Recently I took a webinar on transcendental meditation. It’s a new technique being used in schools to help children with A.D.D. The concept is to have two, 10 minute, meditation sessions while in school. It has been proven that this easy technique gives children with A.D.D. the ability to focus better, retain what their learning, and relax. If you have a child with A.D.D. you know how difficult it is for them to focus, learn and relax. Especially in school. So a technique like this is a great tool. It has even allowed some children to stop taking medication.

This isn’t just a great tool for children. Adults can use this at work or at home. Take a look at www.TM.org to learn how TM may be able to help you improve your performance at work, school or even in your personal life. 

This weekend my husband and I put together a yard sale. We just wanted to get rid of some odds and ends we have accumulated over the years. Overall the day went well and we made a few extra bucks. I have done yard sales before, but not since I have been in the Professional Organizing industry. My perspective has completely changed and it all became clear the day of the yard sale.

First customer of the day was a middle-aged man driving a pick up truck with his dog in the front seat. He had an Indiana Jones look with the hat he was wearing and the knife on his belt. We chatted while he shopped. I noticed right away there was no real method to his shopping. He picked things up, barely looked at them, and handed me his money. He walked away with some random objects and threw them in the back of his truck. Customer number 2 arrives. It’s the same scenario. He picks up a glass pitcher, barely thinks about his purchase, hands me his money and heads off. Throughout the day my own guilt began to set in. Here I am, a Professional Organizer practically giving away junk to people who are obviously pack rats or even hoarders. This goes against everything I preach.

I began to ask people who arrived if they were looking for anything specific. For my own selfish reasons it would have felt better to know if they were being more strategic and actually had a need. But, each shopper confessed they were pack rats and stop anytime they see a yard sale. None of them took any time to contemplate their purchase. Whatever they touched, they bought. And even more ironic… all the shoppers were men! When I placed the ad in the paper and designed the street signs I had a female market in mind. I had no doubts that we were selling to middle-aged and elderly woman. I was so far off!

So here is what it comes down to… I will most likely never have a yard sale again and I now need to start research on hoarders and pack rats to find out if most of them are men. I am totally intrigued.

Here is an opportunity for small business owners. I am hosting an upcoming webinar on blogging. I recently presented a similar topic at the NAPO National Conference in Orlando, Florida. I got some great feedback and lots of questions. So I am presenting this topic again to answer those questions and dig deeper into the topic. So whether you attended my seminar at conference and want more or have been curious about how to improve your blogging skills, take this webinar. Learn more and register here. 

I just got back from the NAPO National Conference in Orlando, Florida. If you’ve been to a conference before you know how motivating and fulfilling they can be. Well this conference was no exception. Once again I am in awe of our industry, how far we have come, and how devoted we are to our clients and profession.

I attended sessions on hoarding, creating workshops, media, and the future of the organizing industry. I even had the pleasure of presenting my own presentation on blogging and podcasting. From what I can tell it went well despite some annoying microphone problems. But it was such an honor to speak in front of such an amazing group.

So now I am home, exhausted, overwhelmed, and completely motivated. I have my list of tasks for the week and I can’t wait to get started. To all you professional organizers out there that I met this week send me some love. Let me know what you thought of my session by commenting here. Follow me on twitter as NEATOrganizer, find me on facebook. I look forward to seeing you all again next year on Columbus.