As seen in the Dayton Daily News on January 30, 2016.
Just after the first of the New Year, I went to the gym to workout. In the weight room, I waited several times for others to finish using the equipment before I could use it.
This is unusual, since there is usually no wait.
Then it dawned on me. Being the first week in January, the people who made it their New Year’s resolution to get more fit had started their workouts.
The regulars were upset by this surge of newcomers, but I waited patiently knowing by the end of the month most of these enthusiastic people would give up and not return to the gym until the start of next year.
As predicted, it’s the end of January and I am no longer waiting to use the equipment.
Although I can move more freely in the gym, I feel sad for those who were committed to their New Year’s resolution. They probably tried to do too much too soon or expected faster results and quit.
I see this same scenario in homes. You make it your New Year’s resolution to get more organized. You begin, but then give up. As the year progresses, you feel bad about giving up, but you wait until the start of the next year to try again.
If getting organized was your New Year’s resolution and you already feel defeated, don’t wait until next year to start again. Instead, start organizing at the start of every month with the same enthusiasm as you do for a New Year.
Think, “Happy New Month” instead of “Happy New Year.” Every month brings a fresh start, even if last month didn’t work out as planned.
Use monthly goals to break down organizing your home into manageable tasks. For example, for the month of February your goal could be organize your bedroom closet. Now break that goal down even further.
During first week of February, take everything out of your closet you don’t use on a regular basis. Holiday costumes, dresses, luggage and clothes that don’t fit. Put these items in a lessor used closet.
Now that you have more room in your closet, use the second week to organize your clothes by category. For example, pants with pants, dress shirts with dress shirts.
In the third week, pair up all your shoes and part with those you no longer wear.
Finally during the fourth week, go through all of your accessories; purses, belts, ties, scarves and keep only those that you love and use.
If you divide your home into manageable parts and start each month with the same enthusiasm like you start a New Year, you will reach a lot of your organizing goals.
When you reach your organizing goals for each month, you’ll have time to work on your fitness goal. Looks like I’ll be seeing you in the gym 🙂