Sunday, January 11, 2015

Getting it Together... slowly

In my lifelong quest to get organized, I found a tool that helps me get started and also helps me stay on track.  It's a timer:


I'm such a procrastinator and regularly scream "I don't wanna!" when I know I need to start a big project.  I'm easily overwhelmed and sometimes find it difficult to start when I can't see the end.

How does my timer help me?  It's a mind game, really.  When I have a large project, I set my timer for 10 or 15 minutes, get started, and then let myself quit after the timer sounds.  If it was a particularly difficult project to start, there might be a promise of chocolate after the buzzer.   Ten or 15 minutes might not seem like a long time, but I get more done this way than I would get done if I never started!

Some days I don't need my timer, but when I'm having a sit-around-and-stare-at-Facebook-all-day type day, I set my timer and start working.  It's silly, but it works for me.

I'm trying to clean out my sewing room and it is an overwhelming job.  It truly seems imposible.  My timer is giving me hope, though.  A few times a day, between my regular work, I set the timer for 10 minutes and put some effort into my sewing room.

I decided to start with one set of shelves.  Before:


What a mess!  I've been throwing stuff on these shelves for about a decade.  I had no idea what was on these shelves.

After a few sessions with my timer:


How lovely!  My purse and errand basket now have a home on the top shelf.  The next shelf holds tote bags containing resources for various meetings, clubs, and organizations.  The bottom shelves are meant to hold projects in process.

Where did all of the stuff go?  Some of it went in the trash, some went to other places in my sewing room, and some was given away.

Eventually, I hope to make the rest of my sewing room this neat and tidy.  I think it will get there, 10 minutes at a time.

2 comments:

MaryMarzetta said...

I like that. "10 minutes at a time" small achievable goals.

Terry said...

What a good idea! This could work for me too! I plan to try it!