01
Aug

Change Your Mindset About Organizing

This is a busy time of year for organizing.  Vacations are wrapping up, school is right around the corner, the big holiday seasons are coming up on us quickly and you still haven’t gotten around to doing that long list of “organizing”.  In your business and home, there are so many opportunities for you to increase productivity, reduce stress and work less.  The problem is that it all takes time and energy, something that we all seem to struggle with.

If you are looking for the real way to get your business or home organized, consider changing your mindset.  There is a saying – Nothing happens until something happens –  and this should be the basis of your mindset when it comes to getting organized.  Continuing old habits will only allow your current situation to stay in control.  Changing your mindset about getting organized will allow you to reach your goals.

Getting organized requires the willingness to develop a plan and then stick to it.  I have already started teaching my 3 year old to be organized.  Even at 3 she has responsibilities.  The habits that she is developing will be extremely helpful to all of us when she gets older.  However, the only way that she will develop these habits – at this young of an age – is if we remind her.  So far, her responsibilities are: put her clothes into the hamper; put her shoes in a certain place, by the kitchen door – so we don’t have to look for them; pick up her toys after her bath; and say her prayers at each meal.  Does all of this take time and energy on my part…you bet ‘ya.  But, it is going to pay off in the long run and I’ll  be happy that she has learned these habits, and many more, by the time she starts school. 

So how can you change your mindset about becoming organized?  Here are some tips:

  • Keep a journal about how you spend your day.  Try this for just a week.  Find out where you are wasting time – I think you will be surprised to find out how unproductive time you have in your day that can be used to get yourself organized.
  • Now that you know how and where you have more time, work a daily routine to utilize your time better.
  • Make a list of things that need to be changed and set aside time to get them done.  The key to actually making a change is to be dedicated to your end goal. 
  • Stay focused to reaching your goal.  If needed, set a timer and work on that specific project or goal every minute – until the timer goes off.  Don’t let yourself become distracted by phone or email.
  • If you are organizing at the office, get help from office staff. 

Having everyone on board with your organizing efforts will help them actually come to fruition.  However, someone has to take charge of the situation and changing your mindset will allow you to take charge and make changes that stick. 

Take the time to really consider what you want to change and allow your mindset to lead the way to your organized space.