11 Mindsets to fight to obtain organizing success

As a Professional Organizer, I hear comments from clients that suggest they will not succeed at getting organized.  When I hear these words and phrases I try to coach my clients through the feelings that are represented in their words and help them to overcome their internal conflicts.

I asked my colleagues from Professional Organizers in Canada to share words that set off alarm bells in their brains, make them take a step back and have a discussion with their clients to help them become successful.

Janet Barclay, Organized Assistant from Hamilton, ON phrase is:

Someone else will deal with it. –  Success in an organizing project occurs when the person is willing to take ownership of the task and decisions that need to be made.

April Miller, April Miller Professional Organizing, from St John, NL word is:

Purge – This word has negative connotations related to eating disorders so sometimes this word is replaced with edit, let go, reduce and part with. How a person thinks and feels about their stuff affects their ability to make good decisions.

Natasha Solvason, Home Free Organizing Solutions, Saskatoon, SK phrase is:

For now, “I’ll put this here for now” –  In an organizing task, many decisions need to be made and putting off decisions delays getting the job completed. The more decisions a person makes the better they get at making decisions.

Michelle Wright,  Wide Open Spaces Farm Cleanups,  Smokey Lake, AB phrase is:

“It doesn’t bother me but my (kids, spouse, mother) thinks I should get organized” –  It needs to be the goal of the person to get organized, not someone else’s, because the person will not be motivated to get the job done. Helping people to set SMART goals helps them to be successful.

Karen McIntosh Murdock,  Your Organized Friend, Saint Albert, AB word is:

“But,” – Anytime a reply starts with this word you know that a problem is going to be suggested for the solution that is recommended. This sometimes highlights that the person is not interested in getting organized and is preventing themselves from being successful by discounting ideas.

Ida Tetlock, Smart Organizing , Orangeville, ON word is :

“Ready” –  Many conversations I have with people result in comments such as…. “Oh, I really need to get your help when I’m READY to organize” or “I could really use your help, but I’m just not READY to tackle this yet”.  It can be an excuse to delay starting instead of dealing with an underlying fear.

Carolyn Caldwell, Caldwell Evolutions Inc., Toronto, ON word is:

“Should” -Translate: someone sitting on my shoulder whispering in my ear that what I’m not doing they think I ought to be doing. Replace with “Could”: the language of potential

Erika Bookbinder, In the clear Organizing, Toronto, ON word is:

“Just” – as in “I’ll just leave it here for now”. Whenever the word “just” is inserted into a sentence, it usually means  that the person is doing something they shouldn’t (I tell this to my kids all the time!)

Shawn Ferguson, Everything Organized,  Kamloops BC words are:

Can’t, overwhelming – These words identify a situation where a client is lacking self-confidence in their skills or knowledge about getting organized.  Fortunately with some reassurance clients can begin to gain knowledge and success.

Alison Lush, Alison Lush Certified Professional Organizer, Montreal QC word is:

Should – When clients think they should be doing something, they may not want to do it, they may not want to do it that way, or they may lack the motivation to do it.

Melody Oshiro, Organize to Optimize Nanaimo, BC phrase is:

“I don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings” – Fear is a big deterrent in getting organized. People can be worried that their decisions may cause problems.  Gaining confidence in decision making makes a person successful at organizing.

In the comment section tell me what words or phrases you have heard people use that stop them from getting organized.

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Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of physical activity to reduce clutter, in your home and office. She guides and supports you in managing your time. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.

Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca

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