"I don't have time for this," you scream, feeling overwhelmed with too many chores and not enough time to finish them.
You have been meaning to organize your kitchen cabinets for months. It irritates you to see the avalanche of pots and pans jumbled together.
Your plastic containers in all sizes and shapes are old and not usable. Hundreds of jars of spices going back to the last century are scattered haphazardly, taking over your kitchen space.
Also, it could be that your lack of organizational skills is the reason you avoid the task. Let me assure you that being organized is a skill that anybody can learn.
There are a few ways you can finish the neglected projects.
Break down the project
When faced with big and intimidating tasks, it's tempting to procrastinate. Breaking down a big project into smaller segments is very helpful. Identify specific actions that can be accomplished in just a few minutes or less. For example, let go of the coffee cups you don’t use or need.
At first, you might question this approach to organizing. But as the days pass, you will begin to see a difference.
By committing to doing just a tiny bit each day, we can overcome the apathy of procrastination. As you will discover, progress, no matter how small, is still progress.
By taking that first small step each day, we can build momentum and gradually chip away at the project until it's completed.
Embrace imperfection
Another obstacle you might face is a desire for perfection. You wanted your kitchen cabinets to be perfectly organized with everything in its proper place.
Or, you are waiting for more time to devote to the project, yet that day never seems to arrive. Your desire to have Martha Stewart’s perfect kitchen is not realistic or achievable.
Celebrate milestones
As you make progress organizing your kitchen cabinets, make sure to celebrate your achievements along the way. Each small task completed is a victory worth acknowledging.
Treat yourself to a small reward of watching your favourite show, reading a book or walking in nature. Share your progress with friends and family.
Your journey to having organized kitchen cabinets serves as a valuable lesson for anyone faced with daunting projects. When we embrace imperfection and commit to the things we have to do, we can celebrate the landmarks of our achievements. Isn’t that what life is all about?
If you don’t prioritize the project, it will continuously stay on the back burner. It takes time and energy to finish neglected chores but the reward of an organized and clean home is priceless.
The next time you find yourself saying, "I don't have time for this," remember that by taking that first small step, you will be amazed at how far it can take you.
I will leave you with this amazing quote by motivational speaker Zig Zigler: “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”
Transformational life coach Ranka Burzan owns a professional organizing company in the qathet region and has written several books on reducing clutter. For more information, email [email protected] or call 604.578.8954.
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