I’ve been working with a client over the last couple of weeks, decluttering her rental home while her current home is being renovated.

It is going to be BEAUTIFUL when it’s all done. I told her that if I were in her shoes, I’d never leave. Oh! The view from her bedroom window overlooks a river and is just so nurturing to the soul.

She hired me because she told me there’s no way she can move all that clutter back into her new home.

Rightly so!

I actually really admire her for taking a stand as it’s easy to keep moving from house to house, hauling all your stuff along with you time and time again.

I’ve done it in the past and I’m betting, so have you.

Once we got started though, it started to look really scary… and I had to remind her (and me) that it always looks worse before it starts coming together.

When you have to sort through 12 years of stuff, it’s a huge challenge.

Especially when you start sorting and labelling. And spreading out…

And there’s a point when you think, “is this actually worth it?”

I think that point happens in any project just before you see the breakthrough.

It’s decision time, you see.

Do I continue to press through? Or do I give up and resign myself to what appears to be insurmountable?

I’m here to encourage you – don’t give up!

You CAN do it. You can organise your home, office, paper, whatever.

Somehow as I’m writing this, I get the feeling I’m speaking so someone out there – nothing to do with organising but just the “don’t give up” message. If that’s you, don’t give up and …I’d love to hear your story

This week’s organising challenge

* Are there any half-finished projects that are REALLY important to you?
* Maybe they’re half-finished because you started giving up at that point I described above.
* This week, tackle just one and press through until you complete it.
* Let me know what you accomplished so I can celebrate with you.

P.S. If your half-finished project is your paper piles, then help is here. Join me tomorrow for No more paper piles teleclass!

smokers in booth at Abu Dhabi airport

Amanda wrote this: “I could use tips for motivation to get up and get things done”.

When you battle to get motivated, choose Quick and Easy tasks so that you can build up some momentum and feel good when (not if!) you do finally get some things done.

So what gets you motivated?

Is it MUSIC? Then put on some 80′s tunes (or whatever your favourites are) to get yourself energised.

Is it COMPETITION? Then challenge yourself and see how many of the tasks you can accomplish in an hour.

Is it being ACCOUNTABLE? Then post a comment telling me what you’re going to do and come back to tell me when it’s done!

Is it SOCIAL INTERACTION? Then make a coffee date with a friend, but ONLY once you’ve done an hour’s organising.

Is it reaching a GOAL? Then reward yourself once you’ve done all the tasks.

Right! So now that we know what motivates you, let’s get to it!

IN THE HOME

1. Declutter and sort through all the old magazines. Tear out the articles and toss the rest.
2. Organise your launch pad – that place in your home where you DUMP things when you walk in the door.
3. Collect all the clothes you need to dry-clean, declutter or get mended.
4. Clear off the front of your fridge. Toss the magnets and recipes you’re never going to use.
5. Throw away any old food in your fridge and freezer, and give the surfaces a good wipe down.

And now for some…
OFFICE ORGANISING

1. Do your filing.
2. Collect all the bills and invoices from around the home and schedule the payment dates in your planner.
3. Shred any junk mail with your name on it.
4. Organise your desk.
5. Delete 100 emails from your Inbox and Sent Items.

Whatever you do manage to do, give yourself a pat on the back!

Leave a comment and let me know which of the 5 motivators work best for you.