Highlight reel for 2010

31 December 2010

On this day last year, I posted my highlight reel for 2009. For me, it’s a fun way to reflect on the past year (and remind me a year later what went down), so I’m trying it again for 2010.

Here are some the highlights of my 2010:

I created products! In August, I debuted my Organizing Guides as well as my Make Peace with Your Mail e-course. In addition to creating the content for these products, these projects required me to flex my brain and learn the technology side of e-commerce, so it feels like a real accomplishment. Now I’m all set to create more products.

I gave meaningful talks. I love talking with audiences about decluttering, organizing, and letting go of stuff. I had the chance to speak at some great places this year, including Thomas Dunn Memorials. After that class on letting go of stuff, the executive director, Kathy Bangert, sent me an email that made my heart sing. She wrote, “I hope you feel as fulfilled as I feel about today’s class. You (we) really made a difference in these people’s lives!”

I became marketing director of an organization that’s very important to me. The National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization has given me invaluable education and networking opportunities. I was honored to be asked to join the board of directors. I started in July and got to jump in with both feet as a new name for the organization was selected, then implemented. As of tomorrow, NSGCD will be the Institute for Challenging Disorganization!

I passed the reins of NAPO St. Louis to a great president. I was president of the St. Louis chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers for almost three years. In May of 2010, I became immediate past president as Tiffany Engler, CPO® took over as president. She’s done an amazing job and is a fantastic leader.

I received my Hoarding Specialist certificate. Working with people who hoard is tough, but fascinating. I loved learning more about hoarding on my way to earning the new Hoarding Specialist Certificate from the NSGCD (soon to be ICD). I took classes, read books and passed a test and am proud to be among the first group of organizers with that credential.

I led some terrific teams. I love working with other organizers and this year I was able to lead teams of organizers who did some wonderful transformations. That is so much fun.

I found a steady paycheck. At the end of 2009, I felt that my income was too unpredictable. I was able to quickly find a terrific part-time job to make things more steady. Since January 21, I’ve worked two days a week for the International Institute of St. Louis, a wonderful non-profit that helps newly arrived refugees and immigrants. The Institute also puts on the terrific Festival of Nations every summer. Believe me, the Festival is an organizational feat. Helping with it was one of my primary duties. I feel really fortunate to have found a job I enjoy with a terrific organization that does so much good.

Here’s to a fabulous 2011.

Tagged with: accomplishments, goals, gratitude