Getting Past the Block

Have you ever started an organizing project only to, hours or days later, feel completely helpless? Have you abandoned a project altogether because it is just too much to handle? Well…you aren’t alone. AND, good news, you can overcome this block!

Today’s Tip: Getting past the block

If you get hives just by looking at a messy closet you should pay special attention to today’s blog. Here are some simple tips in overcoming fears and anxiety surrounding organization.

Tip One: Forgive yourself

You don’t have to be perfect and no one is expecting you to. Extreme feelings of doubt sometimes cause us to self-sabotage by not completing a project. If you find yourself getting close to finishing a task and giving up before the end, or never even getting started, most likely your subconscious thought is that once you succeed and finish this problem, it will no longer be in your way. Then you will have to face other possibly harder, more important problems. It can all be overwhelming. Forgive yourself for feeling this way, and stay on target. You CAN finish. You SHOULD finish. Keep giving yourself timed sessions to work at it. Stay focused on ONE small area and get through to the end. Even if it is a relatively unimportant project, you need to feel a sense of completion.

Tip Two: Don’t take on the world

You don’t have to do it all at once. Pick one small project a WEEK, get a success under your belt and THEN you can move on to the big stuff. Its like Thanksgiving Dinner…when you pile your plate so full of different foods, you overeat and end up not really enjoying but powering through- resulting in a bloated, tired, uncomfortable day. The same can be said about organizing. When you have a list of 50 items and you try to do it all, you end up not finishing, and feeling tired and uncomfortable.


Tip Three: Create small accomplishments

Make a list of the things you have to do to complete a project and put ABSOLUTELY EVERY STEP on the list. Crossing items off a list gives us a sense of accomplishment; accomplishment creates good feelings and momentum. For instance, say you are organizing your junk drawer. Here are some of the things that might go on your list:

1. Take everything out of the drawer
2. Wipe down the drawer
3. Line the drawer with liner
4. Throw away unwanted items
5. Sort all pens
6. Sort all tools
7. Sort all paperclips/rubber bands/matchbooks…
8. Put in dividers or divider tray
9. Put items back in the drawer

When you complete a part of the whole task, cross it off! You will feel a heightened sense of accomplishment, creating momentum to keep going to completion. Keep crossing items off. Know that the end result is a clean drawer and a lighter heart!

Tip Four: Call in the troops

At some point you may not be able to succeed on your own, and that is OK. It really is. Does everyone work alone, only on his or her goals? No.
Think of an office. Many people are working together to reach a goal. Call a caring friend to come by and help the task seem less arduous. It will also help you stay on target by having someone by your side that knows they are there to help create accountability.

If you have a lot of stress and embarrassment due to your disorganization, a professional may be in order.

We believe in you…now believe in yourself!


Don't forget to come see us LIVE to learn FREE organizing ideas and address your own clutter issues!

WED JAN 20: DECLUTTER AND GET ORGANIZED MANHATTAN
7pm
Solas Bar
232 E. 9th Street
btw 2nd & 3rd New York, NY 11218
Join us to discuss your clutter and hear innovative ways to get started on your most pressing projects.


TUES JAN 26: DECLUTTER AND GET ORGANIZED BROOKLYN
7pm
Burrito Bar Brooklyn
307 Flatbush Avenue
at Prospect Place Brooklyn, NY 11217
Join us to discuss your clutter and hear innovative ways to get started on your most pressing projects.

Nicole and Julia