along for the ride, lets get started!

Yesterday I had you clear off the space of things that did NOT belong and put them into a bag or box or basket. Then I had you put the the bag/box/basket back on the space and to keep it there overnight.  What did you think? Did it seem weird? or awkward? Didn't it look out of place? maybe bulky? If it is a space you use, did it get in the way? 

Today's challenge is:

Can all of those items in the box/bag/basket go to their RIGHT places? Is there room for them? Are THOSE spots cluttered too?? If there is very little to NO room, then look at those spots the way I had you look at that first spot. If there IS room, then put everything away to its rightful place.

If you are in a position where some of the spots were fine, then put away what you can. AND if there is trash, throw it out!

After all of this, then STOP! How full or empty is the bag/basket/box? If empty, then you are done (for that spot). If there is stuff in the bags, then place them back on the spot. Thank about those spots that are cluttered too.

It's Mid Week!!! The Daily Challenge Continues

Its the middle of the week! We are halfway there! I hope you did your work the last two days. If you are just joining us TODAY, welcome!!! Go check out Monday's post, then Tuesdays and then come back to here. I have them listed Monday through Friday but any FIVE days in a row will work!

SO far I've had you: Identify a cluttered space, figure out why it's cluttered, look for all the things that don't belong in that space and think about how it got there. Hopefully with those four things, you have a nice picture in your head of what is going on.

Today's challenge is:

Get a box or basket or bag(s). Take everything that DOESN'T belong in that space and put it in the box/basket/bag. Toss it in there. Doesn't matter where it goes. We will get to that. Get that space cleared of all things that don't belong there.

When you are done, take a look at that space. Is the counter top a counter top again? Can u see your bed? Now the couch is ready for guests. Look at how nice the space is. OR it may be dirty or dusty depending on how long its been that way. I invite you to vaccum/wipe/dust off that space.  take a look at it again. See how nice it looks!

Then put the bag/box/basket back on top of the space. Leave it there overnight.

Tuesday's Challenge

Hello and Happy Tuesday!!!

Yesterday I announced that I am giving a daily challenge this week. So if you are new or need a refresher, yesterday I asked you to Identify a cluttered spot and think of the reasons why it is cluttered. 

Today we are going one step further. Today's challenge is:

In THAT spot, identify the thing (or things) that don't belong there. 

If you didn't have an answer to why that area is always cluttered, then maybe this will help. If you have an answer, then this will definitely make sense. How did those things that don't belong there...get there?! Really take a look at whats there.

And why it ISN'T in the place it belongs.

A New Week, A New Challange!

Happy Monday Everyone!

Its a new month! I am feeling energized. I have a productive weekend. Like last week, I am going to give you guys a daily challenge THIS week.

Today's challenge is:

Identify the spot in your home that seems to have the most stuff in it.

Take your time if you need to. Identify the spot in your home that seems to collect the most stuff. It could be a sofa/couch. Maybe its the kitchen counter top. Could it be your bed? What area seems to NEVER have space/room?

ONCE you've identified the spot (there might be several spots, but for now lets just focus on ONE) think about why THAT particular spot is like that?! Maybe you can write it down or keep it mentally in your head. Thank about WHY that spot is always cluttered?

Thats all for today. Just find the spot and think about why its the way it is!

Happy 1 Year Anniversary!!!!

A Year ago today I started this blog. Time flies when you are having fun!

I started this blog as a spin off of sorts to my other blog thesuperorganizeruniverse.com. It was an expansion of the Super Organizer "Universe". As I explain in that first blog post, this is a post that i share "just the tips". The blogs are short and to the point. My first "tip" was on February 3rd.

I've had a chance to experiment on here. I've offered tips, advice, help, 5 day challenges, tips in alphabetical order, just to name a few.  I've also shared pics and charts of things I thought were important! I REALLY enjoy this blog. I appreciate every one of you that have commented, shared and even took the advice. THANK YOU so much!! Here's to another year!!