092 - Unlock Your Organized Potential: Transform Your Business and Life with Gayle Gruenberg

[00:00:00] .

[00:02:04] I would say paper. If there is one aspect of thing that people really want help with, it's organizing their papers.

[00:02:13] Yeah, right. Every time my kids come home with that backpack, I just, oh, I dread what's going to come out of it and get left behind.

[00:02:23] It's like a sea of junk that I have to decide whether it's there's value to it or not. Right.

[00:02:31] Yes. And you just totally hit the nail on the head because every little minuscule piece of paper requires a decision.

[00:02:38] And that's exhausting.

[00:02:39] It is absolutely decisions that are the struggle with all the things that we have too much of in our lives.

[00:02:48] Right. Am I going to need this?

[00:02:50] Do I want to get rid of this? Will I read it later?

[00:02:52] Am I going to want to refer to it again, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera?

[00:02:58] Can I really let go of Aunt Flossie's vase?

[00:03:04] That I've always hated.

[00:03:07] Yes, she's going to come over and she's going to look for it and she's going to want to know why I'm not using it and I don't want to insult her.

[00:03:14] Or she's going to, you know, send negative vibes from heaven.

[00:03:19] Right. Yeah.

[00:03:21] Yes. A lightning bolt, as my dad would say.

[00:03:23] Absolutely right.

[00:03:25] So you've been organizing for so many years and your book, though, is relatively new.

[00:03:31] Tell us about your decision to write the book and how it came to fruition and when you launched it.

[00:03:38] Well, thank you so much for asking.

[00:03:40] OK, so the reason I wanted to write this book was because I wanted people out there who are living with chronic disorganization to one,

[00:03:51] have hope and two, to be able to afford the wisdom and knowledge that an experienced professional organizer would be able to impart,

[00:04:01] especially somebody who specializes in clients living with chronic disorganization,

[00:04:05] especially if they could not afford a professional organizer.

[00:04:09] As well, I can reach a wider array of people because, you know, just working in my own little neck of the woods reaches only a certain number.

[00:04:18] But there are so many people out there who may not be served.

[00:04:21] And I figured with this book, I could reach out and touch them and hopefully change their lives.

[00:04:27] Yeah, absolutely. Because you know what?

[00:04:29] When you help people create beauty and peace in their space, it really does change lives, doesn't it?

[00:04:37] It really does. And it's not always about the stuff.

[00:04:40] It's what's going on in your head and heart as well as your home or office.

[00:04:44] Yes. Yes.

[00:04:45] One thing leads to another. If there's clutter outside, there's clutter inside and vice versa.

[00:04:50] Yeah. Can you share with us, I'm sure with all the many clients you've worked with over the years,

[00:04:56] you've had some pretty life changing moments.

[00:04:58] Can you share one or two stories with us that kind of hit home for you, even if they may have been a long time ago?

[00:05:05] Well, one of my absolute favorite success stories is somebody I will call Olivia, which of course is not her real name.

[00:05:12] So a long time ago, actually, I believe it was, oh gosh, it could have been 2008 already.

[00:05:17] She had said she wanted to clean off her dining room table because her husband was going to be entertaining clients and guests.

[00:05:24] And she had a beautiful home, but there was stuff all over her dining room table.

[00:05:28] OK, so I came and our first sessions were definitely doing that.

[00:05:32] And then it evolved into like a 12 year relationship.

[00:05:37] Wow. Yes.

[00:05:39] And over those 12 years, I watched her entire life change and mine as well.

[00:05:44] So we we definitely supported each other through lots of life changes.

[00:05:48] But we would develop this beautiful relationship in that from an organizing perspective.

[00:05:53] The first thing we would do during a session is organize her papers.

[00:05:57] She would hold on to the mail for the week or two in between our sessions.

[00:06:01] And then when I came, we would sort everything out.

[00:06:03] She would pay the bills. I would file the paper away.

[00:06:06] Then we would move on to another part of her home.

[00:06:08] So over over her kitchen counter, we helped to work through her boys graduating from high school, graduating from college.

[00:06:17] One of them has since gotten married.

[00:06:19] She got divorced. All kinds of things.

[00:06:22] She's now moved across the country.

[00:06:24] So literally, we've just we've changed her life by getting her things in order and organizing her mind as well as her space.

[00:06:33] Yes, yes, I love it. I love that.

[00:06:36] So we didn't talk about when your book came out, and I want to just touch on that and what you've seen the impact of it as on your business thus far.

[00:06:48] That's a great question. It is relatively new.

[00:06:50] It's been out at least in e-book form only about two months so far, but it had been in the works for many years, probably over a decade.

[00:06:59] Yes, yes.

[00:07:01] The result I've seen so far, even in these last two months, are that, yes, people are starting to use it.

[00:07:09] They appreciate it.

[00:07:11] I've received lovely feedback in that one person in particular had said it's like having a session with me or be in written form,

[00:07:21] which was the ultimate compliment because I wanted to be able to put my personality,

[00:07:26] as much knowledge as I could into the book so that the reader would be able to feel like heard, seen, appreciated, loved,

[00:07:34] noticed their strengths and talents and just be able to reach inside and bring all of that good stuff to the out.

[00:07:41] Yeah, yeah.

[00:07:42] I have had people say to me that reading my book was like having a conversation with me and that it felt like I was talking right to them.

[00:07:51] And I'm like, oh, goody.

[00:07:52] I mean, that really feels wonderful when that's the response that you get from people, right?

[00:07:57] Definitely.

[00:07:58] Yeah, it's fun. It's super fun.

[00:08:01] So what is next for you, do you think, in your business?

[00:08:06] Do you think that there's more speaking?

[00:08:09] Do you think that there's more coaching?

[00:08:12] Where will this book help take you?

[00:08:16] All of the above, I hope.

[00:08:18] I plan.

[00:08:19] I intend.

[00:08:20] Yes, good.

[00:08:21] Definitely.

[00:08:22] I definitely want to be out there speaking.

[00:08:25] I kind of feel a little bit held back in that the audio and print versions of the book are not yet out there.

[00:08:30] And I do have requests.

[00:08:32] So once those are out in the world, I will just feel more comfortable approaching potential speaking engagements and doing book signings and just being out there more.

[00:08:43] I also would like to parlay it into more virtual organizing clients.

[00:08:48] Yes.

[00:08:49] With maybe a group program.

[00:08:51] Right.

[00:08:52] Membership.

[00:08:54] And one of my ultimate desires is to bring this book to therapists and companies for their employees.

[00:09:03] Oh, yes. Love it.

[00:09:04] So that companies can offer organizing as part of their employee benefit package.

[00:09:09] You know what? That is so smart because being disorganized really holds people back in so many ways.

[00:09:16] And there's so much focus on employee wellness now.

[00:09:19] I mean, people are it's like, oh, yoga.

[00:09:22] Oh, we have chair massage.

[00:09:23] People come in, you know, all kinds of things.

[00:09:26] Right. And especially with the shift of are we doing hybrid work?

[00:09:32] Are we now working remotely all the time?

[00:09:35] I mean, people's offices, if they are working from home, they need a space where they can think and be organized.

[00:09:43] And sometimes people really need help to get their space into that that kind of shape.

[00:09:50] Yeah. So I love that idea of adding it to corporate wellness.

[00:09:54] Very smart. Very smart.

[00:09:57] Talk about a little bit about virtual organizing, because I'm sure that some people are like,

[00:10:03] well, how the heck is someone going to help me from across the country or from their desk?

[00:10:10] How is somebody going to help me get organized?

[00:10:13] Talk about that experience for people.

[00:10:15] Well, it's it's definitely different from on site organizing.

[00:10:19] And I will definitely say sometimes I do want to crawl through the screen.

[00:10:22] Yes. But if a client is technologically savvy and they have the physical capability

[00:10:29] or someone in their space to do the quote unquote heavy lifting.

[00:10:32] Yes. Virtual organizing is an excellent solution, especially for people who might be on a budget

[00:10:39] and don't necessarily have the same funds to have someone in their space.

[00:10:43] But it does work really, really well because the sessions are short, maybe an hour.

[00:10:50] Yep. And frequent.

[00:10:52] Yes. So there's repetition, which yields skill building.

[00:10:56] Yes. And some people, once they try it, they see that it's very motivating.

[00:11:02] So they tend to do things in between sessions as well.

[00:11:05] Yes, I can see that.

[00:11:06] And I'm working with one lady now who is just she is like my poster child.

[00:11:11] We've probably had maybe three sessions, but in between, she's done X, Y, Z, A, B, C.

[00:11:17] And like she is seeing huge, excuse me, huge differences in her space

[00:11:22] and consequently her relationships with her family.

[00:11:25] Yeah, no, I can see that because really, I mean, there are some people who really can't see

[00:11:31] what they need to do with things, but often it's just about committing the time

[00:11:38] to do the things that you need to do.

[00:11:40] And if you have those virtual sessions and you've set aside that hour,

[00:11:45] you know, you can make a lot of progress in an hour.

[00:11:48] And I know personally when I see a mess in my house,

[00:11:52] my first thought is how long it's going to take me to clean up that mess.

[00:11:58] Right.

[00:11:59] And yet every single time I do it, I am amazed at how much faster it was

[00:12:05] when I just got to it instead of thinking about it.

[00:12:10] Right.

[00:12:11] And so I could see where, you know, in an hour, you could do so much with someone.

[00:12:17] And then they would leave with that feeling of like, wow, you know,

[00:12:21] I've been looking at that pile for so long and I should have just done it.

[00:12:25] And now here's another pile.

[00:12:29] Maybe I'll just do this one. Right.

[00:12:32] Yeah, it definitely builds momentum.

[00:12:35] Yeah, totally. I love that.

[00:12:37] And I could see where, you know, if someone were to book you

[00:12:40] for a couple of virtual sessions, like that might be all they need

[00:12:43] because they just need that motivation, that kick in the rear end.

[00:12:47] Right. To get going.

[00:12:49] And then they keep going, which is always delightful.

[00:12:53] Yes. Yes. Yeah.

[00:12:54] So many thoughts.

[00:12:56] Yeah.

[00:12:57] So one of the things that I like to ask everyone who comes on the show

[00:13:02] is, do you think you will write another book?

[00:13:05] Oh, yes. Yes.

[00:13:06] Oh, definitely. OK.

[00:13:08] And will it be another organizing book?

[00:13:11] Will it be more like, do you know what it would be at this point?

[00:13:16] Well, I'm glad you asked.

[00:13:17] Well, yes. OK.

[00:13:19] So in addition to the big, oh, I also have two little mini ebooks

[00:13:22] out on Amazon on organizing.

[00:13:25] So, yes, they probably for the foreseeable future will be on organizing.

[00:13:29] I have a few other mini ebooks in the works that I want to get out there,

[00:13:34] as well as what I'm calling my magnum opus, which is called

[00:13:37] Make Space for Blessings.

[00:13:38] Yes. As you know, takes the Torah and uses it

[00:13:42] as the ultimate organizing book.

[00:13:44] Yes, I love that.

[00:13:47] That is something that you are still working on.

[00:13:50] For those listening, I've known Gail for many years,

[00:13:53] and she was working on Make Space for Blessings

[00:13:58] before the pandemic, when we worked together.

[00:14:01] And I love that she is fusing with her religion of Judaism

[00:14:07] and her passion for helping people

[00:14:11] create blessings in their life through organization.

[00:14:15] Love it. Thank you.

[00:14:16] I personally am really looking forward to that book coming out

[00:14:21] for no reason, because it will I know I will learn a lot about organizing,

[00:14:25] but also the Jewish faith, which, you know, is not my faith.

[00:14:28] But I find religion very interesting to study and observe.

[00:14:33] We have at least one good chapter, most of a second,

[00:14:37] which I am more than happy to share with you. Lovely.

[00:14:40] So another question I like to ask everyone

[00:14:44] and having been in business for yourself for 20 years,

[00:14:47] I know that you are going to have a great suggestion for us.

[00:14:51] What is something that any entrepreneur needs to do

[00:14:56] or have in order to be successful? Strong stomach.

[00:15:01] Mm hmm. Yeah.

[00:15:03] And I know that dovetails very well with your book,

[00:15:06] because the ups and downs of the rollercoaster

[00:15:10] that is entrepreneurship requires

[00:15:13] a boy, so many qualities.

[00:15:16] Strong stomach, thick skin, perseverance, a refusal to give up

[00:15:22] even in the face of what may be a disaster.

[00:15:26] You just have to keep going.

[00:15:28] Yeah. Yeah. Amen, sister. I know about that.

[00:15:33] Yeah. You literally wrote the book.

[00:15:35] I literally wrote the book. Yeah. Yeah, I did.

[00:15:39] OK. Last question, I'm going to ask, what is your favorite book?

[00:15:43] Oh, boy.

[00:15:46] Oh, boy, oh, boy, oh, boy.

[00:15:48] I really have to give that some thought.

[00:15:50] My favorite book.

[00:15:53] Let's see. OK, so currently my favorite book is called

[00:15:58] 10X is easier than 2X by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy.

[00:16:04] I've listened to it three times already,

[00:16:06] and I'm using it as a Bible for business growth currently.

[00:16:10] Love it. What a great recommendation.

[00:16:13] Yeah, yeah. Was there another one?

[00:16:15] You looked like you were about to say another one.

[00:16:18] Well, in terms of my personal favorite.

[00:16:21] Oh, gosh.

[00:16:23] I would have to say that there are certain authors I like and certain genres.

[00:16:28] I've always been a Maeve Bynchi fan.

[00:16:30] I used to read the book Blaine.

[00:16:32] Like, I love Maeve Bynchi. I love her books.

[00:16:34] And, you know, I'm Jewish.

[00:16:35] I'm not Irish, but I absolutely adore everything she's written

[00:16:39] because I get to learn from her and really get into her characters.

[00:16:42] Yes, love it. Love it. Excellent.

[00:16:45] Well, thank you so much for sharing.

[00:16:47] Is there anything else before we wrap up that you would like to share

[00:16:51] with the audience?

[00:16:53] The only thing I would say is if someone is going to be taking on

[00:16:56] an organizing project, just start.

[00:16:59] It doesn't really matter where.

[00:17:00] Many people say, I know what I need to do.

[00:17:02] I just don't have the time to do it.

[00:17:04] I don't know where to start.

[00:17:05] And the answer is just start.

[00:17:07] Pick a place. Start.

[00:17:08] It will create a life of its own.

[00:17:10] And you'll be very pleased with the results.

[00:17:13] Yes, absolutely.

[00:17:15] And if people want to know more about you, I think that they can.

[00:17:19] Was it download a chapter of your book?

[00:17:22] Yes, there is a free chapter available

[00:17:24] if they would like to get a taste of it.

[00:17:26] Excellent.

[00:17:27] And we'll have the link to that in our show notes.

[00:17:30] So wherever you found this episode, you should be able to head on over

[00:17:34] to our website and grab that if the show notes are not right there.

[00:17:40] Beautiful.

[00:17:41] Awesome. Well, Gail, thank you so much for being with us today

[00:17:47] and for the time spent.

[00:17:49] It is always a pleasure to chat with you and for everyone listening.

[00:17:53] Thank you so much.

[00:17:54] And I look forward to bringing you another episode soon.

[00:17:58] Thank you so much, Suzanne.

[00:17:59] It's always a pleasure to be with you.

[00:18:02] Thank you for listening to all things.

[00:18:05] Authorpreneur, head to iTunes and leave us a rating and review.