The counter in my office -- or the clearing off thereof -- is perpetually on my to-do list. Unfortunately, since it's merely annoying and not time sensitive, it keeps getting bumped to the bottom of the list by tasks that have actual due dates. Meanwhile, I do what I can in small snippets of time -- filing this paper, recycling that one -- until I have time to dedicate to giving the surface my full attention.
We all know that getting organized is a time-intensive task. It's easy to forget, however, that staying organized also requires a time commitment. It's easier (and faster) to just put something down on a flat surface (the desk, the kitchen counter, the dining room table) than it is to put it where it belongs, but the time we save in the moment isn't really saved time. We spend that banked time when it comes time to put away the things we set down in a convenient spot.
We can take small steps in lots of ways. We can spend just a few minutes tackling a hot spot (Give it Five!) or work to improve our habits (Don't put it down, put it away!) We can set small goals, tackling one spot, one drawer or one shelf at a time until the whole area looks just the way we want it. Or, we can pick up as we go, concentrating on making things just a little bit better. We can focus on finding one container that does double duty by creating a home for wayward items and looking pretty in the process. We can work on broadening the good habits we already have in place, taking all the out-of-season items out of a closet or finally getting that bag of donations out of the trunk of the car and to its destination.
No matter which steps we take, it's important to notice the improvements we make. Taking small steps can get us to our destination, but only if we recognize that we're on the right path.
What small step did you take today? Acknowledge it, congratulate yourself and pay attention not only to where you're going, but also where you've been.
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