Real Solutions For Living...Getting Any Organizing Done Yet?

We are one month into the new year. My, how time flies! Decorations are put away, the new calendar is all set up and ready to go, but there's still so much we hope to accomplish this year and we've already lost a whole month!

Where do we go from here? Be realistic and pace yourself. Some days surprise us with unexpected phone calls, the flu, a frozen pipe that burst. We can't always anticipate what any given day will hand us. Just this weekend I had to take my husband into the emergency room with severe abdominal pains. The prognosis? He needed an appendectomy. Needless to say, our routine has definitely been interrupted.

So how do we ever manage to get our lives organized?

* Set your sights on one project at a time. Don't allow other projects that you may come across in the process distract you from the project at hand.

* Make allowances for the unexpected. Weave a cushion of time around your organizing time slots so you'll have ample time.

* Don't go for perfection. Strive to work out systems that match your habits and needs first. Waiting until you can afford those leather file boxes only prolongs the process indefinitely.

* Find a buddy. Having someone to help can keep you focused. You may find they can offer some objectivity when you're not sure what to keep or toss.

* One day at a time. Remember, it didn't take one afternoon for the clutter to accumulate. Don't get discouraged if it takes a while to sort through things. Eventually you will get to the end.

* Take "baby steps". Don't feel it all must be done right now. As long as you are consistently taking positive action to reach your goal, you are being successful. Even if it's just one drawer today, another next week, the closet the following week - then recognize each of those as progress and feel great about a job well done!

And you can always keep coming back each month to Real Solutions For Living for encouragement and ideas.