6 Tricks for Getting Started
Oftentimes the hardest part of organizing is getting started. Here are a few tricks of the trade to get you going when that organizing project feels stuck.
1. Set a timer for 20 mins. and just commit to moving the whole time. If you have a lot of clutter, put 3 boxes in the room labeled "donate," "trash," and "not sure." Don't hem and haw over each item, just put it in "not sure" if it takes more than 30 seconds to decide. Try the 20 minute trick daily.
2. One of my clients came up with this useful trick: for each organizing session he shines a desk lamp on one area, and organizes everything that falls within the parameters of the light.
3. Enlist a clutter buddy and report your goals and accomplishments by phone or in person at regular intervals.
4. Tackle the low-hanging fruit first. Go for the easy projects to get your organizing muscle stretched.
5. Perfectionism is your worst enemy, and the way to beat it is to create manageable expectations. Saying you're going to clear up a mess that took 5 years to make in one weekend may cause you to want to throw in the towel before you even start. Setting up reasonable expectations that you can sustain over the long-term is a more productive approach.
6. If 6 months goes by and you haven't made any progress, it may be time to hire a professional to get you beyond the rut. A $150 investment can get you on track and past the blocks, and you will learn organizing skills that will last a lifetime.
1. Set a timer for 20 mins. and just commit to moving the whole time. If you have a lot of clutter, put 3 boxes in the room labeled "donate," "trash," and "not sure." Don't hem and haw over each item, just put it in "not sure" if it takes more than 30 seconds to decide. Try the 20 minute trick daily.
2. One of my clients came up with this useful trick: for each organizing session he shines a desk lamp on one area, and organizes everything that falls within the parameters of the light.
3. Enlist a clutter buddy and report your goals and accomplishments by phone or in person at regular intervals.
4. Tackle the low-hanging fruit first. Go for the easy projects to get your organizing muscle stretched.
5. Perfectionism is your worst enemy, and the way to beat it is to create manageable expectations. Saying you're going to clear up a mess that took 5 years to make in one weekend may cause you to want to throw in the towel before you even start. Setting up reasonable expectations that you can sustain over the long-term is a more productive approach.
6. If 6 months goes by and you haven't made any progress, it may be time to hire a professional to get you beyond the rut. A $150 investment can get you on track and past the blocks, and you will learn organizing skills that will last a lifetime.
posted by A Simpler Life at 11:11 AM
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