Order inspires confidence

If you are visiting my blog from Renee's blog, please accept my warm welcome. 

Getting and staying organized is a challenge for so many women today.  Life has changed around us, and we are struggling to keep up.  Staying organized means constantly adapting your skills.  What worked five years ago, probably doesn't work now.  But we resist change, and so we suffer in frustration.  We feel overwhelmed and do nothing.

Most people are motivated to change by one of two things.  First - the pain of staying the way they are is worse than making a change.   Second - the promise of what you will gain is better than what you have now. 

Pain is the stronger motivator to start.  Which is why we wait till we can't fit in our jeans before deciding to get serious about losing weight.   I know I'll feel better if I lose 20 pounds, but that promise isn't always enough to stop me from a second helping.  But pain only keeps us going till we can zip our jeans.  We need a positive motivator to finish strong. 

When those two motivating factors (pain & promise) join hands, then you've got a recipe for success. 

I think you've already gotten to the point of pain, now you need a strong enough motivator to tackle those problems spots in your life.  Here's one you might not have considered.

Order inspires confidence.  

Order is a gentle way to establish who is in charge.  You don't have to shout to establish your authority, you do so by quietly bringing things under your control. 

As you do so, you inspire confidence in others.  Your husband begins to trust that you can find what he needs.  Your kids trust that you won't forget to bring cupcakes to school.  Your sister trusts that you'll bring that book you promised to the next family gathering.  Your employer trusts that you'll get to an important meeting on time. 

Why does this work?  Because you start to have confidence in yourself. 

So if you are a woman who feels out of control, then I suggest you start by bringing one small part of your life under your control.  Maybe it's your kitchen counter.  Maybe it's your bedside table.  Or closet.  Establish some order and show that closet who is in charge. 

This is a process.  Bringing order to your life happens in small steps.  So embrace your pain and promise motivators and get started.

I've spent some time reading all the comments on Renee's blog about organizing challenges. Since most of those deal with papers, I'm going to address tips on managing paper for the next week or so.  Hopefully I can help offer you practical ways to regain control over paper.

I also want to join Renee in a giveaway.  So I'm giving away a cool vintage-looking magazine holder from my online business http://www.roselanecottage.com/.  To enter to win, please post a comment about what type of paper gives you the most grief.  What's in your piles????   I'd also I've love it if you'd subscribe to my blog. 

But that's not necessary. 

Thanks for visiting today, and hopefully we can get organized together.

In His Love,
Glynnis

P.S.  I'll announce a winner on Friday Monday (due to a delay in Renee's schedule of posting).  Please make sure you leave a way for me to reach you.