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Dear Marsha:

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Hi Marsha, 

Through the years as you have been on a call or two with Sandra, as I have called  you to try to find help, as I have tried the $5 solution and now with signing up for this class, I have learned A LOT from you.  However, I think today may have been my biggest learning opportunity yet.

Today I learned the things that I wrote on my sheets such as, "There's no law that says that I can't have more book shelves. The only rule is that I have to house my books properly."  "Have what I want.  Don't have what I don't want."  The four steps to go from "this" to "this."  "Trash, file or action."  "The rule is I must look at my vertical things-to-do file every day."  "I have to FIGHT the feeling that I don't want to do it.  I HAVE TO DO IT!" And one of the most profound for me, "Tune out the process.  Focus on the results."  Thank you for sharing all of this wisdom.  It was all wonderful and once again I have hope and inspiration.  Thank you for that.  Still, I'm not sure that these are the things that are the greatest contribution to my learning.

As I hung up the phone and stirred supper on the stove, I thought of how well you told the story of how you became who you are.  Awesome, hilarious story!  I loved it!  As a writer who has also spoken, I thought of what a very fine job you did in telling the story.  I said to myself, "Marsha is not only a professional organizer and an organizing teacher and an organizing encourager, she is ALSO a GREAT STORY TELLER!  I wonder if she had those skills from her real estate job or if she developed them as she has become an organizer?  I don't know, but I thoroughly enjoyed listening to you and I salute your ability.  So I learned something more about how to present information so that listeners are spellbound.  You could have started with the idea that NAPO gave out your name and number after the conference and it would not have been nearly as effective as it was to drop that on us after we had "come along with you" in your struggle and at the conference..

And still beyond that.  What my mind and heart really learned from you today relates to the struggle with the anymeeting system, having the right number and the right day and time, yada, yada, yada as well as your "how I became me" story.  In trying to get the call underway, I knew that you were FRUSTRATED.  I've heard you be frustrated with technology before.  Nothing unusual about that for anyone.  Still, never did I hear you say anything really negative about yourself to me or us as  you worked through that struggle.  You admitted that you messed up, but you didn't pummel yourself into the ground for it.  You were respectful and apologized for the confusion, but never did you say, "Oh, I'm such a _________ (fill-in-the-blank with whatever)."  Also, as you told about all that you learned at NAPO but that you didn't realize that they would then give out your name and phone number, never did you say, "I was so naive.  I was so dumb.  I was so _______."   You just stated the facts and accepted them as they were.  That was a lesson for me.  Today (on a good day) I realize that I don't have to be down on myself or talk negatively to myself even though I am disorganized and it has really affected my life negatively.  Instead, I can -- armed with information and encouragement -- choose to think about the good that I am and the good that I do and I can set about cleaning up this mess that has resulted from postponed decisions, from inadequate training, from not enough boundaries, from having many talents and interests, etc.  That's what I'm going to focus on doing.

So, THANK YOU so very much for doing what you do and for sharing what you know.  And THANK YOU for so thoroughly and enjoyably answering Margaret's question about how you became who  you are.  I think you are wise and precious.

Colette

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Thanks, Marsha. I want you to know that I've spread the word about you!

Hi, Marsha! I just wanted to let you know that all of your hard work, support, advice, and encouragement have paid off. I now have control over paper, hired a secretary and bookkeeper, and I feel much less stress. I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me. Having accountability was the push I needed.

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Thanks for your encouragement, Marsha. I can't tell you how much it means to me.
 Paula

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 It is getting easier to let go of some things. Things you have said keep going through my mind at critical times - not the whole idea but words like "beautiful" and "easily replaced" and "ugly" and "no one should have" and "never looked good on". They are really helpful, quick fixes.

You are such an unbelievably positive person. I really enjoy working with you, Marsha. You have given me hope.

Paula

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Marsha,

Today I had food samples in the grocery. I had three cute little plastic spoons I was going to take home with me, but I threw them away, along with a pair of chop sticks from sushi. I decided I didn't need them. That was a change for me. I'm trying to be more discerning about what I take home and/or keep. That is progress.

Paula

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Today was great.  I spent another two hours, give or take, with my boys in their room, and we got a lot more done.  We got at least twenty more things into the garage sale bag, and we weeded out a good twenty five books too (and we have more books to go through tomorrow).  I'm a reader, and our homeschool curriculum is heavily literature based, so getting rid of books is realllllly hard for me, but I knew that a, we had a good amount of books that they just don't care for; b, some of the books are pretty abused and are just falling apart; and c, some of them are poor literature, so we don't really need them anyway!  I let them vote on each book, and other than a few vetoes by me ("No, you may NOT sell Goodnight Moon!"), it went splendidly. 

 Erica

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I get so frustrated looking for things that  I'm more than ready to get more organized. I know I can do it because of your help. I'll report on my progress later today.

Thanks for being so encouraging.

Paula

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Hi Marsha,

Thanks for the handouts.   I really look forward to another class.  The classes have helped a lot.  I haven't made as much progress as I'd like, but some progress is better than no progress.

Thanks.

Colette

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Hi Marsha,

I think one thing you've taught me through these past months is that I have to give myself some slack. Yes, I have a list of miserable stuff to do, but I can't imagine any other major items hitting my DO list after these are tackled. I feel like I've been given a short respite.

Linda

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I'm fine today, Marsha. Trying to do 5 things at once.  Thanks to you, I have a new attitude about my stuff. I am ready to get rid of things I haven't been before. It is a freeing feeling. Thanks again for all your help.

Paula

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Dear Marsha,

I finished my Vertical Things to do pile. It is actually helping me keep organized in my mind. I know when I get a paper I don't just pile it I file it.

I will work on my main files next week. I am writing down my main files in the office. I haven’t had time to call you about the misc boxes. I will get to that this week.

Karen

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You've given me a wonderful cornerstone with the knowledge you’ve shared with me.

Bill

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Hi Marsha,

The class on Tuesday was great.  It/you are SOOOO helpful.

Thanks.

Colette

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Marsha---

You might be under the impression that I am "disengaged", since I have yet to make it to a "LIVE" class!  AND, I have not sent in the daily accountability.

Well, I admittedly have not been so good at the accountability piece, and I am pledging in this email to be accountable this week.   

I have been very 'engaged' though!   I have listened to each of the two previous calls 2x now, and I have put my VERTICAL pile-file into action!   I have cleared out two boxes of papers and stacks around my desk.   I cleaned my desk and have kept it clean, per your "divide into quarters and conquer" theory.

This week is "clean up the office" week.   It is also "find all random files" week.

I am doing good, despite my non-gold-star attendance in the class.

I won't be there today, either, I'm sorry to say.   My son has had car trouble and I must go pick him up at 5 (when the class begins in my time zone).   I doubt I will be back by the time it ends, but, you can be sure I will listen to the recording as soon as it appears in my box!

I have a decent Youtube video re:  Books and now I'm off to go figure out how to post it to our group page!

Thank you, Marsha, for all you are!   I am doing it,  per your inspiration!  I've spent about 5 hours organizing since our last class last week.  However, up to now, it's been on a sort of "ninja" scale (e.g., not very visible to you or the class!).   Just wanted you to know.

:)

Carol 

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Hi Marsha, Michelle K. from last night's class....Since I can't edit the Feedback form, I thought this would be a good alternative to communicate my feedback. My favorite part of the class - That it was SO unlike what I was expecting it to be! Your philosophy on organizing is not at all what I would have expected based on my own experience, however, I love your approach and am looking forward to wrapping my head around it! I love that you believe in telling the customer everything and I love that you are so patient and down to earth!!! This is going to be an awesome class. Thank you for sharing your gift. I'll finish feedback in next message as I'm running out of characters! :)

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Dear Marsha,

Your class was awesome. It exceeded my highest expectations. And I've taken a lot of classes in my life. One way the very best teachers I've had stand out is that what I learn from them goes way beyond the subject per se. You are one of those -- you really have a gift.

So thank you again, and I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing rest of your evening and night; you certainly deserve it!

Happy as can be,

Lauren

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That was an interesting bonus conversation. I learn something new everyday through this class. Thank you.

Bonnie

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Hi Marsha,

I only have a second, and I'm typing one-handed (holding a nursing baby in the other!), but I wanted to be sure to e-mail you today!

I organized one of my kitchen cupboards today, and it made me some money!  I pulled out a ton of pantry items that we're no longer using because of a special allergy diet we're on, and a bunch of stuff that hasn't been touched in...forever.  I'm in a local buying club, so I sent out an e-mail with a list of all of the good stuff, and dirt cheap prices, and I have already sold about half of it (a lot of bulk grains, legumes, sweeteners, etc.).  I have my first two weeks of the class paid for, and my cupboard looks great.  Yippee!

Talk to you tomorrow,
Erica

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Marsha,

Thanks for your words of encouragement. On the way to Cleveland we stopped at an outlet mall, a very dangerous place. I was at Eddie Bauer outlet and saw some really cute things. I was standing there holding something up trying to think about when "I might use it". And caught myself. I said out loud that I was breaking one of my new rules about not getting anything unless I had an immediate need or plan.  I didn't buy anything. I was so proud of myself.

I have been thinking about what to give away. I will make the list and use that as a guideline when I get back home. It is not so scary anymore. Thanks.

I am having a terrific day!

Paula

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Hi Marsha and the group! Good to see you all. I completed my entire closet and reorganized it. It felt good to get rid ofs! Boards and cinder blocks were the best thing for my shoes (shoe queen) Thank you , Marsha.

Keep organizing everyone! Love, Kamili 

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Marsha, There is no greater lesson than shadowing you on a job. You do as you say. Thank you, Marsha, for the invaluable experience I had yesterday.

Bonnie

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Michelle  Sep 20

I LOVE the questions and answers. Thank you so much for taking the time to share these calls with everyone. It's fascinating to hear that the other class members have some of the same questions I may have and I appreciate that we all have access to the conversation! Thank you!