We are just about ready to turn the calendar and welcome a fresh new year – hello 2015! As we roll into January, resolutions will be made. And getting organized is always one of the most popular.
I may be biased, but I think it’s the best resolution anyone can make. Organization supports us in so many ways. As a matter of fact, being organized plays a huge role in just about every aspect of our lives.
Sadly, there are plenty of people who see getting organized as practically unattainable. Many will give up on their goal before they even start!
Why is that? We can, at least in part, blame it on the organizing myths in circulation. These myths cause people to believe that getting organized is just too difficult and that it’s also much more complicated than it actually is.
Let’s bust a few of the most widely believed organizing myths right now.
I don’t have time.
The truth, you actually gain time by being organized. Being disorganized causes you to spend more time looking for things. It plays havoc with your schedule. A lack of organization means you are more likely to miss appointments and misuse your time. If you decide to get organized you will be making an investment that will pay you back every day. For every minute you put into getting organized, you will reap an exponentially large return.
It’s too expensive.
The truth, you actually save money by being organized. And it doesn’t necessarily have to cost anything to get organized. People tend think they have to buy expensive storage products, but organizing isn’t about the products. Organizing is about having more time to do the things you really WANT to do, and being able to get the things you have to do done efficiently. Sure, you may need certain storage, but you can easily re-purpose what you already have. The outcome, while it may not be as pretty, will be just as functional. The bottom line, being organized saves you money – no more duplicate purchases, no more late fees, and so much more. Organization allows you to budget and manage your money in a prudent, responsible manner.
I don’t have enough space.
The truth, you actually create space when you organize. Getting rid of clutter alone will begin to open up space. Designating permanent and practical homes for your possessions will open up more space. Most people have enough space, they just aren’t using its full potential. Vertical space is often untapped. Think about all the ways you can add storage to your walls. The are so many possibilities. Reconfiguring the storage you already have can also make a huge difference. For example, a chest of drawers makes fine storage for paperback books or dvds. Just place the items perpendicular to the bottom of the drawer so you can see the titles. It’s just one of many ways to maximize space.
It doesn’t work for me.
The truth, you just haven’t found the right systems. Organizing systems abound, there is no one size fits all solution. Your personality needs to be taken into account. So do your unique needs and your lifestyle. You’ll know you are on to something good when it feels natural. That’s doesn’t mean it won’t take effort, but the effort shouldn’t feel like it’s countering what’s intuitive. As long as it makes sense to you, that’s all that matters. Don’t worry about what you think you ‘should’ be doing, do what feels right. Trial and error is often part of the process. Think about it in terms of buying jeans. You have to try on a number pair before you find something that fits and feels good. Finding the right organizing system is similar, you may have to try a variety to find the one that feels just right.
The choice to get organized is yours, don’t let a myth derail you. You can do it regardless of the time you have, the amount of your bank balance or the size of your space. If you truly want to get organized but haven’t started, ask your self why. If you have been using any of these myths as your excuse for not getting organized, you need to realize that they are no longer valid reasons for not moving ahead.
If you want to get organized, but you are feeling overwhelmed by the process, be sure to get my free Clear Clutter & Get Organized E-Course. It walks you through the six steps of my ESCAPE method.
If clutter has you down, then you definitely need to check out Clutter Control 101. It’s about addressing the root cause of your clutter and learning how to let go of ‘stuff’. If you are ready to say goodbye to clutter forever, this workshop is guaranteed to help you make it happen.
