I know it has been a while since my last blog post, but NO, I did not get married.

What I am celebrating is the four year anniversary of my business! I know four years seems like an odd one to celebrate, but it definitely has huge significance in my life. People always ask “how long have you had your business?” and all spring I would respond “almost four years…whoa!”  It was shocking how fast the years had flown by. Like many entrepreneurs, my business came about because I saw a problem that needed fixing.

For those who don’t know the story – four years ago I was looking for a Professional Organizer.  I was working 9 to 5 at a job I didn’t love, I was in a relationship that should have been over, and all my mental clutter was manifesting itself in my apartment – much to the dismay of my should-have-been-ex-boyfriend who was 100% anal about keeping things organized. Piles of mysterious papers, clothes strewn about, books all over the place, DVDs and mail hiding in every corner.  Basically, I was dealing with what a lot of my soon-to-be future clients were dealing with.

I realized that I needed some help if I wanted to change my situation. So I started setting up consultations. I met some nice organizers, and there were others I didn’t really connect with. Little did I know that the experience would dramatically change my life. Some organizers were warm and open – those were the ones who inspired and motivated me. Others…well, not so much!

I started about thinking about people out there who were chronically disorganized – struggling for years to make sense of their space and their stuff.  I was pretty organized in my younger days – playing Library by organizing my books and buying every box and bin my mom would allow were favorite pastimes. Suddenly a lightbulb went on. Based on my experience, I realized there were probably a lot of people out there, hoping for a more organized life, who found it difficult to get the help they needed. It was then that I resolved that I’d get my act together and start helping THOSE people get it together – not just because I could, but because I knew what it was like to be in their shoes. And that’s how One Organized Life was born in the summer of 2006.

My life shifted in so many ways that summer – not only did my personal life change, but I found my calling and became an entrepreneur – something I NEVER thought would happen. The boyfriend and I cut our ties, I quit the job and took on a part time job I enjoyed 100 times more (assistant teaching with some of the most creative and talented kids in L.A.), all while working with those early clients. A few months after that, I created a networking group that some of the best entrepreneurs in LA belong to.

Me with some of the Mogul Members from my networking group

My life looks radically different now than it did four short years ago.  In fact, I just returned from my first vacations EVER (see pics below!). Whoa! I’ve met so many incredible people along the way and worked with the most amazing clients that anyone could ask for.

You entrepreneurs out there know how it is – I’ve had my ups and downs, failures and successes, and changed my direction. All of  my experiences over the last four years have lead me to where I am today – helping people organize their businesses and lives.  Having spent so much time digging deeply into my business, constantly improving my processes and systems, I’m now able to do that for my clients and help them see the incredible value that efficient and effective systems can have for a small business.

Strolling through the garden at my family's hotel in Grand Cayman

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I don’t usually post specials on my blog – I save that for my newsletter – but this is special and very personal to me (as you now know).  If you’re ready to make a change – to revitalize your space, clear out your files, or improve your business systems - and you are ready to say “yes, I want your help to make a change!” I invite you to take advantage of my Anniversary Special.

20% off any One Organized Business package or program when you book by August 31st.

(Read more about package options)

I invite you to open yourself up to the idea of challenging yourself, changing the way things are, and experience your home or work life in a completely different way. If you’d like my help to get you there, I look forward to working along side you.

How do you get started? Contact me for a complimentary consultation call and you’ll be well on your way.

I hope you’ve had a fantastic summer and that business is booming!

Alaia

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Busy. Busy. Busy. I find myself saying that word a lot lately. I am not complaining. Lots of crazy things have happened to over the past month but a lot of great things have happened as well.

I entered a crazy hectic working relationship on a project that practically sucked the life out of me. It was definitely stressful from beginning to end. I did manage to find the positive in the situation though. I learned that I need better boundaries when partnering with people, and I also learned that I really like the way I do things! By nature, I am easygoing. I don’t like things to be more complicated than they need to be. Naturally, when things need to be formal, I do what’s necessary, but ultimately, I am all about a graceful flow… the past month taught me that I work best with people that either have the same energy or need my working style to balance them out. I try to remain calm whenever possible.

I’ve never done a professional photo shoot before, yet somehow managed to knock out TWO in the same seven day period. You may get to see some of the pics, if you’re lucky.   I’m also working with a great new company – they have yet to launch but are just on the edge of putting some great work out into the world. I LOVE working with clients who have lots going on and who are doing great work. It makes what I do so easy and enjoyable. More details about them closer to (or after) their launch.

Sunday night/Monday morning in LA we had an earthquake just after 2AM. I’ve lived in Los Angeles my entire life and earthquakes cease to freak me out. But something about this one was very different for me.  I was sitting at my desk, tired out of my mind, trying to decide between sleep and work. After the month of craziness, there was a lot to catch up on (a lot!). I couldn’t even think straight between my own personal stuff, business stuff, group stuff (have I mentioned that I run a networking group?), new clients, etc. What to tackle first?

Slow at first, then quick as lightning, a 3.6 earthquake hit, centered not too far from where I live. I didn’t actually get out of my chair, but my mind definitely did a flip. For some reason, in that moment, I felt like “the universe” was telling me that it was time to shake my life up. Believe me, there was a lot of shaking to be done!

With sudden renewed energy, I finally started tweaking, switching, swapping, and creating some new systems for myself and for my business – the kind of stuff I do for other people and then don’t have time left to do for myself. So simple! So easy! I knocked several things out and went to bed as the sun came up. It definitely got my week off to a good start. Having systems in place made me feel more prepared, more supported, and better able to manage whatever got thrown at me in the week ahead.

This week, I’ve been working on other pieces of the puzzle, but it took that first step, that extra push, to get the ball rolling. I can breathe a lot easier this week!

Next update (which hopefully won’t be too far in the future) will talk about the systems I’m using and how I put it all together.

Does your life need to be shaken up? What needs to change and are you ready to change it?

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