All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/177

What if the reason you feel stuck isn't that you're lazy, unmotivated, or doing something wrong? What if you're simply out of flow?

This episode feels especially meaningful to me because Laurie Smith was last on the podcast back in Episode 105, when she was in the middle of writing the book we're talking about today. We worked together while she was writing, organizing her ideas, and creating space for this project to come to life. And now? She's back with her finished book, The Flow Habit.

Laurie has spent years studying, teaching, and experimenting with flow through her coaching, research, and her popular 28-Day Flow Challenges. In this conversation, we explore what flow actually is, why so many of us feel disconnected from it, and how finding your unique "flow formula" can help you experience more focus, creativity, joy, and momentum in your business and life.

We also dive into something I found fascinating: how understanding your own flow can actually help you get organized, stay motivated, and make even the tasks you normally avoid feel more manageable.

If you've ever thought, "That sounds great, but I'm just not someone who experiences flow," this episode might change your mind.

• What "flow" really means and why it's about much more than "going with the flow"
• How to identify your own unique formula for experiencing flow
• Why childhood memories can provide clues to your natural strengths and purpose
• The surprising connection between flow and organization
• How to use "flow motivators" to tackle tasks you normally avoid
• The four-step FEEL framework Laurie teaches to help create more flow in everyday life
• Why trying too hard to get into flow often prevents it
• How tiny moments of joy can create powerful shifts in your business and personal life
• Practical ways to make organizing feel easier, more meaningful, and even fun
• Why reconnecting with your own joy may be one of the most productive things you can do

Laurie Smith is an inspirational author, professional speaker, podcast host, and coach, and has worked in the fields of creativity and personal growth for more than 20 years. She is on a mission to spread the word about the transformational power of everyday flow, those experiences we have when we are so absorbed by what we are doing that we lose track of time. Laurie is the author of several books, including The Flow Habit, which was recently published by Hay House, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Since 2020, hundreds of people around the world have participated in Laurie’s free 28-Day Flow Challenge. Laurie is passionate about how flow can help us access our creative spark, uplift others, and help us make our dreams come true.

Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | The Flow Habit Book | Podcast |

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/176

Book a consult with Tracy here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/appointments

After helping people organize their homes for more than 18 years, I've learned that organizing isn't really about containers, labels, or finding the "perfect" place to start.

If I woke up tomorrow and my entire house was completely disorganized, I wouldn't begin by buying bins or heading to the Container Store.

I'd start somewhere completely different.

In this episode, I'm walking you through the exact process I would use to organize my home from scratch today, including:

• Why I wouldn't start with organizing at all
• How to decide what matters most in your current season of life
• The three questions I always ask when choosing where to begin
• Why success creates momentum
• What to expect when organizing temporarily makes your house look worse
• Why completing one space at a time builds confidence
• How to use the SPACE organizing method in every room
• Why organizing is a skill, not a personality trait
• How to treat each organizing project like a project manager
• The role accountability plays in finally following through

If you've ever wondered where to start organizing your home or why you struggle to stay organized, this episode will help you create a home that supports the life you actually want to live.

Find all the links mentioned in this episode here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/175

Is your office helping you get work done... or making everything harder?

When someone recently asked me if I had an episode specifically about organizing an office, I realized I had talked about pieces of it over the years, but never dedicated an entire episode to the topic. So I invited professional organizer Lisa Griffith to join me for a conversation about what actually matters when it comes to creating an organized workspace.

Lisa and I go way back to our early coaching days, and she brings such a refreshing perspective to organization. Instead of focusing on perfectly styled desks and Pinterest-worthy office setups, she challenges us to think about something much more important: Does your office support the way you actually work?

If you've ever felt guilty because your workspace doesn't look perfect, or you've spent time organizing only to find yourself right back in the same place, this episode will help you rethink what organization really means.

We talk about why function always comes before appearance, how to identify your natural work style, and why creating systems that fit you is far more important than creating a picture-perfect office.

What You'll Learn:

• Why Pinterest-perfect offices often create unrealistic expectations
• The difference between organizing for appearance and organizing for function
• The one question you should ask before organizing any space
• How to identify the work style that fits you best
• Why some people need things visible and others need them hidden
• Why more organizing isn't always the answer
• Practical ways to create an office that supports your productivity

For all links and information, go to: https://simplysquaredaway.com/174

Book your consult call with Tracy at: https://simplysquaredaway.com/appointments

What if getting organized isn't really about the stuff?

In this personal episode, Tracy shares lessons she's learning as she redecorates her home, declutters books, creates more space, and navigates a season of asking bigger questions about life and purpose.

What started as a home project became something much deeper. Through slowing down, making intentional decisions, and creating space, Tracy discovered that organizing can be a powerful tool for self-discovery, healing, and uncovering what's next.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why organizing sometimes takes longer than you expected
• How decluttering can reveal what matters most in your current season
• The connection between physical clutter, mental clutter, and creativity
• Why creating space can help you hear God's direction more clearly
• How organizing can be about becoming, not just doing
• The surprising lessons Tracy learned while redesigning her home

If you've ever felt like you're in a season of transition, wondering what's next, or feeling pulled toward something new but aren't quite sure what it is, this episode will encourage you to slow down and pay attention to what creating space might be revealing.

Because sometimes the greatest gift of organizing isn't what leaves your life.

It's what gets uncovered.

Find Danielle's links and more here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/173

Book a consult call with Tracy here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/appointments

Have you ever ended the day wondering why you didn't do the thing you fully intended to do?

You had a plan. You knew what needed to happen. Maybe it was hiring support, finishing a project, creating content, or finally making a decision you've been putting off. But somehow, your actions didn't align with your intentions.

If that sounds familiar, you're going to love this conversation.

Today I'm joined by Danielle McGeough, coach, professor, and creator of the Stuck Assessment. Danielle helps people uncover what's really keeping them stuck and teaches simple rituals that help them move forward.

In this episode, we dig into the hidden reasons we struggle to take action, even when we genuinely want to. We talk about the stories we tell ourselves, the habits that keep us looping in the same patterns, why high achievers often struggle when they're beginners again, and how small rituals can help us build trust with ourselves and finally move forward.

If you've been feeling frustrated because you know what to do but can't seem to get yourself to do it, this conversation will help you identify what's really going on and give you practical ways to start making progress.

• Why intentions and actions often don't match
• The different types of "stuck" and how to identify yours
• How self-sabotage can show up in your business
• Why high achievers struggle when they don't immediately know what they're doing
• The role perfectionism plays in keeping you stuck
• Why rebuilding trust with yourself matters
• Simple rituals that help bridge the gap between intention and action
• How greater self-awareness makes taking action easier
• Practical ways to start moving forward when you feel stuck

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/172

Download Tracy's Free File Naming Formula Cheat Sheet: https://simplysquaredaway.com/fnfc

Are you tired of wasting time searching for files on your computer?

You know the feeling. You're looking for a document you know exists, but all you can find are files named "Final," "Final Final," or "New Document." Before you know it, you've spent ten minutes clicking through folders and opening files trying to find the right one.

The problem isn't your memory. It's your file names.

In this episode, Tracy shares the simple file naming convention she uses and teaches her clients to help them find files faster, reduce duplicate documents, improve team collaboration, and create a more organized business. You'll learn why your computer search is only as good as your file names, when to use dates, how to track versions, and the five rules every Organized CEO should follow.

If you're ready to spend less time searching and more time doing meaningful work, this episode is for you.

• Why file naming conventions matter more than most people realize
• How poor file names create wasted time and frustration
• The mindset shift from organizing for today to organizing for future you
• Tracy's simple file naming formula
• When to use dates in file names and when to skip them
• Why version numbers are better than using "Final Final FINAL"
• How consistent file names help your team find what they need
• Five rules for creating a file naming convention that actually works
• A simple challenge to help you start improving your file organization today

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/171

Get $250 off the Organized CEO Intensive here for a limited time.

What if the reason your business feels so exhausting… has nothing to do with working harder?

My guest today, Vicky Countess, thought she just needed to “get better at tech.” But underneath the cluttered desktop, overflowing files, and piles of paper was something deeper: frustration, wasted time, and the constant feeling of never being able to find what she needed when she needed it.

Vicky first found me through a business program where I was teaching simple digital organization strategies. She downloaded my file organization cheat sheet, started making small changes, and eventually jumped into my Black Friday offer (the Organized CEO Intensive - get now for $250 off) because she was tired of feeling scattered in her business.

Her story is going to sound VERY familiar if you’ve ever spent 20 minutes searching for one file… only to realize you saved it in three different places. 😅

In this episode, Vicky shares what digital clutter was really costing her, why organization felt emotionally heavy, the simple systems that helped her finally feel calm and confident inside her business again, and the new niche that she's not only passionate about but also starting very organized.

We talk about:

• Why being “bad at tech” usually isn’t the real problem
• The emotional weight of digital clutter and constant frustration
• How simple file organization can save hours every week
• The bookmark bar system that immediately made business easier
• How small changes can create huge relief in your day-to-day work
• What finally pushed Vicky to ask for help

All links mentioned in the post can be found here: https://simplysquaredaway.com/170

Get $500 off of Organized Coach Academy right now using the coupon code 500. --> https://simplysquaredaway.com/oca

If I had to start my business over from scratch today, I would do a LOT differently.

Not because I failed the first time…

But because I’ve learned that organization is not something you “get to later” once your business grows.

Organization is what allows your business to grow without taking over your brain.

In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly how I would organize a brand new business from day one if I were starting all over today. From digital files to time blocking to dashboards and workflows, I’m sharing the systems I would set up immediately to save time, reduce overwhelm, and create a business that actually feels sustainable.

You’ll hear:

• The very first decision I would make about where to store everything
• Why I would immediately create a simple file structure
• The “business brain” dashboard I would build right away
• How I would organize my bookmarks, links, and recurring tasks
• The way I would structure my calendar and time blocks
• Why organizing your mind matters just as much as organizing your files

This episode is practical, strategic, and full of the exact systems I use to run an organized business today.

If you’ve ever felt buried in tabs, downloads, scattered ideas, or inconsistent workflows, this episode will help you think differently about what it really means to build a business that supports you instead of exhausting you.

Mentioned in this episode:

• • Organized Coach Academy - Get $500 off right now using the coupon code 500. --> https://simplysquaredaway.com/oca
  • File Naming Formula Cheatsheet - Learn your formula to name your files consistently. --> https://simplysquaredaway.com/fnfc
  • The 5-File-Folder System - In this training, I show you how to set up a file structure. --> https://simplysquaredaway.com/5files