What is Stopping You From Getting Organized?

Despite your best efforts to get and stay organized you have not been able to get yourself out from under.  Here are some familiar reasons why your efforts can fail and some strategies you can use to move forward.

You can't envision yourself as an organized person. Look in the mirror and tell yourself:  "I can be organized!  I will make it happen."  The power of belief is huge, if you cannot envision success you will have a very difficult time achieving it.  If you are still stuck, get help! It is easy to be critical and negative about your past efforts.  Identify areas of success and use them to build on; maybe it is a great calendar or a neat closet.  Stay in action, even for a few minutes a day.  A clear shelf can lead to a clear book case. The clear bookcase leads to a clear desk.  The clear desk leads to a clear closet, one step at a time.

You don’t have enough time or you over-schedule your time.  Be realistic when you are estimating how long a project will take, then add more time to account for unexpected delays.   Schedule organizing sessions on your calendar and keep these appointments with yourself.

You find the projects overwhelming.  Start with the one project that is most meaningful to you, and then break it down into smaller steps that can be accomplished in the sessions that you have scheduled.  Use a timer and you might be suprised to see how much you can accomplish during your designated time.

You get distracted or interrupted.  You need to identify the distraction (i.e. ringing phone, family members interrupting your project, on line IM's, email alerts, social media time etc...), and then plan ahead to avoid them.  Let the answering machine pick up your calls, log off the internet and ask family members to give you uninterrupted time to complete your task or plan your project for a time when you will be alone.

You procrastinate.  Most people procrastinate because they have set unrealistic expectations for the task, and are afraid that they will be unsuccessful.  Break your task into small, manageable steps that will foster success.  Success will build upon itself, especially if you commit to working on the project on a regular basis.

You feel unmotivated.  You need to have your own reasons for becoming more organized.  Someone else cannot set goals for you.  You must decide for yourself what you want more of (i.e. space) or less of (i.e. paper) in your life.  What will organized "look like?" Set your goals from here.

You can’t see visible results of your efforts.  Try to start with an area that is visible to you everyday.  This will help keep you motivated to continue your efforts.  A neat and organized attic or basement is great but is it really your first priority if you can't see your desk or you kitchen table?