It’s What You Don’t See

Photo by Jeffrey Beall

My cousin was visiting yesterday and said my house was completely disorganized.

Yes, my house.

Clearly, he doesn’t understand the difference between organized and tidy.

Three day weekend = some household chaos. Yet, if you needed to find anything, you would know exactly where to look. Underlying processes and structures aren’t visible to the casual observer.

I don’t mind if there are newspapers and an art project on the dining room table or some mending on the couch in the living room, because I know that everything will be put away at the end of the day. That’s the way we roll here.

If you have any level of activity in your home, it will not remain spotless very long. I don't live in a magazine photo and neither do you. Enjoy your home, then put everything away so you can find it again.

 

Organized by Marcie^TM: Save time and money by letting go of what you don't need and finding room for what you value
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It’s What You Don’t See

Photo by Jeffrey Beall

My cousin was visiting yesterday and said my house was completely disorganized.

Yes, my house.

Clearly, he doesn’t understand the difference between organized and tidy.

Three day weekend = some household chaos. Yet, if you needed to find anything, you would know exactly where to look. Underlying processes and structures aren’t visible to the casual observer.

I don’t mind if there are newspapers and an art project on the dining room table or some mending on the couch in the living room, because I know that everything will be put away at the end of the day. That’s the way we roll here.

If you have any level of activity in your home, it will not remain spotless very long. I don't live in a magazine photo and neither do you. Enjoy your home, then put everything away so you can find it again.

 

Organized by Marcie^TM: Save time and money by letting go of what you don't need and finding room for what you value
Follow me on twitter , facebook and pinterest

And if you like what you've read, share it using the links below!

Reader Question: Why Can’t I Finish Things?

Photo by sualk61

Recently, a reader mentioned that she feels frustrated because she can’t get anything accomplished. She’s always moving between tasks, instead of finishing one thing before starting another.

 

There are lots of reasons why people don’t finish what they start and I’ve written about some of them on this blog:

Because they’re afraid they won’t do the job perfectly.

Because it’s more fun to start a project than to see it through.

Because they think they don’t have enough time.

Because it feels overwhelming.

Or, if you have ADD, it could be because you are easily distracted. Even if you weren’t diagnosed as a child, you still could have ADD as an adult. Talk to your doctor if you exhibit signs of ADD. You don’t have to suffer when there are ways to treat it.

Of course, if a task has little to no payoff, you might be better off letting it go.

Do you tend to finish projects or do you leave things hanging while you start new tasks?

Organized by Marcie TM: Save time and money by letting go of what you don't need and finding room for what you value
Follow me on twitter , facebook and pinterest
And if you like what you've read, share it using the links below!

Reader Question: Why Can’t I Finish Things?

Photo by sualk61

Recently, a reader mentioned that she feels frustrated because she can’t get anything accomplished. She’s always moving between tasks, instead of finishing one thing before starting another.

 

There are lots of reasons why people don’t finish what they start and I’ve written about some of them on this blog:

Because they’re afraid they won’t do the job perfectly.

Because it’s more fun to start a project than to see it through.

Because they think they don’t have enough time.

Because it feels overwhelming.

Or, if you have ADD, it could be because you are easily distracted. Even if you weren’t diagnosed as a child, you still could have ADD as an adult. Talk to your doctor if you exhibit signs of ADD. You don’t have to suffer when there are ways to treat it.

Of course, if a task has little to no payoff, you might be better off letting it go.

Do you tend to finish projects or do you leave things hanging while you start new tasks?

Organized by Marcie TM: Save time and money by letting go of what you don't need and finding room for what you value
Follow me on twitter , facebook and pinterest
And if you like what you've read, share it using the links below!

Overcoming Perfectionism-Triggered Procrastination

Victoria Maxwell, a playwright and actor, has created award-winning shows that explore her experiences with bipolar disorder, anxiety, psychosis and recovery.

In an articlefor Psychology Today, she writes about the “Vicious Triangle” created by perfectionism, anxiety & depression.

Whether or not you deal with mental illness, her ideas for overcoming procrastination caused by perfectionism are applicable.

What would your mantra be?

Organized by Marcie TM: Save time and money by letting go of what you don't need and finding room for what you value

Follow me on twitter , facebook and pinterest

And if youlike what you've read, share it using the links below!

Overcoming Perfectionism-Triggered Procrastination

Victoria Maxwell, a playwright and actor, has created award-winning shows that explore her experiences with bipolar disorder, anxiety, psychosis and recovery.

In an article for Psychology Today, she writes about the “Vicious Triangle” created by perfectionism, anxiety & depression.

Whether or not you deal with mental illness, her ideas for overcoming procrastination caused by perfectionism are applicable.

What would your mantra be?

Organized by Marcie TM: Save time and money by letting go of what you don't need and finding room for what you value

Follow me on twitter , facebook and pinterest

And if you like what you've read, share it using the links below!

True Confessions: Sometimes I Leave Dishes in the Sink



Photo by koratmember

Sometimes I eat dry cereal because I didn’t buy milk.

Sometimes I go for weeks without vacuuming.

I rarely dust.

Sometimes I leave once-worn clothes on the bedroom chair for a few days before putting them away.

As someone who strives to be a role model, my most shameful act recently is going for three months without checking my credit card statements (I took care of it today).

In short, I’m not perfect, just like you.

Remember that there’s more to life than chasing perfection. Take care of the necessities, but enjoy yourself, too.

Organized by Marcie TM: Save time and money by letting go of what you don't need and finding room for what you value
Follow me on twitter and facebook  
And if you like what you've read, share it using the links below!

True Confessions: Sometimes I Leave Dishes in the Sink



Photo by koratmember

Sometimes I eat dry cereal because I didn’t buy milk.

Sometimes I go for weeks without vacuuming.

I rarely dust.

Sometimes I leave once-worn clothes on the bedroom chair for a few days before putting them away.

As someone who strives to be a role model, my most shameful act recently is going for three months without checking my credit card statements (I took care of it today).

In short, I’m not perfect, just like you.

Remember that there’s more to life than chasing perfection. Take care of the necessities, but enjoy yourself, too.

Organized by Marcie TM: Save time and money by letting go of what you don't need and finding room for what you value
Follow me on twitter and facebook  
And if you like what you've read, share it using the links below!

Perfectionism

Last week I was talking to someone who said that striving for perfection is not about excellence, but about seeking approval.  She made a good case for the theory, using examples of children who seek approval from parents and teachers.

I have a different take.  I say the quest for perfection isn’t about excellence, it’s about control.  When you inspect and study and review and revise a task over and over, you feel like you’re in control of a situation.  By examining every particle and speculating about every conceivable outcome, you’re not leaving anything up to chance.  While this level of attention to detail is important to a brain surgeon or a rocket scientist, it’s not reasonable for most tasks.

If you struggle with perfection, ask yourself if good enough is good enough the next time you’re working on a project.  Work toward excellence when a job merits the extra effort.

What are your thoughts on perfectionism?  Do you have ideas for people who want to limit their perfection seeking?  Click on Post a Comment, below, and tell us.

Organized by MarcieTM:  Save time and money by letting go of what you don't need and finding room for what you value
Follow me on twitter and facebook
And if you like what you've read, share it using the links below!

Perfectionism

Last week I was talking to someone who said that striving for perfection is not about excellence, but about seeking approval.  She made a good case for the theory, using examples of children who seek approval from parents and teachers.

I have a different take.  I say the quest for perfection isn’t about excellence, it’s about control.  When you inspect and study and review and revise a task over and over, you feel like you’re in control of a situation.  By examining every particle and speculating about every conceivable outcome, you’re not leaving anything up to chance.  While this level of attention to detail is important to a brain surgeon or a rocket scientist, it’s not reasonable for most tasks.

If you struggle with perfection, ask yourself if good enough is good enough the next time you’re working on a project.  Work toward excellence when a job merits the extra effort.

What are your thoughts on perfectionism?  Do you have ideas for people who want to limit their perfection seeking?  Click on Post a Comment, below, and tell us.

Organized by MarcieTM:  Save time and money by letting go of what you don't need and finding room for what you value
Follow me on twitter and facebook
And if you like what you've read, share it using the links below!