Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify.- Henry David Thoreau
With Thoreau’s words in mind Julie Cubino and Kevin Grosselfinger, owners of Harmony At Last, set about designing an application for the iPhone and iPod touch. The goal was to help people free themselves from being overworked, overburdened, and overtired and find energy, enthusiasm, and ease instead. We are excited to announce that this application finally launched!

The application has two main features.The first is inspiration and motivation in the areas of: productivity, time management, work/life balance, space organizing, success principles, and simplifying life. The second is the ability to define your personal “Simplify” goals and track progress along the way.

Simplify can be found on the Apple iTunes Store now for only 99¢. It’s in the lifestyle section. You’ll need either an iPhone or iPod touch to make use of the program. (Please note that the link found in this announcement requires that you have the itunes software installed on your computer.)

We’d like to extend special thanks to fellow WBON member, Michelle Hobbs, owner of Blue Sky Creative for the design of the amazing graphics used in this application.

It seems like I have a continuously streaming “to do” list.  One thing gets crossed off; four more get added.  It can be frustrating and deflating when you feel like so much has been done but your “to do” list is still a page long.  So, instead, try making an Accomplished List today.  Keep your “to do” list (I know the cross off can be quite gratifying), but write down each thing you complete on your Accomplished list.  I’d be willing to guess there will be more on your Accomplished List at the end of the day then there are mark offs on your “to do” list. 

A spider built a web outside my kitchen window last night.  This afternoon I watched with utter curiosity as a beetle made the mistake of flying into the web.  The spider sprang into action and furiously began working to wrap the beetle up.  I looked on in amazement, not at how quick and agile the spider was, but at the beetle.  He was squirming around, moving all of his legs, trying to flap his wings, making it as difficult as possible for the spider.  I kept thinking, does he know the spider is wrapping him up?  Does he know the spider will win?  The beetle did not seem to feel he had lost anything yet; he kept fighting. 

The beetle did eventually win, at least in my mind.  He fought so hard, the spider could not make the web strong enough, fast enough, and the beetle fell to the ground.  He scurried off as quickly as he could while trying to rub off the sticky web.  It really made me wonder how many times in life I have given up because of a presumed inferiority.  I like to think I am more like the beetle; a fighter.  However, I know there are times when all of us see something as too difficult and give up without a fight.  It’s a good thing that beetle did not share my misconceptions about the spider, he may have been dinner!

Well?  How did you do?  I hope I inspired you to take a look at your closet and create categories.  If so, at this very moment, you could go to your closet and tell me how many t-shirts you own.  That’s a great first step.  Now its time to purge.  Getting rid of clothes can be difficult for many people.  So create rules before you do so and stick to them.  If necessary, write them down and tape them to the mirror you are using… yes, you have to try them on! 

Rule #1
If it doesn’t fit, you don’t need it. 
Those are my skinny jeans, they will fit me again.” Maybe, but will you put your old jeans on or go buy new ones?  Hanging on to clothes that define who you were does not allow you to be comfortable with who you are.  This is where the trying on comes into play.  Try your clothes on to make the decision.  Do they make you feel good?  Are they comfortable?  If you answer “no” to these questions, don’t keep the clothes!

Rule #2
Haven’t worn it in X amount of months/years.  You will be the best judge for what a good amount of time is for this rule.  I like to go by seasons.  If I didn’t wear something at all the previous winter, I get rid of it. I probably have something I like a lot more if I went that long without wearing it. If you don’t wear it, it likely doesn’t fit, you don’t like the color, it’s out of style, or you forgot about it.  If you forgot about it, test it with rule one and three before keeping it.  If it is any other excuse, let it go. 

Rule #3
Just plain worn out.
I get it; it’s your favorite pair of slacks.  But, when the hem is fraying and there are snags throughout the fabric, it’s time to let them go.  Held together by staples, safety pins, glue… I’ve seen it all.  If your clothes are worn past fixing, and I mean by a seamstress, let them go!

Exception to the rule, your saving grace…
It’s true; some articles of clothing have sentimental value. Like your favorite pair of slacks.  Maybe they are your favorite because you were wearing them when you met your spouse.  If an article of clothing doesn’t pass the first three rules, it can be saved.  Use caution with your save though.  Make sure not to use the exception for everything.

Taking on your entire closet at one time can be daunting.  You can spread out the decision making by picking categories to go thru.  For instance, just go thru all your pants this week.  If that’s still too large a task, start with your jeans then do your slacks. 

Make sure you take your “give away pile” to a local shelter or charity once you have finished.  I find it is best to use boxes or black trash bags.  This lessens the urge to pull something out of the pile in a last minute change of heart.

Good luck!

It’s Spring and that means Spring cleaning for many of us.  I don’t know what it is about the warm weather that makes some of us want to reorganize and clean out dark closets.  However, if you are not one of these people, cleaning out a closet may be a task you have been avoiding for a long time… years possibly.  If the thought of going thru and getting rid of things in your closet is more than you can handle, start simple. 

Don’t worry about getting rid of things at first.  Simply start by gathering all of your pants in one place, then all your shirts, shorts, jackets… you get the idea.  You can go further by separating your pants by length, color, or both. The shirts as well; long sleeve, short sleeve, tank tops, etc.   Once you have done this, it will be easy to see how much you have of each thing.  You may realize you have more pair of jeans (t-shirts, capri pants, or tank tops) then you originally remembered.  If that is the case, ask yourself if you need all of them.  Be realistic.  One person does not need 32 pair of jeans!  We’ll talk more about the second step in the next blog.

Try the first step of separating and categorizing for starters.  See how far you get.