Ep108 Podcast Show Notes: Alison Kero, ACK Organizing
About Alison Kero
Since professional organizer and speaker Alison Kero started organizing in 2004, she’s searched for ways to make life easier. One of her favorite ways is to use self love as her decision making tool so she can easily determine what she likes, uses and needs in her life. Alison first started with physical clutter but soon realized she could transfer those same simple techniques into all her life’s decisions. Whether it’s who to spend time with, which activities to do or what objects to bring home, Alison has found her life improving because of her self-love decision making; including increased energy, productivity and overall contentment.
Key Conversation Points
- Eliminating stress as an introvert through decluttering
- Attaching memories to physical items
- Organizing without guilt
- Determining whether to keep or discard items
- Putting yourself first
- Recognizing the sources of clutter
- Seeing the energy behind material things
- Making self love based decisions
Detailed Conversation Highlights
Alison considers herself an introvert with strong empathic tendencies. During her in-person consultations, she would find herself constantly overwhelmed. As a solution, she started providing remote consultations over phone and video chat which allowed her to stay centered and give better consultations to her clients. Her discovery of creating a work situation that she loved came after two failed businesses that had the same issue; she was good at what she did, but she hated it. Once an opportunity opened up to help others organize their spaces, she realized how much she enjoyed it.
Clutter and other disorganization comes as a result of physical and emotional blocks. The most extreme of these situations can turn a person into a “hoarder” via trauma, but even smaller amounts of clutter can tie into feelings of unworthiness and lack of motivation. Many fail to do anything about it, but its effects are still draining. Many issues relating to holding on to objects for too long lies in the fact that we attach emotions and memories to material objects. It is important to remember that your memories will always stay with you even if you don’t have the item. However, if a person has a joyous response to an item due to positive memories, it isn’t a drain or burden. Furthermore, it is important to note that it is never a good idea to abruptly remove an item before the person isn’t ready, as it can be damaging. Alternatives include taking a picture of the item before you let it go or otherwise documenting it.
When choosing which items to remove from your home or office, it helps to categorize and sub-categorize what you’re working with to avoid becoming overwhelmed. When organizing, go with your first instinct concerning the item; anything that you consider after that point will most likely be bargaining for the item and will not help you. It also helps to have designated spots for items that are routinely removed from your person so you won’t misplace them. It is also helpful to keep similar items together. No matter which options you choose for removing clutter, the focus should be on removing items that are tied to fear, guilt, shame and other negative memories and emotions and keeping those that make you happy. After that point, you’ll be content and upkeep will be minimal.
Resources Mentioned in the Podcast
How to Fail at Business | Alison Kero
An Uncluttered Life | Betsy and Warren Talbot
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up | Marie Kondo
Breathing Exercise at the bottom of this page…
Connect with Alison
Website
Website
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Google+
Alison’s Introvert Island Book Selections
The Traveler’s Gift | Andy Andrews
The Language of Letting Go | Melody Beattie
Me Talk Pretty One Day | David Sedaris
Sharing is Caring!
Learn how failing in #business can actually be a good thing. #Podcast via @IntrovertCoach @alisonkero Even a little #clutter can impact your business more than you think. #Podcast via @IntrovertCoach @alisonkero What to do when you find yourself too attached to material things. #Podcast via @IntrovertCoach @alisonkero Are you a empathic #introvert entrepreneur? This week’s podcast is for you! #Podcast via @IntrovertCoach @alisonkero How best to tackle #clutter and not go insane. #Podcast via @IntrovertCoach @alisonkeroIf You Enjoyed the Show
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Breathing Exercise:
I breathe in peace, I breathe out anxiety
I breathe in focus, I breathe out distraction
I breathe in curiosity, I breathe out attachment
I breathe in trust, I breathe out doubt
I breathe in love, I breathe out fear
Alison Kero has a lot of helpful and interesting ideas and suggestions. I would love for her to work with the previous podcast guest, Barbara McAfee, on her voice.
I ended up listening to the podcast in short segments, because Alison’s voice was so harsh and strained that I found it unpleasant to listen, even though I was very interested in what she was saying.