Would you rather have a horrible job, but be able to retire comfortably in 10 years, or have your dream job, but have to work forever?
Typically, our day to day decisions tend to be more like, “Would you rather file away papers or watch a movie?” “Clean out the garage or play a round of golf?” “Sort through old photos or get together with friends? “
Life can become a game of, “Would You Rather.” If you’re like me, you are constantly torn between what you want to do and what you “should” be doing.
When it comes to organizing, most of us would rather choose to do something else.
However, that decision doesn’t always have to be a win/lose situation. What would you say if I told you that you can accomplish the “not so fun tasks” and still have time to relax and enjoy time with family and friends?
Clutter = delayed decisions. Recognize when and why decisions are being avoided.
“I’m too stressed out to think about doing that.” We often put things off when we are stressed. Plan to start organizing projects on days and times when your mind is most alert and fresh.
“I don’t have enough time.” There will never be enough time unless we make the time. Schedule an appointment with yourself on your calendar to physically block off the time rather than waiting for spare time to magically appear. Think about what your stress level would be if an organizing project remained undone for a month or a year versus what it would feel like to have your project completed now.
Visualize what your organizing project will look like when it’s completed.
What end result do you want? Picture your project completely finished. Find a photo online or in a magazine that captures your ultimate goal for the space. Keep it posted somewhere where you will see it often to keep you motivated and inspired. Imagine how good it will feel to live in a clutter-free home! Ask yourself:
What one SMALL STEP can I make today?
What SIMPLE TASK can I do in the morning to get more organized?
Are there tasks that I could possibly DELEGATE or SHARE with someone else?
What TOOLS or RESOURCES do I need to move forward?
How to Kick the Clutter and Get Organized.
First, prioritize your tasks, then break them down into smaller tasks.
Nothing is more daunting than facing large stacks of paperwork or several boxes of photos to sort through. You don’t have to finish the entire project in one sitting. Most often the thing that gets us stuck or overwhelmed is not knowing where to start.
Start with one stack or one box at a time – it truly does get easier once you decide to start.
Sort, sort, sort – categorize by month, year, event, subject, etc. This makes it easier to start up again if you need to stop or take a break.
Set aside a specific amount of time to finish the task. Set a timer for 10 minutes or 30 minutes and stop once it goes off.
If you still feel overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Your time is precious. Weigh the cost of your time and evaluate your priorities. We don’t think twice about hiring someone to paint our home, fix our plumbing or take care of our lawn. You may want to consider hiring a Professional Organizer who has the experience, resources and abilities to help you prioritize and organize your space.
Clutter costs you time & money.
A cluttered space actually costs you precious time every day. Here are the advantages of having an organized home:
You will be more calm and relaxed
You will be able to find things when you need them
You will save money by not buying things you already have
You can make a space that was once “off limits” into a room you can enjoy with others
You will feel a sense of pride about completing an organizing project and refreshing your space
You will have more time to enjoy doing things you love to do
So, what would you rather do now?
Now that you’ve finished your organizing project, do what YOU really want to do! Kick up your heels or relax with family or friends…and don’t forget to show them the cool space you just organized!
Happy Organizing!
Kay