Life Made Simple with CarlaRae

Latest Episodes:

#67: Good Night, Sleep Tight! (Sleep Habits PART 1) Apr 10, 2017

Show notes

Today we're going to dive headfirst into one of the most important factors regarding your health: sleep.

We all know that sleep is important. A good night's sleep plays a crucial role in your health. It also plays a huge role in your energy levels and everyday functioning.

It's not only physically important, but it's also cognitively important to get a good night sleep. Did you know that when we're sleeping, neurons in the brain fire nearly as much as they do during waking hours? So it should come as no surprise that what happens during our resting hours is extremely important to a number of brain and cognitive functions.

Sleep deprivation impairs your judgment, makes the body retain fat, your body is unable to heal or repair properly, can cause depression, and you can even increase the chances of early Alzheimer's.

If you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, you're not alone. I actually have a love-hate relationship with sleep. For many years, I've struggled with insomnia issues... I've gotten much better, but I still have trouble every once in awhile.

On today's episode I give you a bunch of tips on how to refresh your bedtime routine, I give you strategies on how to banish some of your bad bed habits, and I help you set the stage in your bedroom for a good night's sleep. And even if you're already sleeping soundly, these tips can help!

Then for next week's, Part 2 episode, we're going to look at why it's hard to wake up and get out of bed sometimes. I'll then give you some ideas to freshen up your morning routine to help you wake up feeling well rested and recharged.

Don't forget, Simplicity University will be open for registration this spring! If you want to get on our mailing list to get info about our new courses and workshops that will soon be offered through Simplicity University, just send a text to 44222 with the word SIMPLICITYU.

Or you can just go to SimplicityU.com for more information.

Links Mentioned in this Show:

Sleep Schedule Website: sleepyti.me

Episode #63: You Need More Margin Time! (CarlaRae Confesses)

Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode67

Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com

Simplicity University: SimplicityU.com

Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY

Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson

Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae

#66: What Are You Afraid Of? - "Do It Anyway" Apr 06, 2017

Show notes

I have a question for you: Do you ever let fear stop you? I know I sure do.

Everyone has fears in life. But if your fears prevent you from doing things that you truly want to do or should do, then it can become a real problem.

On today's quick and brief episode I talk a little about what you can do about those pesky fears you face in life and hot not let them stop you.

Links Mentioned in this Show:

Original Versions of "Do It Anyway"

Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode66

Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com

Simplicity University: SimplicityU.com

Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY

Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson

Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae

#65: Do You Tend To Organize Backwards? Apr 03, 2017

Show notes

As I mentioned last week, one of our most popular episodes of all time on Life Made Simple, is episode #5: Top Organizing Strategies and Secrets Revealed. Not only is it one of the most downloaded episodes that we have, but it's also an episode that I continue to get numerous messages about from our listeners.

In that episode I go into detail about my 5 Steps to Organizing Your Home. Here's a quick review...

Consolidate all like items.
Sort them by category.
Purge and let go of anything you don't need or want.
Find the best home for the items.
Containerize by finding the best bins or containers, if needed.

Consolidate, sort, purge, find a home, and then containerize. Seems pretty straight forward right? Well, if it's that easy, then why do so many people get stuck, overwhelmed, and then end up needing help? If it were really that easy, I'd be out of a job!

There are so many reasons why most people have a hard time organizing their home. There are many reasons why people get stuck. But there is one very common reason as to why many people get stuck and overwhelmed and then need to hire a professional organizer to help them finish the project .

It's one of the main explanations as to why the end result of many organize efforts ends up being hard to successfully maintain.

It's because they organize backwards. And you just might be one of the many people who, without knowing it, organizes backwards.

In today's episode I explain what it means to organize backwards, the many reasons WHY many people organize backwards, and 3 things you can do to prevent yourself from falling into that common trap.

Or you can just go to SimplicityU.com for more information.

Links Mentioned in this Show:

Episode #5: Top Organizing Strategies & Tips Revealed!

Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode65

Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com

Simplicity University: SimplicityU.com

Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE

Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson

Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae

#64: Top 10 Countdown "Throwback Thursday" Mar 30, 2017

Show notes

Since we first launched, the show has received so much feedback... and I love hearing from everyone! Thank you so much for all your support and encouragement! It has truly been an amazing nine months.

Since Life Made Simple first aired, we've definitely had a bunch of random episodes that we've thrown out there covering all areas of life that we all strive to simplify. But after analyzing all the stats and download details, there are a few particular ones that have been our most popular and talked about episodes.

Today, for any of our ongoing listeners as well as for all our new listeners, it's time to play some catch-up. Today I take a couple minutes to go back and tell you about those specific episodes that our listeners seem to like more than most. Consider it to be "Throwback Thursday" and for fun I even make it a countdown for you.

Here they are:

10. Episode #19: Always Late? Here's What To Do About It (CarlaRae Confesses)

9. Episode #21: Here's Your Closet Clean-Out Action Plan!

8. Episode #23: How to Exercise Without Really Exercising

7. Episode #47: How Do Digital Distractions Impact Your Life?

6. Episode #13: How to Simplify Your Relationships When Things Get Messy

5. Episode #51: A Must-Have Tool To Stay Motivated Everyday

4. Episode #42: 365 Things In 365 Days

3. Episode #7: The Ultimate 3-Day Jumpstart to Good Health

2. It's a tie! Episode #53: Pack Rat or Hoarder? What's The Difference? (Ask CarlaRae)

and #55: How To Live With Someone Who Won't Change - "I Married A Pack Rat"

1. #5: Top Organizing Strategies and Secrets Revealed!

Be sure to stay tuned for all our future episodes coming up! We have a bunch of great stuff lined up for you. We have a brand new episode every Monday, as well as our "3 Minute Thursday" episode later in the week.

Be sure to subscribe to Life Made Simple on itunes or whatever podcast app you prefer to use.

If you want to stay updated on our new courses and workshops that will soon be offered through Simplicity University, just send a text to 44222 with the word SIMPLICITYU. Or you can just go to Simplicityu.com for more information.

Links Mentioned in this Show:

Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode64

Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com

Simplicity University: SimplicityU.com

Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY

Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE

Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson

Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae

#63: You Need More Margin Time! (CarlaRae Confesses) Mar 27, 2017

Show notes

Just because I've been a home organizer and time management coach for over 15 years, it doesn't mean I always have it all together. There are still areas of my life that I struggle with. And it's not because I don't have the right strategies or tactics. I definitely have a HUGE arsenal of tried and true tips and techniques... that's not the problem.

It's simply because success at almost anything in life is dependent on only 20% strategy and 80% psychology. I know it sounds crazy, but it's true in so many ways! Most personal development coaches agree... success is 20% strategy and 80% psychology.

Which means you not only need good strategies to simplify your life, but you need good mindsets and discipline to actually implement those strategies. And I admit it, that's where I struggle the most.

For last's week's "3 Minute Thursday" episode I read to you a short story about a professor teaching his class about priorities and time management. Since life can get so busy sometimes - or like I often say "crazy busy" - in order to find the freedom of simplicity, we need to figure out how to simplify our time. We need to figure out how to manage and cope with our inevitably busy lives.

On today's "CarlaRae Confesses" episode, the time management strategy that I talk about is actually one that I've known for years and I've taught many of my clients, but I confess it wasn't until recently (like this past year) that I've actually put it to practice in my own life. And let me tell you, now that I've consistently implemented this strategy it has made a HUGE difference! Total game changer!

It's called margin. Do you have margin in your life?

Margin is the intentionally scheduled empty space in-between tasks, to-dos, appointments and events. In today's episode we look at why we need margin, why we tend to resist margin, and how to include margin in your daily life.

If you want to stay updated on our new courses and workshops that will soon be offered through Simplicity University, just send a text to 44222 with the word "SIMPLICITYU".

Links Mentioned in this Show:

Episode #59: Use Music For Motivation And To Boost Your Mood

Episode #40: Always Moving Onward & Upward

Episode #52: Learning That Sometimes You Need To Say "No"

Episode #8: How to Make a "Perfect Day Itinerary"

Episode #11: How Do I Make a "Perfect Week Itinerary"?

Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode63

Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com

Simplicity University: SimplicityU.com

Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY

Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE

Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson

Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae

#62: Is Your Life "Crazy Busy"? Mar 23, 2017

Show notes

Do you ever notice that - more often than not - when you ask a friend or colleague how they are, many of them use exactly the same adjective? Can you think of what that is? It's the word 'busy'. It seems that everyone these days is busy!

And I'm definitely guilty of using that word.... except I always tend to give it a little more flare and say "crazy busy." Then I always find myself qualifying that by saying "A good busy, not a bad busy, but definitely crazy busy."

It seems that the B word has become our stock response to any enquiry about our wellbeing, replacing the word 'fine', which used to be the common reply.

Our lives seem to be getting busier and busier. When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the story of the mason jar and the 2 beers.

Tune in for today's episode where I tell you all about it.

Do you know anyone who tends to always be "crazy busy"? Encourage them to simplify their life by sharing our podcast show with them. They can find all our episodes at LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com.

Be sure to stay tuned for Monday's episode when I share with you one of my favorite time management strategies for a busy life.

If you want to stay updated on our new courses and workshops that will soon be offered through Simplicity University, just send a text to 44222 with the word "SimplicityU". Or you can just go to SimplicityU.com for more information.

Links Mentioned in this Show:

Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode62

Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com

Simplicity University: SimplicityU.com

Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY

Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE

Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson

Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae

#61: A Sneak Peak At What's In The Works! Mar 20, 2017

Show notes

Eeek!!! I have some big news for you!

A few months ago, I was approached by the creator of The Simple Living Summit and I was asked to be a guest speaker for the program. The free online event was back in mid February, and from what I've heard it was a big hit! If you missed it, you can still sign up for updates and get on the wait list for the next time they release it (see link below).

Ever since that event last month, I have been receiving numerous messages asking about a "teaser announcement" that I made during that interview. So, since I've official let the cat out of the bag and it seems that a lot of our listeners are interested, I figured I'd take a few minutes for this episode and tell you all about it. It's been in the works for awhile now and it's kind of a big deal. Thank you so much for everyone who has reached out to me to ask about it... I am so excited to officially make the announcement and throw it out there!

Listen to today's episode and get a sneak peak at all the details!

Links Mentioned in this Show:

SIMPLICITY UNIVERSITY: SimplicityU.com

Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode61

Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com

Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY

Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE

Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson

Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae

#60: Don't Be Resistant To Open Space Mar 16, 2017

Show notes

So many times, while working with my clients, I've noticed a trend... and it's not a good one. For some reason, when many of them have gone through my 5 step process to organize a space and it's time to put the organized items into their new home, some of them resist the idea of having empty space.

I know that sounds strange. If someone wants a simplified home, why would they resist open space?!? In this episode I explain the psychology behind it all.

Links Mentioned in this Show:

Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode60

Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com

Episode 5: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode5

Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE

Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY

Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson

#59: Use Music For Motivation And To Boost Your Mood Mar 13, 2017

Show notes

On this show, I put a lot of emphasis not just on inspiration and action, but also on motivation. How to get motivated and how to stay motivated. I've heard it many times before from other experts in the field: success is only 20% strategy and 80% psychology.

Which means you not only need good strategies to simplify your life, but you need good mindsets and discipline to actually implement those strategies.

On today's episode I share with you one remarkably easy tool that you can use to get motivated and stay motivate throughout your day.

It's called, music.

I know it seems a little too simple, but tune in and I'll explain exactly how you can tap into the incredible motivational power behind music.

Links Mentioned in this Show:

Free Download: "Motivational Songs To Boost Your Mood"

Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode59

Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com

Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY

Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/CarlaRaeArneson

Submit Questions: CarlaRaeArneson.com/AskCarlaRae

#58: Do You Know The Value Of Time? Mar 09, 2017

Show notes

On today's quick and brief "3 Minute Thursday" episode, I share with you a poem that might hopefully give you a different perspective on the value of time.

I usually love to give credit where credit is due, but I honestly have no clue where this poem came from... I came across it years ago.

Do you know anyone who would enjoy listening Life Made Simple? You can share all my episodes with them by having them go LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com

And don't forget to subscribe on itunes or whatever podcast app you prefer, to stay updated on all our new episodes.

Want even more tips on how to find the freedom of simplicity? Just check out my free guide, called "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life".

Links Mentioned in this Show:

Share this Episode: CarlaRaeArneson.com/episode58

Share this Podcast: LifeMadeSimplePodcast.com

Free Guide: "9 Ways to Simplify Your Life"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word 9SIMPLIFY

Free Download: "5 Steps to Organizing Your Home"

Or send a text to 44222 with the word ORGANIZE

Website: CarlaRaeArneson.com