TIP OF THE WEEK: Where do I begin?
About every other person I talk to about "getting organized" tells me how overwhelming it all has become. Believe me, I know... it's so hard to embrace the steps needed to getting organized. Most of the time the disorder that has taken over your home or office is something that has brewed over time (Rome wasn't built in a day). The first piece of advice I give these people is... JUST START SOMEWHERE.
If it's 1 hour a week, just start.
Don't look at the whole, room, just start with a pile.
If you only have 1 day a month, just start.
Get a playdate for the kids, or send your partner to the store and dedicate some time, just start!
If it's 15 minutes each day, just start.
If it's just before you go to bed (or first thing in the morning), just start!
The most important thing about getting organized is just to start. Believe me, I KNOW how much time it has taken to get your space looking the way it does, so remember it will probably take you that much time to get it back into shape.
The important thing, is just to start! If you have a goal there needs to be a plan.
*image downloaded from flickr: photographer, BrittanyBush
Megan, my practice focuses on helping people in their offices, and your advice still holds. "All or nothing" thinking can really get in the way of reaching a goal. As JRR Tolkien wrote, "It's a job that's never started that takes the longest to finish."
All the best, Margaret Lukens, www.newleafandcompany.com
Your advice is sound. It takes more energy to put off doing a job than it does to do the job. It may help to write down a goal after choosing a room, a drawer, or a space you want to change/improve.
Make the goal little. (baby steps rock)It is fun to be able to cross off the goal, it creates energy to do other things. And remember what every it is you chose to do, it won't last forever, set your timer for 5 minutes and whatever you get done, that's a good start--like you said--start.
Great comments Marilyn. I am all about the baby steps... I love that movie! Writing down goals... great advice. Thanks for stopping by!