Have you ever been asked in a job interview, "What's your biggest weakness?" For years, one of the most popular answers was, "I'm a perfectionist." As someone who spent more than two decades in Human Resources interviewing candidates, I heard that response countless times. People offered it because it sounded like the perfect weakness. It admitted a flaw without really admitting one. Being a perfectionist almost sounded admirable. Today, I see perfectionism very differently.

I still remember a fascinating presentation I attended at the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) Conference 5 years ago, where one concept has stayed with me.  Andrea de Paiva, creator of NeuroAU, explained that our physical environment influences our behavior, habits, and mental state in two important ways: it reinforces existing patterns and nudges us toward new ones. Even though we are influenced by many external factors, we often think we make our own deci

Last month, I hosted eight Momentum Body Double sessions. The purpose of these sessions is simple: to help clients turn their intentions into action. During each session, participants work independently on their own projects through two focused Pomodoro work periods, followed by a brief reflection. What struck me was how often I heard comments like: "I should have gotten more done." "I didn't finish." "I only worked for 25 minutes." "I still have so much more to do."

When Work Becomes Who We Are One thing that always strikes me when I return to Japan is the dignity people bring to their work. Whether it is a doctor, hotel staff member, cashier, or someone clearing dishes at a small restaurant, I often notice the same qualities: attentiveness, competence, politeness, and quiet dedication. There is pride in doing the work well — regardless of status. And perhaps even more surprising to visitors from North America: no tipping. The experi

Why We Need Both Have you ever set a big goal with excitement and determination… only to feel overwhelmed a few weeks later? I have.   Many of us, with or without ADHD, but perhaps more intensely if you have ADHD, swing between two extremes: dreaming big and pushing hard… or feeling discouraged and giving up altogether. We tell ourselves: “This time, I’m finally going to get organized.” “I’m going to wake up early every day.” “I’ll completely change my routines.” But

50s Are the Perfect Moments to Let Go Every year, there seem to be more empty homes in the small town where my dad grew up—and still lives—in Japan. I remember the people who once lived there—my grandmother's friend who ran a snack shop, the barber who cut my dad's hair, the mother of a famous sumo wrestler. These weren't just houses. They were lives. But over time, something changed. Japan now has over 9 million vacant homes—about 1 in every 7. In rural areas, entire neighbo

How small shifts in thinking can change how you experience your days. Do you wish you had more time? What if you could stretch or shrink it? We already do this. When we're in pain, ten minutes can feel like an hour, while a week on an amazing trip can pass in what seems like two days. Time, as we experience it, seems fixed but is deeply personal. Our perception of time shapes our reality more than the clock does. Yet many of us still hold the Newtonian view: time is fi

The Myth That Keeps You Stuck When I worked in corporate HR, I often had conversations with hiring managers about hard skills versus soft skills. Hard skills are easier to define. They can be learned through education and training, such as accounting, computer programming, or graphic design. Soft skills are different. They include traits and behaviors such as professionalism, work ethic, communication, and adaptability. Years ago, many people believed that soft skills were

And Why Letting Go Feels So Heavy We often hear that clutter is simply “postponed decisions.” If it were that simple, we would all just decide and move on. In reality, clutter is not about a lack of decision-making. It’s about conflicting decisions happening at the same time. Hideko Yamashita, a Japanese Clutter Consultant and DanShariRi expert, explains that there are three key decision points where people tend to get stuck. When we look a little deeper, each one reve

Why understanding your emotions—not controlling them—changes everything When my son, who has ADHD, was younger, I was often frustrated by how little tolerance he seemed to have for discomfort. Every little thing appeared to bother him, and he made sure to let us—and everyone around him—know. Daily emotional outbursts were wearing me down. At the time, my husband and I didn’t realize this was part of ADHD. “I don’t feel like doing this.” “This food gives me a weird feeling.” H

Most people use “mess” and “clutter” interchangeably. They’re not the same. Understanding the difference gives us important clues about how to approach our spaces — and why spring cleaning alone rarely creates lasting change. Peter Walsh famously said, “Clutter is not just the stuff on your floor; it's anything that stands between you and the life you want to be living.” I agree with the spirit of that statement. Clutter does block progress. It interferes with how we want to

February is known as the month of love, yet for many people, it can also bring up memories of loved ones they miss. In my organizing work, I often see how love and loss show up through the belongings we keep. This month feels like a meaningful time to reflect on how we honor those we love—without being weighed down by what we hold on to. In my work with clients, I often witness how difficult it can be to let go of items that belonged to someone important. One client held onto

I traveled to Ecuador in January and still carry a sense of awe. Visiting the Galápagos Islands had been on my bucket list for years, and it did not disappoint. Seeing wildlife up close—untouched by fear—was a quiet but powerful contrast to life back in the U.S., where constant vigilance often makes safety feel like something that must be defended. Traveling through mainland Ecuador offered a very different, yet equally meaningful experience. I had the opportunity to particip

Ever heard the phrase “expectations are premeditated resentments”? I have to admit, it hit home for me recently. My husband and I had...

Have you ever set up a beautiful organizing system—maybe labeled bins, color-coded folders, or a brand-new planner—only to find it...

There was a time in my life when I was always in go-go mode. Between raising two kids (one with severe ADHD), juggling home...

Disorganization doesn't just cost peace of mind—it silently steals our time, money, and self-confidence every single day. Let's look at...

Ever wonder why you started a project with the best intentions, only to find your motivation mysteriously vanish a few days later? ...

When we say, "I'll do it tomorrow," let's be honest—we usually don't mean tomorrow. What we really mean is: "I don't feel like doing it...

After ten years of working side-by-side with clients in their homes or offices, I've witnessed some truly inspiring transformations. But...