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What would you trade
to be organized

Is "Getting Organized" one of your New Year's resolutions? If so, this month is for you! January is National Get Organized Month, sponsored by the National Association of Professional Organizers. (Yes, there is such an organization, and yes, our conferences are very organized!)

This month is time for those who want to lower stress and create more time for themselves to take steps toward making life simpler, easier, less cluttered and more manageable. Perhaps this is the year you finally get organized!

But, have you tried to get organized before only to get derailed?

You're not alone. It's no different from all the other good intentions people have at this time of year.

I've been there, too. I've started New Year's projects and new habits with focused diligence, only to have them peter out over time.

If this is a repeated attempt to get organized, ask yourself why you were not successful before. One important truth to remember is that organization is not an end in itself, but rather a means to an end. That end can be anything from less mess and stress, less haste and waste, more time and space, leading to more freedom and fun. What is the end reason that you want to get organized?

Having that goal in mind will give you more motivation because getting organized won't happen overnight. It will take time, energy and effort. In other words, there's a price to pay. What price are you willing to pay to become more organized?

Are you willing to give up television time so you can spend it sorting and organizing? How about giving up some of your "stuff" to gain needed space in, or access to your closets? What about avoiding those impulse purchases that add to the clutter? Are you willing to spend 10 minutes at the end of the day to tidy up and put things where they belong?

If you're serious about getting organized, I invite you to hop aboard the Organizing Express.

Twice a month I'll give you ideas, encouragement and action steps to spur you on to your goal. Your first assignment for 2005 is to identify your end goal for getting organized. Then, determine what are you willing to give up in order to be more organized, and start working toward your goal.

See you in two weeks!