I am Kelly Jayne McCann (aka The Organizing Maven), professional organizer, clutter coach and productivity expert. Organization simplifies and improves life, that’s a fact. If you have goals that are unfulfilled, if you are overwhelmed by your to-do list, or if you have difficulty finding what you need when you need it, you’ll benefit greatly from getting organized.
So, what exactly does being organized mean? Lots of people think it’s about making things visually appealing and creating homes for belongings. True, that’s part of it, but there’s so much more. Being organized is about creating overall harmony. It’s about being in control of your time and resources. It’s about feeling at peace in your surroundings. It’s about being able to truly relax and enjoy life.
If you want to experience all the real and amazing benefits that come with being organized, first you have to clear the CRAP. Yes, that’s what I said, CRAP. I hope you’re not offended – there’s no vulgarity here – CRAP actually stands for something: Clutter, Rubbish, Absurdity, Parasites. These are the things that keep us from living the kind of life we wish for. These four things suck our time, drain our energy and hold us prisoner in a chaotic environment that can be positively suffocating, if not downright hellish. Sounds awful, doesn’t it? That’s because it is! It’s yucky and mucky to the max.
Luckily, I know what it takes to clear the CRAP for good. I have years of experience helping hardworking, overextended, time crunched, often under appreciated women identify what needs to change and create new supportive habits that allow those changes to happen. I can do this with a seriously successful end result because I have been there, done that. I know what it’s like to struggle. I know how it feels to be pulled in seventeen different directions and think you have to meet everyone’s needs (except your own, that would be selfish, right?). I know how difficult it can be to say no (just thinking about saying it can bring on the guilt – ugh!). I understand the pressure to do it all. I used to think doing it all was my job, my responsibility, my raison d’etre. I mean, what would people think if I didn’t just keep going and going? (FYI – That was crazy-making thinking.)
Keeping up the pace can be exhausting. As women we are socialized to suck it up (how lucky are we?). Supposedly we should be able to manage a job, a house, kids, pets, a partner and much more. And not just manage, but cheerfully manage. Time for ourselves? Ha! For most women that’s a fantasy. We are programmed to say yes, yes, and yes some more. We give up a good portion of ourselves to satisfy the needs of everyone else.
Well, guess what? I call this massively absurd – absolutely flippin’ flat out ridiculous! We have been suckered by society. The reality is it doesn’t have to be this way. We can free ourselves from overwhelm by smartening up and getting clear on what we really want. That means we will be able to make the right choices, the ones that really are in our best interest. Then we can be even smarter by developing the habits that support our ideal life.
If you knew you could make everyday living less stressful and more fulfilling, wouldn’t you invest a little time and effort to make it happen? It would be insane not to, right? You’re probably thinking that sounds great, but maybe you’re wondering just how you would make it happen. The process of clearing the CRAP and getting organized can seem a little daunting. But here’s a newsflash, it’s totally doable! It only seems daunting because of where you are. When you are stuck in the land of overwhelm, busting free from the status quo seems like the most far fetched idea ever. Your circumstances may make you feel like you have no choice other than to muddle along the same path. After all, you have a ton on your plate, right? Most likely you are feeling like you have to catch up before you even think about making changes. But the truth is this, if you don’t take action now, you will be in this same place next year, and the year after and the year after. Sounds less than ideal, it’s actually more like seriously depressing if you ask me. Don’t you deserve better?
I get that you may be thinking that taking action requires time and who has time, right? Here’s the kicker (and the simple truth), you would have time if you decided to take some action. It’s all about making a decision to create some change. The kind of change that will free your time, eliminate stress and streamline all those everyday tasks. The kind of change where you are empowered to say no. The kind of change where you surround yourself only with the things you love and need. The kind of change where no one can guilt you into doing or keeping anything you don’t really, really want. The kind of change where you control your world.
In all fairness this doesn’t mean your kids won’t ever act like obnoxious beasts again, or that your boss won’t decide that you can handle six more projects even though you are already doing the work of two – but (you got it, it’s another BIG but), you will be able to handle it with ease. I mean that. When you are organized you can handle the curve balls of life without breaking a sweat.
It’s true, you won’t magically create your ideal life overnight, but what if I told you could be enjoying free time on a regular basis if you just decided to implement a few simple changes. Those few changes would also radically reduce your stress and bring a level of peace that lets you truly relax. Clearing CRAP and getting organized doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking. As a matter of fact, I am advocate for integrating small changes, no more than a few at a time. It’s about creating a lasting impact and my Micro Change, Macro Result method guarantees that will happen. No matter how you work with me you’ll experience this method.
As you can probably tell from reading about me and my philosophy, I take a holistic approach to organizing. If you just need someone to make your room look pretty, I am NOT your gal (although I am happy to point you in the right direction). What do I mean by holistic? I mean that it’s about what’s inside and what’s outside. Our surroundings are a reflection of what’s happening in our head and our heart. It’s reciprocal, our surroundings also influence how we feel. They impact our health and our relationships, in very significant and surprising ways.
What else should you know about me? Hmmm, let’ see. I think it’s only fair to say I am not up for working with the unmotivated. With that said, I totally understand overwhelm. Overwhelm is different, it can and often does make you feel stuck, but that’s not synonymous with a lack of motivation. I deal with overwhelm myself at times. But overwhelm is not an excuse to stay stuck. If you want to create a better life you’re going to have make some changes. And change takes a certain level of effort. You don’t need to do it alone though. If you are ready to take the next step and begin creating a better life, one that you truly love, I am ready to work with you and help guide you to success.
If you are still hungry for more info about me and the site, feel free to read on:
Are you wondering what’s behind the name of this site? Why Organizing Maven?
The organizing part should be clear. I am passionate about helping women create lives they love and organizing is a huge part of making that happen. Maven means someone who accumulates expert knowledge in a specific field and has an obsessive desire to be of service to others by sharing what they learn.The name, The Organizing Maven, clearly states who I am and what my intentions are. My goal is to help busy women get organized, improve productivity and clear the CRAP.
I love sharing information that I know will help people reach their goals and get more done in less time. This site was born to help share what I know through blog posts, online workshops, teleclasses, and virtual coaching. No matter where you are or what your resources, there is a way for you to access what I have to offer.
I really do love to share! Here is just a taste of what I have shared through the media this past year:
Read about work life balance at The Unchained Entrepreneur
Learn how to prevent email overload at The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur (funny name, serious site)
Learn about habits that help you get more done at The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur
Find out why spring is a great time to declutter and get organized at Green Living AZ
Listen to me talk about getting and staying organized on Vermont Public Radio
So, what you should expect from this site? Naturally, through the blog, you will hear my voice, but my intent is share timely, useful content that will add to the quality of your life and help you manage better. I am looking forward to input from you, the reader. I consider the blog more collaborative than not, so I am counting on hearing your thoughts, ideas, and feedback.
Topics that will be covered:
- Goal setting and planning
- Productivity and time/task management
- Clearing clutter and controlling it for good
- Simplifying everyday life
- Streamlining and creating systems
- Creating environments that inspire and support
- Organizing everything – family life, finances, work – it will all be covered
Here’s an overview of what to look forward to:
- Interviews with experts
- How-to’s for the practical side of life
- Resources to make everyday a delight
- Checklists to help you better manage your home, family, work and finances
- Reviews of books, products, and services
- Goal setting and productivity primers
- Tutorials on how to get and stay organized
- Tips and tricks that will save you time and money
A little more about me:
I launched my business Perfect Order Organizing in 2004. Prior to launching Perfect Order Organizing, I worked as a consultant with an international company that provided corporate training. In my position I worked to match the needs of employers with the proper training programs. Now I share my skills with my own clients, still matching needs with solutions; with a special emphasis on long term results and a guarantee of satisfaction.
My ability to ask the right questions and actively listen really helps me fully understand my clients. I am able to quickly identify solutions that will work for the long term and really make a positive impact. My clients regularly comment on how comfortable and confident they feel when working with me. I feel absolutely blessed to work with such wonderful people!
I take my work seriously (but that doesn’t preclude making it fun). Continuing education is of paramount importance. I have taken many credits through NAPO and the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization. These are just few of the classes I have taken:
- Coaching Clients To Success
- Time Management for the Creative Person
- Organizing with the TBI Client
- Inside the Procrastinator’s Mind
- Learning Styles and Differences
- Project Planning: The Key to Success
- Working with Elderly Clients
- Grief and the CD Client
- Working with Clients to Downsize
- Working with Adult Children of Elderly Clients
- Understanding Chronic Disorganization
- Letting Go: The Process and Meaning of Disposession in the Lives of Consumers
I hope you enjoy all I have to offer and I hope you will share your thoughts, stories and feedback. So, leave me a comment or drop me a line.
