Creating The Life You Want

Getting organized isn't just about cleaning up the clutter or managing your time better. It's about creating the life you want. This is an important concept to understand because many people don't understand what being organized is truly about.

And because they don't truly understand they have a closet full of clothes but nothing to wear; paper piled up on every available, horizontal surface in their home or office and file cabinets, a computer and desk drawers filled with information they no longer use. They avoid inviting people into their home or office because of the clutter; spend too much time looking for the things they need; have things still in boxes from the last time they moved and frequently file for an extension on their taxes because they can't track down all the necessary statements, forms and receipts. They buy duplicates of items they know they have but can't locate when they need them; often miss important appointments, deadlines or events; pay unnecessary rush charges, finance charges and late fees; are surrounded by things they no longer use or love and can't do something they would really like to do because they don't have the time.

Even if they reach the point where they realize they don't want to live this way anymore, the shame and fear associated with being disorganized can make it hard to ask for help. Often they call me thinking they're beyond hope and there will be little that I can do for them, but I know that their problems are fixable if they make a commitment to get organized and resolve to change their habits.
As a Professional Organizer, seeing the joy and sense of relief they feel when they do become organized is immensely gratifying.

In order to create the life you really want and to ensure that your all important organizing systems and solutions won't breakdown, it is absolutely critical that you work with your personality and preferences rather than against them. Trying to force yourself to stay organized using a system that doesn't feel natural or comfortable is setting yourself up for failure. And focusing on the solution to your problem rather than on the problem itself is also setting yourself up for failure. Using a neat idea, an interesting technique or a great tip you've discovered will only work for you if you understand the core reason(s) why you're having trouble getting or staying organized in the first place. It's like put a Band-Aid on a gaping wound and it won't work for long, if at all.

Identifying, examining and dealing with the internal and external issues that keep you from achieving organizing freedom are they one and only way you will ever reach it. Next time, I will share with you the most common tactical, external and psychological obstacles that prevent people from getting and staying organized.