Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Organized Coach - Productivity, Business Systems, Time Management, ADHD, Routines, Life Coach, Entrepreneur

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"I know what to do. Why can’t I make myself do it?”

Have you ever said that while looking at a cluttered counter, an overflowing closet, or a room you keep avoiding?

In this episode of The Organized Coach Podcast, we’re getting curious about what happens between wanting to organize and actually starting. I’ll walk you through how to turn a project you’ve been putting off into a small, specific appointment you can follow through on.

You’ll learn how to give yourself a clear starting point, connect your task to something you want, and notice the evidence that you’re becoming someone who can create order.

In this episode, we’ll explore:

• What to ask yourself when you think, “I just can’t make myself do it.”

• The difference between an organizing intention and a calendar appointment.

• Why “organize the basement” can leave you feeling stuck.

• How to choose a small task with a clear finish line.

• What to do when your appointment arrives and you still don’t feel motivated.

• How completed tasks help you practice believing, “I’m learning how to create order.”

Try this this week

Choose one organizing project you’ve been avoiding. Define one small task, put it on your calendar, and write down why it matters to you. Afterward, pause and give yourself credit for what you completed.

5 Days of Organizing Deals | November 23–27, 2026

Want support with the thoughts, emotions, and decisions that keep you stuck? One of my upcoming offers is The Decluttering Mindset Bundle, featuring ten hand-picked classes from industry experts with specific actions to help you understand and shift your mindset so you can create order anytime you want. 

The full preview arrives November 18. If you’re already on my email list, you’ll receive the details. If you’re not, sign up for organizing deal notifications here.

Happy Organizing! Tracy

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/193

Have you ever walked into someone's home and thought, "I LOVE how this feels!" but had no idea how to create that same feeling in your own space?

You might know how to declutter and organize your home, but decorating it? That's a whole different skill!

In this episode of The Organized Coach Podcast, I'm joined by Dani Watson, host of the Fig & Farm at Home podcast, to talk about what comes after organizing: creating a beautiful, cohesive home that reflects your personality, tells your story, and supports the life you want to live.

The timing of this conversation couldn't have been better! I'm in the middle of transforming our former living room into a dining room where we can comfortably gather 12 people around the table. I've sold furniture we've had for 31 years, purchased a new dining table, and started making decorating decisions that are completely outside my comfort zone.

Dani helps me work through those decisions in real time, and I discover just how much decorating and organizing have in common.

• Why organizing and decluttering are the foundation of a beautifully decorated home.

• How to discover your personal decorating aesthetic, even if you think you don't have a style.

• Simple ways to create a cohesive look throughout your home without everything matching.

• How to use your vision, personal aesthetic, and desired feeling to make confident decorating decisions.

• Why meaningful decor doesn't have to be inherited or expensive to tell your story.

• What slow curating means and why you don't need to decorate an entire room in one weekend.

• How to decide whether something truly belongs in your home.

One of my favorite takeaways is that creating a beautiful home isn't about copying a Pinterest picture or filling every empty space. It's about understanding what you love, being intentional about what you bring into your home, and creating spaces that feel like YOU.

Whether you're starting fresh in a room, updating a space you've lived in for decades, or simply wanting to love your home a little more, this conversation will inspire you to look at your surroundings differently.

Dani helps women confidently decorate their homes by teaching practical design principles and helping them discover their unique personal aesthetic.

Podcast: Fig & Farm at Home

Website: figandfarmathome.com

Get the 15-Minute Declutter Challenge: https://simplysquaredaway.com/declutter

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/192

What if you could feel just as confident about getting organized as you do about arriving at a destination on a road trip?

After traveling to Wyoming for my nephew's wedding, I started thinking about how differently we approach organizing our homes. When we plan a trip, we choose a destination, decide when we're leaving, and make a plan to get there. We expect to arrive, even if we hit traffic, take a wrong turn, or need to stop along the way.

But when it comes to organizing, we often question whether we'll ever get there.

In this episode of The Organized Coach Podcast, I'm sharing how to approach organizing as a project instead of a never-ending chore. We'll talk about creating a clear destination, breaking your project into manageable steps, and using 15-minute organizing sessions to make meaningful progress.

You'll also discover why obstacles don't mean you're failing, how organizing is a skill you can learn, and what changes when you start believing that getting organized is inevitable.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why organizing works better when you have a destination and a plan.

• How to approach organizing your home as a project with a beginning and an end.

• Why 15-minute organizing sessions are more effective when they're part of a bigger plan.

• What road trips can teach us about setbacks, distractions, and unexpected obstacles.

• Why organizing is a learnable skill, just like driving.

• How to stop questioning your progress and start trusting the process.

• What it means to believe that getting organized is inevitable.

Your next step:

Choose one area of your home that you want to organize. Decide what you want the finished result to look like, break the project into smaller steps, and schedule your first 15-minute session.

You don't have to finish everything today. You just need to know where you're going and keep moving toward it.

Remember: Not being there yet doesn't mean you're not getting there.

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/191

You know you need help in your business, but hiring someone can feel like a big—and expensive—next step. What if an intern could be the perfect solution?

In this episode, I’m talking with Brittany Braswell about how entrepreneurs can use interns to delegate repeatable tasks, free up their time, and even get their businesses more organized in the process.

Brittany shares how to decide what an intern could take off your plate, where to find interns, paid versus unpaid internships, creative ways to compensate them, and how to make training simpler than you might think. We also get into the practical questions that can make delegation feel overwhelming: passwords, logins, access, SOPs, and whether you need to have everything perfectly organized before you begin.

If you’ve been thinking, “I need help, but I’m not ready to hire,” this episode may give you an entirely new option.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to identify tasks you could delegate to an intern
• What interns can actually do in an online business
• Paid vs. unpaid internships and ways to compensate interns
• How to train an intern without creating a mountain of SOPs first
• Ways to handle passwords, logins, and access
• Where Brittany recommends looking for interns
• How bringing in help can actually force you to create better systems and processes
• Why an internship can be a great first step toward building a team

Connect with Brittany:

Delegation Decoder: brittanybraswellrd.com/delegate

The Intern Accelerator: brittanybraswell.com/tia

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/190

Does your brain ever feel like it’s holding 100 things at once? Things you need to do, remember, buy, schedule, decide, or tell someone about? None of them may be a big deal on their own, but together, they can make life feel chaotic.

In this episode, I’m sharing three simple systems that can instantly reduce some of that chaos without a fancy planner, complicated app, or elaborate productivity system.

The first is a capture system. Instead of expecting your brain to remember every idea, task, appointment, and random thought that pops up, you need one trusted place to put it. I’m sharing the simple system I just started using with Siri and an Apple Reminders list called “Capture,” plus how I’m exploring using AI to help process everything I capture.

The second system starts with a completely different way of looking at overwhelm: overwhelm is an organizing signal. Instead of letting “I don’t know where to start” stop you, you can use the same organizing skills you’d use on a cluttered closet to organize a project, your calendar, a decision, or everything swirling around in your head.

Finally, we’ll talk about reset systems. Your home doesn’t stay organized because you organize it once. Life happens. Things come out, mail comes in, dishes get used, and clutter starts accumulating again. A simple reset gives you a way to return a high-chaos area to baseline before the mess compounds.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why your brain shouldn’t be your storage system

• How to create one simple place to capture tasks, ideas, and things you need to remember

• The Siri capture system I’m testing in my own life

• How AI can help you process mental clutter instead of adding more complexity

• Why overwhelm can become your cue to organize instead of your cue to shut down

• How to “declutter” a project, decision, calendar, or overwhelming situation

• How to identify the places where chaos repeatedly builds in your life

• Why a reset doesn’t mean cleaning your entire house

• How to create a tiny reset you’ll actually use

The three systems are simple: Capture. Clear. Reset.

Being organized doesn’t mean eliminating chaos from your life. It means knowing how to create order when and where you need it.

Start with one system. Make it easy enough that you’ll actually use it. Then notice how much lighter life feels when your brain no longer has to hold everything at once.

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/189

What do you really want? And what if you’re not even sure how to answer that question?

In this episode, I’m talking with money manifestation coach Jamie Berman about what manifestation actually means and how it can help us create more of what we want from abundance in our businesses and lives to becoming a more organized version of ourselves.

Jamie shares how she went from being terrified of being seen and speaking in front of people to building a successful coaching business, and why learning to trust herself played such a big role in that transformation. We also talk about her decision to walk away from a successful niche when it no longer felt like the work she wanted to do.

We get into manifestation from a faith perspective, including Jamie’s belief that it can be about partnering with God rather than trying to control everything ourselves. She explains why getting clear on what you want matters, how visualization and vision boards can help, and why taking action and surrendering the outcome can exist together.

We also talk about what happens when you’re genuinely content with your life and don’t know what you want next. Jamie shares some really good questions for uncovering desires that have nothing to do with getting a bigger house, a nicer car, or more stuff.

And, of course, I ask her how all of this applies to getting organized. If you’ve spent years believing, “I’m just not an organized person,” what would happen if you started seeing yourself as someone who could become organized and began practicing being her?

In this episode, we talk about:

• What manifestation actually means and how Jamie approaches it through faith
• Getting clear on what you really want
• Being content with your life while still allowing yourself to desire more
• Using vision boards, visualization, journaling, and other practices
• How your beliefs and identity influence what you create
• Becoming the person you want to be before you fully believe you’re her
• Taking action without needing to know exactly how everything will happen
• Trusting yourself when you feel called to make a change
• Surrendering the outcome instead of trying to control it

If you’ve been thinking about what you want in this next season or wondering whether you’re even allowed to want something more when your life is already good, I think you’ll love this conversation.

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/188

You’ve decluttered. You’ve created systems. You actually know how to organize. So why can one pile of papers on the counter make you feel like you’re a complete mess?

There’s a big difference between being disorganized and feeling disorganized. And what’s happening around you doesn’t have to become evidence of who you are.

In this episode, I share a recent coaching example of a client who came to our call feeling like a “hot mess,” even though she’s actually very organized. What she really had were open loops. Once we identified what needed to happen and when she was going to do it, nothing had actually been completed—but she felt completely different.

That’s because feeling organized isn’t about the absence of disorder. It’s about your relationship to the disorder that’s currently there.

We’ll talk about why “I’m a mess” feels so different from “These papers need decisions,” how our old 10-second scripts become well-worn paths in our brains, and why getting rid of more stuff may never make you feel organized if your definition of organized is “nothing left to organize.”

You’ll also hear two simple analogies—being a good cook and rerouting while driving—that will help you rethink what it actually means to be organized.

An organized person is someone who knows how to create order when and where she needs it.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why feeling disorganized is different from being disorganized
• How open loops contribute to overwhelm
• Why a pile of papers doesn’t determine whether you’re organized
• How to replace judgment with thoughts that point you toward action
• Why your definition of “organized” may be impossible to achieve
• Why getting rid of more stuff won’t necessarily make you feel organized
• How to start collecting evidence that you already know how to create order
• Why getting back on track is evidence that you’re organized—not evidence that you failed

Instead of asking, “What still needs to be organized?” start noticing where you already demonstrate the skill of creating order.

You may already possess the skill you’ve been waiting for your house to prove you have.

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/187

Decluttering is NOT about the stuff.

In this episode, I’m talking with professional organizer and Declutter Hub cofounder Lesley Spellman about what’s really happening underneath our clutter. We explore the emotions that can make letting go difficult, including guilt, aspiration, and the stories we attach to our belongings.

Lesley shares three key ingredients for decluttering success: kindness toward yourself, having a meaningful goal for your home, and being realistic about your space, energy, and season of life. We also talk about why starting somewhere easier can help you build your “decluttering muscle” before tackling the sentimental stuff.

Plus, we take a peek behind the scenes of The Declutter Hub to hear how Lesley and Ingrid organize their own business using Asana, SOPs, and simple systems that have evolved over time.

If you’ve ever wondered why you know you want to declutter but still have such a hard time letting things go, this conversation will help you understand what may really be keeping you stuck.

All links mentioned in the post can be found at: https://simplysquaredaway.com/186

Learn more and join us at the ELEVATE retreat on 10/17/26: https://simplysquaredaway.com/elevate

What’s keeping you from getting organized?

You may think you need more time, better systems, or more motivation. But often, there are two gaps between where you are now and where you want to be: a skill gap and a mindset gap.

In this episode, I break down both and show you how the SPACE Method helps you practice the skills of organizing, while your thoughts, beliefs, and identity can either move you forward or keep you stuck.

I also share a lesson I learned while cross-stitching a Christmas stocking and why organizing isn’t just about reaching the finished result. It’s about who you become in the process.

Plus, you’ll learn how to start building a “bank of evidence” with every small win so you can prove to yourself that becoming an organized person really is possible for you.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The two gaps that may be keeping you from getting organized
• Why organizing is a skill you can learn and practice
• How perfectionism and your thoughts can keep you stuck
• Why becoming organized is about more than your stuff
• How to build a bank of evidence that you ARE becoming an organized person

If Point B is an organized home and a more organized you, you don’t have to wait until you arrive to feel successful. Start noticing the evidence that you’re already on your way and build your bank of evidence!

Learn more and register for ELEVATE: https://simplysquaredaway.com/elevate

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/185

Have you ever thought, “I KNOW what to do. Why am I not doing it?”

Maybe you know you need to organize your office, clean up your files, work on your business, or take better care of yourself. But knowing and doing are two very different things.

In this episode, I’m talking with Samantha Hawley, host of the Beyond Awareness podcast, about what’s really happening when we know what to do but still aren’t doing it.

Samantha shares how our beliefs can keep us stuck and why more discipline isn’t always the answer. We also talk about journaling, all-or-nothing thinking, and her five prompts for moving from awareness to action.

You’ll learn:

• Why knowing what to do isn’t enough
• What your procrastination might be protecting you from
• How all-or-nothing thinking keeps you stuck
• Samantha’s five prompts: Awareness, Meaning, Curiosity, Clarity, and Action
• Why doing a little bit still counts
• How journaling can help you uncover what’s really going on

Get Samantha's free "Calm Mind Blueprint" here: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/calm-mind

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/184

Click here to learn more and join us at Elevete: The Retreat,  October 17, 2026, in Lynchburg, VA.

What do you want next?

Maybe you have a big dream you’ve been thinking about for years. Maybe there’s one area of your life you know you want to change. Or maybe you’re in a season where you honestly have no idea what you want next.

In this episode, I’m joined by two of my best friends, Laurie Shopland and Kristin Dabney, for a conversation about dreams, goals, trusting yourself, and what it actually takes to create something you want in your life.

And we have a BIG announcement!

We’re hosting ELEVATE, a one-day retreat for women on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Kristin’s beautiful lake home in Lynchburg, Virginia.

There are only 20 spots, and registration is now open.

Get all the details and register here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/elevate

The three of us met during our coach certification and have been meeting together regularly since 2018. We’ve walked through business growth, personal challenges, big decisions, changing seasons, and a lot of dreams together.

One of those early dreams was building a $100K business. At the time, it felt almost impossible. Today, all three of us have crossed that line, and we talk about what surprised us about reaching that goal, including why achieving the goal doesn’t necessarily create the feeling you thought it would.

We also talk about another dream we’ve had for years: hosting a retreat together.

This year, we finally stopped talking about it and put a date on the calendar.

But as our conversation unfolds, we realize that “dream” might not even be the right word for what we’re talking about.

Elevating your life doesn’t have to mean climbing Mount Everest, building a six-figure business, giving a TEDx talk, or making some enormous life change.

It might mean having a conversation you’ve been avoiding.

It might mean changing careers, asking for a raise, focusing on your health, improving a relationship, starting a business, organizing your kitchen, or finally giving yourself space to figure out what you want.

And sometimes the first step is simply trusting that the thing that keeps coming up in your heart is worth paying attention to.

• What we remember about dreaming of becoming $100K business owners
• Why reaching a goal doesn’t automatically make you feel the way you expected
• What we’ve learned about pursuing goals without all the hustle
• Why some dreams stay with you even when the timing isn’t right
• What finally moved our retreat from “someday” to an actual date on the calendar
• Why your dream doesn’t have to be big to matter
• How to trust yourself when something keeps nudging you
• What to do when you don’t know what you want
• The value of getting out of your normal environment and giving yourself space to think
• Why community and coaching can help you see possibilities you can’t always see on your own
• Everything we’re planning for ELEVATE!

ELEVATE is a one-day experience designed to give you the space to step back, look at your life, and decide what you want to elevate next.

You’ll complete a life reflection, choose the ONE area that would make the biggest difference in your life right now, receive coaching and support, and leave with a framework and plan you can use again and again.

You’ll also have time to reflect, walk by the lake, journal, connect with other women, enjoy beautiful food and surroundings, and let someone else take care of YOU for the day.

ELEVATE Saturday, October 17, 2026 9:30 AM–4:00 PM ET Lynchburg, Virginia $297 Only 20 women (now only 18; 2 spots sold immediately, and the others will go fast!)

Registration closes October 5 or when all 20 spots are filled.

Register at simplysquaredaway.com/elevate

You don’t need a big dream to come.

You might come because you already know exactly what you want to elevate.

You might come because something in your life feels unsettled and you need space to think.

You might come because you’re ready for connection, coaching, inspiration, or simply a beautiful day away.

And you might come because you have absolutely no idea what you want next.

You don’t have to have a dream to come to ELEVATE. You might come to discover one.

Find all the links and info mentioned in this podcast at https://simplysquaredaway.com/183.

Ready to live an organized life? Book a consult with me here.

What if the biggest difference between you and an organized woman isn’t how much stuff she owns or how naturally organized she is?

What if she simply believes being organized is possible for her?

In this episode, I’m sharing the secret I think organized women know about decluttering and why that belief changes everything about the way you approach your stuff.

When you doubt that you’ll ever really be organized, every unfinished project, difficult decision, or cluttered room can become more evidence that you’re “just not an organized person.” You start, stop, question yourself, get overwhelmed, and eventually give up.

But organization is a skill you can learn and practice. You don’t have to organize your whole house to be organized. Every time you make a decision, declutter for 15 minutes, assign something a home, reset a space, or resume after stopping, you’re practicing being an organized person.

We’ll also talk about another powerful shift: decluttering from your life forward instead of from your stuff backward.

Instead of picking up an item and asking, “Should I get rid of this?” try getting clear about the life you want to live, the season you’re in, and who you’re becoming. Then ask, “Does this deserve space in that life?”

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why believing organization is possible for you matters
• How decluttering actually helps you become more organized
• Why decluttering is really a decision-making practice
• How fear, scarcity, memories, and regret make decisions harder
• Why your current season of life can help you decide what stays
• How your future identity can become a decluttering filter
• The difference between stuff that supports your identity and stuff that simply proves your identity
• Why you don’t have to finish an entire project for your organizing efforts to count
• How to use 15 minutes to get clear on what you want your home and life to support

I also share the story of my client Cheryl, who had to declutter to move into her dream retirement home. The payoff wasn’t simply having less stuff. It was having a home she loves, a guest room her grandkids can actually use, and the freedom to enjoy this season of her life.

As you listen, consider these questions:

What am I making room for?

Who am I choosing to be in this season?

Does this support the life I want to live?

You don’t need to wait until your whole house is organized to become an organized person.

You become her while you practice.

One decision, one space, and one 15-minute session at a time. Get the 15-Minute Declutter Challenge here.

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/182

What if decluttering didn’t start with deciding what to get rid of?

What if, instead, you could simply experience your home with less stuff and THEN decide what deserves to come back?

In this episode, I’m talking with Myquillyn Smith, also known as The Nester, about her new book, House Hushing, and I absolutely love her approach to creating a peaceful home without feeling like you have to become a hardcore minimalist.

Myquillyn describes all the things in our homes as having a little “voice.” Over time, those voices add up. The books, plants, projects, pillows, dog toys, decor, papers, and all the other stuff sitting around can turn what was once a lovely melody into a visual roar.

And sometimes you don’t even realize how loud it has gotten until you experience your space without it.

That’s where House Hushing comes in.

Myquillyn walks us through her brilliant concept of “backwards decluttering.” Instead of picking up every single item and immediately deciding whether to keep it, donate it, move it, or throw it away, you temporarily remove all the visible surface items from a room. Then you live with the quieter space for 24 to 48 hours before intentionally choosing what comes back.

No giant pile of permanent decisions required.

We also talk about cozy minimalism and the idea that you don’t have to choose between a peaceful home and a home that feels warm, beautiful, and full of personality.

If traditional decluttering has felt overwhelming, or you’re craving a home that feels a little calmer, you’re going to want to try this.

What You’ll Learn:

• What House Hushing is and how it turns down the “visual volume” in your home
• Why Myquillyn considers herself a cozy minimalist and what that actually means
• How to use "backwards decluttering" when you’re overwhelmed by making decisions
• Why temporarily removing things can help you experience your home completely differently
• How to experiment with less before deciding what to permanently let go of
• How to become protective of the peace you create in your home

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/181

Have you ever wondered if ADHD could explain more than you think? Maybe you've always considered yourself disorganized, overwhelmed, or someone who just couldn't seem to "get it together." What if there was more to the story?

In this episode, I'm joined by ADHD coach Andrea Morton for an eye-opening conversation about what ADHD really looks like in women. Andrea wasn't diagnosed until she was 48, while one of her children was going through the diagnostic process. That one discovery completely changed how she understood herself, her past, and the way she now supports other women.

Andrea shares both her personal story and her professional expertise as we talk about why so many women go undiagnosed for years, how ADHD presents differently in women than in men, and why understanding your brain can replace years of self-criticism with self-compassion.

Whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD, suspect you might have it, are raising a neurodivergent child, or coach clients who struggle with organization and follow-through, this conversation will leave you with a whole new perspective.

• Why so many women don't receive an ADHD diagnosis until adulthood.
• The common signs of ADHD in women that are often overlooked.
• How hyperfocus, procrastination, and rumination can all be connected and can look differently than you might think. 
• What rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD) is and why it can affect relationships and confidence.
• Why understanding your brain leads to more self-compassion instead of self-judgment.
• Practical ways to work with your brain instead of constantly fighting against it.
• How ADHD impacts organization, prioritization, and running a business.

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/180

Words matter.

Have you ever felt like you "blew it" because you missed a few days of your routine?

Maybe your house got messy again. You stopped exercising. Your planner hasn't been opened in weeks. Your business routines slipped, or your quiet time in the morning has been inconsistent.

What if you didn't need to restart?

What if you simply needed to resume?

In this episode, Tracy shares a mindset shift that can completely change the way you think about consistency. Inspired by an article from The Optimized Pastor ("Don't Restart, Do This Instead"), shared by a former client, Jason,  she explains why the word resume is far more empowering than restart.

You'll learn 10 practical strategies to help you return to the habits and routines that matter—without guilt, shame, or waiting for the "perfect" time.

If you've ever felt like you've fallen behind, this episode is your reminder that organized people aren't people who never get off track. They're people who know how to resume...over and over.

• Why "resume" is a more powerful word than "restart"
• How waiting for Monday, January, or the perfect moment keeps you stuck
• The role shame plays in keeping you from moving forward
• How to build an organized identity through evidence instead of perfection
• Why reconnecting with your "why" makes consistency easier
• How curiosity can replace guilt after you've "fallen off track"

Consistency isn't about never stopping.

It's about shortening the amount of time between when you stop and when you resume.

The people who seem the most consistent aren't perfect; they've simply become really good at coming back.

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/179

Have you ever looked around your home and wondered, "How did we end up with so much stuff?" Or maybe you've organized the same drawer, closet, or office over and over, only to feel overwhelmed again a few weeks later.

If you've ever thought minimalism wasn't for you because you pictured empty white rooms, getting rid of everything you own, or living with only 33 items in your closet, this episode might completely change your perspective.

Today I'm joined by Stephanie Seferian, host of the Sustainable Minimalist Podcast. Stephanie discovered minimalism after becoming a mom and realizing she was spending all of her free time cleaning, organizing, and managing stuff instead of actually enjoying her life. Since then, she's helped thousands of people rethink what it means to live with less.

In our conversation, Stephanie shares why minimalism isn't about deprivation. It's about intentionally creating more space for the things that matter most. We also talk about how this mindset shows up in business, the hidden stress that comes from consumerism, and why having less can actually give you so much more.

• What minimalism really means (and what it doesn't)
• Why owning less creates more freedom, peace, and mental space
• How becoming a parent completely changed Stephanie's perspective on stuff
• The surprising connection between minimalism, organization, and happiness
• How consumer culture keeps us buying things we don't actually need
• Why experiences and relationships matter more than possessions
• How Stephanie built a successful podcast around her passion for sustainable minimalism
• What happened when she chose to prioritize her mission over maximizing revenue
• Practical ways to begin embracing minimalism without becoming overwhelmed

All links mentioned in the episode can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/178

How many times have you told yourself, "I just need to be more consistent"?

Whether it's working out, organizing your business, sending emails, meal planning, or finally sticking to that morning routine, most of us believe consistency means never missing a day. But what if that's the very belief that's keeping you stuck?

In this episode, I'm challenging the way we think about consistency. Because the truth is, consistent people aren't perfect. They don't never miss. They simply restart faster.

I'll share the mindset shift that completely changed the way I approach consistency, plus the four levers you can pull to make following through feel easier, even on the days you don't feel like it. If you've ever wondered why you can start strong but struggle to keep going, this episode is for you.

What You'll Learn:

• Why your definition of consistency might be setting you up to fail.
• The simple mindset shift that makes consistency feel attainable.
• Why restarting quickly matters more than never missing.
• The four keys that make it easier to stay consistent.
• Why willpower isn't enough (and what works better).
• How systems and habits help you keep showing up.
• Practical ways to stop relying on motivation and build momentum instead.

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/177

What if the reason you feel stuck isn't that you're lazy, unmotivated, or doing something wrong? What if you're simply out of flow?

This episode feels especially meaningful to me because Laurie Smith was last on the podcast back in Episode 105, when she was in the middle of writing the book we're talking about today. We worked together while she was writing, organizing her ideas, and creating space for this project to come to life. And now? She's back with her finished book, The Flow Habit.

Laurie has spent years studying, teaching, and experimenting with flow through her coaching, research, and her popular 28-Day Flow Challenges. In this conversation, we explore what flow actually is, why so many of us feel disconnected from it, and how finding your unique "flow formula" can help you experience more focus, creativity, joy, and momentum in your business and life.

We also dive into something I found fascinating: how understanding your own flow can actually help you get organized, stay motivated, and make even the tasks you normally avoid feel more manageable.

If you've ever thought, "That sounds great, but I'm just not someone who experiences flow," this episode might change your mind.

• What "flow" really means and why it's about much more than "going with the flow"
• How to identify your own unique formula for experiencing flow
• Why childhood memories can provide clues to your natural strengths and purpose
• The surprising connection between flow and organization
• How to use "flow motivators" to tackle tasks you normally avoid
• The four-step FEEL framework Laurie teaches to help create more flow in everyday life
• Why trying too hard to get into flow often prevents it
• How tiny moments of joy can create powerful shifts in your business and personal life
• Practical ways to make organizing feel easier, more meaningful, and even fun
• Why reconnecting with your own joy may be one of the most productive things you can do

Laurie Smith is an inspirational author, professional speaker, podcast host, and coach, and has worked in the fields of creativity and personal growth for more than 20 years. She is on a mission to spread the word about the transformational power of everyday flow, those experiences we have when we are so absorbed by what we are doing that we lose track of time. Laurie is the author of several books, including The Flow Habit, which was recently published by Hay House, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Since 2020, hundreds of people around the world have participated in Laurie’s free 28-Day Flow Challenge. Laurie is passionate about how flow can help us access our creative spark, uplift others, and help us make our dreams come true.

Website  |  Instagram  | LinkedIn  |  The Flow Habit Book  |  Podcast  |

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/176

Book a consult with Tracy here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/appointments

After helping people organize their homes for more than 18 years, I've learned that organizing isn't really about containers, labels, or finding the "perfect" place to start.

If I woke up tomorrow and my entire house was completely disorganized, I wouldn't begin by buying bins or heading to the Container Store.

I'd start somewhere completely different.

In this episode, I'm walking you through the exact process I would use to organize my home from scratch today, including:

• Why I wouldn't start with organizing at all
• How to decide what matters most in your current season of life
• The three questions I always ask when choosing where to begin
• Why success creates momentum
• What to expect when organizing temporarily makes your house look worse
• Why completing one space at a time builds confidence
• How to use the SPACE organizing method in every room
• Why organizing is a skill, not a personality trait
• How to treat each organizing project like a project manager
• The role accountability plays in finally following through

If you've ever wondered where to start organizing your home or why you struggle to stay organized, this episode will help you create a home that supports the life you actually want to live.

Find all the links mentioned in this episode here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/175

Is your office helping you get work done... or making everything harder?

When someone recently asked me if I had an episode specifically about organizing an office, I realized I had talked about pieces of it over the years, but never dedicated an entire episode to the topic. So I invited professional organizer Lisa Griffith to join me for a conversation about what actually matters when it comes to creating an organized workspace.

Lisa and I go way back to our early coaching days, and she brings such a refreshing perspective to organization. Instead of focusing on perfectly styled desks and Pinterest-worthy office setups, she challenges us to think about something much more important: Does your office support the way you actually work?

If you've ever felt guilty because your workspace doesn't look perfect, or you've spent time organizing only to find yourself right back in the same place, this episode will help you rethink what organization really means.

We talk about why function always comes before appearance, how to identify your natural work style, and why creating systems that fit you is far more important than creating a picture-perfect office.

What You'll Learn:

• Why Pinterest-perfect offices often create unrealistic expectations
• The difference between organizing for appearance and organizing for function
• The one question you should ask before organizing any space
• How to identify the work style that fits you best
• Why some people need things visible and others need them hidden
• Why more organizing isn't always the answer
• Practical ways to create an office that supports your productivity

For all links and information, go to: https://simplysquaredaway.com/174

Book your consult call with Tracy at: https://simplysquaredaway.com/appointments

What if getting organized isn't really about the stuff?

In this personal episode, Tracy shares lessons she's learning as she redecorates her home, declutters books, creates more space, and navigates a season of asking bigger questions about life and purpose.

What started as a home project became something much deeper. Through slowing down, making intentional decisions, and creating space, Tracy discovered that organizing can be a powerful tool for self-discovery, healing, and uncovering what's next.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why organizing sometimes takes longer than you expected
• How decluttering can reveal what matters most in your current season
• The connection between physical clutter, mental clutter, and creativity
• Why creating space can help you hear God's direction more clearly
• How organizing can be about becoming, not just doing
• The surprising lessons Tracy learned while redesigning her home

If you've ever felt like you're in a season of transition, wondering what's next, or feeling pulled toward something new but aren't quite sure what it is, this episode will encourage you to slow down and pay attention to what creating space might be revealing.

Because sometimes the greatest gift of organizing isn't what leaves your life.

It's what gets uncovered.

Find Danielle's links and more here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/173 

Book a consult call with Tracy here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/appointments

Have you ever ended the day wondering why you didn't do the thing you fully intended to do?

You had a plan. You knew what needed to happen. Maybe it was hiring support, finishing a project, creating content, or finally making a decision you've been putting off. But somehow, your actions didn't align with your intentions.

If that sounds familiar, you're going to love this conversation.

Today I'm joined by Danielle McGeough, coach, professor, and creator of the Stuck Assessment. Danielle helps people uncover what's really keeping them stuck and teaches simple rituals that help them move forward.

In this episode, we dig into the hidden reasons we struggle to take action, even when we genuinely want to. We talk about the stories we tell ourselves, the habits that keep us looping in the same patterns, why high achievers often struggle when they're beginners again, and how small rituals can help us build trust with ourselves and finally move forward.

If you've been feeling frustrated because you know what to do but can't seem to get yourself to do it, this conversation will help you identify what's really going on and give you practical ways to start making progress.

• Why intentions and actions often don't match
• The different types of "stuck" and how to identify yours
• How self-sabotage can show up in your business
• Why high achievers struggle when they don't immediately know what they're doing
• The role perfectionism plays in keeping you stuck
• Why rebuilding trust with yourself matters
• Simple rituals that help bridge the gap between intention and action
• How greater self-awareness makes taking action easier
• Practical ways to start moving forward when you feel stuck

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/172

Download Tracy's Free File Naming Formula Cheat Sheet: https://simplysquaredaway.com/fnfc

Are you tired of wasting time searching for files on your computer?

You know the feeling. You're looking for a document you know exists, but all you can find are files named "Final," "Final Final," or "New Document." Before you know it, you've spent ten minutes clicking through folders and opening files trying to find the right one.

The problem isn't your memory. It's your file names.

In this episode, Tracy shares the simple file naming convention she uses and teaches her clients to help them find files faster, reduce duplicate documents, improve team collaboration, and create a more organized business. You'll learn why your computer search is only as good as your file names, when to use dates, how to track versions, and the five rules every Organized CEO should follow.

If you're ready to spend less time searching and more time doing meaningful work, this episode is for you.

• Why file naming conventions matter more than most people realize
• How poor file names create wasted time and frustration
• The mindset shift from organizing for today to organizing for future you
• Tracy's simple file naming formula
• When to use dates in file names and when to skip them
• Why version numbers are better than using "Final Final FINAL"
• How consistent file names help your team find what they need
• Five rules for creating a file naming convention that actually works
• A simple challenge to help you start improving your file organization today

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/171

Get $250 off the Organized CEO Intensive here for a limited time.

What if the reason your business feels so exhausting… has nothing to do with working harder?

My guest today, Vicky Countess, thought she just needed to “get better at tech.” But underneath the cluttered desktop, overflowing files, and piles of paper was something deeper: frustration, wasted time, and the constant feeling of never being able to find what she needed when she needed it.

Vicky first found me through a business program where I was teaching simple digital organization strategies. She downloaded my file organization cheat sheet, started making small changes, and eventually jumped into my Black Friday offer (the Organized CEO Intensive - get now for $250 off) because she was tired of feeling scattered in her business.

Her story is going to sound VERY familiar if you’ve ever spent 20 minutes searching for one file… only to realize you saved it in three different places. 😅

In this episode, Vicky shares what digital clutter was really costing her, why organization felt emotionally heavy, the simple systems that helped her finally feel calm and confident inside her business again, and the new niche that she's not only passionate about but also starting very organized.

We talk about:

• Why being “bad at tech” usually isn’t the real problem
• The emotional weight of digital clutter and constant frustration
• How simple file organization can save hours every week
• The bookmark bar system that immediately made business easier
• How small changes can create huge relief in your day-to-day work
• What finally pushed Vicky to ask for help

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/170

Get $500 off of Organized Coach Academy right now using the coupon code 500. --> https://simplysquaredaway.com/oca

If I had to start my business over from scratch today, I would do a LOT differently.

Not because I failed the first time…

But because I’ve learned that organization is not something you “get to later” once your business grows.

Organization is what allows your business to grow without taking over your brain.

In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly how I would organize a brand new business from day one if I were starting all over today. From digital files to time blocking to dashboards and workflows, I’m sharing the systems I would set up immediately to save time, reduce overwhelm, and create a business that actually feels sustainable.

You’ll hear:

• The very first decision I would make about where to store everything
• Why I would immediately create a simple file structure
• The “business brain” dashboard I would build right away
• How I would organize my bookmarks, links, and recurring tasks
• The way I would structure my calendar and time blocks
• Why organizing your mind matters just as much as organizing your files

This episode is practical, strategic, and full of the exact systems I use to run an organized business today.

If you’ve ever felt buried in tabs, downloads, scattered ideas, or inconsistent workflows, this episode will help you think differently about what it really means to build a business that supports you instead of exhausting you.

Mentioned in this episode:

• • Organized Coach Academy - Get $500 off right now using the coupon code 500. --> https://simplysquaredaway.com/oca
  • File Naming Formula Cheatsheet - Learn your formula to name your files consistently. --> https://simplysquaredaway.com/fnfc
  • The 5-File-Folder System - In this training, I show you how to set up a file structure. --> https://simplysquaredaway.com/5files

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/169

Use code PITCH to get 50% off the Podcast Dashboard Bundle here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/pod

What if podcast pitching (or to media or other collaborations) didn’t have to feel chaotic, overwhelming, or totally inauthentic?

In this episode, I’m chatting with emotions coach Lauren Brown about her experience using my Podcast Pitching Dashboard Bundle and how it completely changed the way she approached visibility and podcast guesting. Lauren shares what podcast pitching looked like before she had a system, why everything felt scattered and stressful, and how getting organized helped her finally show up more confidently and authentically.

If you’ve been wanting to guest on podcasts but keep avoiding the process because it feels messy or too overwhelming, this conversation is going to feel like a deep exhale. Lauren’s story is such a good reminder that visibility gets easier when you have systems that actually support you.

We also talk about emotions in business, the ripple effect of referrals, and why your feelings are not the problem you think they are.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why podcast pitching felt overwhelming and chaotic for Lauren before having a system
• How the Podcast Pitching Dashboard Bundle helped simplify the entire process
• The unexpected connection between emotions and visibility
• Why authenticity matters so much when pitching yourself for podcast interviews
• The real reason organization creates more confidence in your business
• How referrals and relationships can create powerful ripple effects in your growth
• What to do if you’ve been avoiding podcast guesting because it feels too complicated

Use coupon code PITCH to get 50% off the Podcast Dashboard Bundle until Thursday, May 21, 2026, at midnight CT --> https://simplysquaredaway.com/pod 

In this bonus episode, Tracy shares a visibility strategy that she now sees in a whole new way: authentic connection.

Tracy reflects on a powerful insight from Lauren Carlisle Brown about approaching podcast guesting through the lens of authentic connection, rather than transactional networking or seeking visibility.

After completing more than 100 podcast interviews in 15 months, Tracy realized that visibility is about so much more than growing an audience or getting your name out there. The real magic came through the relationships, conversations, encouragement, and opportunities that developed along the way.

All marketing works when done consistently, but overwhelm and disorganization often interfere with consistency.

In this episode, Tracy talks about: • Why most people quit visibility strategies too soon • The hidden mental clutter behind inconsistent marketing • How authentic connection changes the energy of networking • Why organization becomes even more important once visibility starts working • How systems reduce overwhelm and create momentum

If you’ve been wanting to get more visible in your business without feeling fake, pushy, or scattered, this episode will encourage you to approach visibility in a more meaningful and sustainable way.

The Podcast Dashboard Bundle is currently 50% off through Thursday at midnight and includes Tracy’s dashboard system, pitch templates, follow-up process, and organization tools for podcast guesting and visibility outreach, as well as your own podcast (if you have one).

Click here to watch Laurie Shopland's TEDx Talk "Truth is Making a Comeback."

Or paste this into your browser --> https://youtu.be/c4Ftcp5WOf4?si=yAT1uhYLSRAOZjPV

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/168

Get 50% off the Podcast Dashboard Bundle (use coupon code PITCH): https://simplysquaredaway.com/pod

What if one visibility strategy could sharpen your message, grow your audience, and bring in clients... without you having to dance on Instagram every day?

In this episode, I’m sharing one of the biggest visibility strategies in my business: podcast guesting. Over the last 15 months, I’ve been booked on over 100 podcasts, and it has completely changed how I show up as a coach and business owner.

But here’s the thing. I did NOT start out organized.

At first, podcast pitching looked like me wasting 30 minutes researching random shows, half-writing a pitch, getting distracted, forgetting to follow up, and then wondering why nothing was happening. I had no system. No process. No consistency.

And because there wasn’t a system, I dreaded doing it.

So I built one.

In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly how I created a simple, organized podcast pitching workflow that helped me consistently get booked on podcasts and become known as the organizing expert.

But the biggest surprise? Podcast guesting didn’t just grow my visibility. It helped me deepen my message, sharpen my teaching, and get clearer on what I actually believe about organization, mindset, emotions, and what’s really keeping people stuck. Plus, new friendships and new collaboration opportunities.

If you’ve been wanting a visibility strategy that feels more human, more sustainable, and honestly... more FUN than constantly creating social media content, this episode is for you.

What you’ll learn:

• Why podcast guesting became my favorite visibility strategy
• The messy, disorganized way I used to pitch podcasts
• What changed when I finally created a simple system
• How podcast interviews helped me become more confident in my expertise
• Why consistency matters more than “perfect” pitches
• Why podcast guesting builds trust faster than most content strategies
• The behind-the-scenes story of how I booked around 100 interviews in 15 months

All links and resources mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/167

Book a call with me here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/appointments

What if the reason you feel disorganized… has nothing to do with your systems?

If you keep telling yourself “I don’t have enough time,” or "I should have finished this before," I want you to hear this: that thought might be the very thing keeping you stuck.

In this episode, I’m doing something a little different. I’m taking you inside a real, unpolished coaching conversation where we break down what’s actually happening when you feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unable to follow through.

Because here’s what I see all the time… You go to organize something simple like a drawer, your calendar, or your task list… and suddenly it feels like too much. You second-guess your decisions. You run away. And by the end of the day, you’ve “proven” to yourself that you didn’t have enough time.

But that result didn’t come from your circumstances. It came from your thinking.

This episode will help you see, in real time, how your self-talk is shaping your actions and results, and what to do instead.

And I’ll be honest… this isn’t perfectly polished coaching. It’s real, in-the-moment thinking.

But that’s exactly why I wanted you to hear it.

Because once you recognize these patterns in yourself, everything about how you approach organization can change.

• Why “I don’t have enough time” is a thought, not a fact
• How your self-talk creates overwhelm, procrastination, and disorganization
• The difference between an overwhelmed person and a decisive, organized one
• What more productive self-talk looks like
• The simple mindset shift that helps you follow through and finish what you start

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/166

Have you ever had the experience where your business or career is working… your life is working… and yet something still feels off?

Like the plan you made years ago technically worked. You followed it. You built something meaningful. But now you’re sitting there wondering, why doesn’t this feel the way I thought it would?

If that’s you, this conversation is going to feel like a relief.

Today I’m talking with Suzy Rosenstein about what’s really happening when your old plan stops working, and you don’t yet know what the new one is. So many people hit this season and assume something has gone wrong. But often, it’s actually the beginning of clarity.

Suzy shares her own story of spending five years in that exact in-between place and how she learned that feeling “off” isn’t a problem to fix. It’s information to listen to.

We talk about why it’s so common to lose connection with what you actually want, how people pleasing quietly shapes your decisions for decades, and the mistake most people make when they try to figure out what’s next too quickly.

If you’ve been waiting for certainty before making a change in your business or life, this episode will help you take the next step anyway.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why feeling stuck often means you’re entering a transition season
• The surprising reason so many women lose clarity about what they want
• Why meaning becomes more important as you grow your business and life
• What to do when you don’t know what’s next yet (and the easiest way to find out...at the end of the episode)
• Why focusing on the how too early shuts down possibility
• How you can discover you don’t need a full pivot, just a richer life outside work
• A simple mindset shift that makes transitions feel less scary and more intentional

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/165 

I just got back from 11 days in Poland, and this quarter alone I’ve taken four big trips. Cabo with my girls. Florida for a birthday celebration. Canada for a TEDx talk. Poland for a mission trip. And this week? I’m hosting a live event.

So yes… it’s been a full season.

And whenever life gets this full, travel becomes the fastest way to see whether your systems actually support you.

Do your routines hold? Does your business keep running? Do you feel calm as you walk back into your house afterward? Or do things fall apart the minute you leave?

In this episode, I’m sharing eight habits I rely on during busy seasons with travel, events, and real life happening all at once. These are the same patterns I’ve developed over 17 years as a professional organizer and from watching what works (and what absolutely does not work) in real homes and real businesses.

If your calendar feels packed right now, this episode will help you stay grounded, prepared, and present without trying to keep everything perfect.

Here's what you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why travel quickly reveals whether your systems are actually working
• The one decision I always make before every trip
• How to stay fully present without worrying about your business
• A simple way to use airplane or drive time as CEO planning space
• My checklist strategy that removes packing stress completely
• The habit that makes coming home feel calm instead of chaotic
• Why unpacking immediately changes everything
• The mindset shift that protects your energy during busy seasons

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/164

Your brand is not your logo. It is how people feel when they experience you.

Most coaches think branding means colors, fonts, and maybe finally choosing a logo they do not hate.

But what if your brand is actually the story your life is telling every time you show up online or in a conversation?

In this episode, I am talking with Jan Touchberry about what branding really means and why so many coaches feel stuck or unsure about whether they are “doing it right.” We unpack what to focus on when you are just starting and what shifts when you are ready for the next level of your business.

If you have ever wondered whether your brand reflects who you truly are or if you should redo everything again this year, this conversation will give you clarity and relief.

Jan shares a simple framework that makes branding feel doable instead of overwhelming. And honestly, it might change how you think about your business entirely.

Here is what we cover together:

What you will learn in this episode:

• Why your brand is not your logo or colors
• The real definition of a personal brand and why everyone already has one
• How your brand shapes how people experience you before they ever hire you
• The three core elements that make your brand clear and compelling
• How to identify who you are actually called to serve
• Why your voice matters more than your visuals
• What to do if you feel like your brand no longer fits your business
• How to show up boldly without pretending to be someone else

Book a call with Tracy: https://simplysquaredaway.com/appointments Show notes: https://simplysquaredaway.com/163 

Have you ever thought, “I’m just not an organized person”?

Maybe you’ve tried systems before. Cleaned things up once or twice. Bought the planner. Created the folders. Watched the tutorials.

And still… it didn’t stick.

In this episode, I want to show you why that experience is not a personality problem. It’s not a discipline problem. And it’s definitely not a character flaw.

There is actual science behind why clutter feels exhausting and why organization changes your focus, your confidence, and even your income.

I’m walking you through what’s happening in your brain when things feel scattered in your house, your calendar, your inbox, your downloads folder, or your business. Because once you understand the brain side of organization, everything starts to make sense.

This episode might completely change how you see clutter and how you see yourself.

And if you’ve been thinking, “I need help getting organized, but I keep putting it off,” this might be the moment you finally decide to do something about it.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why clutter raises cortisol and increases stress in your body
• How visual overload quietly drains your working memory
• What the “silent to-do list” is and why it keeps you distracted
• Why disorganization slows your decisions and focus
• How clutter affects your confidence and productivity
• The surprising connection between organization and revenue growth
• Why getting organized is not about color-coding or perfection What your brain actually needs in order to feel calm and clear again

Register for the CEO Spring Reset, April 6-8, 2026, at: https://redeemhertime.com/reset

Do you ever feel like your business looks organized on the outside, but inside it feels reactive, cluttered, and harder than it should be?

Like your calendar is full. Your to-do list is endless. And somehow you are still not moving forward the way you expected this year?

You are not alone. And honestly, this is exactly why we created the CEO Spring Reset.

In this episode, I’m joined by Lissa and Laura as we pull back the curtain on what business clutter actually looked like for each of us and what changed when we stopped trying to manage the chaos better and started clearing it out instead.

Because most of the time it is not a discipline problem.

It is a clarity problem.

We are sharing the behind-the-scenes stories that led to this event and what happens when you finally step into your role as CEO and reset the parts of your business that are quietly draining your time, energy, and results.

If you have been feeling behind this year, stuck in reaction mode, or unsure what to focus on next, this conversation will help you see exactly where to start.

What you will learn in this episode:

• Why being busy does not always mean your business is moving forward
• The hidden ways clutter shows up in your calendar and decisions
• How reactive schedules create stress even when everything looks organized
• What shifted when we stopped chasing productivity hacks and started choosing clarity
• Why stepping into your CEO role changes how you make decisions
• What the CEO Spring Reset is and how it helps simplify your business direction

For other resources and links mentioned, go to:  https://simplysquaredaway.com/162

For the resources and links mentioned, go to:  https://simplysquaredaway.com/161

If you feel like your business would run smoother if only your home life felt more under control, this episode is going to click for you.

Today I’m talking with Jess Przulj, host of The Habit Stacking Mom podcast, about how small habit stacks can create real momentum in your day. And not in a “start over and fix everything” kind of way. In a simple, sustainable, systems-based way that actually works when life is full.

Jess shares how she rebuilt her routines during a season when she felt stuck between motherhood and entrepreneurship. Instead of trying to overhaul everything, she created tiny shifts inside her existing routines and those small changes started creating space for her business again.

We talk about why your evening routine matters more than your morning routine, how to use anchors in your day to make habits stick, and why starting at home often makes business organization easier.

If you’ve been feeling scattered, behind, or like you’re not making traction, this episode will give you a practical place to begin.

• What habit stacking actually is and how it’s different from routines
• Why starting with your home habits creates more space for business focus
• The difference between a routine and a habit stack (this alone is so helpful)
• How to identify “anchors” in your day that make habits easier to follow through on
• Why your evening routine is the best place to start when life feels chaotic
• How micro changes build sustainable momentum over time
• What to do with small pockets of time during your workday

For the resources and links mentioned, go to:  https://simplysquaredaway.com/160

Ever regret getting rid of something?

You know that moment.

You declutter something. You donate it. You throw it away.

And then later… You think, “Why did I do that?!”

In this episode, I’m doing something I’ve never done before on the podcast. I’m sharing a real coaching call from inside Organized Life Academy.

Marcy came to the call stuck in the purge step of organizing. She wasn’t struggling because she had too much stuff.

She was struggling because she didn’t trust herself to make the right decision.

Years ago, during a stressful move, she threw away a box of journals from high school and college. And she’s been beating herself up about it ever since.

That one moment turned into a story she carried for years.

“What if I throw away the wrong thing again?”

Sound familiar?

In this conversation, we unpack the real reason letting go can feel so scary and how the solution has less to do with your stuff… and everything to do with how you treat yourself.

Because what if the problem isn’t that you might make a wrong decision…

What if the problem is how you talk to yourself when you do?

This episode is a powerful look at self-trust, compassion, and the freedom that comes when you stop punishing yourself for past decisions.

If you’ve ever felt stuck decluttering because you’re afraid of regret, this one is for you.

• Why one past decluttering regret can stop you from making decisions today
• The surprising percentage of things we actually regret letting go of
• The hidden fear that keeps many people stuck in the purge step
• A simple mindset shift that makes decision-making easier
• How to build trust with your future self while organizing
• Why compassion for your past decisions is the key to moving forward

For the resources and links mentioned, go to:  https://simplysquaredaway.com/159

Register for Tracy's free training, How to Declutter Any Space in 15 Minutes Without Overwhelm or Quitting --> https://simplysquaredaway.com/training

In this episode, Tracy shares three powerful decluttering discoveries that recently came up inside Organized Life Academy. These insights changed how her clients think about their possessions and the role clutter plays in their homes.

You will hear a meaningful story about sentimental items and why the memory is not always in the object. Tracy also explains a powerful definition of minimalism from Joshua Becker and how removing distractions can make the things you love stand out even more.

Tracy also shares what she is currently decluttering in her own home as she rearranges rooms and simplifies her space. Along the way, she talks about the mindset shift that helps her make decisions faster and feel more spacious in her home.

Finally, you will hear a simple but powerful reframe that one client discovered. Instead of feeling like she was failing at organizing, she started thinking of organizing as testing.

If you struggle to let go of things or feel overwhelmed by clutter, this episode will help you see your belongings in a new way.

You will learn

• How sentimental items sometimes hold stories rather than real memories
• Why decluttering helps the things you love stand out
• How thinking of organizing as testing can remove pressure
• Questions to ask yourself when deciding what to keep
• A mindset shift that helps you get more done in less time

You can also learn more about Organized Life Academy and join the supportive community working together to simplify their homes.

For the resources and links mentioned, go to:  https://simplysquaredaway.com/158

Do you ever lay in bed mentally rehearsing 47 things you “should” be doing… and then wake up already behind?

Yep. Same.

In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly how to organize your mind using the same five-step system I use to organize closets, calendars, businesses, and entire lives.

Because here’s the truth: Overwhelm is not a personality trait. It’s a signal.

And when your brain feels like 47 tabs are open and one of them is playing music, but you can’t find it… It’s time to organize.

I break down my SPACE method, Sort, Purge, Assign Homes, Contain, Energize,  and show you how to apply it to your thoughts, worries, projects, errands, ideas, and even those sneaky “I’m not doing enough” stories running in the background.

This is the exact process I used before heading out of town when my brain was spinning with taxes, birthdays, collaborations, podcast ideas, errands, and random worries.

If you’re overwhelmed right now, this episode is your reset button.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why overwhelm is a signal, not a failure

• How to “sort” your brain without creating more chaos

• The 4 D’s that instantly reduce mental clutter

• How to assign homes to thoughts, tasks, and even worries

• The maintenance habit that keeps your mind clear long-term

• How to refill your brain with thoughts that energize you instead of drain you

For the resources and links mentioned, go to:  https://simplysquaredaway.com/157

👉 Click here to join Organized Life Academy. --> https://simplysquaredaway.com/ola

What if getting organized wasn’t about perfection… but about peace?

In this episode, I’m sitting down with El Donna Coats — a 71-year-old pickleball champion (yes, really 🏆) and member of Organized Life Academy — who joined not because her house was a disaster… but because she wanted more clarity, more calm, and a completed Life & Death Binder.

And what happened next?

Less stress. More space. A totally different relationship with her calendar. And a granddaughter who now proudly says, “The first step to organizing is SORT.”

I love episodes like this because you get to hear what it actually looks like when someone does the work. Not perfectly. Not overnight. But consistently.

El Donna shares what shifted for her, what surprised her, and how she’s peeling back the layers of what she calls her “very, very, very big onion.”

If you’ve ever thought:

• I’m organized… I just have a lot of stuff.
• I’m a collector — that’s just who I am.
• I don’t want minimalism… but I do want less stress.
• I’m afraid to start because I might fail.

This episode is for you.

We talk about real change. The slow kind. The sustainable kind. The kind that actually sticks.

• Why “assigning a time” to tasks eliminates procrastination (even the 5-minute ones)
• The mindset shift that helped her stop fearing failure
• What it means to peel back the layers of your “onion”
• How decluttering collections can shift your identity
• Why writing down 3 wins each day rewires your thinking
• The surprising ripple effect organization has on your health goals
• How to become “company-ready” without panic cleaning for hours
• Why awareness is the real transformation happening inside Organized Life Academy

Ever feel like your brain is spiraling and you're about to drown in overwhelm?

Whether it’s a cluttered garage, a chaotic desktop, or just the swirling thoughts in your head—you’re not alone. And the good news? You can shift from stuck to in-motion in under two minutes.

In this solo episode, I walk you through one of my favorite go-to mindset tools: a two-minute reframe that pulls you out of overwhelm and back into focus. You’ll hear the story of me standing in front of a client's garage, frozen in place, and how one simple sentence changed everything—not just in that moment but in my entire approach to organizing.

This isn’t about motivation or willpower—it’s about direction. And you’ll leave this episode knowing exactly what to say to your brain the next time things feel like too much.

What you’ll learn:

• The surprising truth about where overwhelm really comes from
• A simple sentence to instantly redirect your brain
• Why your brain feels “lazy” (hint: it’s not)
• How to apply this mindset shift to paper piles, your digital files, and your chaotic thoughts
• The difference between sorting and organizing—and why starting with sorting is everything
• Why perfection is NOT required (and how to move anyway)

For the resources and links mentioned, go to:  https://simplysquaredaway.com/156

For the resources and links mentioned, go to:  https://simplysquaredaway.com/155

When Zeenat Siman first said the word "choosy," I instantly knew I wanted her on the podcast. And this conversation? It did not disappoint.

In this episode, we’re flipping the script on how to get organized. Zeenat, a professional organizer and founder of Firefly Bridge Organizing, joins me to share her refreshing take on being intentionally choosy with your time, your to-do list, and your space. We’re not talking Pinterest-perfect pantries here. This is real life, real strategies for moms, coaches, and business owners juggling a million things.

Zee breaks down how to stop drowning in all the “shoulds” and start organizing what actually matters. Whether it’s your Google calendar, your junk drawer, or your overflowing list of digital freebies you swear you’ll read one day (yeah, we see you), this episode will help you rethink everything.

We also talk sprints vs. slow organizing, how to use donuts (yes, donuts) to manage your to-do list, and the mindset shift that helps you say no without guilt.

It’s practical, honest, and full of “YES, I needed to hear that” moments.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why “organize everything” is keeping you stuck

• The DONUT method to simplify your to-do list

• What to do when your list gives you anxiety

• How to choose what to organize first (and what to ignore)

• What to put on your calendar first, and it’s not your appointments

• The power of doing kitchen sprints (and how it leads to no-cry Mondays)

• The mindset shift that makes you feel empowered, not behind

For the resources and links mentioned, go to:  https://simplysquaredaway.com/154

What happens when the life you worked so hard to build no longer fits and everything falls apart anyway?

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Tara Hunter, internationally renowned business and mindset coach, bestselling author, and host of the Thrive in Life and Business podcast, for one of the most vulnerable and powerful conversations we’ve ever had on the show.

Tara opens up about what it really looked like to hit rock bottom after leaving her marriage, walking away from a life that looked perfect on the outside, and realizing she wasn’t thriving, she was surviving. We talk candidly about depression, rebuilding trust in yourself, and the moment she decided she was done letting life happen to her and instead committed to creating the biggest comeback of her life.

From there, we dive deep into how a cluttered mind impacts your results, why most people sabotage themselves in the first waking hour of the day, and exactly how Tara uses simple mindset practices like journaling, brain dumps, and intentional focus to rebuild clarity, confidence, and momentum in her business.

This episode is honest, raw, hopeful, and deeply practical. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or like you’ve lost yourself somewhere along the way, this conversation will remind you that it’s not over and you get to decide what comes next.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• What thriving actually means and why you get to define it
• How to recognize when you’re surviving instead of living
• Why your first waking hour matters more than you think
• How to declutter your mind when everything feels overwhelming
• Tara’s simple journaling and mindset routine that changed everything
• Why brain dumps work and how to do them correctly
• How to rebuild confidence after hitting rock bottom
• The power of one decision and why nobody is coming to save you
• How to prioritize goals without trying to do everything at once

Have you ever looked at your home or your closet and thought, “I just have so much stuff”?

That feeling of overwhelm is not actually about the number of things you own. It is about not knowing where you are going.

In this episode, Tracy shares a powerful coaching moment with her client, Dana, that completely changed how they looked at organizing. What started as a conversation about too many clothes became a breakthrough: a 1000-piece puzzle that served as a perfect metaphor for decluttering and organizing your home.

When you do a puzzle, you never feel overwhelmed by the number of pieces. You expect it to take time. You enjoy the process. You trust that one piece at a time will eventually create a beautiful picture. That is exactly how organizing should feel as well.

In this episode, you will learn how to neutralize overwhelm, why sorting first is the key to success, how to use your future vision to make decisions, and how to turn organizing into a calming and satisfying experience instead of something stressful.

This simple mindset shift can change how you approach your closet, your home, and even your life.

• Why saying I have so much stuff creates overwhelm
• How neutralizing the number removes emotional resistance
• Why sorting first makes organizing easier
• How a puzzle shows you exactly how to declutter
• Why your vision of the finished space matters
• How to decide what fits into the life you are living now
• How to make organizing feel calming and enjoyable

For the resources and links mentioned, go to:  https://simplysquaredaway.com/153

What if your marketing didn’t need to be so complicated?

I LOVED this conversation with Melissa Kellogg Lueck because it brings us back to what matters most --> connection.

If you’ve ever felt like you were trying all the things and none of it was working, or if you’ve found yourself constantly learning about marketing instead of actually doing it… this one’s for you.

Melissa is a marketing coach for women entrepreneurs and the host of the Doing Business Like a Woman podcast. With 20 years of experience running her own marketing business, she knows how to help you simplify and finally create a sustainable strategy that gets results.

In this episode, Melissa breaks down the three core marketing activities that apply to EVERY business, how to build your own one-page marketing plan, and why your energy matters more than any algorithm ever could.

If you’ve been spinning your wheels and second-guessing every marketing decision, this episode will help you refocus, simplify, and finally take aligned action.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why all marketing works—and what really makes the difference
• The truth about overlearning and under-earning
• How to build a one-page marketing plan (yes, for real)
• The 3 essential marketing activities you should be doing right now
• What to do when your marketing "isn't working"
• How your energy affects your results
• The power of belief-first marketing
• Why you don’t need to be everywhere—and how to make peace with that

For the resources and links mentioned, go to:  https://simplysquaredaway.com/152

Get the "Plan Your Year" Calendar: https://simplysquaredaway.com/plan

Join Organized Life Academy: https://simplysquaredaway.com/ola

Most people think decluttering happens when things get out of control. A closet is too full. The kitchen feels messy. The inbox is overwhelming. So we react. We grab a bag, throw things away, and hope it helps.

But real peace does not come from panic purging. It comes from having a plan.

In this episode, Tracy shares how she creates the declutter plan for Organized Life Academy every year and how you can use the exact same process to organize your home, your office, and even your digital life. Whether you feel overwhelmed by physical clutter or buried in emails and files, this episode will help you see decluttering as a simple, doable project instead of something that never ends.

You will hear how breaking your year into focused months removes overwhelm, how choosing your destination before you start makes decision-making easy, and how even small fifteen-minute sessions can create massive progress when you are working a plan.

This episode is for anyone who wants a calm home, a clear workspace, and a life that feels lighter instead of heavier.

• How to create a declutter plan for the year using twelve monthly focus areas
• Why decluttering works better when it is planned instead of rushed
• How to use the same system for your home and your business
• Why choosing your intention before you start makes everything easier
• How to use fifteen-minute sessions to stay consistent without burnout
• What questions to ask so you know what to keep and what to let go of

Decluttering works best when it is planned, not when it is panicked.

For the resources and links mentioned, go to:  https://simplysquaredaway.com/151

For the resources and links mentioned, go to:  https://simplysquaredaway.com/150

I'm kicking off 2026 with a conversation about how to work less. Sounds desirable, right?

Jenna Harrison is my guest and the founder of The Uncommon Way. She is a coach whose own business evolution went from frantic hustle to a thoughtful 24‑hour workweek that supports her creativity, family life, and joy.

In this episode, Jenna shares how she overcame burnout, what shifted for her personally and professionally, and the mindset and framework she now uses to help other coaches reclaim their time and create more purposeful impact (without working more hours).

We unpack the sneaky thoughts that pull us back into overworking, why constraints spark creativity, and how to stop doing things “just because.” We get into nervous system patterns, tactical boundaries like scheduling CEO time, and how creative business results come from resonance, not hours.

Whether you feel overwhelmed, guilty for trying to take breaks, or stuck thinking “I’ll just finish one more thing first,” this episode is going to shift how you think about time, energy, creativity, and productivity — and give you permission to design the life you actually want instead of the one you inherited from hustle culture.

What You’ll Learn

Why Jenna shifted to a 24‑hour workweek and how she maintained business growth in the process

• The deep thoughts that keep coaches working more than they want to

• How constraints (like limited hours) actually boost prioritization, intuition, and strategic thinking

• Jenna’s three‑pillar framework: Offers • Systems • You (CEO mindset)

• The role of nervous system regulation in creative business output

• Practical ways to reclaim time + stop the “I’ll just do this first” trap

• What real CEO time is and why it’s non‑negotiable

• A simple starting question to shift your time and results

Join Organized LIFE Academy (OLA) today. It's for midlife+ women who want to be clutter-free.

Are you ready to reflect honestly on your year, the wins, the hard moments, the breakthroughs, and the lessons, so you can step into 2026 with clarity, peace, and purpose? In this year‑end episode, I walk you through my 2025 review, including what I’m leaving behind, what I’m bringing forward, and the mindset shift that changed everything for me.

2025 was big. It was full. It was messy and beautiful at the same time. As we close the year, I want to invite you to a few reflection questions that will help you own your wins, honestly assess your growth, and choose what you’re ready to let go of before 2026 begins.

I share:

• My wins in business and life — including podcast visibility goals, revenue reflections, and family milestones.
• The hardest moment of the year and how vulnerability changed my identity.
• What I’m letting go of in 2025 — and why it matters.
• What I’m carrying into 2026 with intention.
• A new way of thinking about goals that feels lighter, freer, and more curiosity‑driven.

You don’t have to take everything with you into next year. You get to choose.

What You’ll Learn

• How to describe your year with honesty instead of pressure.
• Why acknowledging wins matters more than you think.
• How your identity shifts through struggle and breakthrough.
• The power of asking curious, open goals — instead of rigid demands.
• A fresh mindset for organizing your business and your life in 2026.
• Reflection prompts to close out your year with intention and joy.

For the resources and links mentioned, go to:  https://simplysquaredaway.com/149

Join Organized Life Academy today by going to: https://simplysquaredaway.com/yes

Eldonna said, "This [OLA] has brought new life into my life." 

If you want to organize your home and life in 2026 and overcome obstacles that have kept you stuck in clutter, join me inside Organized Life Academy (OLA). 

It's totally possible for YOU to create these same results.

If you're ready to downsize, declutter, and create a home that is calm, inviting, peaceful, and organized, join now for the best price! 

Go to: https://simplysquaredaway.com/yes

If you often find yourself stuck in indecision or spinning in your thoughts long after a decision should have been made, today’s episode will feel like a deep exhale.

I teach a simple and powerful process called the DONE Framework that helps you make confident choices without overwhelm or second-guessing.

Women often think they have a decision problem when, in reality, they have a swirl of emotions and past evidence clouding their thinking.

The DONE Framework brings you back to clarity by helping you define the real decision, observe it from your future self, notice what aligns with your values and identity, and execute the simplest next step.

In this episode, I explain the framework step by step and then walk through four common scenarios so you can hear exactly how the method works in real life. You will learn how to use the DONE Framework to decide whether to join Organized Life Academy, where to begin organizing your home, how to handle sentimental items, and whether to bring in support to lighten your load.

You will also hear why decisions create energy, how identity plays a major role in follow-through, and why past attempts do not determine your future success.

• How to use the DONE Framework to make any decision
• Why naming the actual decision immediately reduces confusion
• How your future self gives clearer answers than your past self
• How to choose in a way that aligns with your values and identity
• What it looks like to execute a decision without drama or pressure

For the resources and links mentioned, go to:  https://simplysquaredaway.com/148

Join Organized Life Academy today and get the Time Blocking Training for free! Go to: https://simplysquaredaway.com/yes 

If you have tried again and again to get organized and it still feels hard, discouraging, or inconsistent, this episode will show you why.

Most people think they struggle because they lack willpower or skill, but the real issue is that they are approaching organizing with a hidden mindset and process mistakes that sabotage them before they even begin.

In this episode, I walk you through the five biggest organizing mistakes I see over and over in homes, businesses, and life. When you understand these patterns and use the simple shifts I teach today, getting organized becomes easier, more doable, and surprisingly peaceful.

Here is what you will learn:

• Why starting from the identity of a disorganized person keeps you stuck
• The missing step almost everyone skips: planning
• The belief that you should feel like organizing when the time comes
• Expecting to be good at organizing from the beginning
• Looking at everything instead of focusing on one project at a time

And a little bonus: you're not celebrating your progress, which keeps you in a state of discouragement. Celebrating the gain transforms your motivation and helps you see yourself as someone who follows through.

By the end of this episode, you will understand exactly why you have struggled in the past and how to approach organizing in a way that works for your brain, your schedule, and your identity.

You 100% can become an organized person. These shifts will help you get there.

For the resources and links mentioned, go to:  https://simplysquaredaway.com/147