Summary: <p>Evan Zislis, professional organizer and social entrepreneur, sparks a clutter free revolution by looking at consumption through a lens of fair trade, social justice, and environmental sustainability.</p> <p>How does your personal clutter impact the world?</p> <p>Today’s guest on Spark Joy is Evan Zislis. He is a professional organizer and bestselling author of Clutter Free Revolution. Evan helps people focus on the things that matter most: who we love, what we do, how, and why we live…because everything else is just stuff. Currently, Evan is the founder of Intentional Solutions, a business focused on organization, operational systems, time and task management and more.</p> <p>We want to hear from you. Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at <a href="http://www.sparkjoypodcast.com" rel="nofollow">www.sparkjoypodcast.com</a> and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. </p> <p>While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast.</p> <p><b>In this episode, you’ll enjoy:</b></p> <ul> <li><p>How Evan's diverse list of job experience all had a theme of organizational leadership that tied it all together and led him to helping people organize their life</p></li> <li><p>The free services Evan provides to public school teachers and classrooms</p></li> <li><p>How Evan gives back to the community on his terms through <a href="http://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org/" target="_blank"><i>1% For The Planet</i></a></p></li> <li><p>How Evan's book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/ClutterFree-Revolution-Simplify-Stuff-Organize/dp/0692481680/ref=la_B00VTZZPD2_1_1_title_1_pap?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443760966&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><i>Clutter Free Revolution</i></a> picks up where KonMari drops off</p></li> <li><p>Products and companies that empower local communities through fair trade and socially just practices: <a href="http://www.thegoodtrade.com/" target="_blank"><i>The Good Trade</i></a> ; <a href="https://wearpact.com/" target="_blank"><i>Pact</i></a></p></li> <li><p>The ridiculously simple three step process - simplify, clarify, and inspire - that makes up Evan's organizing philosophy</p></li> <li><p>How Evan builds his client's sense of self efficacy and confidence by focusing on incremental successes while incorporating a bit of tough love</p></li> <li><p>Evan's lid-on-a-box helps accumulators with little to no self control</p></li> <li><p>Why Evan believes, in some cases, your joy is not enough <a href="http://myintentionalsolutions.com/2016/01/your-joy-is-not-enough/" target="_blank"><i>your joy is not enough</i></a></p></li> <li><p>The technique that Evan uses to get his daughter to voluntarily clean and honor her room daily, without fail</p></li> <li><p>What monks and mountaineers have in common</p></li> <li><p>Why "The Velveteen Rabbit" is the Zislis family's favorite book</p></li> <li><p>A thank you to Evan's friend Dr. Melva Green (<a href="http://www.sparkjoypodcast.com/episode-19-dont-forget-to-breathe-with-dr-melva-green" target="_blank"><i>Episode 19</i></a>) who inspired this interview</p></li> </ul> <p><b>Gems:</b></p> <p>"Need less."</p> <p>"Abundance is having a sense of gratitude for having that which is needed when it is needed and not a single item more."</p> <p>"Was anyone harmed in the making of this item?"</p> <p>"Things are easy to find and convenient to put away."</p> <p>"Proximity equals urgency."</p> <p>"You don't love it, you don't have a place for it, and storing it is an inconvenience for you."</p> <p>"This sense of joy can be transcended [by] this sense of purpose."</p> <p>"The things that I need..support the idea of generosity, and compassion, and philanthropy."</p> <p><b>What sparks joy for Evan:</b> Working on his new book project "Good Company" that highlights entrepreneurs that support fair trade, social justice, and environmental sustainability.</p> <p>To connect with Evan Zislis, visit <a href="http://www.clutterfreerevolution.com" rel="nofollow">www.clutterfreerevolution.com</a> and follow him on Facebook and Twitter.</p><p>Special Guest: Evan Zislis.</p>
