I had an absolutely awesome time the end of April at the NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers) national conference in Minneapolis, MN. I went up a day early so I could take the first ever CPO (Certified Professional Organizer) exam and I just found out yesterday that I passed! So, I am a CPO®. What does this mean to you? Probably nothing! But I'm feeling pretty special and one of a limited number of organizing consultants who have this designation!

I then spent 3 days with 850 other professional organizers. I made new friends, got re-acquainted with old friends, and had a lot of fun! Can you imagine a hotel filled with professional organizers? It was something!

One of the best things about the conference was that I got to spend a lot of time with my best friend in the organizing business, Nicole Bickett from Indianapolis, IN. We talked nonstop and just enjoyed hanging out together!

The other best thing was to spend time with my best friend in the speaking business, Mark LeBlanc. He was also the Golden Circle member's special speaker, the closing keynote speaker, and we all loved him! Mark is the author of Small Business Success and that is exactly what he does – helps small businesses become huge successes.

I promised you in my last newsletter that I would check out the cool organizing tools at the expo, and the neatest tool I thought was the Neat Receipts Scanalizer. The Neat Receipts Scanalizer is a tiny scanner and software solution that helps you organize your paper. Receipts, bills, medical forms, business cards – everything! It stores everything on a database in your computer. So cool!

And, I've gotten a discount for you! When you get to the second page of the ordering process simply use this code - EH2007 - and you'll get free shipping and $32.95 off the listed price!

In May I was privileged to spend two days with Kendall Summerhawk for a coaching retreat in Tucson, AZ. This was time spent totally working on my business and plans for the future. Boy, am I excited about where my business is headed and what I can offer you! I have found that it is SO important to surround myself with supportive, encouraging, smart people – and that's why I hang out with people like Kendall, Mark, & Nicole!

When I first arrived at Kendall's home I asked her if we could take a picture right away by a beautiful blooming cactus - so I would really look like I was in AZ. As we were getting situated and the picture was about to be taken I felt Kendall tense and then she gave me a push and yelled "Move, move!" Well, I moved! Kendall is very tiny but she can give a big push! Right before I started running (and screaming I admit!) I realized why Kendall had pushed me. Right behind us was a coiled up 3' rattlesnake about to strike! Oh my goodness! I wished that I had taken a picture of the snake - it was a sight I'll never forget. After we all calmed down we moved to a safer place and got the picture taken!

Next month I'll be filling you in on a great program that we designed in Tucson just for you that's going to give you monthly support, guidance, and a whole lot of help in creating your extraordinary life!

Since being in Tucson I have started thinking of my business in terms of my new brand - Fearless Organizing™. Because that's exactly what I teach and do with my 1:1 clients.

Being fearless is not about the lack of fear – its feeling the fear and moving through it and not letting it stop you. This is a very exciting feeling!

You may ask "What does fear have to do with getting organized?" My answer is "Everything!" Haven't you ever felt afraid to get rid of a piece of paper in case you'd need that information later, afraid to get rid of something out of your closet in case it might fit or come back into style, afraid to get rid of a key out of your junk drawer in case it goes to something (not sure what - but something!)?

Fearless Organizing™ is about making decisions. Right or wrong – but making decisions and moving on.

But, this where it gets tricky. How can you make the decisions of what to keep and what to get rid of if you just don't know?

Here are some guidelines:

• Do I even know what this is?
• Have I used it in the last six months?
• Does this item have a purpose?
• Does this item need me? (This is a GREAT one!)
• What would happen if I'd get rid of it and would need it again someday? If you can live with your answer out it goes!
• Could someone else be using this right now and be enjoying it instead of keeping it stuck in this closet? (And you feel guilty every time you look at it.)
• How do I feel when I wear this?
• Can I get it somewhere else - easily?

Print these questions out and post them where you want to organize. Start being fearless when you organize. Believe it or not you are not making life and death decisions. You're dealing with things for goodness sake!

You don't have to feel alone with the organizing process. There are almost 4,000 members of the National Association of Professional Organizers located in the US and around the world. We're ready to help!

For those of you who want to see your desk again, find papers you need quickly, and get rid of the piles and stacks – there's hope. You and I both know that when you get that all cleaned up, organized, and taken care of you'll feel like you've lost 30 lbs. of guilt and being hard on yourself!

Fortunately for you I travel all over the United States working with overwhelmed people just like you who want to live an extraordinary life. I also work virtually! Here's what you do: E-mail me for a Fearless Organizing™ Scorecard, fill it out, fax it back to me, and I will give you a 15-minute phone consultation to help you decide what to do next.

It's Your Time!

I would love to have you join me at the Resource & Training Solutions Organize with Confidence all-day seminar in St. Joseph, MN. I rarely give an all-day seminar that is open to the public so I wanted to give you a special invitation.

The workshop is on Wednesday, June 13, 2007 from 9:00am - 3:30pm at College of Saint Benedict, Haehn Campus Center - Alumni Hall, St. Joseph, MN.

This is going to be an awesome event! The fee is only $95 which includes lunch and the Organize with Confidence book and manual ($60 value)! For more information and to register visit www.resourcetraining.com or call Sandra Cordie toll free at 888-447-7032. Deadline is June 6, 2007!

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Organize with Confidence Workshop

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Contact Elizabeth Elizabeth Hagen ElizabethHagen.com 605.357.8767 5012 S. Cliff Avenue Suite 111 Sioux Falls, SD 57108 Copyright ©2006-2007 Elizabeth Hagen, all rights reserved. Honoring Your Privacy Your privacy is completely and utterly protected. I won't rent, sell or give away your name or email. You have my word on it!