I am simply delighted to share Catherine Denton of Winged Writer with you today! Her beautiful artwork was featured in the Bliss Habits post How to Reclaim Your Moxie and when I mentioned that I was having a little celebration she generously jumped in offering a beautiful print (feast your eyes below) for a giveaway and writing an incredibly useful post on one of the trickiest habits.
First let’s hear her tips on order and then we’ll get to the giveaway! Take it away Catherine!
I’m not a naturally organized person at ALL. But I am a creature of habit, and over the years I’ve learned how to order my days with a few simple tricks.
1. Get motivated by something you love. I tried desperately get into a walking routine, but couldn’t stay in the habit. Then I set up my treadmill where I could see the television and decided that while I walked, and only then, could I watch Rachael Ray. That stuck. If I don’t walk, I don’t watch. I also hate getting up early but love reading many wonderful blogs. So I set aside time before my family wakes for blogging time. Because it’s something I love to do, I’m motivated to get out of bed early; and after having time to browse, it’s easier to stay focused elsewhere during the day.
2. Attach whatever needs to become a habit with something that’s already a habit. When my doctor started me on Thyroid medicine, I kept forgetting to take it. So I paired it with brushing my teeth. I always brush my teeth first thing in the morning because I can’t stand that yucky feeling in my mouth. I decided not to allow brushing until after I’d taken the pill. Taking my medicine quickly became a habit! Ha.
3. Use both hands. Keeping my bathroom clean has always been a struggle for me, but Flylady taught me to Windex the bathroom while getting ready in the morning. I decided to do it even faster by using both hands the entire time. For instance, while I’m brushing my teeth with one hand, I use the other to put things away from the counter.
4. Never leave a room empty-handed. My dad, who was a Time Studies Analyst, said the best time-saving tip is to never go through the house empty-handed. Pick up something to put away from the room you leave; then bring something back to put up when you return.
5. Turn up the music. This may sound silly and unrelated, but I’ve found it works miracles. When I have an upbeat song playing around me, I work much harder and get tasks finished in half the time. I love fun, motivating music and my kids do too!
These simple tips have made a huge impact on ordering my life and home. I hope they’re helpful to you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Catherine Denton is a writer, mixed-media artist and self-proclaimed “messy”. You can meet her at www.wingedwriter.blogspot.com where you’ll find inspiration for creative living; at www.artworkbycatherine.etsy.com where you can browse her whimsical paintings, or on twitter @CatherineDenton where she loves to chat.
Thank you so much for that Catherine! I love that habit pairing idea. I have vitamins I just never seem to take!! I’m also fascinated by your dad being a Time Studies Analyst. It immediately makes me think of Cheaper by the Dozen, in which the father of that story had his family go through a bunch of time management experiments!
Thank you too for generously jumping in to participate in the blogversary-apolooza!
Now on to your giveaway:
How to win “Love is Owl You Need“
1. In the comments below tell us what Order tip you are using or are going to try.
Bonus Entries:
2. In a separate comment tell Catherine why you’d like to win.
3. Stop by Catherine’s blog and leave a comment on Summer Manifesto, perhaps something you’d like on your own!.
4. Tweet the following:
I entered to win a gorgeous mixed media print by @CatherineDenton in @BlissHabits Blogversary #apolooza http://bit.ly/KTBrgO
Do all four and you have four chances to win!
Winner will be selected at random from all entries received by Saturday, June 2, 2012
We have a winner! Congratulations Amy!!
Check out the complete Blogversary-apolooza giveaway list and learn how you can double your chances!!
Good Luck!
How fun is this!!!! I really enjoyed reading Catherine’s rules of order. I especially connected with her first rule of order…getting motivated by something you love. I’ve been trying to do this for the past few years and it has really helped to bring not only more order but more joy to my life.
Why would I like to win this print? I simply ADORE owls – I really feel a special fondness for them and this art is just wonderfully HAPPY!
Thanks for your sweet words, Theresa. I love owls too!
Catherine Denton
What a fun blog Catherine has! I loved her summer manifesto – I have many of the same on my “inner manifesto!”
Just sent out a tweet!!!
Thanks so much for hosting this and letting me be a part of it! 😀
Catherine Denton
I do 4 out of 5 of these, I feel validated!
Oh yay! 😀
Very great blog Kathy, thanks for sharing about who you are. I’m an organized and a person of habit too. I don’t forget my daily routine and whenever i miss something for a day, i would always find a way to do it.
I love to learn from organized people like you! I’m not naturally that way, but I’m trying. 😀
I love Catherine and I love these tips. The idea of picking up something when you leave a room is pretty genius. I feel I’m always picking up after things. I already do the blaring music on a daily basis 🙂
I’d like to win because I’m in the process of re-doing my office and this would be perfect to go over my writing desk because I like colorful, inspiring things. 🙂
i’m gonna try to never leave a room empty handed! i actually love all those ideas!
i’d love to win a print of catherine’s because i LOVE and am inspired by them 🙂
left a comment on catherine’s blog!
I’m laughing, cause I do similar stuff, like number 3 & 4. I use both hands, like you while brushing, I arrange the bathroom counter. And I always walk around the house with stuff in my hands! Having the bedrooms upstairs really made it happen. I also try to pair things together to remember: vitamins, medicines are a part of nighttime routine in our house. We love cranking up the music while we’re cleaning up, makes it feel go faster!
This is a gorgeous print Catherine! Would love to win it and hang it in our living room. My daughter is a big Harry Potter fan, and she’d love to have owls around 🙂
I’ve been trying to get the whole family to do the ‘never leave empty handed’ for ages, but it never sinks in! All of these really strike a chord with me, esp the pairing habits and being motivated by something you love. I think I am going to work on those two as I look for more order.
I’d love to win because I adore the print, but also because seeing it would remind me of this post and of the 5 tips in it.
I think it’s a great idea to do two things at once. Wipe the mirror while brushing my teeth. I think I can do that! At least, I’m going to try! 🙂
Thanks for the fun giveaway. I just tweeted, too.
Amy
I would love to win this print because I am crazy about owls — and my daughter is too. She has a whole family of owl stuffed animals. If I win, I’ll put this up in her room next to her owl mobile. 🙂
I like the exercise idea – not allowed to watch a favorite show unless while exercising. That could be the treadmill in the exercise room, or even some simple crunches and calisthenics in front of the living room TV. Whatever works to get it done! Thanks for the ideas!
I love owls, and this print is beautiful! We have the music going right now to clean to, and I’m going to try using both hands to clean the bathroom. It’s a great idea. Thanks!
I really like the print and really hope I win! I want to win it because…I love owls, they seem magical to me…and I recently moved and have been looking for new nice things to decorate my walls.
I definitely do #4! I have a chronic illness & disabilities and that one rule alone makes a huge difference. I think I’m going to give #2 a try and put my vitamins (which I’m always forgetting) by the computer as a reminder.
Thanks for the tips Catherine!
#5 – Turn up the music!! I totally fall into an afternoon slump just after my boy gets home from school, and can’t seem to dredge up the energy to play! Also, must re-visit my flylady bathroom routine… THanks for the 5 short, easy tips.