The Speak Organized Podcast

What to Do (besides screen time) When Your Kids Say, “I’m Bored!”

9 kid's activities to get them off their screens and enjoying the last days of summer!
 
As summer winds down, we’re in that limbo phase between soccer camp and the first day of school. This is our chance to savor some unscheduled time with our family before the school year. The flip side is lacking a routine that has our kids saying, “I’m bored” all month long. I aim to not only share some great kid’s activities with you, but also change your mindset surrounding boredom.
 
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To dive in and take action towards achieving your goals before the end of 2022, start by joining Better Habits in 30 Days 👇USE CODE: EARLYBIRD2022 for $5 off. 
 
https://www.melaniesummerscoaching.com/better-habits-hub 
 
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Website - https://www.ispeakorganized.com

Do I need to get certified to run a Professional Organizing business?

Oh man, this is a JUICY topic! My coaching clients ask me this question a lot so I’m gonna spill the tea and tell you all about the reality of getting certified as a professional organizer to start a professional organizing business. 
 
SPECIAL OFFERS 👇
 
Need help figuring out your next steps in starting or growing your pro organizing business? Schedule a low cost consultation with me and get ALL your questions answered! Hurry and get on my calendar before it fills up for the month 😱👇
http://www.ispeakorganized.com/become-a-professional-organizer 
 
Grab my complete Pro Organizer Forms Pack - NINE done-for-you forms that are 100% customizable 👇 USE CODE YTPRO8 for $8 OFF at checkout.
https://melaniesummerscoaching.com/po-forms-pack
 
Thanks for stopping by. Consider becoming part of the Speaker Fam and subscribing to this channel for more home organization and decluttering tips + coaching to start a professional organizing business.
 
If you’re new to my channel, my name is Melanie and I’m a Professional Organizer and Productivity Coach. I help hard working families and professionals find form in their space and purpose for every phase of life. 
 
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ispeakorganized 
Facebook - https://www.fb.com/ispeakorganized 
OR join my private Facebook group! https://www.fb.com/groups/ispeakorganizedpnw
Website - https://www.ispeakorganized.com
 
Disclaimer: This is my opinion and personal experience with starting my business. I encourage you to seek additional opinions or schedule a call with me to discuss this subject and resources in more detail. 
 
Do you need a certification to start an organizing business?
When is it a good idea to get certified?
What are the pros and cons of certification? 
What are the most reputable options for certification? 
 
Resource Links 👇👇
 
https://www.napo.net/page/joinNAPO - National Association of Productivity and Professional Organizing 
https://www.challengingdisorganization.org/ - Institute for Challenging Disorganization 
 
https://www.qcdesignschool.com/online-courses/professional-organizing/ - QC Design School Professional Organizer Course 
 
https://www.iapcollege.com/program/professional-organizer-course/ - IAP Career College Professional Organizer Course 
https://konmari.com/consulting/ - KonMari Certification Course

Summer of 2022: How to Simplify Your Life in 4 Easy Ways

I had such high expectations for myself in 2022, particularly in business. Daily life seemed to be more stable and businesses were opening back up so I set my sights on growing in 2022. Well let me tell ya, I was the last one to admit that my expectations were NOT realistic. I planned on launching a few courses and an online membership this year, designing tons of free monthly training, meal planning and prepping, launching this weekly podcast,  and being home as much as possible with my girls. 
 
I certainly accomplished a lot of those things but also realized that I needed to adjust my goals and simplify my schedule DRASTICALLY. 👈 Can you relate? I’m certain you can…
 
Today we’re going to talk about implementing The Summer of Simplicity. I’m challenging myself to simplify life and I’d love for you to join me in this challenge. 
 
SPECIAL OFFERS 👇
 
To dive in and take action towards achieving your goals before the end of 2022, start by joining Better Habits in 30 Days 👇USE CODE: EARLYBIRD2022 for $5 off. 
 
https://www.melaniesummerscoaching.com/better-habits-hub 
 
Snag a copy of my focus calendar to start designing a simplified schedule for the rest of your summer 👇
 
http://www.ispeakorganized.com/focus-calendar
 
Here is $120 for you to enjoy Thistle with me! 👇
 
https://www.thistle.co/?referral_key=MELANI8844 
 
When you sign up with my referral code, you will get $120 off five weeks worth of craveable, nutritious, and ready-to-eat meals delivered free straight to your door.  Stop worrying about how you will eat healthy and start feeling incredible by adding Thistle into your routine.
 
Here’s what we’re discussing in today’s episode 👇
 
The Summer of Simplicity Challenge - Each week for the next 6 weeks
 
Cancel a subscription or email newsletter
Take one thing off your plate 
Tackle one 10-20 minute decluttering project
Schedule designated free time
 
Hope you enjoy!

The Easiest, Organized Laundry Routine in 5 Simple Steps

Want to know what a professional organizer’s laundry routine is like? My goal is to help my clients (and YOU) get out from under the laundry avalanche, stop the procrastination that leads to needing MASSIVE amounts of laundry motivation for hours, and take back your free time to focus on what you ACTUALLY want to do. 
 
The I Speak Organized Laundry System has helped people create a laundry routine that runs virtually on autopilot. Stress less about lost socks and mildew from clothes forgotten in the washer, and enjoy your free time to focus on other things!
Special Offers 👇
 
To dive in and take action towards achieving your goals before the end of 2022, start by joining the waitlist for my new laundry mini course. Click the link below to join Better Habits in 30 Days 👇
 
https://www.melaniesummerscoaching.com/better-habits-hub 
 
Want to get started with a better laundry routine? Check out the link below for my Weekly Laundry Routine Planner! This will help you get those piles under control - no matter how overwhelming it all seems.  
 
https://ispeakorganized.com/laundry-printable 
Stay connected and join my Facebook Group! 👇
 
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ispeakorganized 
Facebook - https://www.fb.com/ispeakorganized 
OR join my private Facebook group! https://www.fb.com/groups/ispeakorganizedpnw 
Website - https://www.ispeakorganized.com
 
Instructions for using castile soap for laundry 
Here’s what we’re covering in today’s episode 👇
 
Step 0. Create a clothing decluttering routine that repeats throughout the year or is triggered by running out of space.
 
Step 1. Simplify the products you use to clean.
 
Step 2. Use small laundry baskets and limit how many you have per family member.
 
Step 3. Create a weekly routine based first on members of your household and then by type. 
 
Step 4. Establish your laundry flow at either the beginning or the end of the day.
Thanks for stopping by and hope you enjoy! 

5 Myths About Professional Organizers

Let me ask you a question… and I want you to be honest (since you’re just over there thinking the answer to yourself.) When you think of a professional organizer, how do you picture them? Their home is always put together? They judge their friends every time they get invited over for dinner? They only help wealthy clients with lots of money?
 
Y’all… I hear these assumptions or some form of them all the time. So I’m here to set the record straight and bust 5 of the most common myths about pro organizers. My goal is to show you the value in hiring a good professional organizer and how that partnership could help you live the lifestyle you truly deserve.
 
Here are the myths we’re talking about in today’s episode 👇
 
Our homes are always perfectly organized
They will judge me and my home
They’ll make me get rid of everything 
They’ll make me file fold and color code my whole wardrobe
They are for famous people with lots of expendable income
Bonus - I can’t hire one because that means I’m lazy and should be able to do it myself
 
Special offers 👇
 
Use the code: EARLYBIRD2022 for an exclusive discount to my awesome mini course - Better Habits in 30 Days. You’ll be on your way creating more time in your day to get things done AND still have #metime 
http://www.melaniesummerscoaching.com/better-habits-hub  
 
Join my Facebook group! It’s a super supportive community with access to free training and tips to help you live a more organized and productive life. http://www.facebook.com/groups/ispeakorganizedpnw 
 
Hope you enjoy!

How to Find Freedom, Fun, and Harmony in Life Through Better Time Management | Interview with Megan Sumrell

Whenever I talk to folks about productivity practices and time management, I’m surprised that there is still this idea that being productive means cramming your schedule with priorities and finding the perfect system or hack that will help you balance it all and get it all done in as little time as possible. I am on a mission, along with my fabulous podcast guest today, to help you simplify life’s clutter and employ the mindset shifts that will allow you to be truly productive and take back your free time. 
 
I’m pleased to interview Megan Sumrell, host of the Work and Life Harmony podcast, Productivity Coach and Time Management Expert. Megan shares some dynamite mindset shifts that got me rethinking my own concepts of finding balance in my life and what that really means. You definitely don’t want to miss what she has to say so stick around, let’s get into it. 
 
Special Offers 👇
 
Join my free Facebook group 👇
http://www.facebook.com/groups/ispeakorganizedpnw
 
Check out Megan’s Pink Bee app in your app store!
 
Sign up for Megan’s bootcamp 👇
www.thetopbootcamp.com 
 
Learn more about Megan 👇
 
Megan Sumrell is a former corporate techie turned entrepreneur.  As a business owner, mom, and wife, she knows exactly how hard it is to juggle #allthethings while still maintaining your own sense of self and purpose. When her daughter was born in 2010, life as she knew it completely changed.  After struggling to manage work, motherhood, family, etc, Megan set about a new way to manage her time and organize her calendar.  She took her 20+ year career in systems and processes and applied it to one of her favorite things…time management!
 
As a Time Management Coach for women seeking Work+Life Harmony, Megan teaches specific strategies to help women get on top of their time, calendar and goals while getting rid of stress, overwhelm, and exhaustion.
 
Her proprietary planning approach is the only "feminine" planning system that works from the "bottom up."  It acknowledges that women have a lot on their plates and gives pragmatic, real-world strategies to help women manage #allthethings.  Her courses and planner teach exactly how to plan your weeks and days to maximize productivity and efficiency while still allowing for flexibility and down time.
 
She is the creator of the TOP Program and TOP Planner, a program and planner that teaches her proprietary system and processes regarding time management, organization and productivity for women.   
__________
 
Thanks for stopping by. Consider becoming part of the Speaker Fam and subscribing to this channel for more home organization and decluttering tips + coaching to start a professional organizing business.
 
If you’re new to my channel, my name is Melanie and I’m a Professional Organizer and Productivity Coach. I help hard working families and professionals find form in their space and purpose for every phase of life. 
 
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ispeakorganized 
Facebook - https://www.fb.com/ispeakorganized 
OR join my private Facebook group! https://www.fb.com/groups/ispeakorganizedpnw
Website - https://www.ispeakorganized.com

Organize Any Space in 10 Minutes or Less

When it comes to getting organized, the key to lasting progress comes down to one word - Maintenance. 
 
In order to keep the results of a hard-fought decluttering and organizing session you’ll need a simple routine to help make that progress stick. 
 
Today I’m going to be sharing one of the organizing principles I teach all my clients and students - it’s called the 10 Minute Reset. I’m spilling all my tips and mindset shifts to make this principle work for you. 
 
Special Offers 👇
 
To dive in and take action towards achieving your goals, start by joining the waitlist for my newly updated mini course - Better Habits in 30 Days. Click the link below to join the waitlist
 
https://www.ispeakorganized.com/course-waitlist
 
Want to get started living an organized + productive life? Check out the link below for my Decluttering Roadmap! This is my signature 6-step process to tackle any organizing project - no matter how overwhelming it may seem.  
 
https://www.ispeakorganized.com/decluttering-roadmap
Thanks for stopping by. Consider becoming part of the Speaker Fam and subscribing to this channel for more home organization and decluttering tips + coaching to start a professional organizing business.
 
If you’re new to my channel, my name is Melanie and I’m a Professional Organizer and Productivity Coach. I help hard working families and professionals find form in their space and purpose for every phase of life. 
 
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ispeakorganized 
Facebook - https://www.fb.com/ispeakorganized 
OR join my private Facebook group! https://www.fb.com/groups/ispeakorganizedpnw
Website - https://www.ispeakorganized.com

Easy Project Planning with Sortifi - For Pro Organizers

When you're working on an organizing project, it's not always easy to get your clients to visualize the final product. That's why we do all of these extra things like space mapping, project planning, taking super detailed measurements, providing specific product suggestions and making sure that that vision becomes their reality.
All of these things are essential to running a successful organizing business, but they're also very time consuming and there's no specific tool to help us with any of it. Or is there? 
In today's episode of the speak organized podcast, I am pleased to interview professional organizer, Kristy of KLP Organizing based out of Southwest Florida. We talk about everything - from her leaving her corporate job to start her organizing business, what it's like to be a member of NAPO, and how during the pandemic, she was able to use her background in engineering to build a software specifically for professional organizers, to help them with project planning called Sortifi.
Kristy is awesome. She's got a lot of great things to share. So you're definitely going to want to stick around. Let's get into it. 
 
Snag 15% off your subscription to Sortifi - Use code ISPEAKORGANIZED15 at checkout.
Join my exclusive Facebook group!
Contact Kristy for info about Sortifi.
 

Beat Procrastination with a Fresh Goal Setting Plan

Some folks out there may think I’m crazy, or lying, or even be slightly annoyed by what I’m about to say… I love Mondays… There, I said it - and I’m on a mission to make Mondays marvelous for you too.
I know not everyone follows a traditional weekly schedule, so if your work or school schedule is different, just replace Monday with your weekly reset day. The sentiment here will be the same. Mondays are a gift because every week, we get another chance - a fresh start to prioritize, get ahead of our tasks, and achieve our goals. Yet, many of us prioritize fear and procrastination that leave us struggling to catch up and dreading all that lays before us.
In today’s episode of The Speak Organized Podcast, I’m sharing a few golden nuggets with you about goal setting. I’ll talk you through 7 tips and show you how to turn them into a repeatable strategy that will help you actually get things done. Ready? Let’s go!
Special Offers 👇
To dive in and take action towards achieving your goals, start by joining the waitlist for my newly updated mini course - Better Habits in 30 Days.
Click the link below to join Better Habits in 30 Days 👇
https://www.melaniesummerscoaching.com/better-habits-hub 
Have you considered 1:1 Coaching to up your game with living an organized + productive life?
Check out the link below for a chance to work with me! 👇 https://www.melaniesummerscoaching.com/coaching-and-courses
Here’s what we’re discussing in today’s episode:
1. Come up with your list of goal ideas and split into the 3 categories we cover in this episode.
2. Choose your theme for the year.
3. Plan and simplify your month - Create focus challenges for yourself that have a beginning and an end.
4. The Procrastination Pass.
5. Have a weekly check in - Time management tips: Time blocking and scheduling practices.
6. Automate what you often forget.
7. Plan a way to celebrate.
Thanks for listening - Enjoy!

How to Take the Stress Out of Preparing for Vacation

Isn’t vacation supposed to be relaxing? Then why does planning, packing, and paying for vacation have to be so dang stressful? So many details and wrinkles to iron out to make sure that accommodations are booked and everyone knows where their meeting for dinner, and who packed the sunscreen! It’s a lot.
Today’s episode of the Speak Organized Podcast is aimed at taking the stress out of planning and packing for vacation.
Join my FREE Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/ispeakorganizedpnw
Snag copies of my Travel Packing List: http://www.ispeakorganized.com/packing-list
Here’s a breakdown of what topics we’ll be discussing in today’s episode:
1. Have a plan at every stage
Plan ahead for destination, budget, activities, even free time to get lost and explore, include a day or two to do nothing
2. Check the weather and use a packing list
3. Plan your outfits for each day and pack them together
4. Consider budgeting, shopping, and meal planning for breakfast in
5. Pack light and bring an extra bag for additional items you may bring home
6. Locate emergency services near where you are staying
7. Clean your house before you leave
Thanks for listening. Enjoy!