Someday
Someday is not a day of the week! When you find yourself using that word, stop and replace it with a definite date or time. If you can’t pinpoint a definite date or time, let it go. I use an exit strategy to help me get rid of things.
How to get motivated to organize?
What is motivation? The dictionary definition is “the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way” and “the general desire or willingness of someone to do something”.
What are your reasons for organizing? We all have different reasons. Why do you want to get organized now? Why work on this particular organizing project now? Take a few minutes to think of your why. It will help you now and in the future. Here are some reasons that I hear often.
- To find things when they need them
- To have a home for things so it’s easier to put them away
- To spend less time hunting for things
- To have less piles and mess
- To have less stress
How much desire or willingness do you have to organize? If you have no desire to organize, it could be a result of many things, but I’ve found that it has a lot to do with a person’s perception. Here are some examples that I’ve come across.
- Perception that organizing is boring, tedious, not fun
- Perception that the project requires too much effort, time, stamina
- Perception that we don’t have the right know-how, skill or resources
So how can we get motivated to organize, especially if we’re lacking desire and willingness? Here are my recommendations.
- Know your why. Ask what is worth doing or doing with help? Good motivation comes from feeling that what you’re doing matters.
- Adjust your perception. A positive mindset allows us to bring our best effort. Picture yourself successfully finishing your organizing project.
- Create immediate rewards for your efforts. What happens after our efforts influences the likelihood that we’ll keep it up.
- Ask yourself what is the most laughably do-able first step. If you’re still having trouble, the first step is too big.
- Do something, anything. It’s better than taking no action at all. Stress comes from thinking about our project, not the project itself. If it’s important for you to get it done, you’ll find a way. If not, you’ll find an excuse.
- Start by sorting and categorizing.
©June 2020 Janine Cavanaugh, Certified Professional Organizer® All Rights Reserved
2 Word to Never Say
There are 2 words I’d like you to eliminate from your vocabulary while organizing. They are:
- Should
- But
Do you think you can do that?
You can no longer say “I should get rid of this.” Instead say, “I will get rid of this.”
You can no longer say “But I might need that someday.” Instead say, I won’t need this in the future, and if I do I’ll get an updated version.
20 Organizing Projects Kids Can Do
The skill of organizing can be learned by anyone, even kids. A good way to ease them into it is to have them contribute in small ways. Start by giving them organizing projects that match their skill level, so they don’t get discouraged or frustrated. Beginners can sort, categorize, and dispose, as well as assist with specific tasks. Once those skills are mastered they can advance to decision making and item placement. Ongoing practice and participation will improve their skills. Offering rewards and showing appreciation will help facilitate positive reinforcement and encourage future participation. By helping kids learn the skill of organizing at an early age, not only are they contributing to organizing the household, they’re acquiring skills that will help them in every aspect of their lives now and in the future. Here is a list of 20 organizing projects kids can do.
- While organizing kitchen cupboards have kids match food storage containers with their lids and recycle all the unmatched ones.
- Test pens and markers and discard the dried up ones.
- Check games for missing pieces. Make new pieces if possible.
- Disinfect door knobs and light switches. (Cleaning is part of organizing.)
- Sort craft supplies into categories and put away.
- Help clean out the car by tossing trash, wiping down doors, and washing mirrors.
- Shred papers that are deemed shreddable. Have them work from one box or bag of shreddable papers at a time.
- Collect mail and put into one designated mail in-box.
- Check dates on magazines and catalogues and recycle anything over 3 months old.
- While cleaning out the pantry have kids check expiration dates on canned goods, boxed food, and condiments. Toss what’s expired and donate to a food bank what won’t get eaten.
- Include them in the kitchen clean up by having them empty the dish washer.
- Create a donate box with images of what can go in it. Put 3 things in it from their room that they’re ready to get rid of.
- Label their devices, adapters, cords and headphones.
- Try on clothes for the next season to see what fits. Put what doesn’t fit into the donation box.
- Put all dirty clothes in hamper. Wash their own clothes if they are capable.
- Include them in the laundry process by having them put away their clean laundry.
- Pick 10 school and art projects to save for the year. Store in one bin with label that they create.
- Make a spare parts bin to collect all the wandering game pieces, puzzle pieces, and legos. Collect them daily and empty the bin weekly.
- Clean out school bag/backpack and get rid of what’s not needed.
- Mark important dates (birthdays, school events, sport events, parties) on the calendar for the next 3 months.
©May 2020 Janine Cavanaugh, Certified Professional Organizer® All Rights Reserved
Fear of Putting Away
Put stuff away instead of leaving it out as a reminder or action prompt. One exception to this rule is if you’re going to take action within 12 hours. For example it’s a good idea to place your theater tickets for tonight’s performance on the kitchen table so you remember them, but it’s not a good idea to leave your sweater that needs to be mended on your dresser. I’d recommend that you put your sweater in a mending box and write on your calendar when you want to take care of it.
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