| Getting organized seems to be a mantra these | | | | that needs to be done as one large project. |
| days. Everyone is wanting to be organized and | | | | Instead start small. Break the big project down |
| asking "How to get organized?" There are entire | | | | into smaller projects like one drawer of your |
| stores devoted to selling storage baskets, | | | | dresser, or only one drawer of the filing cabinet, |
| containers and gadgets to help you get | | | | or only one file folder. If that is what it takes to |
| organized and even professional organizers to help | | | | get started, then do it . The point is to get |
| you do it! | | | | started even if you have to start small! |
| So what seems to be the problem? With all the | | | | - storing delicate items improperly - some items |
| interest in organized living why don't you have | | | | that you want to keep should not be stored, they |
| your stuff organized by now? | | | | should be archived. Archiving means that they |
| Could it be that you have created barriers to | | | | need to be stored under specific conditions that |
| getting organized by making making erroneous | | | | will preserve them. Paper, fabrics, and |
| assumptions and operating with false beliefs about | | | | photographs can all be affected by moisture, |
| organized living and the process it takes to get | | | | sunlight and acids. Keeping such items in cardboard |
| you there? | | | | boxes for example can ruin them! Even the cedar |
| How many of the following errors or assumptions | | | | in a cedar chest can stain delicate fabrics. If you |
| are preventing your from getting organized? | | | | want to keep an item as a special memory then |
| - procrastination - If you are delaying the | | | | give it the respect it deserves and take the time |
| management of the processes of daily life to a | | | | to research how to archive the item in a way |
| later time you are engaging in a dangerous belief | | | | that will make it last. Keep your memories safe! |
| for organized living. Getting organized requires | | | | - throwing everything away - getting organized |
| timely decision making. Every delayed decision | | | | does not mean that you are not allowed to keep |
| about where to place something or where to file | | | | anything! The purging process is a process of |
| a piece of paper creates potential clutter. | | | | decision making that requires attention to specific |
| - buying organizing products that are pretty to | | | | questions so that you make sure you are only |
| look at and trendy - If you think that getting | | | | throwing away things that are not needed, |
| organized is simply about purchasing more things | | | | wanted, or useful to you in your life. |
| you will simply end up with a supply of pretty | | | | - denying your own ability to keep your life |
| storage baskets and bins that you cannot use. | | | | organized - unless you have a real barrier to |
| Never purchase organizing products or supplies | | | | getting organized, such as attention deficit |
| without first assessing your needs. | | | | disorder (ADHD), or a psychiatric illness that |
| - Keeping everything just in case - just in case of | | | | affects your ability to organize your thoughts, you |
| what? If you have not put it to use, worn it, or | | | | can learn how to get organized. It simply requires |
| otherwise used it within 6 months chances are | | | | a positive attitude and a belief that organized living |
| you never will. Donate it, throw it away, or | | | | will bring benefits to you and those around you. |
| recycle! | | | | If any of these errors or assumptions are |
| - Not getting started because it is too | | | | operational in your own life that could explain why |
| overwhelming - Organizing your home space can | | | | you are having difficulty getting organized. |
| seem overwhelming if you think about everything | | | | |