My mother used to use that line all the time whenever we kids would complain about some task seeming too big to complete. It was silly enough that it probably distracted us for a moment and we’d get to work on whatever that job was that had seemed too hard/boring/long previously. That clever misdirection got us to quit our complaining and get to work.
I’m sure it comes as no surprise to you that getting started is the hardest part to getting clutter organized. Procrastination is a killer. But, you’re probably also not surprised to hear that once they’ve gotten started people almost always tell me things like ‘wow this wasn’t nearly as hard as I thought it would be’.
Image courtesy of Vic via Flickr.
So, why is it so hard to get started sometimes? We build up incredibly strong mental barriers. Barriers are ways of protecting ourselves from possible pain. But, unfortunately, for many of us we overestimate how much pain will be associated with the task of letting go. And, so, sadly, with that barrier comes piles of unwanted, unneeded, and unhealthy clutter. One of my main jobs is to help people break down those barriers and get started.
I’ve found that we have all learned behaviors of procrastination. But I also believe that once we learn how to recognize those patterns of procrastination, making a change is not nearly as impossible as you may think. The change requires making a commitment to do a small action every day. Even if you think you can do more, studies have proven that you will have more success with a smaller but consistent amount of activity. In fact, problems arise when you attempt to do more than you’re physically or mentally prepared to do and you encounter too much strain. That strain can put you off your plan for a long time.
Peter’s 31 Days 2 Get Organized notebook
That’s why both my 31Days2GetOrganized notebook and my Ultimate Kitchen Organizer are designed to get you to do a small doable task every day – not more than 10 minutes per task. By the end of a week or a month, you’ll be amazed at the amount of work you’ve done – and you’ll probably be empowered to take on even more tasks you’ve been dreading! So, right now, instead of reading any more of this blog, click here on my 31Days2GetOrganized Notebook or here on my Ultimate Kitchen Organizer, watch the first video and start. I promise it won’t be nearly as hard as you think and that elephant in your home will start to disappear!
About Peter Walsh
Peter is known as the “Get Your Whole Life Organized Guy”! He’s a whiz at helping people understand what’s keeping them from living a more organized, stress free, happier life. He’s currently a regular on The Rachael Ray Show but is known best for his years on The Oprah Winfrey Show and her network OWN. He is the author of 6 books, is currently a regular columnist for O, The Oprah Magazine, starred in over 120 episodes of TLC’s series Clean Sweep and was host of a weekly radio program on Sirius/XM on The Oprah Winfrey Channel (XM 156/Sirius 195).
