Productive Environment Blog
The First Person You Need to Organize Is Yourself
One of the most powerful lessons Barbara Hemphill learned from Mother Teresa was this: “Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.” Over the years, Barbara has come to b... ...more
Organizing and Learning to Organize
May 25, 2026•3 min read
Half of Any Job is Using the Right Tool: My 48-Year “Container Story”
When I began my organizing business 48 years ago with a $7 ad in a New York City newspaper, one of my immediate challenges was finding the appropriate “container” for whatever we were organizing—wheth... ...more
Organizing and Learning to Organize
May 04, 2026•4 min read
From “Next Action” to “Next Step”: A More Meaningful Way to Move Forward
When people feel stuck or overwhelmed, they’re often encouraged to ask a simple question: “What’s the next action?” ...more
Organizing and Learning to Organize
April 19, 2026•2 min read
Easter Is Coming… Hold Onto Hope
In a world that often feels uncertain and overwhelming, hope can sometimes feel out of reach. Yet, during a recent Palm Sunday service, Barbara Hemphill was reminded of a message she heard years ago…o... ...more
Organizing and Learning to Organize
April 01, 2026•1 min read
Take Courage: Be the Light!
Aging brings many things—some delightful, some challenging. It reminds me of the familiar words of A Tale of Two Cities: “the best of times and the worst of times.” When I look in the mirror without ... ...more
Organizing and Learning to Organize
March 17, 2026•2 min read
Feeling Overwhelmed? This Message Will Help You Refocus on Your Purpose
In today’s fast-moving and often overwhelming world, it’s easy to start the day feeling discouraged. Many people wake up, check the news or scroll through their phones, and are immediately met with s... ...more
Organizing and Learning to Organize
March 03, 2026•3 min read
Make Room for Jesus: Clear Your Clutter
Recently, I gave a presentation at my church entitled, Clear Your Clutter: Make Room for Jesus. Three people registered. The coordinator suggested we cancel. I declined. I’ve learned that whomever Go... ...more
Organizing and Learning to Organize
February 24, 2026•3 min read
Pay Me Now or Pay Me Later: The Real Cost of Postponed Decisions
“Pay me now or pay me later.” It’s a familiar phrase—but when it comes to paper, email, and information overload, it becomes more than a warning. It becomes a predictable outcome. ...more
Organizing and Learning to Organize
February 11, 2026•2 min read
Clutter Is Never Just Physical: Why It’s a Spiritual Issue
Clutter often begins quietly. It starts with small, seemingly insignificant decisions postponed “for later.” Over time, those postponed decisions accumulate and begin to shape environments, behaviors,... ...more
Organizing and Learning to Organize
February 01, 2026•2 min read
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