Today’s blog post is a question that was raised in the current session of Organizing 101. Because this question comes up frequently and always gets a lot of response, I wanted to share my suggestions on the blog, too.
Our workshop participant said: “I am scattered when it comes to cleaning. I run a load of laundry, unload some dishes, then something needs to be put somewhere else, and oh look the dog is out of food… I could change and clean his water bowl, too, because after all I am cleaning today. The phone rings. When I finish the call I head back to the room where I started to clean, and the dryer says it’s done. I spend way too much time with the back and forth thing but can’t seem to stay on track! HELP!!”
Here was my reply: This is really common, especially with organizing, when you carry something to another room and then suddenly find yourself starting another project. In some ways, this can be necessary and maybe even beneficial. In other words, once we put in a load of laundry, it wouldn’t make sense to sit there and wait for the washing machine to do its business. It does make sense to go and do something else and then come back when the laundry is done washing.
But…it’s when you get too many things started, and nothing finished, that this becomes a problem. One of the strategies I suggest for organizing is to first, define the project you’re working on, and then, set a timer and work on that project for fifteen minutes at a time. (You can go longer…but fifteen minutes a day is a good minimum target. It helps you make progress on your projects and helps begin the creation of a daily organizing habit which will help you keep things organized.)
The timer really will help you stay focused. You’ll find yourself racing against the clock to see how much you can get done before the timer dings. If the phone rings, you let it go to voice mail and call back in fifteen minutes when you’re done. If you notice the dog bowl needs to be washed, you can write it down on a piece of paper to deal with after you’re done organizing.
This leads me to another idea. Carry a little notebook with you while you clean. (Or if you use a smart phone with a list app, that could work too.) When something catches your eye that needs to be done, capture it on your list to do later, instead of interrupting yourself.
Are you scattered or focused while you clean and organize? Do you have other ideas for staying on task?
Happy Organizing!
