If You Want To Be Instantly More Motivated, Do These 7 Things Around Your House
Research proves time and again that our space affects us more deeply than we realize.
Dimensions | Canva If you've ever struggled to focus or manage your emotions, you've probably thought of it as a purely "internal" issue. But, sometimes, the chaos inside ourselves reflects what's happening in our physical spaces. Unfortunately, even in the best of times, home organization can feel impossible. That's normal, and it can be overcome.
One easy way to feel more focused inside your mind is to get organized in your space. Sometimes when you're in a slump, it's better to just drop the excuses and get organized so you can enjoy a sense of calm. Then you will be better able to focus on what you need to do and the things you love to do!
If you want to be more motivated, do these things around your house now
1. Avoid distractions
Dedicate a chunk of time in your schedule to get organized and stick to it. Push till you complete what you start.
Try to avoid breaking your organizing stride with interruptions. Many apps can help you stay focused. Check them out and see which works best for you.
If you never start, you run the risk of feeling less organized in the long run!
2. Start small
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Too often, people try to attack a big, disorganized space first. When you feel the need to organize, pick somewhere contained and start small.
For example, choose a desk drawer to tackle first. Dump it, and get rid of unnecessary things. Keep only what you need and love. Reappoint the space with less stuff, and arrange it so things are easy to see.
Creating a small, contained, organized space is a big win and can be very motivating. Build on your wins, and only take on a small task if you have limited time.
3. Organize to suit your style
Each person has a different preference for an organized style. There are six organizing personality styles that determine your preferences for staying organized.
Some people like to tuck items out of sight. Still, others feel more organized when they can see everything out in the open.
Find out your organizing style preferences with the TSSI. The Time & Space Style Inventory is an online test that provides you with your own personality profile. Your scores reveal how to get organized according to your style.
For instance, if you like clear surfaces, make sure you create systems that can keep items tucked away. If you like to "see things," use labels. You'll also tend to enjoy color.
Be sure to find a home for the files you create. Spatial orientation matters. This way, you'll know where to find items and put stuff away.
Whatever your organizing style dominance, getting organized makes you feel more in control. And feeling more in control means managing less stress.
4. Sort your stuff using the F.A.T. formula
If you don't have very much time to organize your space, just the act of sorting can help.
Look for ways to create "landing places" to stage organizing tasks. When you break projects down into tasks, it makes getting started easier.
If you're sorting papers or documents, you may want to consider using the "F.A.T." sorting process, which was first created by Barbara Hemphill.
- Create three piles and be sure to label them "File," "Act," and "Toss."
- Choose a random, unsorted paper pile that needs to be filed. (Start small — no more than two inches high).
- Now, simply sort your papers into one of the three categories you've labeled.
If a piece of paper already has a file folder created and just needs to find its way there, put it in the "File" pile. However, if a paper requires any action — even if you have to create a new folder for it — put it into the "Act" pile. Then, anything you don't need to keep or take action on should be put into the "Toss" pile.
When you follow this method, it helps you push through papers fast. You'll be able to break down the daunting task of organizing your space into simple, easy-to-follow steps.
Try this sorting method. It works because it is simple and helps layer decisions and avoid decision fatigue.
5. Organize your computer with broad, intuitive folder names
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Be sure that you label everything when you begin to file items.
Some people make the mistake of feeling like they need to organize "perfectly." There's no perfect way to file.
What you need to really pay attention to is naming your files in ways that make sense to you! Keep file names simple and easy to maintain. You may also consider pairing your digital files with their equivalent paper files.
Additional ways to organize your space include making things super easy. If you can shift the way you see your space, it's easy to create touch-and-go systems.
What I mean by that is create ways to hold your space. This way, you can jump out of work at a moment's notice and know what you need to do when you come back.
A professional can help you create files and manage your digital life. You'll need a way to capture, organize, schedule, and remind yourself. Design systems that work for you and your style.
6. Organizing is a means to an end
Everyone's goals are different, but getting organized is really just the first step in the direction of making your life work more smoothly.
One of the quickest and easiest ways to get yourself motivated again is to take the time to organize your workspace. An organized person is better able to do more of what they want to do with ease: They know what they have, have what they need, and can find things when they need them.
When you're not organized, the entire family suffers. And when you're running with limited time, being organized is essential to feeling productive and less stressed.
7. Organizing impacts your success
Staying organized is a challenge for most people, not to mention moms. Without your space working for you, one of the key dimensions of support is broken. However, maintaining systems takes time. If you never organize your space and avoid maintenance because of the mess, you may need a time-out often.
Or worse, you may tank your success and experience a critical failure. Instead, start strong and organize your space today.
It's not hard to organize your space. All it takes is a little planning and a little time. Set yourself up for success, avoid distractions, start small, and follow the easy sorting and purging processes.
Cena Block is a productivity consultant and certified organizer coach (COC) for professional women and entrepreneurs with ADHD. She is also the CEO of Sane Spaces and creator of the Time & Space Style Inventory.
