The Ways We Hoard by Sheila McCurdy

Panic, Perfection and Procrastination

By Sheila G. McCurdy,
Professional Organizer

Fall is the start of something special in the organizing world. September is “Do It Day” (AKA Fight Procrastination Day); and October is "Get Organized Week," which takes place all week long the first week in October.

Us Organizers work hard to make you aware of the help available to fight procrastination and get organized. We advertise, we’re on TV and radio, we write books, and we hold seminars and workshops. And yet, many of you still say, “I’ll think about it.”

Why do so many people procrastinate when it comes to getting organized? The thought of doing so seems to send everyone into a panic. The panic is closely associated to the fear of going to the dentist or the doctor. There really is no need for this fear! Getting organized doesn’t happen with a snap of the fingers or the clicking of heels and wishing for it. But it can be done, if approached in the right manner.

• Start organizing in your home by clearing a space the size of a chair seat. If you haven’t that much clutter, try the space of a loveseat or couch. Promise yourself that you will not put anything back into that space again. Live with that clear space for at least one week. Continue around the room until everything is clear, always taking a week to get used to the open spaces. If you do this too quickly it could be too much of a shock for you.

• In the office, clear a small section of your desk. Set up files or discard paperwork that you no longer need. Just like in your home, take time to do this. File your papers in broad categories so that you know where to find them again. There is no perfect system, except the one you can work with and find what you want once it’s filed.

Whether you’re trying to organize your home or office, you must start slowly. Trying to do things in one day is so overwhelming and frustrating that you basically just give up and never attempt it again. Stop being a perfectionist so that you can stop procrastinating. Just start. One small step at a time will help you gain strength for the bigger projects.

When perfection and procrastination collide and organizing is still a wish, call CLUTTER STOP at 909-985-4948 to help you get on the right path.