 |
| Photo from 2009. We aren't organized enough for yearly family photos, yet! |
I've recently come to the realization--okay, actually a long time ago--that I need to organize our home, finances and life in general. But coming up with a plan of attack and finding the energy to mount such an attack, can be difficult.
My first instinct is to dedicate an entire week to getting up early, everyday, and working until I can work no more. However, I've done this in the past and it only ends in frustration when I look at how little was accomplished in the time I allotted myself.
So I quickly scrapped that plan. The task is just too large for that to work. It's going to take time, commitment, patience, perseverance and a whole lot of elbow grease.
But it isn't just about cleaning and organizing our "stuff" that I want to do. I also want to get our budget in full swing, begin meal planning and coupon shopping.
It's a BIG project.
I think it's a project that will require setting deadlines to insure things get done. I have to keep myself in check or I'll be tempted to do what I've always done in the past; and I'm all about changing that pattern at this point.
Realizing this whole organizing-our-life-thing is going to take longer than 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, I decided to sit down--part of why our life needs reorganizing in the first place--and give it some more thought.
I thought about enlisting the help of some of my very organized, detail oriented friends.
Despite being a dismal failure in the whole organizational department, I have always been surrounded by family and friends who are VERY organized.
But then I thought better of that idea and decided it would be better to do this on my own. I'm not so sure they would still want to be my friend or claim me as family, if they saw how we "really" live.
Despite being a dismal failure in the whole organizational department, I have always been surrounded by family and friends who are VERY organized.
But then I thought better of that idea and decided it would be better to do this on my own. I'm not so sure they would still want to be my friend or claim me as family, if they saw how we "really" live.
Let me share with you my plan.
I plan to work on one organizational project per day, along with my regular household chores. The way I figure it, a little goes a long way when your goal is big. I think it will give me a daily sense of accomplishment.
So instead of looking at what is left to be done, I will be looking at what did get done. That goes a long way in preventing discouragement and fighting off the feeling that the task is insurmountable.
I'll accomplish my goal one baby step at a time. Even the Financial Peace University program we are SUPPOSE to be using, suggests doing things in baby steps.
Why not this too!
Well there, now I have a plan in place and I'm gung ho to get it started!
I must tell you though, I've been here before and failed. But, today is a new day, another race and I'm at the starting gate, ready to run! I just hope that this time I start strong and finish strong.
Organizing the McCarty's is no easy task!
I must tell you though, I've been here before and failed. But, today is a new day, another race and I'm at the starting gate, ready to run! I just hope that this time I start strong and finish strong.
Organizing the McCarty's is no easy task!
.jpeg)
Well, here is some encouragement for you, you and I are kindred unorganized spirits. :) I too have many organized friends and family, someone I surround myself with them. Last year I focused a lot on general cleaning and keeping a schedule ( helps A LOT) but I didn't get many "major" organizing done ( granted I was pregnant). This year I have set monthly goals instead of a yearly goal...and I have been SO productive! :) I failed this pass month, but it's encouraging I didn't "fail" the year and only a month. Keep at it, getting organized is worth it!
ReplyDeleteThat is very encouraging and thank you for sharing that. That is right along the lines of what I was thinking, to keep myself on track. I'm also glad to know I'm not alone in this. Thank you for the encouragement! Keep up the good work! We will both be organized before we know it. :-)
ReplyDeleteyou can do it Michelle! I always make a to do list and then get discouraged by it. My counselor suggested putting every little step on the list and crossing them off when you do them. It does something for me mentally to see all those things crossed off. And it's helped me to realize that the tasks I set out to do are generally not so simple. So instead of putting "groceries" on my list, I have 1.) prepare grocery list 2.) gather bags 3.) purchase groceries 4.) unload car 5.) put groceries away. That's a lot to do and "Groceries" just doesn't cut it! Maybe that will help. Good luck in your organizing. I'm sure you can make improvements, even small ones :)
ReplyDelete