My Journey To Getting Organized: Christine Weddle

Introducing: Christine Weddle
Office Spa Day guest facilitator on April 21!

My Journey To Getting Organized

My problems with A.D.D. and disorganization began to cause me a huge amount of grief after my daughter was born, particularly after she started school.  The addition of tiny clothes and toys and the need to constantly get more clothes and toys for a growing child began to overwhelm me, especially because I wasn’t so good at letting go of the previous ones.  Then, she began producing artwork, followed by the papers and forms and certificates of school.  Add the details of competitive gymnastics (specialized clothing and accessories, signing up and paying for meets, knowing where to go and stay, fundraising, etc., and I was one overwhelmed mommy.  It’s stuff that lots of parents take in stride (and with multiple children), but not me.

I had waited to start my own business until she was in elementary school because I knew that I would be far too distracted to focus on it with her underfoot all day as a toddler or preschooler (who quit taking naps at 2½…).  So I added starting a business to the list of details I already had (without the structure or support I needed because of not having the money to do that).  I was dealing with a sharp learning curve for starting a business the same year that she began competitive gymnastics.  In retrospect, no wonder I was exhausted and had very little energy!

I bought books on time management and organizing and did my best to apply what I read.  I had a backlog of boxes dating back to grad school (yikes!), not to mention the ever-increasing papers from school, gymnastics and my business.  The organizing books were interesting and seemed like they might be helpful, but I needed a lot more than just information.

I finally signed up for an online, monthly, clutter-clearing coaching group, and I made some headway, but there was so much current and past stuff that my small successes didn’t create much momentum for me, partly because so much new stuff kept accumulating.  I had very few effective systems to deal with the incoming stuff, so it just got added to the rest of it.  I did manage to completely clear out my office a few times, in the hope of inspiring myself to sort through the backlog, but it was such a huge project that I became overwhelmed and eventually had to move all the boxes and baskets and piles from their temporary place in the living room back into my office.  Very demoralizing.

I finally got up the courage and humility to hire a professional organizer, who helped me generate some momentum and create some small changes here and there.  Working with her helped ease the way to hire a second one, with whom I worked more consistently for a time and made a bit more headway.  However, once she left, I was overwhelmed with the huge “to-do” lists she had given me.

I found Jen Hofmann through one of Mark Silver’s Heart of Business classes, and I remember reading the pages of her website over and over and over because I found such reassurance and hope in them.  I loved her gentle, reassuring yet take-action approach, which seemed so different.  I began to make real progress, very slowly, but more sustainably than in the past.  As I began to integrate that “Jen voice” in my head, my office (and my home) began to show the difference.

I’ve been working with Jen over a year now, and I am immensely grateful for the organizing love and perspective she offers.  One of my biggest successes is that my office wasn’t completely overtaken by Christmas boxes, etc. this year, as it has every year in the past.  In general, my office has stayed reasonably cleared out, which has allowed me to continue giving “my love and attention” to the last of the neglected areas, while beginning to develop systems to organize things in a way that makes sense to me.

It feels like my head is beginning to clear as my office does, which is gradually opening the way for me to give the running of my business “my love and attention.”

I am so grateful and excited about the opportunity to lead an Office Spa Day in April.  Jen has been an amazing mentor, and I have periodically dreamed about what it might be like to work with her in some way because we work with such similar people.  My dream comes true in April!

I also believe that “We teach best what we most need to learn.”  (Richard Bach, Illusions).  I love being in the role of teacher and learner simultaneously.  It creates such richness in working!

Jen here: I am delighted that Christine agreed to guest facilitate the Saturday Office Spa Day this month! In many ways Christine is more qualified to lead this class than I am!

Here are some of Christine’s career highlights:

• M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology (emphasis in group work) – University of Missouri
• B.A. in Psychology (minor in sociology) – University of Texas
• Life Coach and owner of Light Spirit Coaching since 2004, specializing in A.D.D. clients since 2007, and working with small business owners, professors, professionals, graduate and undergraduate students
• Counselor/Therapist for individual, group and family counseling in inpatient, outpatient and residential settings
• Presenter at Women’s Center at the University of Missouri, Kiwanis club, gymnastics’ club staff, hospital program, church, and high school students
• Youth Ministry Director, supervising, training and supporting teachers
• Parent of a 14-year-old (I have no kids, so this is especially awesome!)

In addition to all of Christine’s professional accomplishments, I have personally appreciated and admired her compassion and warmth in relating to my own struggles with ADD and disorganization. She is a gem.

Although I’ve done all the teaching at Inspired Home Office to date, I’m beyond elated to offer a Saturday class again with someone so kind and accomplished. Attend this Office Spa Day with Christine and you’ll be in good hands.

Here’s where to sign up: http://inspiredhomeoffice.com/products/spa-day