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Inspired to be Organized
By Christine Rice
Sometimes inspiration hits us when we least expect it. It happened much
the same way for me, what seems like a life time ago. Despite the fact
that I’ve made a career of being a professional organizer, I make no
secret of the fact that I was not always an organized person. In fact,
throughout my childhood and into my early adulthood, my life was a very
different picture than that of today.
I’ve often shared a story of a time early in my marriage when my husband
and I had perfected what I call the “stash and stow” technique. You know
the one. You find out company’s coming over in less than thirty minutes
and you make a mad dash to pick up and throw things into closets and
various other places in order to make your home more presentable. Well,
it was during one of these episodes that I discovered an ingenious
hiding place for dirty dishes…the oven. Sure! That would be a great
place, nice and safe. After all, what kind of guest would open my oven
for inspection?
The unforeseeable drawback to stowing things in an oven is that
sometimes you forget that you’ve put them there. Fast forward a few days
later when I go to preheat the oven for dinner. You can imagine my shock
when I open the oven door expecting to slide in a pizza and instead meet
up with a melting, oozing conglomeration of plastic handled pots and
indiscernible cooking utensils. Let me tell you, plastic ware is not
rated for 350 degrees!
From that day on, I knew I needed to make some changes in my life. I
can’t say that this moment was an all out turning point for me, but it
was one of several impetuses that led me down the path of better
organization that I continue to follow today. Sometimes inspiration
comes from divine intervention. Other times it’s just plain trial and
error. Occasionally we don’t even recognize inspiration when it’s
staring us right in the face.
The creation of an organized space is first begun by finding our
inspiration. For me, it was a desire to lead a more simplified life, one
that was less stressful and more relaxed. I wanted to create a place
where I was not embarrassed to entertain the occasional unexpected
guest, where people would feel welcomed and at ease. Once you have
determined your own goals and motivation, you can more easily focus your
efforts in obtaining a more organized life.
As a former disorganized person, I know that it is possible to get from
point A to point B, no matter how far apart the two may seem.
Inspiration is the means that will get you there. Take just one step
today toward becoming better organized. Clean out the junk drawer.
Tackle a closet. Donate some unused items. Whatever you can do to take
that first step gets you farther than you were yesterday and closer to
your goal of a more organized space and life.
Christine Rice is a
professional organizer and owner of Organize It Today. She is the author
of the book The Organization Prescription ~ Your Immunization Against
Disorganization and the upcoming book A Life Less Cluttered:
Expert Secrets to Your Own Organizing Epiphany. Christine works with
clients to help them become better organized through learning and
developing the traits of organized people. Visit her website at
www.organizeittoday.com
to find out more information on any of the products and services offered
by Organize It Today.
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