As seen on Dayton Daily News, March 28, 2014.
I am very frightened when I have to get a tooth filled at the dentist. Prior to my last visit, I told my husband we better get our affairs in order because I was afraid of having cardiac arrest while in the dentist chair. I was only half kidding.
During the week I tried to think of reasons why I shouldn’t go. My dentist had said my cavity was small, maybe if I flossed more often it would stay the same size causing no harm. Maybe the dentist was wrong about me having a cavity, but then I remembered seeing the X-ray.
Driving to the appointment, I had thoughts of running my car off the road and being stranded so I could postpone going. I drove on anyway.
While sitting in the dentist chair it occurred to me, there are many similarities between me being afraid of the dentist and how some of you are afraid to start organizing your home.
It starts with being afraid of the unknown. I was afraid the dentist would hit a nerve while drilling my tooth. You may be afraid you won’t organize a room perfectly or finish once you start, so you wait.
I had to trust that the medication was going to work effectively.
You need to trust that once you start you will be successful, even if it’s small victories along the way.
I had to focus on the positive. If I took care of this small cavity now, it would prevent my tooth from decaying further. I would avoid a more costly repair at a later date.
While organizing, you can focus on the positive. Getting organized will save you time. It will be easier to find things in your home. It will save you money. You won’t purchase duplicate items. Your home will be easier to clean.
When my dentist entered the room I thought, “If I talk and ask a lot of questions, he won’t be able to get started, thus delaying the pain I might experience.”
I had to turn my attitude around, and my dentist saw my smokescreens for what they were. He never made me feel rushed and answered all of my questions, but at one point he said, “I think we have talked about this enough, it’s time we get started.” He was right; I had exhausted all possible questions and was just thinking up things so he couldn’t start.
It’s time for you to stop talking and start doing. Pick a room to organize and don’t let excuses and interruptions get in your way. Turn off your cell phone, tell others not to distract you and don’t stop until you have reached your goal for the day.
Once you have organized a space it takes discipline to maintain it. Just as I have to floss more often to prevent future cavities, you must do small steps everyday to keep your home organized.
Follow my lead and muster up the strength to accomplish what needs to be done. Stay focused on the positive and don’t worry about the outcome.
I experienced no pain at the dentist that day, which meant I did a lot of worrying for no reason. Get started, you may find it’s easier than you think.