Did you answer yes to this question? If so, what are some of the things being disorganized is costing you?

TIME taken away from your family, your hobbies, and the other things you love to do.
TIME wasted, deadlines missed, and often being late because you can't find the paperwork, the presentation, the tickets or your keys.
MONEY spent purchasing things over and over again because you can't find them.
MONEY spent purchasing the "latest" gadget that claims it will get you organized once and for all.
SELF ESTEEM – isolation & shame from being too embarrassed to have company in your home (or sleepovers for the kids).
SELF ESTEEM – guilt from keeping gifts people have given you that you do not want or need.

Some ways of thinking about organizing which may be holding you back:

1. Fear of Change Sometimes we get comfortable with things the way they are and don't realize that we are really creating more stress for ourselves by preventing change than by taking a step in a new direction.

2. I don't want to throw away all my "stuff". Getting organized doesn't mean you have to throw away everything. Don't believe everything you see on TV. In fact, a great way to get started is just to not hang on to things that you don't need. Here's a tip: sort your mail right by your shredder. Open everything there, so that anything you don't need to keep, such as envelopes, promotional materials, ads, etc. can be thrown right into the trash – and be sure to shred any solicitations such as credit cards applications or charity requests.

3. There's a science to organizing and I just can't follow it. Organizing for you has to work for you. There are no rules or set ways of doing it.

I4. t will take too much time. Yes, it will take a little time to get started. There are a couple of options. You can try to do it yourself or you can hire a professional organizer. If you're really concerned about the time, you might want to hire someone to get a system going that you can continue with. Take a minute to think
about how much time you're costing yourself by not having things where you can find them. I think you'll find that taking a little up-front time will be well worth it in the long run.

Just keep a few things in mind whether you decide to create your own organization or decide to hire a professional.

1. Be honest about what you really need to keep. If you haven't used something for years and it isn't a treasured item, you can probably donate it to someone in need.

2. You need to continue working the system, either alone or with help. Otherwise you'll be right back where you started from. Keeping ahead of the clutter is an on-going process.

3. Create a system that works for you and makes sense so that you will be able to maintain it.

4. Set realistic expectations. First, you must define what organization means to you. Once you have determined your goals, you can develop a plan to achieve them. If you have been struggling with disorganization for years, it's going to take time to get things straightened out.

Reducing your junk mail, catalogs and solicitations can really help you take a step in the right direction. When you realize you are accumulating less, you'll be motivated to take a bigger plunge. Getting rid of unnecessary "stuff" can be a great stress reducer and time saver. Organizing is a great way to do that.

Karen Kenney has operated OrganizingWORKS since May 2000, and believes she has been organizing since birth. She loves to help people to get organized, feel less stressed and more at peace. Taking a space that is out of control and making sense of it is the most rewarding. Karen has residential customers as well as corporate clients. She works with seniors, children, people who have ADD, and other issues. For more information about Karen and her business, visit her websites: www.organizingworks.net and www.theorganizingcheerleader.com

For more articles by this author or articles on different topics visit the Applaud Women Library.