Why Most "How to Get Organized" Guides Fail
You’ve seen them, I’ve seen them.
Especially earlier this year when many businesses were forced to shift their practices and business models due to COVID, many professional organizers released free and paid “how to get organized” guides. I also know organizers who have offered something similar on their websites for years.
And I know even more who blog about tips for organizing your bathroom or office or garage constantly. There is nothing inherently wrong with these guides or blog posts, and for some people, they are exactly what they need. And I’m not saying that I won’t write something similar in the future - because I probably will!
But I have found that the vast majority of the time, these guides and step-by-step instruction manuals fall flat. Either people download them and never read them, or they read them and never put in the necessary work to “get organized.”
This largely stems from the fact that “getting organized” is impossible. I’m not saying that you can’t overhaul a pantry or get your garage in order, I’m just saying that it is much more than that. You can put in the effort to “get organized” but unless you are committed to “living organized” then your work will not likely last very long.
Most people set out with good intentions, get their homes into great shape over the course of a weekend or a few weeks, but in the end, it doesn’t stick. Part of that is because they don’t have the routines and rules for an organized life. It is the actions you take after you have dropped the last load at Goodwill and affixed the last label to the last acrylic bin that matter the most. But some people never make it there, and most of the time, it is their mindset keeping them stuck.
When someone approaches the idea of “getting organized” as merely a one-time thing, they are setting themself up for failure. Even if you do follow through one time and get everything organized, it won’t stay that way without continual effort. And so, many people go from guide to guide, organizer to organizer, looking for the one and done secret. The good news and bad news is that such a thing doesn’t exist. You can’t organize just once and hope it will stay that way forever. But you can organize just once and work to keep it that way forever.
If you can commit to the ongoing maintenance of your organizational systems, you have crossed the biggest hurdle of all. It doesn’t even necessarily have to take a lot of work and effort. And I’m sure that you don’t really want it to once you get everything set up just how you want it to be! I promise that if you maintain your systems, it will be infinitely less work in the long run than having to “get organized” or “reorganize” every few months.
It doesn’t have to be something you do every single day. You can make it work for you. The processes and habits you set up to support your systems can be whatever you want them to be. There is no wrong answer. Just decide, honor your decision, and put in the necessary effort.
And organizing isn’t something where you can just fall off the wagon! If you just shoved your last grocery haul into the cupboard when you got home instead of decanting or sorting or whatever else you want to do, that’s okay. Just find some time, when it works for you, to put everything away where it goes. It will be so much easier than having to start from square one in six months.
Another big hurdle that people face when they are given or purchase a “how to get organized” guide is thinking that it is only worth it if they can organize their whole house or a whole room. That’s simply not true! Any time you can dedicate is time well spent. Once you plant the seed of order, it is likely to spread.
Even if you can only tackle one drawer, one closet, or one room, you are well on your way to an organized home. Plus, you’ll be giving yourself evidence that you are, in fact, an organized person - and you just look at that drawer, closet, or room for proof!
Even if you can only declutter at this point and can’t even begin thinking about organizing, that first step is just that - the first step. No one can climb a whole staircase in one step, that would be weird. Organizing takes time, effort, and commitment, but it is still so much better to be somewhere in the middle of the journey than way back at the beginning just because you were hesitant to start since you couldn’t tackle it all at once.
Some people also struggle with organizing because they feel like they don’t have the tools they need - whether they have the “how to get organized” guide or not. I get it. It’s so much easier to be confused than to actually get started. I’ve been guilty of this in so many areas! I promise you though, you have everything you need to get started. And anything you don’t already know you can figure out along the way.
A related struggle is the belief that you have to organize on your own. By utilizing a “how to get organized” guide or something similar, you are already kind of debunking this myth! You’re already using outside help and that’s totally okay - in fact, it is more than okay, it is great!
There are so many people out there who love to organize - I bet everyone knows someone who does. Enlisting the help of a friend or family member can be great motivation - and chances are, if they love to organize, they’d be more than happy to help. And if you don’t know anyone who loves organizing, there are always professional organizers. There’s no guilt in hiring someone to help you get your house in order. And chances are, the process will be easier and faster (and maybe even more fun!) with an expert along for the ride.
Similarly, some people get stuck because they believe that they should be good at organizing. This one can be particularly confusing because it can seem like such an innocuous thought. But when someone feels like they should be good at organizing but can’t see the evidence for it in their life, it can be hard to move past that idea.
Just like with the all-or-nothing trap, they believe that if they haven’t been organized before, there is no hope for them.
And just like with the belief they have to do it on their own, if they can’t, they feel like a failure.
While some people do seem to have a natural affinity for organization, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t a skill that can be nurtured and grown. If you truly want to be organized and live an organized life, you can! There are countless tools, guides, and people out there to help you achieve that. But if you feel stuck believing that you should just be good at it naturally and shouldn’t need any of that kind of support, you’ll never move into the productive action that you want to take.
If you are determined to live an organized life, don’t let any of these mindset blocks stop you! You can get past them. You can use “how to get organized” guides and other tools to help you take massive action in your life and revolutionize your home! I believe in you. You have everything that you need to live an organized life. It all starts with just deciding... and then starting.
Until next time,