Think of a specific goal that you have in your life. Something that's a challenge and seems like it will take forever to accomplish. Something hard and tedious. Maybe you want to lose weight, make more money, finish a big project. Maybe you want to clean out and organize your entire house.
Or maybe your goal isn't something huge, but is simply a new habit that you want to form... or a bad habit that you want to break. Maybe you want to start getting up earlier without pushing the snooze button, or you want to start leaving the house on time instead of 15 minutes late. Maybe you want to exercise more, eat healthier, or you want to stop smoking.
Whatever your goal is, it's important to have a reward to focus on in order to motivate you to get there. The problem is, most people think that the only reward should be reaching the goal itself. Like if you want to exercise to lose weight, then being thinner and healthier is the reward. Or if you want to work hard to get a promotion, then the promotion is the reward. But is that really always enough?
The problem with having the goal be your only reward is that when trying to get there, you can easily get discouraged when things get tough. It's easy to lose motivation when it gets hard and tedious. Getting discouraged leads to slower progress, which then leads to guilt, which then leads to even more discouragement, which then lot of times leads to giving up on the goal all together. Can you relate?
When you're reaching for a goal and you're trying to stay disciplined when it gets hard, those kind of negative emotions (discouragement and guilt) are not good motivators... they are never good incentives. If you have negative associations with reaching a goal, it makes it a hundred times harder to get there and eventually it doesn't seem worth it. Having such a huge reward for AFTER you accomplish your goal sometimes just isn't good enough.
So what should you do? Well, in this episode I give you specific strategies on how to effectively reward yourself when trying to reach a goal.
Do you want even more inspiration on how to accomplish goals in your life that seem hard and tedious to achieve? Go back and listen to episode #2 of this podcast, titled "Why Is Change So Hard". In that episode I dive in deep to the psychology behind making positive changes in our lives and why it's just so hard to do sometimes.
You can also download the free worksheet I talk about in that episode called "7 Questions to Ask Yourself to Make Lasting Change". Just go to CarlaRaeArneson.com/change. Or just text the word CHANGEWORKSHEET to 44222... that's CHANGEWORKSHEET with no spaces to 44222.
Do you know anyone needing some extra motivation or inspiration in their life? Share this episode with them by having them go to CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode16.
Or you can share this episode and all the other episodes of the show by having them go LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com.
And don't forget to subscribe to our Podcast show on itunes or whatever podcast app you prefer, to stay updated on all our new episodes.
Links Mentioned in this Show:
Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode16
Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com
Free Worksheet: "7 Questions to Ask Yourself to Make Lasting Change"
Or send a text to 44222 with the word CHANGEWORKSHEET
Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"
Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY
Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson
Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae
Full Transcript of this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/transcript16
As a Home Organizer, I help people clear out their clutter. Clutter in their time and schedules, their to-do lists, their relationships, and mostly I help people clear out the clutter in their homes. I not only deal with the physical aspects of clutter, but I specialize in the psychological aspects as well. The truth is, I can help someone clean out and organize their home, but if we don't deal with the psychological side of their clutter problem, the clutter always seems to come back.
Unfortunately, clutter is not always an easy problem to solve. It sometimes seems like it should be, but it's just not. Sure, if you were to walk into someone else's cluttered house and look around, you'd probably think to yourself, "Wow, this is a lot of stuff! Do they really need all this? I'm sure most of it isn't even that important. I'm sure it would be a piece of cake to get rid of all this junk and clear this place out!"
Yes, it's easy to view other people's clutter as useless or insignificant, but when it comes to our own clutter... well, that becomes a whole other story! You see, there so many reasons why we feel the need to keep things in our life. So many reasons why we hang on to stuff, even if we know we probably shouldn't.
In this episode, we take a look at a handful of those reasons that you might relate to.
First, are the good reasons to hang on to things:
- You love it and it brings you joy.
- You use it and need it.
- You think it's special or sentimental.
We also look at some other not-so-great reasons to keep things:
- You feel guilty for how much it cost.
- You feel guilty that someone gave it to you.
- You feel guilty that it might go to waste.
- You lack awareness or knowledge that you even own it.
- You really do intend to use it one day.
Now, there are definitely other reasons that I'm sure you can think of as to why you might hang on to thing that potentially clutter your home.
But in this episode, we talk about one very specific reason that we hang on to certain items that we don't love, don't need, or don't find as sentimental. It's a very common factor that I'm sure all of us can relate to. It's called the "just in case" mentality.
Have you ever held on to something that you don't need, that you don't use, that you don't necessarily even like "just in case" you might need it one day? Everyone of us has, at some point, feared tossing out something only to realize that we really did need it after all – even if that “after all” is six months, one year, or even five years down the road.
In this episode I give you some very specific examples in my own life of times when I've been guilty of keeping things "just in case" I might need them one day. We also take an in depth look at the consequences of keeping too many of those types of items.
And finally I give you two very simple solutions to help you whenever you find yourself slipping into the "just in case" way of thinking... because it's definitely a trap sometimes!
Do you know anyone who could use some inspiration to organize their home? Anyone who's a little overwhelmed with clutter and chaos? Share this episode with them by having them go to CarlaRaeArneson.com/epsiode15 or just have them visit LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com .
If you don't want to listen to the full episode, you can read it instead! Just click here to download the free transcript.
Links Mentioned in this Show:
Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode15
Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com
Free Worksheet: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"
Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE
Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"
Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY
Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson
Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae
Full Transcript of this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/transcript15
I am going to share with you a couple tips on how to keep your kitchen counters clutter-free.
First, did you know that there are two different types of clutter that you might have in your kitchen? The first type are the items sitting around on your counters that belong in the kitchen. Like kitchen items and food that actually have - or should have - a home in the kitchen. Things that should be put away in cabinets and drawers.
You might have this type of clutter for 3 different reasons...
1) Those particular items don't have specific homes to be put away in.
2) The items have specific homes, but the cabinet or drawer is so disorganized that they don't fit.
3) The items have homes, there's room for them, but you just haven't taken the time to put them there.
Those three reasons apply to the type of clutter on your counters that actually belong in the kitchen. If the first two apply, it simply means you need to re-organize... you need to clean out, take inventory, and rearrange all those cabinets, drawers, and even your pantry, if you have one. If the third reason applies, well then you just need to commit some time to tidying up.
The truth is I can talk for HOURS on how to organize the items that belong in your kitchen... so we'll have to save that topic for a different episode.
On today's episode, we look at the second type of clutter: items that don't belong in your kitchen... items that are lying around on the counters that belong in different areas of the house.
With this type of clutter, it doesn't matter how organized your kitchen is, if you have these things on the counter that belong somewhere else, your kitchen will always be messy and chaotic no matter how organized it really is. Believe it or not, in most of my clients' homes, this type of clutter is just as bad as the first type of clutter!
So what do you do about it? Well, in this episode I give you two different solutions.
Links Mentioned in this Show:
Free Worksheet: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home" (CarlaRaeArneson.com/5download)
Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE
Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life" (CarlaRaeArneson.com/freeguide)
Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY
Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode14
Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com
Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson
Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae
Full Transcript of this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/transcript14
Life Made Simple is a show dedicated to helping you find simplicity in ALL areas of your life. For 15 years I've been helping families clear the chaos and clutter out of their homes. But you know what? Relationships in our lives can be messy, too! Am I right? Whether it be with your significant other, your parents, your kids, your friends, even your coworkers, relationships are complicated and even chaotic at times.
And no matter how "good" your relationship is with someone, there are definitely times when they can be a little messy... and in some unfortunate cases A LOT messy. And along with any kind of messiness in life comes stress and anxiety. Which then weighs down our heart, negatively effects our health, and clouds our happiness.
So, on this episode of Life Made Simple, I'm don't talk about how to simplify your house or your schedule. We take a look at one amazing technique to simplify your relationships. I practice this technique in my own life with many different kinds of relationships and believe me, it has helped relieve so much unnecessary stress! And I really believe, no matter how good or complicated your relationships are this technique can help you, too.
You see, most conflicts, arguments, troubles, and issues in relationships revolve around external problems that rarely are the REAL problems of the relationship. Unfortunately, all of us tend to focus on surface issues as we fail to see the core problems.
Like I explain in this episode, most conflicts escalate because we fall into a cycle of "button pushing". Yes, button pushing. As in I push your button, you push my button, then I push your button... and so on. And why do we have buttons? Because we all have fears. Deep down core fears that we aren't even fully aware of ourselves. Our buttons are our fears.
And when our buttons get pushed by someone else, what do we do? Well, usually we react... and a lot of times, our reactions push the other person's button. We say or do something that somehow hits their deep down fears. And then they react... and the cycle continues. I call it the Cycle of Button Pushing.
In the episode I give a very specific example from my own life of this crazy cycle.
Also, years ago, I read a really great book that describes this process in detail and I actually refer to quite a bit throughout the episode. It's by Dr. Gary Smalley and it's called The DNA of Relationships.
In the book, Dr. Smalley describes this cycle of button pushing and he actually refers to it as the Fear Dance. He says in chapter 3, "You would think that the Fear Dance is not a dance anyone would choose to do. You would think that most people would rather do a Love Dance or a Joy Dance, something positive. But unless we understand the Fear Dance and how we can choose not to do it, it seems to be the default dance in most relationships."
Now think of some of your relationships in life that sometimes seem stressful. Any relationship. Any relationship that sometimes has conflict, disagreements, resentments, or any other kind of issue. Do you see how you could be participating in a Fear Dance? Do you see how you are involved in, as I say, a Cycle of Button Pushing? Most often than not, we don't even intend to push the other person's fear buttons. We are really just trying to protect our own.
So what do you do about it? How can you simplify the messiness that comes with relationships when people push our buttons? Well, whenever you find yourself defaulting into a cycle of button pushing with someone in your life (when they're pushing your buttons and you're pushing theirs) you need to make the decision to push the reset button. In your relationship, in conversations, when things get messy, when the conversation starts to get chaotic and negative or confusing you need to push the reset button. And that's exactly what I teach you how to do in this episode... I give you "The 10 Steps on How to Push the Reset Button".
Click here for the free downloadable workbook that I created for you. It has all 10 Steps on How To Push the Reset Button. Be sure to download the workbook so that you can follow along and apply it to your own life, and so you can understand your own buttons that tend to get pushed.
You can also text the phrase RESETBUTTON (with no spaces) to 44222 to get the free download.
Would you rather read the entire episode instead of listening to the audio? Simply click here to download the free transcript.
Links Mentioned in this Show:
Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode13
Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com
Free Workbook: "How to Push the Reset Button in Relationships" (CarlaRaeArneson.com/13download)
Or send a text to 44222 with the word RESETBUTTON (no spaces)
Dr Gary Smalley's Book: The DNA of Relationships
Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson
Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life" (CarlaRaeArneson.com/freeguide)
Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY
Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae
Full Transcript of this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/transcript13
Too often, I work with people who feel discouraged that they haven't reached all the dreams and goals that they thought they would, by the time they hit their 40's, 50's or even 60's. When they were younger they had great aspirations that, for whatever reason, have faded into the distance.
On today's episode, I show you that it doesn't matter how old you are, it's never too late to be successful in anything you aspire to do. I also give you a few examples of people who found success and pursued their dreams later in life. You see, you don't have to have everything figured out by your 30's... it's NEVER too late. All you have to do is take that first step, don't give up, stay positive, and keep going. Just do it! Why not?!?
One of my favorite quotes: "Happiness, success, peace, and love are experienced when we live accordingly. They are not something you have, they are something you DO."
So, dream your dreams, imagine the endless possibilities waiting out there for you, and then get out there and just do it. It's never too late!
Links Mentioned in this Show:
Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode12
Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com
Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson
Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life" (CarlaRaeArneson.com/freeguide)
Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae
Full Transcript of this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/transcript12
This is essentially Part 2 of Episode #8 when I explained you how to make a "Perfect Day Itinerary." You may want to listen to that episode before you listen to this one.
Even though we're a fairly new show, over the past few weeks we've been getting some great topic ideas and questions from our listeners. And you know what? I absolutely LOVE hearing from you! As you might already know, I've been a professional home organizer, a time management specialist and lifestyle coach for the past 15 years... and it's not just my job, but it's my passion to help you simplify all areas of your life. I'm here for YOU! This podcast show is for YOU! So please, please, please, let me know exactly what YOU want to hear more about. Just go to CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae .
Every once in awhile on the Life Made Simple Podcast, we will have a special "Ask CarlaRae" episode where I can take time to answer some of those questions you send me. Today episode, is our very first "Ask CarlaRae" episode.
Here is a message I received from Terry in Seattle, Washington:
"CarlaRae, Thank you so much for your show on how to make a 'Perfect Day Itinerary.' For years, I've been a busy stay at home mom and also I work part time. My youngest son is just now leaving the house to start his Freshman year of college. I've had so many goals and hobbies that I've been wanting to pursue over the years and as a new empty nester, I feel like I finally have the time! But I haven't really known where to start. I listened to your show and I've been trying to make a 'Perfect Day Itinerary' and I feel like I finally have a good game plan. But I'm still trying to fit it all in. During the show, you mentioned a 'Perfect Week Itinerary'. What is that and how would I make one? Thanks again! Sincerely, Terry from Seattle"
Terry, thank you so much for reaching out to me! I am so happy to hear that you're giving the "Perfect Day Itinerary" a try.
I dedicate this entire episode to answering your question. I also elaborate a little more on how using this specific time management tool can really impact your life. I really believe if you take the time to create a game plan for your ideal day - and week - you will feel more balanced, accomplished, and successful. It will help you to be more intentional and disciplined to live the life that you've always wanted. It's about focusing only on what's important and letting go of the rest.
"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment."
Links Mentioned in this Show:
Free Worksheet: "The Perfect Day Itinerary Worksheet" (CarlaRaeArneson.com/8download)
Or send a text to 44222 with the word PERFECTDAY
Episode #8: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode8
Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode11
Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com
Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life" (CarlaRaeArneson.com/freeguide)
Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY
Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson
Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae
Full Transcript of this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/transcript11
At some point in your life, I'm sure you've heard some sort of version of the famous saying, "You can never have too much of a good thing." But, can you? Can you have too much of a good thing?
Think about it... Can you have too much money? Can you have too much fun? Too much kindness? Too much time? Now I'm sure if we were to really analyze and apply this statement to all areas of life, we could come up with pros and cons to both sides of the argument. But then this episode would take hours... and since it's a "3 Minute Thursday" Episode, we don't have that kind of time.
Today, we take a quick look at applying this phrase to only one area of your life... my question for you is: Can you really have too much of a good thing when it comes to special things in your home. Before you think of your opinion on the matter, listen to the quick story I share that will hopefully give you a little different perspective that you might not have considered before.
You see, when you have too many good things they can devalue the great things. Sometimes, you need to let go of some of the good things in your home for the sake of giving more value to the extra special things that you love.
Links Mentioned in this Show:
Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode10
Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com
Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson
Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life" (CarlaRaeArneson.com/freeguide)
Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae
Full Transcript of this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/transcript10
I am going to share with you one very important habit that I recently formed this past year of my life that has been - believe it or not - a total GAME CHANGER for me. And I believe it can be for you, as well! This is definitely an episode you don't want to miss!
On today's episode, we take a look at something that may seem boring and unnecessary to some, but it's actually a secret to success for many people out there who are living abundant lives. Today, we are going to talk about the importance of making time for personal development.
So what exactly is "personal development." Well, the more common name for it is actually "self-help".
(Yes, I can imagine you must be cringing right now... but please stick with me and let me explain.)
I know that the self-help genre has a huge stigma attached to it. To many it sounds super cheesy and lame. And why is that? Well, the term "self-help" negatively implies that you must need help... because there must be something wrong with you. And no one wants to look at those issues and problems every day.
But that's not exactly what personal development is all about. Which is why I don't like to call it "self-help" because it focuses on the negative, on the shame and guilt of it all (which no one needs in their life everyday).
Personal development, if done correctly, focuses on the good, it focuses on becoming better and promotes positive change. It brings goodness to your life, it makes you feel good, it gives you inspiration and motivation to live your best life. And who doesn't want that?!?
So I'm going to challenge you, if you haven't already, open yourself up to a little dose of personal development in your everyday life. It can truly help you develop self assurance, confidence, happiness, creativity, inner peace, and so much more. It doesn't always have to be about facing all the bad uncomfortable stuff in your life... instead, it can be about cultivating the good stuff.
Personal development can also definitely be a great tool to help you reach any of the dreams and goals that you might have, whether it be success in your career, wealth, your health, relationships, living a happier lifestyle and so on. But you should also try to look at it with an even broader perspective...
You see, whatever you want to call it - whether it be personal development, personal growth, self-improvement, self-actualization, self-transcendence, or even spirituality - it doesn't matter. What matters is realizing that the reason you were born is to become the best human being you can possibly be. Personal Development is meant to help you reach the ultimate most noble goal that we should all have... which is to aspire to become the best version of ourselves. And that's exactly why you should devote just a little bit of time every single day to some sort of personal development.
Personal Development can look very different for different people. In this episode, I give you some very SPECIFIC ways of how and when you can plug personal development into your life. I also give you a few detailed examples of what I do in my own life.
Books Mentioned in this Show:
Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey
The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth by John C. Maxwell
FOR MORE BOOKS: CarlaRaeArneson.com/resources
Click here for AUDIO BOOKS ON AMAZON
Podcasts Mentioned in this Show:
Shameless Mom Academy with Sara Dean
The School of Greatness with Lewis Howes
EOFire with John Lee Dumas
TV Shows Mentioned in this Show:
"Extreme Weight Loss" with Chris and Heidi Powell
"The Profit" with Marcus Lemonis
Other Links Mentioned in this Show:
Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode9
Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com
Full Transcript of this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/transcript9
Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson
Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae
Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life" (CarlaRaeArneson.com/freeguide)
Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com
Have you ever heard of Lewis Howes? The lifestyle entrepreneur and New York Times bestselling author? He recently published an amazing book called The School of Greatness: A Real-World Guide to Living Bigger, Loving Deeper, and Leaving a Legacy. I absolutely LOVE this book! So much so that you'll definitely hear me refer to it in future episodes.
Today I share with you one powerful exercise that Lewis mentions in his book. And it's actually an exercise that I've practiced many times this past year in my own life. It's called a Perfect Day Itinerary. Yes, it's exactly what the name says it is... it's making an itinerary for a perfect day. In this episode I explain exactly how this works and how to apply it to your life.
I have a free worksheet that you can download and fill out for this exercise. In the download I include an example of my Perfect Day Itinerary, so you can get a better idea of how to do it. Just go to CarlaRaeArneson.com/8download. You can also text the phrase PERFECTDAY to the number 44222.
If you let it, this exercise can be such a powerful tool to help you stay focused and manage your time to finally fulfill your dreams and reach your goals. Just give it try!
Links Mentioned in this Show:
Free Worksheet: "The Perfect Day Itinerary Worksheet" (CarlaRaeArneson.com/8download)
Or send a text to 44222 with the word PERFECTDAY
Lewis Howes: LewisHowes.com
His Bestselling Book: The School of Greatness
Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode8
Full Transcript of this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/transcript8
Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com
Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson
Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life" (CarlaRaeArneson.com/freeguide)
Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae