Have you ever found yourself
stuck in a rut with no idea how to get out and start moving again? You can remember when you used to have
control of your home, your stuff and your schedule but it seems that somewhere
along the line you lost it. You
can’t imagine how you will ever find time for tasks that were once
routine. When did you fall into
this rut and how will you ever get out?
“Ruts” are something we all
experience at one time or another.
Sometimes an event such as a birth, a move, a divorce or a death can
bring our routines to a complete halt.
Other times it’s perfectionism that keeps us from starting in the first
place – if I can’t do the whole thing and do it right I won’t do anything at all. Maybe you can’t even put a finger on
exactly how you arrived at this point, yet here you are, stuck.
When life stalls like this, it
can feel so overwhelming that it is hard to decide where and how to get
started. And, if you can’t decide
what step to take first, you may choose not to step forward at all. Nevertheless, taking hold of the reins
again and moving forward and is the only way out.
If you are feeling stuck, not
knowing how to regain control of managing your time and your responsibilities,
I’d like to offer some practical tips to help you step up and out of your rut
and get yourself back on track.
Make a List. The best
place to start is with a list. One
of my favorite lists is a three-column list with the columns labeled: To Do/To
Call/To Get. I like this one
because it keeps like tasks together – this way, if I am making phone calls I
can remember to call the vet as well as my credit card company and Aunt Mary
for her birthday. I make my list
in my planner and review and re-write it at the beginning of each week. Any
incompletes move to the next week so they are in front of me when I check my
agenda.
When making your list, be as
thorough and inclusive as possible.
Seeing things written down will remind you what needs to be done and
help you decide where to begin.
Don’t worry if the first task you choose is a small one, accomplishing
any one of your goals is a step toward regaining control of your time and your
environment and it’s one thing you get to cross off your list.
Set A Timer. As you
continue to choose your next goals, and to keep from getting stalled, aim for
progress, not perfection. To help
let go of perfectionism and focus on moving forward, divide your work into
chunks of time. Setting a time
limit will contain the tasks to more manageable and achievable goals. Twenty minutes once or twice each day
to tackle items on your To Do list will insure your continued progress.
Have A Buddy. If you
have others at home, make it a family affair. Instead of waiting for the perfect time when you can clean
the kitchen undisturbed, invite the rest of the family to join in a timed
twenty minute whirlwind attack of any project or chore they choose. Ask each person to share their goal
before the timer starts and regard the progress that each one has made when the
timer ends. You can incorporate
these group chore-storming events into every weekday. Make sure to keep them short and to acknowledge your
individual and “team” achievements.
If you live alone, call a
friend and ask them to take this “clutter-conquer” challenge with you. Choose a time of day that you will both
set a 20-minute timer. Call each
other afterward to report your progress.
Contact a Professional.Helping people get their homes, schedules
and routines on track is what professional organizers are trained to do. Unlike hiring a house-cleaner who will
come in and clean around your stuff, an organizer will assess your individual
needs and situation, make recommendations on how to arrange your things and
your time so that they support your life and, finally, they will work side by
side with you to get the work done.
A rut does not have to last
forever. If you’re ready, take a
deep breath and step forward. You
can do it.
• To contact Annette Reyman for packing/unpacking help, gift certificates,
organizing work or speaking engagements in the Greater Philadelphia area call
(908) 361-7105 or email her at [email protected].
Reyman is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers
(NAPO®) and Board Member of its Greater
Philadelphia Chapter.
Visit her blog, http://www.areyofhope.blogspot.com
or her website at www.allrightorganizing.com
or follow All Right Organizing on Facebook.
About Annette Reyman
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading...
Comments