[PODCAST 258]: Unlock the Fun of Organization by Getting Creative

Learn | Do | Become

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Sometimes when we think about “getting organized” and “being productive,” we imagine perfect closets and pantries–and projects that could very well be featured in magazines.

But when our efforts don’t turn out as we imagined, it’s common to get down on ourselves, right?

I’ve fallen into this trap, as well, but I’ve come to believe that the real joy of organization isn’t perfection. It’s creativity…. Creativity AS we organize, and creativity with the free time we’ll have once we ARE organized.

We’ve received some fun updates from our community members lately–like this homemade planner, these cubbies made from cereal boxes, this lovely homemade dress, and this awesome summer plan for a busy household of children.

HinesFam.CerealBoxCubbies02.LearnDoBecome

So today I’m sharing four ways to enhance our creativity–inspired by our amazing community members here at LearnDoBecome! By the end, you will hopefully have all kinds of ideas on how you can unlock YOUR creativity–and you’ll feel that joy that comes along with it!

As a quick back story, I wasn’t okay with imperfection as a child, and it really stifled my creativity.

In second grade, I kept “Sammy the Seal,” a clay figurine that went with a story I’d written) in the back of my desk and pretended I hadn’t done my assignment.

In fifth grade, I threw a talk I’d prepared for a public speaking assignment in the trash and pretended I hadn’t written it.

And even through high school, I would give up on piano pieces that were too hard for me–even if consistent practice would have yielded better results.

I didn’t like being “bad” at something.

Today, however, I make all kinds of mistakes, but I don’t feel embarrassed about them. The community here at LearnDoBecome inspires me, and here are four concepts that were a huge help:

(1) Prioritize Function Over Fancy

Several of our STEPpers have created support cubbies for their Command Centrals out of cereal boxes. Not only is this a great way to reuse materials on hand, but it also helps them figure out whether or not they would like to invest in more permanent supplies for their STEP System setup. I absolutely LOVE seeing these homemade components of the Command Central!

This idea of function over fancy is something that we now now emphasize over and over right at the beginning of our STEP program.

It has made a huge impact on the number of people who actually complete the program.

It reduces the commitment. There’s no worry that you’ll waste money on supplies you’ll never use. Use the supplies you have on hand and to start with–you can always change things from there!

(2) Find “the Hole in the Bookshelf”

We all want to live a life of purpose, and I loved this concept of finding the “hole in the bookshelf.” I learned about this in a creative writing class I took in college. My professor asked us to consider what we could write/create that didn’t already exist. Or if it did already exist in some form, what could we do to create something that was unique to us and the way we approached a certain topic/idea?

Here are a few examples of this kind of creativity in action:

Brenda (one of our STEPpers) created her very own planner after she wasn’t able to find what she was looking for in stores.

I found a great creator on the internet called Broccoli Mom, and she shares fun and easy recipes that don’t have to be perfect. She has helped me find SO many great recipes that are healthy and fun!

At the end of the day, everything you love was started by someone…

LearnDoBecome, for example, was something that Eric and I created out of a love for the topics we focus on, as well as not being able to find this same kind of content on the internet already.

Other examples include nonprofit organizations, book clubs, and businesses. Each individual behind one of these groups had a vision or idea that they were excited to make a reality!

When you create your Current Projects List each month–or perhaps when you’re mapping out your annual goals, it’s a great time to ask, “Where is the hole in the bookshelf that I can uniquely fill?”

(3) Focus On the Joy of Making Something with Your Own Two Hands

When our team saw the picture of Marina’s dress that she created and wore to an event (pictured above), we were so thrilled to see that she was able to use her creativity in tandem with projects that were important to her!

I joined a painting group started by my friend, Jen, and I was able to use her instruction videos to complete my very first painting! I was a little nervous to work on something like this, but every time I see the completed painting, it makes me so happy!

I have a sister who has such an eye for photography. She finds the most amazing scenes in nature and frequently shares her pictures of the moon and other beautiful spots in her area. I love seeing how she is able to capture the world around her and share the beauty with all of us!

We received this amazing testimonial from Karen about how STEP allowed her and her husband to invite people over to pursue their creative interests:

Online, it’s become so much easier to watch people make things than to make them ourselves.

I read a book recently that really stood out to me called How to Live on 24 Hours a Day. It’s so good and references how we often work and then get tired and spend the rest of the evening watching TV. (And in many cases, I would say “scrolling our phones.”) Instead, he shares some great ideas for replenishing by creating. (Piano, art, etc.)

When we’re in the driver’s seat of our own lives and when we remove the clutter, we have more energy to build in more fun and creativity.

Something pretty magical happens when we create something on our own!

(4) Spread the Love

There are a lot of ways to create connection and spread your influence.

Natalie recently shared how she created summer activities and a plan for all of her children. We loved seeing how she was able to create a great system that worked for all of them!

That’s why I love having a website, youtube, podcasts. It would otherwise just be me sitting here giddy with my Command Central. But now we’re all here together having a great time!

Organization isn’t about controlling your family or being admired or winning the award for the best living room.

I believe it’s about unlocking our creativity.

Sometimes creatives come to me and say, “I can’t stick to a system because I like to fly by the seat of my pants.”

But I think you can fly WAY better by the seat of your pants when you have a solid system keeping everything going while you’re away.

My hope is that we can continue to create a culture that is more about joy and creation–and less about internal angst and feeling like we need to conform to the way “everyone else” says is perfect.

Great things are in store for you, and I am so grateful you are here!