Do you own a closetful of clothes but never seem to have anything to wear? Are there days when you can’t find your keys? Do you spend sleepless nights wondering how you will ever plan the kids’ birthday parties, organize the basement, or balance your checking account (since you haven’t reconciled it in six months)?
It’s springtime! You deserve an organized wardrobe, a tidy home and a balanced schedule.
“The first step is to establish a more organized lifestyle that suits your personality—it’s not about living in a sterile environment. It’s a conscious choice that’s conducive to how you interact with your family, and how you want to be perceived,” says Patricia Diesel, principal and president of Keep It Simple Now, a New Jersey-based professional organizing company.
This Basking Ridge, New Jersey, resident is a certified empowerment coach and nationally recognized speaker who helps individuals, entrepreneurs and corporations de-clutter to achieve enhanced life balance.
“Functioning in an organized manner actually frees you to enjoy a simpler and more carefree life,” she says. Some of Diesel’s clients just need a little help managing the disparate elements of their lives. Others are chronically disorganized, and need to establish smart habits and structure to keep them on track. Still others are hardcore hoarders who need to take a serious look at their habits to understand the emotions (such as anger and fear) that often drive their behavior.
How do you know when you’ve crossed the line? Here’s Diesel’s reality check list:
✻ Is your personal or business life losing time and money because of your chronic disorganization?
✻ Are piles and piles of papers or magazines becoming part of your décor?
✻ Do you continually lose items such as car keys and important documents?
✻ Is it difficult to let go of things that you no longer need?
✻ Is procrastination becoming part of your routine?
“Becoming organized is a gradual process. It can be intimidating, so I don’t pressure my clients,” Patricia says. “It’s okay to take baby steps by spending as little as 15 minutes a day to begin to de-clutter one’s life.”
Her basic tips for a more organized life include:
✻ Purge first, then sort.
✻ Assign everything a home.
✻ Organize similar items together.
✻ Dedicate 15-20 minutes each day to creating order.
✻ Break projects into manageable baby steps.
✻ Celebrate your victories to keep motivated.
You can connect with Patricia Diesel at [email protected] and 908-642-1226.