Pages

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

FINAL CALL - 2015 Donations to Charities - Last 2 Days


Today and tomorrow are the LAST TWO DAYS to get your donations made to charities for 2015.

Don't have time to write up an inventory of donated items? Don't worry, take pictures, drop off your items, get your receipt and inventory later.

Don't have a charity selected to gift your items? Check out this article from Forbes magazine: How to Evaluate a Charity

Selecting a charity a personal decision. Do your research but do it FAST!!! You only have two days left for your 2015 donations.

Good luck and good giving!!!!

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Ginger Beer - Pre-New Year's Body Break


We have a few days until the new year  and we can give our bodies a break from all of the "extra-curricular" eating and drinking before the final celebration of the 2015 holiday season.

Grab yourself a ginger beer (non-alcoholic, of course). Pour it in a beer glass or drink straight from the bottle.

Ginger beer is not only tasty but also good for you.
Check out this great article: Livestrong Benefits of Ginger Beer.

Get some rest, reflect on an awesome 2015 and get ready to bring in 2016.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Getting Organized Episode of The Warrior Life Podcast

Today the Getting Organized episode of The Warrior Life Podcast launched on iTunes. I was so very honored to have been invited to contribute to this podcast.

The Warrior Life Podcast was created by my friend and coach, Michelle of Michelle Rose Fit. The podcast features topics that empower you to "Overcome the Mental and Physical Battles of Life."

In this episode, I share how to get organized to support your warrior way of life and to make room for the amazing.

Listen to this and all of the podcast episodes here: Getting Organized on The Warrior Life









Sunday, October 11, 2015

Jaxtastic Life Organized October Challenge 2015 - Week 2 - Organize Your Health

Welcome to week 2 of the Jaxtastic Life Organized October 2015 Challenge.

How did last week go planning for the holidays? Did you take on the challenge? Did you put your hands to your ears yelling "La, la, la....I can't hear you"? Share in the comments how it went. 

Let's get started with week #2, organizing your health. I'm going to say it again. You are going to organize your health.


Mammograms and Self-Exams
Since this is Breast Cancer Awareness month, ladies we will start with you. If you are "of age" have you scheduled your 2015 mammogram? Get it scheduled and get it done!

Do you regularly perform self-exams? If not, get it scheduled and DO IT !!!








Sleep
How many hours of sleep do you get? Most folks will respond with "not enough." NOW is the time to actually start planning and scheduling sleep. 

Play the 15-Minute Game
Let's say that you get 5 hours of sleep each night. 
Each night, schedule your bed time for only 15 minutes earlier so you get 5 hours and 15 minutes of sleep. 
After getting 15 more minutes of sleep for one week, add 15 more minutes for the next 7 days.
Continue until you reach 8 hours.

Travel Prep
Will you be traveling for the holiday season? Prepare and organize NOW

Health Pack: Start today creating a travel "health" pack. Have these items now so that when you are on the road, and the inevitable happens, you will have your favorites on hand and that could help make your recover that much faster.

Ideas for your health pack:

  • cold/congestion products
  • pain relievers
  • digestion "assistance"
  • place holder for your regular meds
Additional items to locate and gather NOW are:
  • Your medical insurance card
  • Knowledge of your health plan's out-of-territory policies regarding urgent care and ER visits.
    • look this up so you know whether or not you need to get clearance before going to an out-of-territory urgent care.
    • ALWAYS go to the ER for an emergency!!! 
      • Never wait to call your medical group.
      • Be sure to know how soon you need to contact your medical group AFTER going to the ER.
Exercise - Schedule It!!!

Last week you scheduled all of your holiday events. Now it is time to schedule your exercise around your holiday schedule. Do it now.

You don't exercise? First, check with your doctor to see if you are healthy enough to exercise. Then schedule your exercise of choice. More importantly...DO IT!!!!


Healthy End to 2015 & Start of 2016
Organize for your health NOW so that you finish 2015 beautifully and kick off 2016 from healthy happy place.


Friday, October 2, 2015

Organized October Challenge 2015 - Week 1 - Holiday Planning & Prep

Holiday planning? Yes, holiday planning kicks off the Organized October Challenge 2015.

I know. I know. Everyone is freaking out about "how quickly October showed up" and you just aren't ready and you want to, as my friend, Sherry, playfully says, "Go in the backyard, swing on the swing and eat candy."

For this week, your focus is to get ready for the holidays. 



Calendar - Plot It!!!
Look at your 2014 schedule. Odds are, the same events will show up this year. Put all of the holiday events you can imagine in your calendar.

Time Off - Schedule it!!!
Taking time off from work this holiday season? Submit it at work do it now or you might not be able to take your days off due to others already scheduling it. 

Preparation Time - Schedule It!!!
Don't forget the prep work involved with parties, events, travel and more. Use the 2.5 rule. If you think it will take 1 hour, multiply that by 2.5 and book 2.5 hours in your schedule.




Travel - Book it!!!
If you are traveling in the next 3 months and you haven't booked your travel, DO IT NOW!!!
A few weeks ago we booked a trip and found prices high even at that time. 




BONUS CONTENT



OrganizedHome.com - Organized Christmas


This is an excellent resource for those who celebrate Christmas. If you think this post was early to talk about holiday planning, this Organized Christmas plan started August 30th.

Future Weeks
Keep following for new challenges each week as well as bonus challenges for your Organized October Challenge.

FREE Organizing Coaching in PIlot Program - 2 spots open
There are still 2 spots open for FREE organizing coaching during October to pilot a new organizing coaching program. Send an email to Jax to get things started.

Monday, September 28, 2015

Virtual Organizing Pilot - FREE Coaching for Two People (updated 9/28, 3:41pm)



UPDATE (9/28/15, 3:41pm): One spot for the pilot program has been taken. Only 2 more open spots available.

In the month of October, I am testing a virtual organizing coaching model and I need your help.

The pilot launches October 1, 2015.

The first two three people who respond, will receive FREE virtual organizing coaching from me via text, email and Facebook/Skype for an area of your choosing (ie home office, garage, kitchen, closet, etc). We will also be using Google Docs or Dropbox to share any documents.


At the end of the pilot, you will receive a copy of the world-wide best-selling The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo as a thank you gift for participating in this pilot.

Want to participate? Send an email to Jax right away. Only the first 3 people who send an email will be included in the pilot.

Organized October Challenge 2015



Yes, ladies & gentlemen, October is just days away. This is the perfect time to crush your organization before the winter holidays kick into full gear.


This challenge consists of the following:
  • Weekly Themes: Every week will have a theme to add a little spice to the challenge
  • Weekly Challenges: Every week I will share ideas on how to make room for the amazing and build your organizational muscles 
  • Bonus Challenges: occasionally, bonus challenges will be posted in addition to the weekly challenges for your organizing pleasure
Follow the Jaxtastic Life blog to view the themes, weekly challenges and bonus challenges.

Want email reminders? Send an email to Jax.


Friday, September 4, 2015

Super September - Launches September 5 - Unleash Your Inner Superhero



Photo Credit: Superhero Collection
Saturday, September 5th kicks off Super September for my indoor cycling classes at KP Pilates Plus in Long Beach, CA and at The Gym at the DIRECTV campus in El Segundo, CA.

I am sharing this with everyone to make the world a super place!!! (Yes, I know it's cheesy. Perhaps that's my superpower.)

A soft-launch took place on September 2nd at KP Pilates Plus with a playlist featuring "super" songs and exploring unleashing your inner superhero.

For the entire month of September, we will look at being a superhero in your life. 

What is our super power? - September 5th Topic
This week we look at what is your superpower. 
Are you a super-goal setter and achiever?
Are you super-organized? Are you super-focused? 
Have you forgotten your superpower? 
How can you unleash that superpower into your life this week?
How can you use that superpower for good and not for evil?

BONUS OPPORTUNITY - Create Your Own Superhero!!!!
Marvel Create Your Own Superhero Game
Do you want to take things to the next level? You can actually create your own superhero with THE authority in superheroes...Marvel. Share your superhero with your friends and family.

Weekly Superhero Exploration
Be sure to follow the Jaxtastic Life blog to explore what it means to unleash your inner superhero.



Spotify Playlists - Jax Sargent Spotify Profile

Want to workout or ride to my class playlists? Go to Spotify to explore my themed playlists. 

SHARE 
how your inner superhero is showing up? Did you conquer a challenge? Did you help someone? You never know who you will inspire. SHARE!!!


Saturday, July 25, 2015

Special Olympics LA Games 2015 - Indoor Cycling Class Inspiration


This morning I was finalizing my playlist for this morning's 10am indoor cycling class at KP Pilates Plus in Downtown Long Beach.

I was inspired by the 2015 Special Olympics World Games kicking off tonight at the opening ceremonies in Los Angeles .

What's even more exciting is that Long Beach, CA, my hometown is hosting events starting tomorrow.

The playlist features singers from today's opening ceremonies and one song from the games itself, Reach Up. Ride notes features fun facts about the games as well as inspirational notes for your journey to your goals.

Special Olympics LA Games 2015 Playlist - Spotify Link

Special Olympics LA Games 2015 Playlist - ride notes in Google Drive


Thursday, April 30, 2015

All-Challenge WrapUp, Reflect, Forward Plan & Feedback - Jaxtastic Life Spring Cleaning 30-Day Challenge - April 29 & 30th

Today we wrap up our 30-day challenge. This is the day we will; on how it went and what you felt. When we create the challenge forward plan.

 

Step 1 – Set your timer for 15 minutes MAX
Stick to it.








Step 2 - WrapUp
Today, stop all of your work sorting, moving and cleaning.  This is the day to wrap up your activities and give closure to this challenge before starting anything new.

Step 3 - Reflect
Grab a journal or type on an Evernote page or type/write somewhere on your computer, tablet or smart phone.

Over the past 30 days we covered 4 spring cleaning topics, selected by you.



We created sorting and mail handling systems, looked at holding spaces and explored ways to let go of your items. We even scheduled a full year of reading your books.

How did it go? Were some topics easier to handle than others?

What time of the day/week did you do your best work?

What would you do the same? What would you differently?

Finally, give yourself a pat on the back for participating. You showed up!


Step 4 - Forward Plan
Now what? Well, I have good news and I have bad news. First, the good news….you get to decide what you do next.  Now for the bad news….you get to decide what you do next. Do you still have paperwork to handle? Are you shelves still bursting at the seams with books?

It doesn’t matter what area you select to continue your focus. What is important is to have a plan. Create a goal and then break it down into a doable plan to ensure success. Again, look back at the times when you did your best work. Schedule your work for those times.

Feel free to revisit the past blog pages to give you an outline for your work. Here’s a link to all of the pages in this challenge to give you a high-level outline:  2015 Jaxtastic Life Spring Cleaning 30-day Challenge All Links.

Step 5 - CELEBRATE!!!!
Reward yourself for showing up and participating in this challenge. Share your successes. Celebrate the lessons learned. All of this will have a positive impact on the next activity you start.

Final Bonus Content
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo I learned about this book from a senior executive at work. It’s a surprisingly little book but it gives a powerful punch against clutter.  I recommend getting this into your 2015 reading schedule.


 







Survey – Share your Feedback
This is the first ever Jaxtastic Challenge. I would love your feedback. What worked for you? What didn’t work for you? What would you like to see in future challenges? Please go to this link to complete a short 5-question anonymous survey: Feedback Survey – Jaxtastic Life Spring Cleaning 30-Day Challenge







Share!!!!

Use the comments area to share your progress, thoughts, hopes, fears, etc. You never know what impact your words will have on someone else.

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Jaxtastic Life Spring Cleaning 30-Day Challenge - April 28, 2015 – Book Clutter - WrapUp & Reflect

Today we wrap up approaching book clutter. This is the day we will close this topic, reflect on how it went and what you felt.  We won’t create a forward plan today since there are only 2 more days in the challenge. When we create the challenge forward plan, we will include books in that exercise.

Step 1 – Set your timer for 15 minutes MAX
Stick to it.

Step 2 - WrapUp
Have any more books to donate/give away? Schedule your donation activity. Really, treat it like an appointment. Have you scheduled your “to schedule” books? Look at the bonus content below for a link to a Google Spreadsheet you can used to schedule your book reading for the rest of 2015.

Step 3 - Reflect
Give yourself a pat on the back. You did it!!! Was this hard? Was this easy? Just reflect on how it all went.  Don’t make any of it good or bad. Just observe.

Bonus Content
Every day, email subscribers received a reminder email with the below bonus content. Bonus content can be articles or infographics or apps that have touched my life and made it a little brighter or easier. I am not getting paid by any of the people or companies that create this content. They are truly things I do/read/use.

Classic Books (http://www.read.gov/books/) This is the Library of Congress page of classic books that you can read online for FREE. Not one book will take up space on your book shelves. 

Overdrive (www.overdrive.com ) App & website to check-out ebooks or audiobooks FOR FREE!!! You will need a library card from your local library. I’m a big fan of Overdrive and have been using it for over two years.

Next Issue (www.nextissue.com ) Think of Next Issue as the Netflix for Magazines. It’s an “all-you-can-read for one price” product and it’s fabulous. My brother’s fabulous family gave me a Next Issue subscription one Christmas several years ago and I fell in love.

2015 Reading Challenge (http://www.popsugar.com/love/Reading-Challenge-2015-36071458) If you need some ideas on what to read this year, this is a great tool to guide you to get reading. 

BONUS OPPORTUNITY: See if you can meet this challenge with your current books or borrowing books from Overdrive or your local library. DON’T BUY ANY MORE BOOKS!

Book Reading Schedule Spreadsheet The work has been done for you and a Google spreadsheet has been created containing the dates for each of the 2015 reading plans listed above. All you have to do is plug in the books and then get to reading.

Reading to Kids (http://www.readingtokids.org/Home/main.php ) We already know you love books. Why not channel that love to kids and volunteer to read to them?

James Clear (http://jamesclear.com/ ) Earlier in the challenge, I had shared one of his article about the power of focusing on improving the little things. I am now on James’ Clear’s email list and every single email received has been a gem. I recommend getting on his emailing list.  
If you’d like to receive daily email introductions of the current challenge topic and receive bonus content before everyone else, send an email to Jax (wjacquies@yahoo.com) to subscribe.

Tomorrow – All-Challenge WrapUp, Reflect and Forward Plan

Share!!!!

Use the comments area to share your progress, thoughts, hopes, fears, etc. You never know what impact your words will have on someone else.

Monday, April 27, 2015

Motivation Monday - Jaxtastic Life Spring Cleaning 30-Day Challenge - April 27, 2015


 Today is Motivation Monday!!! We look at keeping or getting motivated to complete this week’s book clutter work as well make it to the final day of this challenge on Thursday.






Why Motivation? I’m doing well.
We all know that when you are down, about your progress, motivation is invaluable. However, when you are successful in accomplishing a goal, you might need motivation to keep the momentum going.

Regardless of wherever you are in your spring cleaning journey this month, you are exactly where you are supposed to be. This journey isn’t just about de-cluttering, it’s also about seeing where you excel, where you are blocked and how to move forward no matter how small each step is taken.


Quotes & Inspiration Stash
At times like this, I turn to my “Quotes & Inspiration” board in Pinterest. Here are a few that inspire me and I hope they inspire you to keep at it.


 


Next Steps for the Book Clutter Week

Step 1 – Review your Goal
What goal did you set Wednesday? Read it, feel it, own it. OR, do you need to change it based on what you have learned about this past week?

Step 2 – Set your timer for 15 minutes MAX
Today is a light day looking at how you did and how you will approach the next few days.

Step 3 – Evaluate your progress
You might notice some thinking/belief patterns show up that are getting in the way of your progress.
How is your progress towards the goal you created on Wednesday?
What is working?
What isn’t working?

Don’t judge yourself. Just observe and note what worked and what didn’t work.

Step 4 – Plan for rest of the week 
We have 1 more day of working with our book clutter. What will you do with this last day?
-Sort more books
-Donate/give-away books
-Schedule books

Step 5 - STOP – When the Timer Goes Off
REALLY!!!! STOP!!!! I don’t care if you are in a groove. I don’t care if you are having fun. STOP!!!!

Step 6 – Celebrate
Give yourself a pat on the back, no matter where you are in your progress. Just showing up is 80% of the game.



Tomorrow – WrapUp & Foward Plan for Books

Share!!!!

Use the comments area to share your progress, thoughts, hopes, fears, etc. You never know what impact your words will have on someone else.

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Jaxtastic Life Spring Cleaning 30-Day Challenge - April 26, 2015 – Schedule Books for 2015


Today, we will schedule the books you have in your “To Schedule” space. This is a 15-minute max day.

Step 1 – Set your timer for 15 minutes (and only 15 minutes)
Stick to it.

Step 2 – Gather your “To Schedule” Books & Prioritize
Stack/order your “to schedule” books based on your desire to read them. The book you want to read first should be “on top” and arrange/organize accordingly.
IMPORTANT!!! Don't forget to include your digital books in this prioritization.

Step 3 – Select Your Book Reading Plan
If you start May 1st, you can read up to 18 books by the end of 2015. Below are the 3 frequency options you can take on to schedule your books.

·       Monthly – 8 books
·       Every 3 Weeks – 12 books
·       Every 2 Weeks – 18 books

You will notice that a weekly plan was not included in the above list. A weekly book-reading plan is just not realistic. We want success, not failure.

Step 4 - Wait! I have more than 18 books!!!
If you have the “challenge” of having more than 18 books to read, I would challenge you to let go of the books at the bottom of your list of prioritized books.

I know you have all kinds of reasons for wanting to keep the books. I’ve heard them all.

I challenge you to let go of those books for the following reasons:
1.     If you are meant to read a book, it will come back into your life, some way, some how.
2.     Someone else can benefit from reading the book instead of it collecting dust on your shelf.
3.     You might just be keeping the books for the wrong reasons and the fact that you haven’t ready them should be telling you something.
4.     You are making room for the amazing.

Step 5 - Reflect & Congratulate
Give yourself a pat on the back. You did it!!! Was this hard? Was this easy? Just reflect on how it all went.  Don’t make any of it good or bad. Just observe.

Tomorrow – Motivation Monday

Share!!!!

Use the comments area to share your progress, thoughts, hopes, fears, etc. You never know what impact your words will have on someone else.