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  Organizing Myths BustedOrganization does not mean neat and tidy. Organization does not mean perfection. Nor does it have to be costly. Surprised?These myths are common and often keep us from attempting to get organized. It's time to throw out these misconceptions and find the real truth of what being organized actually means. Professional Organizers define being organized as being able to find what you need when you need it, and getting things done when they need to be done. It's that simple! You can have a neat and tidy space and still not know where to find an important item. For example: suppose you enter someone’s house and found it to be clean and in complete order, but when you open the coat closet to hang your coat you find yourself in an avalanche. Things may appear organized from the outside, but there’s chaos behind closed doors. And what about perfection? Some people envision being organized as having all their possessions “just so” and never having anything out of place. While it is very important to have a place of belonging for everything you need and use, being organized is not about creating a stifling environment where you are afraid to touch anything. Rather than thinking about perfection, think along the lines of what makes sense to you, what works for you, and what you can successfully maintain. My favorite myth that needs busting is "I don't have the time". Well, I say it's time to get real. Did you know that the average American burns 55 minutes a day looking for things they know they own but can't find (according to Newsweek, citing a Boston marketing firm's study)? We've all been there. Where are those keys? I know they're here somewhere! Studies, like the one mentioned above, prove that disorganization costs us dearly in wasted time. Actually, you can no longer afford not to get organized. Yes, it will take some time initially to get that closet organized or those files in order. But when you look at the bigger picture, once they are organized you have saved yourself oodles of precious time that otherwise would have been spent searching and searching and searching. Another myth we need to bust is that you have to have money to get organized. Says who? Do you know how many people waste their hard earned dollars on storage items and still don't use them or at least not to their potential? While they are fun to watch for the ideas they suggest, the popular cable shows on organizing can give the impression that a good deal needs to be invested in products in order to complete the job successfully. A lowly shoe box can do the same job that a pretty pastel caddy can do and it doesn't even cost a dime. You should buy nothing until you have finished sorting and purging the area you are organizing. It is only after you have done this that you will clearly see the amount of items you are keeping and the actual amount of space you have to work with. Sometimes you may find you have plenty of space and can use containers you already own. Organizing is not about perfection. It's not about neatness, money or time. Being organized is finding what you need when you need it and getting things done when they need to be done. It saves time, increases productivity and decreases stress. Ahhh. Now that we've cleared that up, let's get organized! Free Article Source: http://www.za77.org About The Author: Nancy J. McGarity is a Professional Organizer, Speaker, Facilitator of local Clutter Clubs, and a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers. She is the author of the upcoming book “Organizing For Real Life”, creator of Tot Tags for organizing toys, and a distributor of The Hecht of an OrganizerTM. For more tips and to request your FREE copy of “25 Secrets of Clutter Prevention”, go to www.realsolutionsforliving.com. |