PICK IT UP - Blog

Turn intention into reality in 2022

1/1/2022

Do you have a goal that you’d like to make a reality in 2022? Maybe you’d like to start a new business, prioritize your health, or clear clutter? Coaching can help — it gets you in touch with your intentions and helps create positive change through awareness and accountability. If you’re new to coaching, learn more here.

This January, you could be one of three people to enjoy the benefits of coaching for free! Enter for your chance to receive two 60-minute coaching sessions — just fill out this entry form by Monday, January 17. I’ll contact the finalists to set up a time to begin coaching.

This coaching offer is open to everyone — current clients, past clients, and those who are new to Pick It Up! Please note that these aren’t organizing sessions.

I am still offering in-person organizing for San Francisco residents and virtual organizing for clients near and far.

Wishing you a wonderful New Year!
Erin

Free Coaching Offer Submission Form

The 4 Stages of Competence

10/28/2021

Photo by Tim Arterbury on Unsplash.

The Four Stages of Competence

Have you ever developed mastery in a skill or subject and thought “Wow, I can't believe I can do this now”? Whether it’s learning French, martial arts, how to make pots or a new job skill, expertise is an amazing feeling. But how did you get there?

In a recent coaching class, I found out. The Four Stages of Competence is a concept developed by Noel Burch at Gordon Training International that’s been around since the ’70s and still rings true — we go through four stages to achieve mastery of a new skill. You may recognize them in your own experience, like I did.

Stage 1: Unconscious Incompetence (Ignorance)
With any new skill, we usually start in a place of unconscious incompetence. We have little to no knowledge about the skill and are also unconscious of our ignorance. Motto for this stage: You don't know what you don't know.

Stage 2: Conscious Incompetence (Awareness)
We now have some knowledge about our lack of skill. We are also conscious that there is much we need to learn before mastery is achieved.

Stage 3: Conscious Competence (Learning)
Through active learning, we now know how to do the desired skill but it requires practice and effort.

Stage 4: Unconscious Competence (Mastery)
In this stage, the skill is now easy for us to perform and can be done unconsciously and without much effort.

How does it work? Think about learning to drive. We start with having no idea of what’s involved. Then, we take driver's ed and see how much there is to learn. As student drivers, we can drive, but with great effort and attention. As adults, driving becomes second nature.

I relate to these four stages of learning in many areas of my life. I love to paint with watercolors, for example, but even after many years, I feel that I am solidly in Stage 2, Conscious Incompetence. I marvel at others’ ability to paint with beauty and ease.

How does this concept relate to organizing and the home? Suppose you want to organize your closet, where disorder is a long-standing challenge. The four stages could look like this:

Stage 1: You’re aware of the challenge, but not aware that new knowledge and skills may help to address it.

Stage 2: You start to understand that there's a knowledge gap and some learning could be helpful. This may come as an aha! moment where you think "No one ever taught me how to do that.”

Stage 3: You begin to use your new skills, perhaps letting go of clothing you no longer need, hanging items up, or realizing you need a new plan for your space.

Stage 4: Your new skill of keeping your closet organized has now become second nature. When things start to fall apart, you know what to do to get the space back in order.

Learning new skills and changing habits is a lifelong journey that may seem daunting at first, but even small changes can yield big results. The first step: Developing awareness of the knowledge gap.

That’s where I can help. Coaching and organizing can get you through all four stages, from creating awareness to creating habits that stick. If you’re looking to get started, I hope you’ll reach out!

The Local Flea - a great way to buy and sell

5/24/2021

Looking to spruce up your home with some new furniture? Take a look at The Local Flea. This local company helps people buy and sell easily. You can pick up a pair of accent chairs, a washing machine, or an exercise bike. You can also sell items in good condition that you no longer need. By the way, use the coupon code WELCOME25 at checkout and enjoy a 25% discount on everything in the store!

I used The Local Flea several months ago and found the selling process to be very simple and streamlined. The whole process was conducted via text! They have partnered with Remoov (a local donation and disposal service) so if you are looking to let go of something that they can't sell, Remoov can donate it. I feel that The Local Flea is best for larger objects and items in good condition. Stick to Goodwill for smaller stuff and Nextdoor for items that just need to be given away.

Spring Forward with Mini Virtual Organizing Sessions

3/22/2021

Image courtesy of Arno Smit at Unsplash.

Spring feels like a good time to tackle an organizing project, but facing that project alone can feel pretty overwhelming. Instead, let's face it together. Not feeling ready to have someone in your house yet? There is a solution! Virtual organizing.

What is virtual organizing you ask? These sessions are very similar to the traditional hands-on organizing I have offered for the last 10+ years. In these mini 1-hour sessions, we will meet via Zoom, set our goals for your space, and choose a limited area to dive into. To complete your project, we are working together on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. For local clients, I also offer donation pickup services.

For clients looking to take a deeper look at how their habits and perspectives play into their organizing, we can integrate coaching into our work together. For local clients, I also offer donation pickup services.

Let's face that project together and create new space in your home and life. Happy Spring!

The Things That Have Gotten Me Through

2/15/2021

A few things that have saved my sanity
over the last 11-months

If you were to have told me that this is what living through a pandemic looks like, I don't think I would have believed you. Nearly 11 months (and counting) at home? School and work via Zoom? Staying 6-feet apart at all times? These are things I could never have imagined a year ago, but here we are. Since it has been such a surreal experience, I feel compelled to share some of the things that have kept me sane over the past 11 months.

Booty-Kickin' Boot Camp
I never thought I was a "Bootcamp" kind of person, then lockdown started. Suddenly I was at home... all the time. There were no excuses not to work out. My dear friend Heidi introduced me to Lisa's Boot Camp and I have never looked back. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8:30 AM you can join her Bootcamp via Zoom, or watch the video on her Facebook page anytime. Lisa is easy-going and mixes it up in every class. They are hard, but I feel great at the end of class. Bootcamp is definitely a silver-lining of lockdown!

Lisa's Booty Kickin' Bootcamp - Zoom Link
Lisa's Booty Kickin' Bootcamp - Facebook live page

Funny Animal Videos
Most days my daughter and I have lunch together when she is on her lunch break from school. Inevitably, we watch silly animal videos together during that time. One of our favorites is this Squirrel Obstacle Coarse. Funny animal videos never fail to cheer us up!

Coach Training
In October I took the plunge and started a coaching program. I have been thinking about getting my coaching certification forever and it felt good to dive in! I am getting trained through The Coach Approach for Organizers, a program created by Delsow Brown.

It has been so rewarding and enlightening, I just can't say enough! I'll share more about coaching in the coming months as I progress in the program. It's been wonderful to have something to focus on that is NOT 1) the pandemic and 2) politics. Thank goodness for lifelong-learning!

Puzzles and Games
I don't know about you, but puzzles and games have become VERY important to our family in the last 11 months. Whether it's Quirkle, Blokus, Set, Dixit, Tsuro, Azul, or Laser Maze we have acquired (and mastered) many games this year! My daughter now beats me at Quirkle every time (rather depressing) but I still have a chance at Blokus.

Papermaking
At the start of quarantine, my daughter and I started making handmade paper. I love all things paper and have made paper in the past so it seemed like a fun thing to try again. At some point, we had so much paper we decided to put it on Etsy. The result has been so fun and surprising! As we have come up with more paper ideas our shop has expanded. I find having a handmade craft you can go to regularly is such a nice remedy for all the time spent on the screen. You can visit our Etsy paper shop here.

What's gotten you through the last year? I would love to know!

Translating ADHD

2/9/2021

I love podcasts. Whether it's Unlocking Us, The History Chicks, or Pod Save America, you will often find me with earbuds in and a podcast playing.

I recently started listening to the podcast Translating ADHD. From the few episodes I have listed to, it's an insightful show for those living with ADHD, suspect they have ADHD and even those with no brain-based differences.

Cameron Gott, one of the hosts, also co-created the coaching program I am currently enrolled in so I was curious to listen to his podcast. I recently listened to the one about Imposter Syndrome... so good! They discuss how imposter syndrome comes up in our lives as a story we tell ourselves, despite evidence to the contrary.

Many of my organizing clients have told me that they have or suspect they have ADHD. This can definitely impact their home and lives. What I like about this podcast is that both hosts (who also have ADHD) encourage listeners to accept their brain-based difference and see them as both a positive and a negative to their life. It's both. It's not always easy, but in the end, it adds up to who you are and contributes to your unique perspective.

Embracing our brain-based differences and educating ourselves about them can lead us to answers in our life that only we can come up with. Give Translating ADHD a listen and let me know what you think!

Changing Your Brain with the 5 Second Rule

1/25/2021

I recently learned about the 5 Second Rule. Have you heard of this one? No, it doesn't involve dropped food. It's a concept created by motivational speaker Mel Robbins that states "if you have an instinct to act on a goal, you must physically move within 5 seconds or your brain will kill it."

Robbins says "If you do not take action on your instinct to change, you will stay stagnant. You will not change." Of course, we know this is true, but how do we get ourselves to act?

As Robbins explains, research shows that 40% of our day is spent on repetitive behaviors. We're on autopilot and our actions are based on habit. Some of these habits are helpful (brushing your teeth) some not so helpful (scrolling through Facebook). When our day is full of unhealthy habits or habits we are not actively choosing, life can start to feel out of control.

Robbins says "by taking actions that make you feel in control of your life, your life will literally begin to change in every single way. As you use the Rule, you cultivate what researchers call an “internal locus of control,” which means that you believe you have control over your outcomes and future success. "

I decided to start using the 5 Second Rule. When it occurred to me to reach out to an old friend, instead of letting the thought evaporate, I sent her a quick email. When I thought about fixing something that was broken, I got up and put it down on my to-do list. When I considered going to virtual boot camp, I opened up my dresser drawer and started putting on my workout clothes. I had to admit, it seemed to be working.

As the last year has taught us, much of life is out of our control. But our own behaviors and reactions to life need not be. When we act on our good instincts, we build our belief in our ability to create change in our life. This creates a positive feedback loop. Our positive actions lead to a greater belief in ourselves which leads to more positive actions.

So, the next time you have a thought about a positive action in your life, physically act on it within 5 seconds. Give it a try and let me know how it goes! You can read more about Mel Robbins and the 5 Second Rule at melrobbins.com.

Tackle Your Paper Pile in Minutes a Day

10/2/2020

For many people, the constant onslaught of paper is a challenge that never seems to end. I often hear:

"What should I do with this?"
"I have a file cabinet, but I have no idea what's in there."
"Do really I need this?"

The answer, of course, depends on the paper and the person. I have found the trick to managing household papers is to have a system in place that reliably catches all that paper and helps you decide what to do with each item. Think of this as your paper flow.

In the Pick It Up Quick-Guide to Paper Flow, I discuss the three steps to creating an effective paper flow. Papers should land in the same location each day. They should be processed with regularity, and a system is needed for both short and long-term retention. For additional tips on creating your flow, subscribe to the Create Your Home quarterly newsletter and get the Quick-Guide to Paper Flow as a free download.

An area where many people get hung up is reference files. Most of us have a filing cabinet, but for many people, it is full of old files and is often in an inaccessible location. By following the below steps, you can bring your filing cabinet back to life!

1) PURGE. Dust off that cabinet and purge it like crazy! The older the files, the greater the chance they can be tossed or shredded. Ask yourself if you really need the papers for reference? Are these documents accessible online? Tax documents only need to be kept for seven years. Ask your CPA if you have any specific tax-related questions or check out the IRS retention guidelines. Always shred any documents with personal information like your social security number or account numbers.

2) STRUCTURE. Now that your file cabinet has been whittled down to current files, start giving it some structure. Do your remaining files fall into natural categories? Common categories would be Auto, Finances, Home, and Health. Create a broad category and nest appropriate files under this heading. Here is an example:

AUTO (the broad category)
Auto Insurance
DMV Registration
Maintenance

I find it is visually helpful to keep the broad category tab on the far left and the sub-folder tabs to the right. If you like to alphabetize, go for it!

3) MAINTAIN. Now that you have an easy-to-use filing system all you have to do is maintain it. Easier said than done, I know! File your papers right away, to avoid a huge pile of documents that need to be filed. Purge your filing cabinet a few times a year to keep it current.

Filing may seem tedious, but with a little time and work, it can become a routine that helps keep your life running smoothly. If you're looking for help with your paper pile, schedule a free virtual assessment. PICK IT UP works virtually with clients nationwide!

Back to school... kind of

9/15/2020

Another Fall and the kids back to school... kind of. This has not been a typical year and is not a typical "back to school" season. There is no denying it can be tough with everyone Zooming in their own room, be it for school or work!

I love the above image because it's how I feel several times a week. With everyone home, getting the house under control right now can feel like a monumental task! Take a few minutes to congratulate yourself on small victories, even if it is just organizing a drawer.

It does seem that all this time at home has made people really want to invest in their homes, which is a wonderful silver lining of all of this. I see lots of houses getting painted and back yards getting spruced-up. Places like Goodwill are also overwhelmed with donations as people simplify their lives and learn how good it feels to live with less.

Take care and stay well,

Virtual Mini-Sessions

Over the past six months my business, like many others, has changed in significant ways. The biggest change is that I am now offering virtual organizing services. In these mini 1-2 hour organizing, coaching, or planning sessions, we meet via Zoom and choose a limited area to dive into. Whether it's planning for a move, strategizing how to tackle a larger project, or purging your closet, you are doing the hands-on work and I am coaching you through it. After the session, I do offer contactless donation pickup for SF residents. Simply place the items outside at the appointed time and watch them disappear!

To find out if virtual organizing is for you, take a look at my website. Of course, you can always call or email me with questions or book a free assessment or virtual session.

I am happy to announce that PICK IT UP has been a certified California green business for over 5 years! Being a green business is important to me because it shows my community and clients that I care about sustainability. In the context of being an organizer, this means:

Donating usable items rather than sending them to the landfill
Working with an extensive list of donation organizations including Goodwill, SCRAP, Building Resources, and others
Teaching clients the safest way to dispose of hazardous items and e-waste
Encouraging clients to purchase sustainable organizing supplies made of fabric or bamboo rather than plastic

There are so many ways to go green with our everyday choices, and they all add up! If you want to support other green businesses you can find them in the CA Green Business N etwork.

Checking-in, Virtual Organizing, and a Cute Bunny

5/5/2020

Clockwise from top left: one of our many puzzles, Buttercup, bike rides, and a Zoom party!

What a time we are living in. I hope this post finds you well as we shelter-in-place. I also hope you are finding some silver linings in all of this. For me, they are puzzles, lots of bunny time, zoom birthday parties, and bike rides.

Spending so much time at home can be challenging, but maybe we can use this time in positive ways. It could be as simple as clearing out a drawer or dusting off your art supplies. Action always feels good, even if it's confined to our home!

I wanted to let you know that I have started offering Virtual Organizing Services. In these mini 1-hour sessions, we meet via Zoom and choose a limited area to dive into. You are doing the hands-on work and I coach you through it. When donation organizations are open again, I will pick up all donatable items (for SF residents) at no charge. Learn more about Virtual Organizing or book a session here. Of course, you can always call or email me with questions.

Wishing you lots of silver linings,
Erin

Author

Erin Becker is the owner of PICK IT UP, a
San Francisco-based home organizing service.

At PICK IT UP design and organizing come together beautifully.

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