Okay, you’ve resolved you’re absolutely, positively, nothing can stop you going to get organized in 2012 – deal with the piles, finish the projects, dejunk, declutter, and take control. But where oh where to begin? One great way to side step overwhelmed and get moving is to map out a SMART attack.
SMART stands for Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely – Use these qualities to help you think about not only how you’re going to get organized but why and you’ll increase the likelihood that you’ll get the job done. Let’s see how they can work for you.
Specific – Get clear about what you want to happen. What is your vision about your stuff and your home or office? If you were organized, what would it look like? What would be different? Make a plan, write it down and use it to stay focused.
Measureable – If you don’t measure your progress how are you going to know if you’re making any? If your goal is to clean out the accumulated mess in the coat closet so you can actually put coats into it, make a list of the mini-tasks that will get you there. Finish a task, check it off and pat yourself on the back for doing it.
Attainable – Is your goal actually doable? Or is it so difficult or expensive, it’s impossible? Scale it to your basic needs and capabilities. And be honest. If you’re making it big in hopes that a major overhaul will fix the messes you have now, you’re fooling yourself. The last thing you want to do is set yourself up to fail.
Realistic – Be realistic about your timeline and your budget. How much organizing you can do along with all the other demands on your time? Can you free up a few hours a week to do it? A whole day? The better part of a weekend? Budget-wise, can you really afford new file cabinets and a new desk and wall-to-wall carpeting? Let your calendar and your wallet help you make a plan you can actually get done.
Timely – Is this the right time to start a major organizing project? Is this a step that has to happen before a bigger event can occur? (Think turning the catchall spare room into a nursery before the baby’s due.) Is there really enough time to complete the project before everyone arrives for Thanksgiving? Don’t start what you can’t finish in the available time and don’t put off a critical prereq to something bigger.
