“He who has a why to live for, can bear almost any how.”
- Friedrich Nietzsche
We all dream of living a healthier and more organized life, knowing that the process takes time, hard work and dedication.
Yet, human nature desires instant gratification. We expect to make major changes in a short timeframe and magically get it done. It’s no wonder we become discouraged whenever we fall short of our goals. We take on too much and expect quick results—only to fizzle out in the process.
I invite you to join me in setting new goals for the next 12 months and let this time be different. Instead of jumping in and quickly losing steam, first define your Why, What, and When.
Know Your WHY
As I write this, I remember posting a blog on the subject of goal setting in 2018. In reviewing that blog post, I chuckle at myself because I only tried for 3 months to get back into the physical shape I desired. I did the steps of goal setting and planning, but my workouts fell short because life’s interruptions weren’t factored into that short time span. In the meantime, my Why of feeling great in my body and clothes got buried in the busyness of life.
As Friedrich Nietzsche points out, knowing your why will inspire you to take action, keep you moving forward and stay motivated when things get tough.
Setting clear goals, broken into smaller, manageable steps and creating a plan helps you achieve them. The bigger the goal, the longer it takes to accomplish.
Know Your WHAT
What areas of your life would you like to organize or improve on?
Physical spaces around your home
Finances
Time - Planning your week
Business/Work
Files - Paper and digital
Mental - Practicing self-care
Physical fitness and healthier eating
Photos
Other
Ask yourself which of these goals you would like to achieve first, then write down your goals in order of importance. For example, practicing self-care, physical fitness, and planning go hand-in-hand and could be accomplished within the same timeframe. Other, more time-consuming goals, such as decluttering spaces, paper files, and organizing photos will have to be tackled one at a time.
Know Your When
Next, choose a specific date to achieve your goals. This is an important part of the puzzle. If you don’t give yourself a deadline, you won’t have something to steer towards. Ask yourself how many hours you will dedicate to each goal per week and physically schedule time on your calendar—whether it’s paper or electronic. If you don’t schedule time, chances are the action step won’t happen.
Even better: find an accountability partner to help you stick to your goal achievement schedule.
Need accountability or hands-on assistance with any of your organizing projects? Call or email, I’m here to help, whether in person or virtually. Call 585-201-6009 or write to Yve@organizingbyYve.com.
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