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I want to get organized,

but I am easily

discouraged. Can you

help?

Hi Maria, I want to get organized, but I am easily discouraged. Can you help? --Tammy D., Bronx, NY Response from Maria Gracia Hi Tammy, Thank you for your note. It is understandable that you’re feeling this way…in fact, many people feel the same way you do because they think “getting organized” is some sort of destination they have to reach in life. Not so. It’s really the journey…the little actions you take every day. For instance, just putting your coat away instead of tossing it on the sofa, or filing a sheet of paper instead of leaving it on your kitchen table, can equal an organized day for you…and should be celebrated as a success. My advice to you is just try to be a little more organized today than you were yesterday. Set 3 simple, reachable goals. Perhaps 1) pick up 5 stray items in one room and place them where they belong, 2) donate 5 articles of clothing, and 3) weed out 3 file folders by shredding anything personal and recycling what you no longer need. These goals are all very do-able organizing actions. Don’t put the weight of having to “get organized” on your shoulders. For many people, that’s a BIG challenge. Most anyone can succeed with smaller challenges. It’s the accumulation of these small actions that lead to a more organized life. Hope this helps! Maria Back to Ask Maria Index