034: Spring Cleaning with Linda Chu

In this episode, Marci interviews Linda Chu, owner of Out of Chaos, a professional organizing company based in Vancouver that provides home and office organizing strategies and systems for both home and business owners. Linda is also the founder and chairperson of the Professional Organizers in Canada. Listen as Linda shares with us her tips […]

In this episode, Marci interviews Linda Chu, owner of Out of Chaos, a professional organizing company based in Vancouver that provides home and office organizing strategies and systems for both home and business owners. Linda is also the founder and chairperson of the Professional Organizers in Canada. Listen as Linda shares with us her tips on effective spring cleaning, how to stop feeling overwhelmed with this task, why and how you should leverage your time, and different ways and resources to dispose items that are not being used.

 
Covered Topics:

Leveraging Time
Effective Spring Cleaning
How To Stop Overwhelm
Ways and Resources to Dispose “Waste”

Podcast Show Notes:

00:10 – Marci introduces Linda
01:02 – Linda’s background is in the hotel industry

The 9/11 caused her exit in that industry and entry in the world of organizing
Linda’s company, Out of Chaos, has been around for 16 years

02:52 – Linda talks about how she got into organizing

People are looking for a system or order
Organizing is not every person’s priority
Linda’s greatest impact is working with individuals to bring them to ground zero

06:21 – The best business advice Linda has ever received: Leverage your time

Delegate as much as you can
Get someone who’s an expert in the task that you need done

08:47 – Effective Spring Cleaning

Starting point is being clear on your goals
Sorting through everything
Edit through

11:19 – Tips on how to stop the overwhelm

Start with a timer
Do something achievable
Be consistent

13:57 – Check out Linda’s Resource Guide for Disposal

Not using/utilizing an item is waste

16:11 – Connect with Linda on Out of Chaos or send her an email

 
Topic Takeaways:

Learn to leverage time by delegating the things you can so you can focus what’s important.
Effective spring cleaning means being clear on your goals, sorting, and editing through everything you have.
You don’t have to do big things on your first try — do what is achievable.

Quotable Quotes:

“The principles are the same — people crave for a system or order.”
“Do what you love, do what you are an expert in.”
“Organization is a skill set.”

Mentioned Resources:

Out of Chaos – Linda’s website
Linda’s Resource Guide for Disposal