As an organizer I hear this statement more than ANYTHING else…
“I want to get organized but I just don’t know where to start!”
It plays over and over in your mind like a broken record. You know you have to get things together but you just don’t know how to begin. You know what you want to accomplish but you can’t seem to get going.
Some people can draw out an intricate plan, or make a list of steps and stick to it. Some people are naturally organized and just do well at maintaining it. Then there are people that over-think, overreact, and worry too much about the little details. I believe that most of the people that ask where to start fall into this category. If you are one of these people, the answer I have for you is SOMEWHERE.
Start with a drawer, start with a shelf, whatever it is just START. If you are not naturally a planner and you are trying to get things just right in your mind before you start, the planning process could scare you into doing NOTHING. Instead just clear your mind and tackle a drawer. Once you see how easy that was then you can move on to another, then another. Take baby steps and don’t overwhelm yourself by looking at the whole picture. Instead, just do SOMETHING. Start small, finish big!
So what about you, have you found yourself overwhelmed with a project even before it began? How did you overcome that or are you still trying to overcome it?
[photo: I like]
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
We moved into a new house back in July and I can’t seem to get this organized.. The clutter DRIVES ME NUTS! But, I can’t seem to get organizing. I say I am going to start, but then I look at it and say UUGH where do I start.. And it is the same with my sons toys. He has SOO MANY and they need to be cleaned out and organized, but again NO IDEA where to start..
I HAVE ALL THESE IDEAS AND VISIONS IN MY HEAD BUT I HAVE TROUBLE GETTING STARTED. I FEEL LIKE I’M CREATING MORE MESS AND ALL I DO IS
SHIFT THE PILES. I TRY TO START SMALL BUT I JUST CAN’T GET ANYTHING
ACCOMPLISHED. ANY IDEAS TO KEEP ME MOTIVATED.
First Donna, get those ideas out of your head and create an inspiration journal to get it all out. Having those ideas float around in your head won’t help you out but cause mroe anxiety.
If your shifting piles you are usually delaying decisions. Touch it once and ultimately decide that items fate. Does it need to be stored in another room, filed, put away? What purpose does it serve you and what is the worst thing that could happen if you get rid of it.
Go through the house and make a list of all that needs to be done, this can also go in your inspiration journal. As you go along you can start checking things off your list and seeing that list dwindle down is very rewarding!
I think that perfectionists have the problem of becoming overwhelmed before even starting. Having said that, thanks for the permission to start small, and to not have everything be perfect. I’ve been working on that! It’s really hard to begin if you are not celebrating your small victories.
I agree! Just get started! I have found some people just need that first boost, and then get into it. I make a starter plan with them, to figure out their priorities. Then I grab something and we get started! After a little while, it gets easier for them, and they start making quicker and quicker decisions. Then, once they see the piles of ‘get rid of’ and ‘keep’ shifting, they get more into it. I know we have been successful when they call me later eagerly and tell me what else they have been sorting through on their own.
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