Plan Simple with Mia Moran

By Mia MoranBusiness Entrepreneurship Health & Fitness Mental Health Education Self-Improvement

Plan Simple with Mia Moran episodes

January 23, 2019The Decluttered Life with Deirdre Nesline
Decluttering is so much easier if you think about it as a lifestyle. It’s something that’s ongoing.
– Deirdre Nesline
On this episode of the Plan Simple Meals Podcast, I’m really excited to talk with Deirdre Nesline, a personal organizer about the importance of clearing clutter and creating the space we want to help improve the rest of our year.
One of the big ideas Deirdre shared was the idea of thinking of decluttering as a lifestyle, not a task or series of tasks. you think about it as a lifestyle. Like it or not, it is something that’s ongoing. There are times when task oriented decluttering makes sense, like when you are moving, but mostly, and what we focus on in this episode, is a decluttering lifestyle.

Deirdre talks about clutter blindness—how we drop stuff on say the kitchen counter or table instead of putting it where it belongs. That creates stress and builds a habit that creates more clutter. If instead we build new habits, we start to decrease clutter regularly.

Deirdre shares tons of tips about clearing places that are already cluttered and setting up new habits to make decluttering more of a lifestyle than a task we dread. And she points out that things usually take less time than we think—we waste a lot of time and energy thinking about doing them.

We talk about:

Getting into the habit of putting things where they belong throughout the day

Starting with a piece of a task that feels overwhelming, like taking just the lights off the tree

Tips for clearing your desk (and keeping it clear) like cutting back on mail by using Direct Mail and cancelling catalogs, and using a filing system to give papers you need to deal with a place

Using index cards with tasks you need to get done by a deadline at a glance

Getting rid of excess or unhealthy kitchen tools

Letting go of guilt of getting rid of expired food and decreasing food waste by organizing cabinets (all of the same food together) and meal planning from your pantry

How decreasing clutter saves time and money

Choosing a few meaningful items from somebody who has died and letting go of the rest

Teaching your kids how to let go of things they no longer want and need (and how this can be harder in practice than theory)

Doing a clutter walk through with a friend

Five minute, focused declutter sessions (work up to 15 min)

BIO

Deirdre Nesline is a personal organizer in Connecticut, Florida and online. She assists people & their families who struggle with where to start and complete de-cluttering their homes so they can de-stress and enjoy a full life without extra burdens. She helps people who are ready to take control of their lives and develops solid systems which allow them to step away from items & stresses that no longer serve their new DeCluttered life.

LINKS

Declutterbydeirdre.com

What to do with your papers tool

Direct Marketing to decrease junk...
1 hr 6 min
January 23, 2019The Decluttered Life with Deirdre Nesline
Decluttering is so much easier if you think about it as a lifestyle. It’s something that’s ongoing.
– Deirdre Nesline
On this episode of the Plan Simple Meals Podcast, I’m really excited to talk with Deirdre Nesline, a personal organizer about the importance of clearing clutter and creating the space we want to help improve the rest of our year.
One of the big ideas Deirdre shared was the idea of thinking of decluttering as a lifestyle, not a task or series of tasks. you think about it as a lifestyle. Like it or not, it is something that’s ongoing. There are times when task oriented decluttering makes sense, like when you are moving, but mostly, and what we focus on in this episode, is a decluttering lifestyle.
Deirdre talks about clutter blindness—how we drop stuff on say the kitchen counter or table instead of putting it where it belongs. That creates stress and builds a habit that creates more clutter. If instead we build new habits, we start to decrease clutter regularly.
Deirdre shares tons of tips about clearing places that are already cluttered and setting up new habits to make decluttering more of a lifestyle than a task we dread. And she points out that things usually take less time than we think—we waste a lot of time and energy thinking about doing them.
We talk about:
Getting into the habit of putting things where they belong throughout the day
Starting with a piece of a task that feels overwhelming, like taking just the lights off the tree
Tips for clearing your desk (and keeping it clear) like cutting back on mail by using Direct Mail and cancelling catalogs, and using a filing system to give papers you need to deal with a place
Using index cards with tasks you need to get done by a deadline at a glance
Getting rid of excess or unhealthy kitchen tools
Letting go of guilt of getting rid of expired food and decreasing food waste by organizing cabinets (all of the same food together) and meal planning from your pantry
How decreasing clutter saves time and money
Choosing a few meaningful items from somebody who has died and letting go of the rest
Teaching your kids how to let go of things they no longer want and need (and how this can be harder in practice than theory)
Doing a clutter walk through with a friend
Five minute, focused declutter sessions (work up to 15 min)
BIO
Deirdre Nesline is a personal organizer in Connecticut, Florida and online. She assists people & their families who struggle with where to start and complete de-cluttering their homes so they can de-stress and enjoy a full life without extra burdens. She helps people who are ready to take control of their lives and develops solid systems which allow them to step away from items & stresses that no longer serve their new DeCluttered life.
LINKS
Declutterbydeirdre.com
What to do with your papers tool
Direct Marketing to decrease junk mail
Podcast with Angela Litzinger on prepping food
Doable Changes from this episode:
DO A CLUTTER WALKTHROUGH. Have a friend over (you can do the same for her) and just walk through your house. Ask her to point out clutter in a non-judgmental way. She can ask questions like Why do you have that there? or Why is the mail piled up on the counter? This helps you see areas where clutter has built up that you might not even see anymore. It can also help you see where your organization may not make sense.
TAKE ONE STEP. Pick a big task that you’ve been dreading. Then just take one step toward making it happen. Need to clear off your desk? Just take all the empty water glasses and coffee cups next time you walk by. Then put all the loose pens in your pen holder. Put your client files in the file cabinet. Pull up the recycling bin and start going through papers.
SET A TIMER. Set an egg timer or the timer on your phone and work for 5 minutes. Once you get good at that, up it to 10 or 15 minutes. Focus on one 3-foot section—one end of your kitchen table, a section of counter, one shelf in the pantry, the pile of shoes by the door … just work on that. Do one every day or set aside a few 5–15 blocks throughout the day and focus declutter.
1 hr 6 min
January 17, 2019 Raising Great Girls (Yourself Included) with Jill Hope
Everything benefits when you start to let go of the things that weigh you down.
– Jill Hope
On this episode of the Plan Simple Meals Podcast, I’m really excited to talk with Jill Hope, the founder of I Shine, a family coaching practice. She’s mom to a son, but her work has brought her to focus on helping women who want to find their passion and/or raise raising empowered girls.
On the podcast, Jill describes what an empowered girl looks like. She makes decisions based on how she feels. She follows her passion and her joy. She actually knows what she’s passionate about because she’s really connected to who she actually is. She is not afraid to take healthy risks. She is confident about who she is.
According to Jill, one of the big things we need to do — women, men, girls, and boys — is awaken to our divine feminine energy. We all need to be able to fully express ourselves.
We talk about:
How parents can help their kids by self-reflecting, asking the right questions and giving yourself space to hear the answers
How place in the family can affect kids
The power of having trust and a vision of what you want
Looking at your own thinking around whatever challenges your daughter is facing
Using your passion to guide all decisions or choices
Why we tolerate things we don’t want—and how to stop
How your whole life gets better when you look at what’s within you
BIO
Jill Hope is a globally selling author, motivational speaker, and founder of I Shine, a family coaching practice located in Chicago. Her life’s mission is to help busy moms and their kids create clarity, fulfillment, passion, and purpose. As a part of her mission, Jill works with schools and local community organizations to mentor kids and teens, as well as provide schools around the world with her Inner Wellness Curriculum for kids in grades 3 through 5 (ages 8-11).
LINKS
Five Keys To Raise Empowered Girls
The Passion Test
Nina Manolson on the podcast
Podcast with Michael Thompson
Doable Changes from this episode:
SELF-REFLECT ON ISSUES. If you are dealing with an issue with your kids, look to your own experience first. Ask questions like: Where have I felt this way in my own life? What would I have to be believing that would have this be true for my daughter right now? Ask questions and make space to hear the answers. See where your experience might be affecting your perception.
CULTIVATE A VISION. Start with a vision of what you want. If that’s hard, begin by identifying what is happening that you don’t like. Look to the opposite of that for your vision. Having a vision of what you want is the first step to stopping setting and beginning to having a life you love. January 28
WRITE IT DOWN. Try writing every day as a way to work through things. You can uncover deep insights and pull stuff out of your heart and out of your soul when you write it down.
52 min
January 17, 2019 Raising Great Girls (Yourself Included) with Jill Hope
Everything benefits when you start to let go of the things that weigh you down. – Jill Hope
On this episode of the Plan Simple Meals Podcast, I’m really excited to talk with Jill Hope, the founder of I Shine, a family coaching practice. She’s mom to a son, but her work has brought her to focus on helping women who want to find their passion and/or raise raising empowered girls.
On the podcast, Jill describes what an empowered girl looks like. She makes decisions based on how she feels. She follows her passion and her joy. She actually knows what she’s passionate about because she’s really connected to who she actually is. She is not afraid to take healthy risks. She is confident about who she is.
According to Jill, one of the big things we need to do — women, men, girls, and boys — is awaken to our divine feminine energy. We all need to be able to fully express ourselves.
We talk about:
How parents can help their kids by self-reflecting, asking the right questions and giving yourself space to hear the answers
How place in the family can affect kids
The power of having trust and a vision of what you want
Looking at your own thinking around whatever challenges your daughter is facing
Using your passion to guide all decisions or choices
Why we tolerate things we don’t want—and how to stop
How your whole life gets better when you look at what’s within you
BIO
Jill Hope is a globally selling author, motivational speaker, and founder of I Shine, a family coaching practice located in Chicago. Her life’s mission is to help busy moms and their kids create clarity, fulfillment, passion, and purpose. As a part of her mission, Jill works with schools and local community organizations to mentor kids and teens, as well as provide schools around the world with her Inner Wellness Curriculum for kids in grades 3 through 5 (ages 8-11).

LINKS
Five Keys To Raise Empowered Girls
The Passion Test
Nina Manolson on the podcast
Podcast with Michael Thompson
Doable Changes from this episode:
SELF-REFLECT ON ISSUES. If you are dealing with an issue with your kids, look to your own experience first. Ask questions like: Where have I felt this way in my own life? What would I have to be believing that would have this be true for my daughter right now? Ask questions and make space to hear the answers. See where your experience might be affecting your perception.
CULTIVATE A VISION. Start with a vision of what you want. If that’s hard, begin by identifying what is happening that you don’t like. Look to the opposite of that for your vision. Having a vision of what you want is the first step to stopping setting and beginning to having a life you love. January 28
WRITE IT DOWN. Try writing every day as a way to work through things. You can uncover deep insights and pull stuff out of your heart and out of your soul when you write it down.
52 min
January 10, 2019 Plan Simple 2019
A brief summary of this episode
59 min
January 10, 2019 Plan Simple 2019
59 min
December 12, 2018Simplifying Toys with Becca Lane
When we go back and align our lives with our values, it can put everything back in tune. – Becca Lane
On this episode of the Plan Simple Meals Podcast, I’m really excited to talk with Becca Lane, a Waldorf teacher and Simplicity parenting specialist about toys—how do we handle all the toys already in our house and the influx that seems inevitable to many people this time of year.

What happens when we simplify? “We find when children simplify or when parents simplify and children have this space that has been simplified, that parents say the children cooperate more both inside and outside of play time. They are able to keep their rooms tidier. It doesn’t become this once a month going in with a backhoe to clean everything out. It becomes a process that is manageable in your life keeping a room tidy.”

This happens for a couple of reasons. When our personal space is cluttered, our minds are too. Plus, even though we think choice is a good thing, too many choices leads to overwhelm. So what do we do about it? How do we get some things out of our house? And how, with the holidays, do we prevent the same number from just replacing those we got rid of? We dive into both questions.

We talk about:

Not involving children 9 or younger in the simplifying process, but focusing on one space and simplifying yourself quickly all at once—and how much kids love seeing their cleared up space

Boxing up toys for a while if you are afraid kids will miss things (they usually don’t) or creating a toy library that you rotate through

Simplifying first, then organizing what is left—Getting to a point where your kids can tidy up within five minutes with adult help/modeling

Tying back into your values when you think about the toys you buy and keep

How to acknowledge the love and generosity of people who want to give your children gifts, even as you are asking them to give less stuff

Ideas for cutting down on gifts from other people: setting numbers limits for grandparents, providing a list with internet links or catalogs with very specific ideas, giving experiences like ballet lessons or a zoo membership, non-toy gifts like tools to help children cut vegetables or work in the garden

The importance of being able to receive as well as give, and the fact that material things aren’t bad, but we need to work on balance and intention

Simplifying isn’t a thing you do and are done with.

BIO

Becca Lane is the director and lead teacher of the play-based preschool/kindergarten Little Round Schoolhouse. While she initially trained and taught as a public school teacher, she now holds certification from LifeWays North America (a Waldorf-based training) as well as several certifications from Simplicity Parenting. In addition to her time in the classroom, Becca also coaches parents and families in Simplicity Parenting and provides consulting for early childhood programs. She and her family live on the edge of the forest outside of Asheville, NC.

LINKS

www.beccalane.net

Toys simplification formula

Becca on...
57 min
December 12, 2018 Simplifying Toys with Becca Lane
When we go back and align our lives with our values, it can put everything back in tune. – Becca Lane
On this episode of the Plan Simple Meals Podcast, I’m really excited to talk with Becca Lane, a Waldorf teacher and Simplicity parenting specialist about toys—how do we handle all the toys already in our house and the influx that seems inevitable to many people this time of year.
What happens when we simplify? “We find when children simplify or when parents simplify and children have this space that has been simplified, that parents say the children cooperate more both inside and outside of play time. They are able to keep their rooms tidier. It doesn’t become this once a month going in with a backhoe to clean everything out. It becomes a process that is manageable in your life keeping a room tidy.”
This happens for a couple of reasons. When our personal space is cluttered, our minds are too. Plus, even though we think choice is a good thing, too many choices leads to overwhelm. So what do we do about it? How do we get some things out of our house? And how, with the holidays, do we prevent the same number from just replacing those we got rid of? We dive into both questions.
We talk about:
Not involving children 9 or younger in the simplifying process, but focusing on one space and simplifying yourself quickly all at once—and how much kids love seeing their cleared up space
Boxing up toys for a while if you are afraid kids will miss things (they usually don’t) or creating a toy library that you rotate through
Simplifying first, then organizing what is left—Getting to a point where your kids can tidy up within five minutes with adult help/modeling
Tying back into your values when you think about the toys you buy and keep
How to acknowledge the love and generosity of people who want to give your children gifts, even as you are asking them to give less stuff
Ideas for cutting down on gifts from other people: setting numbers limits for grandparents, providing a list with internet links or catalogs with very specific ideas, giving experiences like ballet lessons or a zoo membership, non-toy gifts like tools to help children cut vegetables or work in the garden
The importance of being able to receive as well as give, and the fact that material things aren’t bad, but we need to work on balance and intention
Simplifying isn’t a thing you do and are done with.
BIO
Becca Lane is the director and lead teacher of the play-based preschool/kindergarten Little Round Schoolhouse. While she initially trained and taught as a public school teacher, she now holds certification from LifeWays North America (a Waldorf-based training) as well as several certifications from Simplicity Parenting. In addition to her time in the classroom, Becca also coaches parents and families in Simplicity Parenting and provides consulting for early childhood programs. She and her family live on the edge of the forest outside of Asheville, NC.
LINKS
www.beccalane.net
Toys simplification formula
Becca on Facebook
Kim John Payne on Plan Simple Podcast
Doable Changes from this episode:
SET YOUR VALUES. Tying decisions about toys to your values helps you make choices and send clear messages to other people who want to give things to your family. Think about personal and family values. This may mean cutting out or back on plastic toys or buying toys that will last. It may mean choosing tools or equipment for activities like cooking or gardening or outdoor exploration. Whatever it is, you can use your values as a filter as you make decisions about what you buy and you can share this information with family.
CLEAR ONE SPACE. Choose one space to clear and make time to do it when your kids are not around. You could choose a book case or the art table or the play room floor. Choose a specific space, ago in and clear it up fast. Think about simplifying first. Throw out anything that is broken. Box up most of the stuff. Decide if it is a toy to put away to rotate later or if it is a toy you are ready to move out. Then organize what is left.
DO A FIVE-MINUTE CLEAN UP. Five-minute clean ups are a goal to work toward for many people. To get there, you need less stuff and you need a place for the stuff you do have. But trying a five-minute clean up lets you see where you really need to simplify. It also allows you to model clean-up for your kids. This is a great doable change if you have streamlined some as a way to help keep clear, uncluttered space.
57 min
December 07, 2018Well Planned Holidays with Megan Flatt and Mama CEO Panel
How do you get through the holidays as a mom and business owner?
On this episode of the Plan Simple Meals Podcast, we have a special treat. I’m talking with Megan Flatt and four other Mama CEOs about how they find flow between business and family and keep things sane during the holiday season.

Since we’re talking about work and family, let’s introduce ourselves, what we do and our kids ages. I’m Mia Moran. I help people plan their days. It means spending a lot of time in front of the computer while my 15, 13, and 9 year old are in school. It’s busy, so slowing down is hard for me.

With me today:

Megan Flatt is a Mama CEO, a business growth strategist, and a planning pro who helps mom entrepreneurs grow and scale so they can reach their business goals and be present for their families. Her kids are 7 and 10.

Stacy Spensley is a coach for parents of young kids through coaching classes and community. Her kids are 5 ½ and 2 ½ and she’s having a third in a few weeks.

Sara Barry is a content strategist, client success manager, and a writer. She uses words to help people make connections. Her kids are 10 and 8.

Erika Tebbens is a consultant who provides sales strategy for passionate motivated women entrepreneurs. She shows them that sales doesn’t have to suck. Her son is 14.

Sonia Ruyts owns a brick and mortar yarn store and is a coach to creative small business owners. She has kids who are almost 4 and 9.

I love that we have a variety of kids and ages from 0 to 15. We have kids not in school and in school and home schooled. We have a range of business experience here. We also have people who love the holidays and others who really down play it. Hopefully something will speak to you.

We talk about:

Setting boundaries—Try setting boundaries around your work time, even if you are not good about it during the rest of the year. Schedule some down time. Think about doing one thing a day (or less as suits you). Talk about boundaries around gifts with your family. Consider the “a want, a read, a wear, a need” criteria to simplify things.

Setting priorities—What’s most important to you and your family? Ask your kids what they really want to do. Make sure those things have a place and then let the other things go.

Putting your big rocks in place early. Get your work schedule and the kid’s school schedule on the calendar. Know what things have to happen at certain times and what things you want to make sure happen. Get those on the calendar and let other things flow around that.

Knowing your business. Is this a time to push for your business or a time to scale back and set yourself up for a strong January? For retailers, it’s a busy time, which can affect how you schedule other things.

Choosing things that are meaningful to you. Sara creates an Advent calendar of holiday books that helps her slow down and read with her kids and get in the holiday and giving spirit. Erika has something they do over the course of the winter to extend the feel of the season and does some volunteering. Sonia loves taking her family to her big, local light display and getting silly. Stacy gets Christmas jammies every year.

Slowing down. Find out the way of slowing down that works for you, which may mean setting a day of home/down time or make choices about what you do or focusing on teaching kids about baking rather than pushing to get everything done. It could mean choosing to celebrate with extended family on a different day instead of trying to run around to
57 min
December 07, 2018 Well Planned Holidays with Megan Flatt and Mama CEO Panel
How do you get through the holidays as a mom and business owner?
On this episode of the Plan Simple Meals Podcast, we have a special treat. I’m talking with Megan Flatt and four other Mama CEOs about how they find flow between business and family and keep things sane during the holiday season.
Since we’re talking about work and family, let’s introduce ourselves, what we do and our kids ages. I’m Mia Moran. I help people plan their days. It means spending a lot of time in front of the computer while my 15, 13, and 9 year old are in school. It’s busy, so slowing down is hard for me.

With me today:
Megan Flatt is a Mama CEO, a business growth strategist, and a planning pro who helps mom entrepreneurs grow and scale so they can reach their business goals and be present for their families. Her kids are 7 and 10.
Stacy Spensley is a coach for parents of young kids through coaching classes and community. Her kids are 5 ½ and 2 ½ and she’s having a third in a few weeks.
Sara Barry is a content strategist, client success manager, and a writer. She uses words to help people make connections. Her kids are 10 and 8.
Erika Tebbens is a consultant who provides sales strategy for passionate motivated women entrepreneurs. She shows them that sales doesn’t have to suck. Her son is 14.
Sonia Ruyts owns a brick and mortar yarn store and is a coach to creative small business owners. She has kids who are almost 4 and 9.
I love that we have a variety of kids and ages from 0 to 15. We have kids not in school and in school and home schooled. We have a range of business experience here. We also have people who love the holidays and others who really down play it. Hopefully something will speak to you.

We talk about:
Setting boundaries—Try setting boundaries around your work time, even if you are not good about it during the rest of the year. Schedule some down time. Think about doing one thing a day (or less as suits you). Talk about boundaries around gifts with your family. Consider the “a want, a read, a wear, a need” criteria to simplify things.
Setting priorities—What’s most important to you and your family? Ask your kids what they really want to do. Make sure those things have a place and then let the other things go.
Putting your big rocks in place early. Get your work schedule and the kid’s school schedule on the calendar. Know what things have to happen at certain times and what things you want to make sure happen. Get those on the calendar and let other things flow around that.
Knowing your business. Is this a time to push for your business or a time to scale back and set yourself up for a strong January? For retailers, it’s a busy time, which can affect how you schedule other things.
Choosing things that are meaningful to you. Sara creates an Advent calendar of holiday books that helps her slow down and read with her kids and get in the holiday and giving spirit. Erika has something they do over the course of the winter to extend the feel of the season and does some volunteering. Sonia loves taking her family to her big, local light display and getting silly. Stacy gets Christmas jammies every year.
Slowing down. Find out the way of slowing down that works for you, which may mean setting a day of home/down time or make choices about what you do or focusing on teaching kids about baking rather than pushing to get everything done. It could mean choosing to celebrate with extended family on a different day instead of trying to run around to many places on the actual holiday. Consider pacing the excitement by opening gifts as they come—then you can put things away when the shine wears off and take them out again later.
Deciding what you want for you family. Getting really clear with yourself and your spouse with what you want for the holiday season. Then work with other people, like grandparents, who may want to see you.

LINKS
Meganflatt.com
Stacy Spensely, Semi-Crunchy Mama
Sara Barry, Content Strategist & Copywriter
Erika Tebbens Consulting
Sonia Ruyts, Creativity Coach

Doable Changes from this episode:
GET YOUR BIG ROCKS IN PLACE. Get any big work days on the calendar. Pick the key things that you want to do as a family during the holiday season. Put those on your calendar now. Get used to saying no to other things that pull you out of the holiday feel you want.
SCHEDULE SLOW DOWN TIME. Schedule down time for yourself or your family. That might me a Sunday when you all sit around and read Christmas stories or setting aside every Friday for a holiday movie night or choosing not to go to another holiday party. Take an afternoon to browse in your favorite book store instead of braving the mall. Spend time baking cookies or crafting. Cross something off your list undone and take a holiday stroll. Mark off some time on your calendar for this and hold it sacred.
SET BOUNDARIES AROUND GIFTS. We talk a lot about scheduling and being busy, but there is also an overabundance of “stuff” this time of year. Set boundaries about gifts and share them with family members. Consider going with just “a want, a read, a wear, a read” or encouraging family members to share experiences, like tickets to an event or a museum membership, instead of stuff. Think about when you want to open gifts—will you do it all on Christmas morning? Will you open them at different events throughout the season? Will you open them as they arrive at your house? Decide and communicate to your family.
57 min

About Plan Simple with Mia Moran

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Bestselling author and life coach Mia Moran serves up the Plan Simple Podcast for women who want to ditch overwhelm and wear all their hats with ease. Listen for inspirational interviews, informative…

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