What motivates us to act?

It is amazing what can be organised, depending on the reward and motivation.

Yesterday it was an absolute pleasure and privilege to work with 60+ volunteers and declutter the silt, liquefaction and other related earthquake debris from Christchurch's eastern suburbs. We did it because we could. We made a difference and many people who benefitted from the day of shoveling, digging, clearing and moving. For some it was as simple as opening a cupboard for the 1st time since February and others making a path so they can hang their clothes to dry.
This event was all done by volunteers and organised over a period of 5 weeks. We had folks from all walks of life arrive ready to get down and dirty from Tom who is 8, to John in his 70's and everyone in between. One of the local radio stations 91ZM arrived at lunch time to cook up a BBQ and we all sat and chatted before heading of to do some more work. We had equipment donated by companies such as Fonterra, whittakers and Coldstore, and a happy base at the Waimari Methodist Church.
Everyone went home, tired and sore but totally satisfied at the positive action and organising that had taken place. All volunteers saying they were keen to do it again.
I am also keen to work with the amazing crew of Deon, Ali, Ben, Mark, Betty and Others to organise another "Lets get it done" Event. We called it "Lets get it Done" because we are about action, doing, being positive and getting things done. Next time I want at least 300 Volunteers and we will be getting loads done.
In contrast today there is a Rally (Protest variety) in roughly the same area of Christchurch, I was dismayed to see a picture of this rally and the turn out was huge by the look of the image I saw. I know people are hurting and angry, and this post is likely to piss a few people off, but why cant the energy be turned into POSITIVE ACTION as opposed to negative placard waving and words. There is a veritable community army protesting about land values and payouts, when in reality the Government were not obliged to step in and do the insurance negotiating on their behalf, and the residents to are not obliged to accept the offers made to them and they can negotiate themselves. However still the Community came together to Rally their feelings.
My question is "How do we get the same number of people to come together for a positive event, like "Lets get it Done"?" I know of one volunteer yesterday who is from a RED ZONE home, the others I believe are from parts of Christchurch not effected in the same way as the Eastern Suburbs. It was not an exclusively Eastern Suburbs event as help was sent to Tai Tapu and Lyttelton, however we did the majority of the work within the Eastern Suburbs.
I want to know where the residents who are protesting today, were yesterday? Is one of them the man who expected our volunteers to move car bodies and tyres in his yard (not earthquake related, just junk)? How many of them could have helped the elderly get to their mailboxes, clothes lines or even open their back doors by shoveling some silt and liquefaction? How do we get them to take positive community action instead of protesting?
I would love to hear any solutions or suggestions to this. As I know the reward for positive action is longer lasting and far reaching in comparison to the negative energy and resentment that can come from protest.
So look at what you organise and the implications, make it positive and long lasting, oh and spread the word so others can benefit from helping others and growing positive community

What to do, What to do!

I am feeling a little in a dilemma at the moment. That is what to do, I am having this amazingly strong urge to return to full time Mothering and ditching the business. I know I won't but sometimes it does get a little to much to bear.

I have my first book on the shelves and thoughts for a few more, consults are slow (must be the economy!!!!) and getting my speaking gigs up and running taking longer than I anticipated so wondering if I should maybe have a hiatus???????

I have a fabulous office I work from that overlooks the water and I am there till October, then I think I will return home to our newly built study and let things flow. Until then I will no doubt keep trucking along and getting things done.

I would love to hear from you all the things you need from your friendly organising guru and I will continue to deliver. Also what sort of book would you pick up off the shelf? let me know and I will start working on the most popular choice:

1) People Clutter - Sabotage by Association

2) The organised family

3) Moving house information book.

4) real Organising tips from real people

Let me know your preference and I will deliver within 12 months the most popular choice. 

I look forward to your inspiration and motivation.

Surround Yourself with Great People

After the funny and long week I have had. I was lucky enough to spend this morning with an amazing group of people who never fail to inspire and motivate me.

These are my fellow committee members of NSANZ, Christchurch Chapter. (National Speakers Association New Zealand) This morning spent brainstorming and planning has reminded me of the importance of being around people who make a positive difference in my life.

Often we regard the clearing of clutter to mean, getting rid of Junk and stuff from our physical spaces, like home or office. However today I have resolved my self to get rid of some of the people clutter in my life. Luckily for me there are not too many people I do not enjoy being around.

So what is people clutter, you may ask. People clutter are the people you spend time with that drain your energy, sense of humour and resolve. We all know people who are always negative have a real victim mentality and generally are not pleasant to be around. These people are what I will now term as "People Clutter" (I think I should TM that term post haste).

This morning I was with a dynamic group that are the complete opposite of People clutter and who should most definitely be collected and nurtured as long time friends and associates. That is because that particular group of people make me feel good, actually they make me feel great. I always leave any NSANZ Christchurch meeting with a sense of "I can do anything" I am always motivated and fuelled to accept any challenge that is thrown my way.

So I am going to nurture those people in return, they will become my "life assets", because they are valuable to me.

I have many people in my life who I see as my "life assets", these are family, friends, work contacts and passing acquaintances who have made a positive impact on me. So a huge thank you to all my fantastic "Life Assets" out there, and I certainly will endeavour to become a "Life asset" to each and everyone of you.

I am excited about this revelation, and I know it is nothing new and experts have said surround yourself with great people to become great for a very long time. However I intend to expand on this and develop a decluttering service for those of you with "People Clutter" to clear out of your own lives.