This month’s question came from a woman I met while doing a presentation; she asked: ‘Geralin, are you always super-organized and if not, what do YOU do to get motivated?”
Short Answer: Heck no!
Long Answer: I dread processing the daily mail so I put it aside and open it once weekly on Trash Eve.* I think whoever said, “Touch your papers only once” must have been talking about Kleen-X because I think anyone with children has to go through their papers more than once, especially when the teacher needs photos from their past or an address for their Flat Stanley buddy in Alaska.
What I see with clients is that the paper-pile-up comes from not knowing where to put things. Or, they don’t put them away because they fear they will forget about them.
Part two: What do I do to get motivated?
I put on music; peppy music, happy music, music that I can’t sit still to. I have a compilation of my favorite tunes and I simply push play and GO (Get Organized). I have a stash of music on an MP3 player that I listen to; these tunes never fail to get me going. Music is motivating.
Want to know what am I listening to while I write this?
Us3: Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)
Jr. Walker and the All Stars: Shotgun and
The Gap Band: Burn Rubber
Mary J. Blige: Family Affair
What music motivates you? Lets create a Clever Parents play list!
* for an explanation of Trash Eve, Google, “Trash Eve+Geralin” or watch Geralin’s video explanation of Trash Eve on Clever Parents TV.
By Geralin Thomas on 03/13/08 in OH! Organizing Hints, Featured, Columns, An Organized Life
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March 13th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
If I need peppy I like :Who Knew by Pink
Black Eye Peas Pump It OutKast, Hey Ya
If I want more moderate of mellow I love Taylor Swift, Michael Buble, Carrie Underwood.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Great topic Geralin!
Here’s a few I’d like to recommend
Proud - Heather Small (Theme from Biggest Looser).
Flight of the Bumblebee (When you need to clean quick!).
Eye of the Tiger - Survivor, Rocky Soundtrack(When you need to feel like a champion)
She Works Hard for the Money - Donna Summer (After a long day at work)
Let’s Go Crazy - Prince (When the grandparents take the kids for the weekend).
9 to 5 - Dolly Parton (self explanatory).
Working for the Weekend - Loverboy (when you need a good blast of the 80’s.
Confessions on the Dance Floor - Madonna (YES, the entire album).
I hope that gives you a few fun and fabulous ideas.
March 14th, 2008 at 8:29 am
Hey Ya Stephanie,
Those are absolutely going to make the cut!
“Shake it like a Polaroid picture…”
I think you are onto something good with a “intense level” and a “moderate level”.
My moderate list would begin with Brooks and Dunn, Melissa Ethridge and InXs. I like a variety of genres and mixing vintage with newer.
Thanks for your clever comments!
March 14th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Some older songs on my GO playlist:
Groove is in the Heart — Deee-Lite,
ABC — The Jackson 5,
Cecilia — Simon and Garfunkel, and
American Girl — Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Some newer songs on my GO playlist:
Love Song — Sara Bareilles,
Fidelity — Regina Spektor, and
Over My Head (Cable Car) — The Fray
March 16th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
[…] Crank up the tunes and GO (get organized)! Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: motivational music, Songs to organize by — perr1ker5h @ 11:18 pm My friend Geralin just wrote a post over at Clever Parents about music that helps you get organized. I love this topic, because I really do believe that having a “theme song” can help you get your groove on. When I talk about maintaining organization, I always recommend this to audiences–find a song that you love, that makes you want to move, and tell everyone that it’s your organizing song. When it’s playing, you’re in the organizing zone and they’d better back off, or start helping! […]
March 16th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
I couldn’t resist posting my own list on “Enough is Enough”. We should consider an organizer’s greatest hits album (or at least a “Best iTunes to Organize To”)…check out my list including some obscure tunes. Just reading these other lists made me crank up some Outkast, and the mention of Dee-Lite took me down memory lane.
March 17th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
@Scott,
Prince & Madonna, both have so many great tunes; classics really.
@ Erin,
You have such a nice variety of music. Thanks for sharing the newer songs–they are fab!
We have a nice collection building here…keep posting!
March 18th, 2008 at 10:44 am
I’ve really gotten into country music lately…I’m more surprised than anyone… ;-)
Some of my Favorites:
- Sugarland - anything on their Enjoy the Ride CD
- Welcome to the Family - Little Big Town
- The More Boys I Meet (The More I like My Dog - just makes me chuckle) - Carrie Underwood
Good Friend and a Glass of Wine - Leanne Rhimes
Non-Country Favorites:
- Sweet Pea, Shout Out Loud, Southern Girl - Amos Lee
- The Sweet Escape (gets me dancing every time) - Gwen Stefani
- Big Girls Don’t Cry - Fergie
- Sheryl Crow - LOVE her new CD!!
March 18th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Here’s a few I like:
Sunshine and Summertime by Faith Hill
Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson
Fergalicious by Fergie
I’m going to suggest this to my sister who I forwarded your article about using a timer to set aside time to organize instead she can just organize til’ the playlist is done!
March 20th, 2008 at 5:40 am
@ Perri
You GO girl! Attention Readers of CP: Perri’s blog, Enough is Enough is always a fun read. She is the sassy mom of two cute kids and a PO in Chapel Hill. She hosted a very cool party where she gave away a bunch of money; Perri is our Oprah!
@ Kelly
I’m surprised too that I like country music. It began postpartum. My two boys like the stories that unfold in country music. Plus, it’s more family-friendly.
@ Paige
I’ve never even heard of the song Banana Pancakes but suddenly I’m craving them.
Action Item One: I’m leaving this post and going to YouTube to listen.
Action Item Two: to whip up a batch for the boys! Yummy music ideas.
March 20th, 2008 at 5:51 am
@ Paige,
I just watched & listened to the banana man, Jack Johnson, and I say, “YUMMY!” Cute guy alert;sweet little song.