Do you suffer from Big Shiny Object syndrome
Tami in Oklahoma says
My whole life is unorganized. I start decluttering/organizing one area, get distracted, and go to another area. Only creates messes!!
Tami, I totally get you!
You start organising your pantry, get to the baking goods, realise you’re having guests for tea, so start making muffins and before you know it, half the pantry is on the floor and the kitchen is a mess of flour and chocolate chips!
My suggestions are:
1. Make a project list with SMALL steps
When I feel overwhelmed, I use my master to-do list to note down everything that needs doing. Some people also like to mind map it.
I start big and then narrow down. So I might use one list for the kitchen, one for the bedroom and still another for the home office.
It’s very satisfying to tick off little projects as you get them done.
In the kitchen, you might have a list like this:
- kitchen table
- kitchen counters
- pantry – shelf 1
- pantry – shelf 2
- pantry – shelf 3
2. Use a kitchen timer
Use it not only in the kitchen but wherever you’re working on a project
3. Set the timer for shorter periods than you think
If you set it for an hour, you’ll probably get distracted sometime during those 60 minutes. I like to set mine for periods of 15 minutes as it forces me to concentrate. Also, I can do a drawer, a shelf, a pile of paper very easily in 15 minutes.
4. Reward yourself regularly
Have a cup of tea when you’ve completed an hour’s organising or if you finish a whole room, buy a book you’ve wanted for a while.
How do you overcome Big, Shiny Object syndrome?
Here’s more on how you can break out of overwhelm.
Tags: how to organise, overwhelm
Oh, I love all those tips!! And there’s nothing like checking many tasks… even if they are small ones, having many of them checked off give me such a feeling of pride!! Love it!!
Chloe, you’re quite right. There’s a sense of satisfaction in crossing tasks off a list.
Big or small – every task gets celebrated LOL