2019 New Year’s Resolutions

I am a big fan of New Year’s Resolutions (which I refer to as my goals). I love taking time to reflect on last year’s achievements and learning lessons, then taking that information into forming goals for the upcoming year. This year I want to simplify my goals into a few big picture items that I can really focus on and make progress with. My word of the year for 2019 is Action. In 2018 I did a lot of research, brainstorming, and learning, but I feel that my action steps fell short. In 2019 I really want to get out and take more action with my business.

2019 Goals:

  1. Grow SRM Organizing LLC - Book Clients, Blog 2+ Times a Month, Book Speaking Engagements

  2. Learn Spanish - Use the Duolingo app daily

  3. 15 Minutes of Household Cleaning Everyday

  4. Keep a Gratitude Journal

The Happier Podcast with Gretchen Rubin discusses the idea of making a 19 for 2019 list (19 things you want to do this year). You can make it as hard or as easy as you want. I’m filling my list with fun things I want to do this year and keeping my big picture goals separate.

19 for 2019:

  1. Get a dog

  2. Attend a barre class

  3. Attend a spin class

  4. Try aerial yoga

  5. Attend Bossed Up Boot Camp in Chicago, IL

  6. Go downhill skiing

  7. Host a birthday party for me

  8. Host a summer backyard party for Zumba friends

  9. Read Mistakes I Made at Work by Jessica Bacal

  10. Attend an Opera or Ballet

  11. Hike Grandad Bluff in LaCrosse, WI

  12. Complete a phone detox

  13. Read and work through The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

  14. Spend a long weekend exploring Milwaukee, WI

  15. Reach out to a childhood friend to reconnect

  16. Complete a craft project (knitting, sewing, painting?)

  17. Hike Hoffman Hills in the Fall to see leaves changing

  18. Learn Instagram for business marketing

  19. Read Money A Love Story by Kate Northrup

Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? I would love to hear about your goals for this year!

3 Daily Essentials for a Cleaner Home

Daily Essential #1: Do the Dishes

Here it is - I do not like doing the dishes. No one in my house likes to do the dishes. BUT I must admit that by doing the dishes every day, my home is so much more manageable and clean. When I forget or get too busy, I pay for it - in a matter of 2 days my countertop will be heaped with mounds of dirty dishes with crusty food. By this time the dishes have become a full on project that I am procrastinating because who wants to deal with a mountain of dirty dishes?? So here’s my recommendation - don’t think about how much you don’t want to do it. Put on some music or your favorite podcast and just do the dishes. When you complete this task consistently every day, it’s actually not that bad. Stay on top of the dishes before they get out of control. Your kitchen will feel so much better.

Daily Essential #2: Make Your Bed

When I make my bed, I feel ready to take on the day. I love how my bedroom looks when the bed is made and the pretty pillows are in place. I’m more likely to tidy up other areas of my home after I have made my bed for the day. This is a great way to help maintain the cleanliness and order of your home.

Daily Essential #3: Go Through The Mail

Here’s a big stumbling block for many people. Mail that builds up each day on the kitchen countertop or another horizontal surface near the door. Go through the mail as soon as you bring it in. Recycle what is not needed. Add any important dates to the calendar or RSVP to an event. Place bills in a file to be paid (or pay them right away). By going through the mail coming in daily, you will reduce your clutter.

Do you have any additional daily essentials? I’d love to hear!

The Magic of September

September always brings me back to when I was in school. There were new clothes, shoes, and fresh school supplies for a new school year. A brand new planner full of possibility (I love planners and always have). Now that I am an adult who works year round, I help my daughter start school in September, but I stay in my daily grind of work and life. I want to harness September’s energy in my life and bring back the magic of a new school year.

This month I am doing the following to embrace September:

  • Take a fresh look at my goals (instead of setting them in January when I’m tired out from the holidays and it is so COLD!)

  • Reflect on how I am spending my time and energy day to day. Where is all of my energy and hard work going each day?

  • Review my priorities. What do I want more of in my life? What do I want less of?

  • Make a Fall adventure list. So far it includes hiking at Hoffman Hills, Oktoberfest in LaCrosse, and visiting the pumpkin patch with my family.

September is the perfect time to revisit our goals and reflect on what we want in our lives. What is on your September list?

Welcome to SRM Organizing!

I've always had a dream of owning my own business. I wasn't sure exactly what that business would be or how it would look, but the desire has always been there. 2018 has been my year to make a move. In January I began a deep dive into the creation of my business.

The idea came to me within a few weeks of my exploration - my business would be a professional organizing business. This idea has actually been sitting on the back burner for years, I just never gave it enough light to grow. Organizing has always come easy to me and it is something I truly enjoy doing for myself and others.

After months of research and training, I'm now launching SRM Organizing. I knew that this day would come some day, but I am so happy that today is the day. I chose to do something different this year and took a step in a new direction. Change can be scary, but your life won't change for the better until you do something different.