News from Regina
The Zen Organizer Community
Volume 6 Number Ten Nov, 2011
The 8 Minute Organizer   Search & Rescue/Replenish the Well    Just for Fun/Do you need a speaker?


Games People Play


You can call in the professional organizer, spend a fortune at The Container Store, announce your plans to friend and foe alike, take time off work and ... still never get organized. Why? Because deep in your heart you don't want to surrender the control you assume have over your life, your space and others through the 'tool of chaos.'

It took years for me to recognize these clients when I entered their homes. Now I see the signs almost immediately. I don't want to waste your money and my time on a fool's errand. I've learned to speak up and ask if the person really wants the changes that an organized, peace filled, nurturing environment will bring. And are they willing to do the work? If we decide a mistake has been made, I willingly leave. I learned my lesson the hard way. Over the past 20+ years there have been 3 people who weren't ready for order but I stayed determined to help them. The problem is you can't help someone who doesn't want what you're offering! (And that goes for all relationships, doesn't it?) If you're a professional organizer just getting started, learn to read the signs. Your client is unconsciously setting you up for failure! If you call them on their behavior, they have a choice: stop or change. You need to recognize the signs if you're a friend or family member who was called in to help a loved one. And you need to search your heart if you are working alone and never seem to make any real progress. There are no accidents.

As you read these words what comes up for you? Are you organized? Do you start projects and never finish them? Do you begin a project and allow yourself to get side tracked with more 'fun' activities like Facebook, e-mail, or the phone? What is your avoidance tool? I truly believe you have to understand the past and what created this behavior before you can create something new, wonderful, organized and ... lasting! One Year to an Organized Life is filled with journal prompts that help you get at the root cause of your delaying tactics.

There is power, control and I might even say a kind of grace when you live with an environment that serves, supports and nurtures you. I grew up in one. I've always lived in one. I've created them for other people for over 20 years. And with my books I can guide you to the experience. All you have to do is abandon the game.


The 8 Minute Organizer

Publishers Marketplace has officially announced my next book. I am honored to be working with editor Katie McHugh for the 5th time and continuing my decade+ relationship with Marilyn Allen my literary agent. Here is the official announcement:

NONFICTION
Advice/Relationships
bestselling author of One Year to an Organized Life Regina Leeds' THE 8-MINUTE ORGANIZER, a guide for anyone "too busy to get organized," featuring rojects and routines you can accomplish quickly, to Katie McHugh at Da Capo, or publication in Spring 2012, by Marilyn Allen at Allen O'Shea Literary Agency (World).
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Search and Rescue

As many of you know I have been associated with the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation in Ojai, California for over 10 years. These amazing teams go out to disasters all over the world trying to find victims trapped under rubble. I first saw them working on the rubble at Ground Zero. At the time I had my beautiful Golden retriever Miss Katie whose face still graces my website. I had no idea dogs could climb ladders and climb over rubble seeking out trapped humans. I invite you to check out the following videos to learn more about the extraordinary work that's being done. If you live in earthquake country or in a city that might be targeted by terrorists one day you might want need one of these dogs searching for you!

This short video is a wonderful introduction to the Foundation and its founder Wilma Melville. By the way Wilma was one of the accomplished people nominated as CNN's 2011 Hero of the Year:
http://ww.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ1BgkPH4rY

We're all touched by the love of a man and his dog. See if you can keep from getting misty as these firefighters talk about their canine partners:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQuZ5Fop3Bc

Finally for this month here is a video of highlights from our gathering at the national headquarters in Santa Paula, California on 9/11/11. You'll catch a glimpse of The Zen Organizer if you look closely!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMTal9-cFa4&feature=related

Replenish the Well

People always ask me why I talk about self-care in my books after all they are about organizing, right? I can’t imagine leaving that topic out of the books! You can’t draw water from a dry well. Neither can you make good decisions if you are sleepy, hungry or de-hydrated! Water, moderate exercise, a good night’s sleep and a healthy meal just before you begin a project will help you succeed. But there’s more to this topic of self-care. If you have specific goals and you like the tools you’ve purchased, the project can actually have an element of fun. And don’t forget to make the atmosphere pleasant. The vast majority of my clients love to have their favorite music in the background while we work. Any great effort to better ourselves certainly deserves a reward. Right now without thinking too deeply, can you think of five simple rewards? They don’t have to cost anything: what about a hot bath with a candle burning and your favorite music floating in the air? When was the last time you gave yourself time to sit and read just for pleasure? Do you ever explore your own town? When was the last time you and your dog took a new route for your walks? Do you miss your best friend from high school or college? Schedule a time to give her a call! What’s on your rewards list?
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Just for Fun

I'm traveling this Fall for business and pleasure across the U.S. If you live in San Francisco, Phoenix, New York City or Miami and would like to work with me one-on-one, have me speak to your group or appear on your TV show, please write to me through this website. I'd love to do all three in every city!

And now just for fun, I’d like to recommend three phenomenal restaurants in New York City.

  • For Northern Italian cuisine, you can’t do better than Pepolino in downtown Manhattan at West Broadway and Canal. The food, the atmosphere and the service are all exquisite.


  • If you hear the words ‘Korean food’ and immediately think highly aromatic kimchee, think again. At Hangawi in mid-town you will experience gourmet vegetarian Korean cuisine. Be prepared to remove your shows and sit at low tables. It takes a bit of dexterity but it’s oh so worth it!


  • Finally for Indian cuisine like you can’t find anywhere else, go to Hampton Chutney in the East Village or on the upper West side. I first discovered the exotic ‘sandwiches’ when I worked in the Hamptons a few years ago. The flagship restaurant is in Amagansett. You are in for a treat! Everything goes into a long, flat bread with the consistency of a cracker. It’s made from lentils. You get to choose your fillings from a varied menu. This is casual, inexpensive fare perfect for a quick lunch time stop.


    • Do you need a speaker?

    I spend a lot of time in airplanes. Fortunately I inherited my maternal grandmother’s adventurous nature. I'm ready to fly at a moment's notice. If your organization is having a meeting and needs a speaker, please contact me. I also enjoy representing corporations in the media. It has been my honor for example to work with Microsoft and Sears. Would an organizer be right for your company image or product launch?

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