Overcoming Procrastination

Perhaps the biggest obstacle we all face when it comes to getting organized is procrastination.  It's very easy to put something off that you dread doing.  How do we stop procrastinating?  The answer is not as easy as "just do it".  Unfortunately, procrastination is often inherent in most of us.  The best thing you can do is take baby steps.  Trust me, I was not always an organized person.  Ask my mother about my closets as a child!  

When it comes to organization, procrastination is the number 1 reason people who want to be organized, aren't.  I suggest you begin by operating under a simple manufacturing process called FIFO (First In First Out).  The idea of operating under FIFO is that you take things on as they come and not wait until a later time.  

Take your mail for example.  Many people get the mail, sort through what they want or don't want and then leave it on the table or in a basket.  Instead of doing this, tackle your mail as you get it.  File the bills away (although I highly recommend tracking your bills paperlessly), discard unwanted junk mail immediately and handle mail of an urgent matter on the spot.  What takes a few minutes each day will save you hours of wondering where that piece of mail you are looking for went and eliminates the possibility of it being discarded with the junk mail.  

Another example of the FIFO system in action, is laundry.  When undressing, discard your dirty clothes in the hamper, not the floor.  This saves you time when it comes to doing the laundry, from having to gather everything up.  One step further would be to have 2 hampers (1 for colors and 1 for whites).  This takes away your pre-laundry sort time.  After finishing each load, put your clothes away, vs. leaving them in the dryer or piling them up in your "clean pile".  This eliminates the need for extra ironing thus saving you time when getting ready.  

While some people find these things to be "no brainers", not everyone operates under the same principles.  An organized life is honestly a less stressed life.  If you don't know where to start or you just need help in getting things organized, hiring a professional organizing service can save you time, energy, and teach you valuable lessons to keep you organized.  The best way to overcome procrastination is through habit.  Once you get that "organized high" you won't want to come down and it will motivate you to continue an organized life.

Until next time, keep organizing!