For starters, an unrealistic workload can lead to disorganization.
We live in a complex, fast-changing world, one that presents challenges to all of us trying to be more organized. Wishing for more time needed to take care of work, family and home is forever fighting a losing battle.
For the majority of the time, we can achieve some satisfactory level of clutter control in our offices or homes. But there are times when no matter what we do, the efforts don’t measure up.
Unrealistic workloads become temporary or permanent obstacles to keeping ourselves organized.
A corporation’s downsizing will double the workload left by employees who were let go. In many cases, the workers will take their work home, which will interfere with their family time.
Because of insecurity in the workforce, many people are opting for self-employment, thinking it will be easier than working for somebody else. However, building a new business takes time, energy and money. Again, we have to make sacrifices that affect home and family.
Also, life today demands that we work smarter, move faster and know more, giving us more opportunities to become successful. Sometimes we might feel that life is like a hamster wheel, and we are not able to get off it.
It’s no wonder why our homes are disorganized and neglected.
Unpredictable events and transitions are another cause of disorganization. If you are going through some kind of life transition, planned or not, organizing is the last thing on your to-do list.
When we go through a major life transition, we experience a breakdown in our organizational systems, and it takes time and energy to set up a new system that will support us.
Some common life transitions include: moving; marriage; divorce; a new baby; retirement; illness or death in the family; or a career change.
When you go through a transition, it may be best to wait until you have a clear picture of your new needs and responsibilities before starting to organize.
Finally, uncooperative partners can be problematic.
There is a lot of frustration living or working with someone whose disorganized habits keep spoiling your organizing efforts. This could be a family member, your spouse, your child or your co-worker.
The disorganized person might have a few undesirable habits. They are repetitively late for appointments, losing important papers, car keys or other important items, and leaving their belongings in piles or scattered all over the office or house.
If you’re fairly organized and value your time and peace, you will become frustrated and angry with that person without solving the problem.
Try this solution. Offer help to a family member or your co-worker. More likely they feel overwhelmed or may be dealing with some personal issue that prevents them from being organized.
This is not a quick fix as they might have health issues, preventing them from being organized. It could be depression, PTSD, ADD, ADHD, anxiety, bipolar, or obsessive compulsive disorder. Help is available.
Life coach Ranka Burzan owns a professional organizing company based in the qathet region and has written several books on reducing clutter and becoming more organized. For information, go to solutionsorganizing.com.
