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What I Learned About Organizing From a Fortune Cookie.

We had Chinese food a few days ago and I got a fortune cookie that said “Delay is the deadliest form of denial.“ Immediately I thought about all the people who’ve called me with stories about how they’ve wanted to get organized for years but haven’t, for one reason or another. They describe how delaying getting organized has affected them by: 
  • adding stress and a sense of being overwhelmed, 
  • causing arguments and resentment between family members, 
  • turning a house into an uncomfortable unhappy place instead of a pleasant one,
  • limiting their social life because they don’t want to invite friends into the house.
The saddest comment I’ve heard is from a caller who said she will enjoy life after she gets organized. Don’t let this happen to you. Take control now!
 
Theodore Roosevelt once said “The best thing you can do is the right thing; the next thing you can do is the wrong thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing.” 
 
I’ve always felt that I’ve grown the most when I’ve taken on something that’s out of my comfort zone. The first time I did a presentation as a new organizer I was a nervous wreck. I stood behind a podium, read from some notes and tried not to shake too badly. Each time I did a presentation I got a little less nervous; now I look for opportunities to give presentations and love doing them without notes or a podium. If I had let my fear of public speaking get the better of me I’d have missed out on something that I now love.
Why wait? Take action now – get organized. You can get organized on your own or hire a professional; either way works, just get started. If you just want someone to talk to about what it’s like to work with a pro, call me; I’ll be happy to talk to you with no obligation..

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If you want to do it yourself start this weekend, yes this weekend! 

Start small; tackle one drawer that contains things you don’t care much about. Set yourself up to succeed by starting small with things that aren’t emotional. Your pajama drawer, for example, or the drawer with the kitchen utensils are good starting points.

If you don’t love what you see when you open the drawers, or if it doesn’t “spark joy”, as Marie Kondo says, give it away. Make room in your life for joy! 

Once you feel the sense of accomplishment and see the difference in your living space it will be easier to tackle other areas.

“The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” – Chinese proverb

Don’t let the size of the job overwhelm you. My husband used to tell the kids “If you just did what I asked instead of arguing with me about it you’d be done by now.” It’s also true with big projects. If you started it when you first decided it needed to get done you’d be finished by now.

So chip away at a project and be happy with slow steady progress. The clutter or disorganization didn’t accumulate in one day so don’t expect to get it organized in one weekend. Be realistic about the commitment needed to finish the job.

I think what inspires each of us to take action is as personal as the organizing systems that work for us. I hope you’ve found at least one of these quotes meaningful enough to get you moving on your journey to an organized life. Here are a few more that may speak to you.

“There are only two sure ways to fail. You either quit, or you don’t start.” – Anonymous

“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” – English Designer, William Morris

“Planning is bringing the future into the present so you can do something about it now.” – Alan Lakein

 

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