The Organized Coach - Productivity, Business Systems, Time Management, ADHD, Routines, Life Coach, Entrepreneur

Find all the links and info mentioned in this podcast at https://simplysquaredaway.com/183.

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What if the biggest difference between you and an organized woman isn’t how much stuff she owns or how naturally organized she is?

What if she simply believes being organized is possible for her?

In this episode, I’m sharing the secret I think organized women know about decluttering and why that belief changes everything about the way you approach your stuff.

When you doubt that you’ll ever really be organized, every unfinished project, difficult decision, or cluttered room can become more evidence that you’re “just not an organized person.” You start, stop, question yourself, get overwhelmed, and eventually give up.

But organization is a skill you can learn and practice. You don’t have to organize your whole house to be organized. Every time you make a decision, declutter for 15 minutes, assign something a home, reset a space, or resume after stopping, you’re practicing being an organized person.

We’ll also talk about another powerful shift: decluttering from your life forward instead of from your stuff backward.

Instead of picking up an item and asking, “Should I get rid of this?” try getting clear about the life you want to live, the season you’re in, and who you’re becoming. Then ask, “Does this deserve space in that life?”

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why believing organization is possible for you matters
• How decluttering actually helps you become more organized
• Why decluttering is really a decision-making practice
• How fear, scarcity, memories, and regret make decisions harder
• Why your current season of life can help you decide what stays
• How your future identity can become a decluttering filter
• The difference between stuff that supports your identity and stuff that simply proves your identity
• Why you don’t have to finish an entire project for your organizing efforts to count
• How to use 15 minutes to get clear on what you want your home and life to support

I also share the story of my client Cheryl, who had to declutter to move into her dream retirement home. The payoff wasn’t simply having less stuff. It was having a home she loves, a guest room her grandkids can actually use, and the freedom to enjoy this season of her life.

As you listen, consider these questions:

What am I making room for?

Who am I choosing to be in this season?

Does this support the life I want to live?

You don’t need to wait until your whole house is organized to become an organized person.

You become her while you practice.

One decision, one space, and one 15-minute session at a time. Get the 15-Minute Declutter Challenge here.

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/182

What if decluttering didn’t start with deciding what to get rid of?

What if, instead, you could simply experience your home with less stuff and THEN decide what deserves to come back?

In this episode, I’m talking with Myquillyn Smith, also known as The Nester, about her new book, House Hushing, and I absolutely love her approach to creating a peaceful home without feeling like you have to become a hardcore minimalist.

Myquillyn describes all the things in our homes as having a little “voice.” Over time, those voices add up. The books, plants, projects, pillows, dog toys, decor, papers, and all the other stuff sitting around can turn what was once a lovely melody into a visual roar.

And sometimes you don’t even realize how loud it has gotten until you experience your space without it.

That’s where House Hushing comes in.

Myquillyn walks us through her brilliant concept of “backwards decluttering.” Instead of picking up every single item and immediately deciding whether to keep it, donate it, move it, or throw it away, you temporarily remove all the visible surface items from a room. Then you live with the quieter space for 24 to 48 hours before intentionally choosing what comes back.

No giant pile of permanent decisions required.

We also talk about cozy minimalism and the idea that you don’t have to choose between a peaceful home and a home that feels warm, beautiful, and full of personality.

If traditional decluttering has felt overwhelming, or you’re craving a home that feels a little calmer, you’re going to want to try this.

What You’ll Learn:

• What House Hushing is and how it turns down the “visual volume” in your home
• Why Myquillyn considers herself a cozy minimalist and what that actually means
• How to use "backwards decluttering" when you’re overwhelmed by making decisions
• Why temporarily removing things can help you experience your home completely differently
• How to experiment with less before deciding what to permanently let go of
• How to become protective of the peace you create in your home

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/181

Have you ever wondered if ADHD could explain more than you think? Maybe you've always considered yourself disorganized, overwhelmed, or someone who just couldn't seem to "get it together." What if there was more to the story?

In this episode, I'm joined by ADHD coach Andrea Morton for an eye-opening conversation about what ADHD really looks like in women. Andrea wasn't diagnosed until she was 48, while one of her children was going through the diagnostic process. That one discovery completely changed how she understood herself, her past, and the way she now supports other women.

Andrea shares both her personal story and her professional expertise as we talk about why so many women go undiagnosed for years, how ADHD presents differently in women than in men, and why understanding your brain can replace years of self-criticism with self-compassion.

Whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD, suspect you might have it, are raising a neurodivergent child, or coach clients who struggle with organization and follow-through, this conversation will leave you with a whole new perspective.

What You'll Learn:

• Why so many women don't receive an ADHD diagnosis until adulthood.
• The common signs of ADHD in women that are often overlooked.
• How hyperfocus, procrastination, and rumination can all be connected and can look differently than you might think. 
• What rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD) is and why it can affect relationships and confidence.
• Why understanding your brain leads to more self-compassion instead of self-judgment.
• Practical ways to work with your brain instead of constantly fighting against it.
• How ADHD impacts organization, prioritization, and running a business.

 

 

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/180

Words matter.

Have you ever felt like you "blew it" because you missed a few days of your routine?

Maybe your house got messy again. You stopped exercising. Your planner hasn't been opened in weeks. Your business routines slipped, or your quiet time in the morning has been inconsistent.

What if you didn't need to restart?

What if you simply needed to resume?

In this episode, Tracy shares a mindset shift that can completely change the way you think about consistency. Inspired by an article from The Optimized Pastor ("Don't Restart, Do This Instead"), shared by a former client, Jason,  she explains why the word resume is far more empowering than restart.

You'll learn 10 practical strategies to help you return to the habits and routines that matter—without guilt, shame, or waiting for the "perfect" time.

If you've ever felt like you've fallen behind, this episode is your reminder that organized people aren't people who never get off track. They're people who know how to resume...over and over.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why "resume" is a more powerful word than "restart"
• How waiting for Monday, January, or the perfect moment keeps you stuck
• The role shame plays in keeping you from moving forward
• How to build an organized identity through evidence instead of perfection
• Why reconnecting with your "why" makes consistency easier
• How curiosity can replace guilt after you've "fallen off track"

Key Takeaway

Consistency isn't about never stopping.

It's about shortening the amount of time between when you stop and when you resume.

The people who seem the most consistent aren't perfect; they've simply become really good at coming back.

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/179

Have you ever looked around your home and wondered, "How did we end up with so much stuff?" Or maybe you've organized the same drawer, closet, or office over and over, only to feel overwhelmed again a few weeks later.

If you've ever thought minimalism wasn't for you because you pictured empty white rooms, getting rid of everything you own, or living with only 33 items in your closet, this episode might completely change your perspective.

Today I'm joined by Stephanie Seferian, host of the Sustainable Minimalist Podcast. Stephanie discovered minimalism after becoming a mom and realizing she was spending all of her free time cleaning, organizing, and managing stuff instead of actually enjoying her life. Since then, she's helped thousands of people rethink what it means to live with less.

In our conversation, Stephanie shares why minimalism isn't about deprivation. It's about intentionally creating more space for the things that matter most. We also talk about how this mindset shows up in business, the hidden stress that comes from consumerism, and why having less can actually give you so much more.

What You'll Learn:

• What minimalism really means (and what it doesn't)
• Why owning less creates more freedom, peace, and mental space
• How becoming a parent completely changed Stephanie's perspective on stuff
• The surprising connection between minimalism, organization, and happiness
• How consumer culture keeps us buying things we don't actually need
• Why experiences and relationships matter more than possessions
• How Stephanie built a successful podcast around her passion for sustainable minimalism
• What happened when she chose to prioritize her mission over maximizing revenue
• Practical ways to begin embracing minimalism without becoming overwhelmed

All links mentioned in the episode can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/178

How many times have you told yourself, "I just need to be more consistent"?

Whether it's working out, organizing your business, sending emails, meal planning, or finally sticking to that morning routine, most of us believe consistency means never missing a day. But what if that's the very belief that's keeping you stuck?

In this episode, I'm challenging the way we think about consistency. Because the truth is, consistent people aren't perfect. They don't never miss. They simply restart faster.

I'll share the mindset shift that completely changed the way I approach consistency, plus the four levers you can pull to make following through feel easier, even on the days you don't feel like it. If you've ever wondered why you can start strong but struggle to keep going, this episode is for you.

What You'll Learn:

• Why your definition of consistency might be setting you up to fail.
• The simple mindset shift that makes consistency feel attainable.
• Why restarting quickly matters more than never missing.
• The four keys that make it easier to stay consistent.
• Why willpower isn't enough (and what works better).
• How systems and habits help you keep showing up.
• Practical ways to stop relying on motivation and build momentum instead.

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/177

What if the reason you feel stuck isn't that you're lazy, unmotivated, or doing something wrong? What if you're simply out of flow?

This episode feels especially meaningful to me because Laurie Smith was last on the podcast back in Episode 105, when she was in the middle of writing the book we're talking about today. We worked together while she was writing, organizing her ideas, and creating space for this project to come to life. And now? She's back with her finished book, The Flow Habit.

Laurie has spent years studying, teaching, and experimenting with flow through her coaching, research, and her popular 28-Day Flow Challenges. In this conversation, we explore what flow actually is, why so many of us feel disconnected from it, and how finding your unique "flow formula" can help you experience more focus, creativity, joy, and momentum in your business and life.

We also dive into something I found fascinating: how understanding your own flow can actually help you get organized, stay motivated, and make even the tasks you normally avoid feel more manageable.

If you've ever thought, "That sounds great, but I'm just not someone who experiences flow," this episode might change your mind.

What You'll Learn:

• What "flow" really means and why it's about much more than "going with the flow"
• How to identify your own unique formula for experiencing flow
• Why childhood memories can provide clues to your natural strengths and purpose
• The surprising connection between flow and organization
• How to use "flow motivators" to tackle tasks you normally avoid
• The four-step FEEL framework Laurie teaches to help create more flow in everyday life
• Why trying too hard to get into flow often prevents it
• How tiny moments of joy can create powerful shifts in your business and personal life
• Practical ways to make organizing feel easier, more meaningful, and even fun
• Why reconnecting with your own joy may be one of the most productive things you can do

Connect with Laurie Smith

Laurie Smith is an inspirational author, professional speaker, podcast host, and coach, and has worked in the fields of creativity and personal growth for more than 20 years. She is on a mission to spread the word about the transformational power of everyday flow, those experiences we have when we are so absorbed by what we are doing that we lose track of time. Laurie is the author of several books, including The Flow Habit, which was recently published by Hay House, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Since 2020, hundreds of people around the world have participated in Laurie’s free 28-Day Flow Challenge. Laurie is passionate about how flow can help us access our creative spark, uplift others, and help us make our dreams come true.

Website  |  Instagram  | LinkedIn  |  The Flow Habit Book  |  Podcast  |

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/176

Book a consult with Tracy here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/appointments

If I Had to Organize My Home From Scratch, Here's Exactly What I'd Do

After helping people organize their homes for more than 18 years, I've learned that organizing isn't really about containers, labels, or finding the "perfect" place to start.

If I woke up tomorrow and my entire house was completely disorganized, I wouldn't begin by buying bins or heading to the Container Store.

I'd start somewhere completely different.

In this episode, I'm walking you through the exact process I would use to organize my home from scratch today, including:

• Why I wouldn't start with organizing at all
• How to decide what matters most in your current season of life
• The three questions I always ask when choosing where to begin
• Why success creates momentum
• What to expect when organizing temporarily makes your house look worse
• Why completing one space at a time builds confidence
• How to use the SPACE organizing method in every room
• Why organizing is a skill, not a personality trait
• How to treat each organizing project like a project manager
• The role accountability plays in finally following through

If you've ever wondered where to start organizing your home or why you struggle to stay organized, this episode will help you create a home that supports the life you actually want to live.