The towels for the bathroom are nowhere near the shower when you step out. The linen cupboard crammed full of everything BUT towels. You shake your dripping wet head in amazement -- How did the pile of bills and magazines end up in there?
And, where did the fresh, new bottle of cleaning spray go? It's certainly not under the sink where it was supposed to be. Oh, but I did find the shampoo and nail polish I bought weeks ago and couldn't find.
You know how it goes -- you begin in one room, closet, or drawer, and before you know it, you've got the entire house in an uproar of clutter and piles. Nothing is where it is supposed to be, and every room you enter, you find more things that need to go elsewhere.
Like that junk drawer in the kitchen which has everything in it you didn't know what to do with so you stuffed it in there. Batteries, rubber bands, pencils, hair clips, light bulbs, nail clippers, toothpicks, scotch tape, tools, recipes, warranties, and the list goes on. A mind numbing jumble of unrelated stuff.
Then you realize, as you spin round and round that every room is much like the junk drawer -- a mind numbing jumble of unrelated stuff. And, nothing seems to be where it is supposed to be.
In fact, you don't have a clue, any longer, what things need to go where. Your mind races with the craziness of how hard you work to keep up with it -- and, the hours and hours you have already spent organizing, storing, tossing, or hiding it.
How did it get so out of control and unorganized so quickly? I'm pretty sure, you say to yourself, that I have been constantly putting things away or tossing them.
All that busyness and yet, so little to show for it.
Is it possible that you may have confused constant motion and busyness with true progress? Maybe you have made the same mistake many of us have, which is to assume that motion is equal to productive action.
It really is a common mistake and so easy to kid ourselves into believing we really are making progress.
How can you tell if you are? Ask yourself this one simple question -- And, be honest, this isn't a test -- Is my destination getting any closer?
You might have to redefine what being productive really is and what it means to you. And, in doing so, consider doing only those things that have more of an impact on your predetermined outcome.
Which assumes you have decided, planned, and are clear on your outcome. But, what if you aren't clear on that? Well, then, begin there. That would be your first productive action. To get crystal clear on what it is you want it to be or desire it to look like.
Beware... the minute you decide to focus and take productive action, you'll most likely trip upon and experience these five saboteurs. They will definitely throw you off track.
Saboteur #1. Sedatives. Those things that numb you out. I'm not talking about what might be your favorite drug of choice here, but all the other things that sedate. Activities like social media, television watching, talking on the telephone, playing games, or even reading a book. Notice which ones are your favorites and be alert when they crop up and steal your progress.
Saboteur #2. Bright Shiny Objects. Or, as my friend used to say, "Look, there's a chicken!" In other words, anything that distracts and catches your attention which seems far more enlightening than what you are currently working upon. An example of this, when it comes to tidying up, is seeking out and buying that perfect container to help you organize. You haven't even gotten clear on the outcome or begun to purge, and yet, off and running you go to the container store.
Saboteur #3. Dreamland. You spend hours and hours dreaming of what it will look like and never actually take productive action steps to get it. There hangs the vision board you created and yet, you are no closer to the vision upon it. Don't get me wrong, dreaming and planning (and a vision board) is a necessary and most critical first step. However, at some point you need to take an action step to achieve it.
Saboteur #4. Information Seeker. You are driven to seek and gather more and more information or inspiration before you even begin. And, the gathering never ends. You take yet another class or workshop, read another 'how-to' book, or watch another video, AND you never take a single step closer to the outcome you desired.
Saboteur #5. Resistance. Every step of the way you encounter opposition, defiance, and roadblocks. That could be frustration, fatigue, anger, or other dramatic events that stop you. Most likely it will be your mind shouting at you, "This is taking way too long. I'll never get it done. This is hopeless! This is way too hard."
No matter which saboteur shows up -- most likely all five at some point or another -- recognize it for what it is. Discomfort. Or, maybe even fear.
Unfortunately, there are no magic answers to keep away discomfort and fear. However, the best and most valuable guidance that I can give you to overcome the saboteurs, is what I was given to guide me. Two, simple ideas.
First -- Get comfortable with uncomfortable. Anything worthwhile in life is going to press your comfort zone. Take a deep breath, acknowledge it feels downright awful, and keep on going.
Second -- Do it afraid. When fear rears its ugly head, face it, deny it, and keep on diving in. Just like the boogeyman under the bed, seldom is it real.
And, in turn, as you chase away those saboteurs, you will experience how purposeful action is the best way to get rid of clutter and stay tidy.
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