We recently polled our Get Organized Now! readers and asked, 'if you could be any age for ONE week, what age would you pick?' Here are the results:

9%...Age 10
9%...A teenager
25%..A young adult (20-ish)
32%..30-something
17%..40 to 50-something
5%...60 to 90-something...there's something special about experience
3%...100!

These numbers show that 75% of my readers would not choose the upper range or the lower range if they had a choice. That being said, age is just a number...it's all about how vibrant and alive you feel inside that counts. In fact, Walt Disney once said, 'Growing up is mandatory. Growing old is optional.' I agree. I feel healthier, more active, way more energetic, more organized, and a whole lot smarter today than I was when I was in my 20s and younger. Plus, I set and achieve tons of new goals these days because now I truly understand how very important it is to do so and what an amazing impact it can make on my life...and the lives of others.

At any rate, the poll results made me think about organizing in general.

Consider all those magazine-worthy photos you see on Pinterest when you search on decorating or organizing. For some people, these gorgeous photos are so pristine (museum-worthy) that it can be daunting to even imagine achieving that look, never mind doing the work to get you there. Same thing when it comes to reading a magazine.

On the other hand, if you watch the TV show, 'Hoarders', most people aren't in that deep of a challenge. Some even feel better about themselves after watching it.

Most folks are somewhere in the middle.

Certainly use Pinterest and magazine photos as inspiration, and use the TV show 'Hoarders' as a warning of what could happen, but you won't allow. Then look at your own situation and find your baseline...your starting point... where you are RIGHT NOW.

At this point, simply set a goal to be a little bit more organized today than you were yesterday.

This may mean...

* changing your sheets and making your bed

* getting the clutter cleared off your dining room table and having a candlelit dinner on the table tonight

* Weeding out a filing cabinet for 15 minutes and recycling unneeded paper

* Thinning out the large volume of plastic storage containers you may be storing in your kitchen cabinets

* Getting three tasks started...and completed

Remember, most Olympians don't go from couch to gold medal in one week. Each day, they work hard to achieve more than they were able to do the previous day. They even have setbacks...and that's OK, because they get back on their feet and press on.

Same goes for organizing. Don't give yourself impossible goals. Instead, set mini-goals, challenge yourself to improve (there's always room for that), and fiercely look setbacks straight in the eye and press on...no matter what birthday you're celebrating this year.

P.S. Final Reminder! Speaking of setting goals, the other day I mentioned a wonderful, complimentary resource if you love to sing...and wish you could sing better. Watch this video...it will be SO WORTH your time. Check it out today...visit:

http://www.getorganizednow.com/rd-sing.html

Scroll down to the bottom of this issue for full details.

Hi Maria,

You've inspired me to get organized...thank you! I've been trying to get to a good point for the past 20 years. I feel like I've been off-track ever since my divorce. But I'm now getting my act together and I've made great strides.

You've mentioned, on a number of occasions, how important it is to sandwich tasks and rewards. One thing I do every day, along these lines, is I do 15 minutes of organizing as soon as I wake up...even before I brush my teeth. I always know what my plan is so I'm ready to begin after I get out of bed and stretch.

Some examples are cleaning off a shelf in my refrigerator, organizing my t-shirt drawer, choosing a few pairs of shoes and/or purses from my closet to donate, or making my grocery list. These are just a few examples, and I never seem to run out of things to organize or projects to complete.

As soon as I'm done, I shower, get dressed, take 10 minutes to enjoy a cup of coffee, and get on with the rest of my day.

It has worked beautifully. My home is so much more organized these days and I feel wonderful!

Julie M., Cape May, NJ

P.S. I'm getting re-married this fall and I've never been happier in my life!

Send in your ideas! We're, once again, accepting Reader Tips and Ask Maria Questions for publication in this mini edition and our newsletter. Just reply and share with us!

Organizing for Men: Organize your tail-gate parties for baseball season
getorganizednow.com/organizing-men-tailgate-parties.html



Organizing Statistics: Think you don't have enough space? Think again
getorganizednow.com/statistic-not-enough-space.html



GON Article: 5 Simple Ways to Reduce Interruptions
getorganizednow.com/organizing-article-interruptions.html



Dirty Little Secret 1: Do you have stashes of recipes to try 'someday?' Here is my system to find and make them...
getorganizednow.com/dirty-little-secret-recipes-to-make.html



Dirty Little Secret 2: Keep your shower walls free of soap scum without major scrubbing. Here's how...
getorganizednow.com/dirty-little-secret-shower-walls.html



Dirty Little Secret 3: I have a morning ritual that helps me relieve stress and re-energize. Here's what it is...
getorganizednow.com/dirty-little-secret-morning-ritual.html



Mini Challenges: There are 7 days in the coming week and only 5 mini-challenges to conquer. Can you get them done? Of course you can! Here goes...
getorganizednow.com/organizing-challenge-conquer.html



In ADDITION, on our home page, you'll also find lots of NEW and featured STUFF including...

Social Media Spotlight: 91 years old and still fit as a fiddle. Stop and slow down? No way!
getorganizednow.com



New Web Poll Where do you store your cell phone when you're not using it? Vote in our poll and let us know...you can see live results immediately!
getorganizednow.com



Theme of the Week: Authenticity...and our home page quotes reflect that theme. Use them for added inspiration and motivation this week
getorganizednow.com

I cannot say this too strongly: Do not compare yourselves to others. Be true to who you are, and continue to learn with all your might.
--Daisaku Ikeda


I'd love to hear from you.
Comments, suggestions, or just to say hello. Just REPLY to this email with a short note.

And remember...Being organized creates a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!

getorganizednow.com

Think You Can't Sing Well? Think Again!
In Just 5 Minutes A Day, You Could Start Singing With Incredible Control, Power, Pitch, And More Freedom Than You Ever Imagined...You'll Even Amaze Yourself!

For super quick details on how you can sing better than you ever imagined, visit:

http://www.getorganizednow.com/rd-sing.html

Do you LOVE to sing...but don't feel you have a good enough voice to do so? Are you frustrated because you don't have the tone you want when you sing, poor pitch, a weak voice, small vocal range, or even cracking and breaking?

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If you love to sing, and wish you could sing better, this complimentary video will be SO WORTH your time. Check it out...visit:

http://www.getorganizednow.com/rd-sing.html