When it comes to organizing, there are many misconceptions. Here are the top five that I'm debunking today:

1. Assuming that containers will organize you. While containers certainly can be wonderful tools for helping you get organized, containers alone will not help you.

Jack, a photographer, purchased 10 large plastic containers to organize all of his photography equipment. He divided all of his equipment among the containers, but when he was done, he still couldn't find what he was looking for when he needed it. Jack mistakenly assumed that all he needed to get organized was a few containers.

What he really needed was a bit of know-how. For instance, what kind of containers would best suit his needs? How about proper sorting techniques, labeling, and appropriate storage?

2. Constantly multi-tasking. So many people feel that in order to be organized and productive, multi-tasking is constantly required. Not true. While multi-tasking can definitely be useful in some situations, more often than not, doing so can cause you to lose your focus.

Julie, a graphic designer, was working on a very important design project for a major client. She felt she was an excellent multi-tasker, so she would field phone calls as she was working. When she presented her project to her customer, the client immediately pointed out a major omission in the marketing piece-- their phone number.

Embarrassed, Julie had to edit the piece and resubmit it. She later acknowledged that, had she allowed her voicemail to field her phone calls, put more focus into working on this project, and thoroughly checked it with no interruptions, it would have never been submitted incorrectly in the first place.

When working on anything important, working on other things at the same time is probably not a good idea. Some projects require your undivided attention.

3. Being inflexible. Just because something seems to be working for you, doesn't always mean it's the best way to do it.

Michele, a social worker, set up several trays in her office so that staff members could add paperwork throughout the day that required her attention. However, Michele's staff was upset that there was no way to ensure that a high priority project was handled prior to a lower priority project since everything was added to the tray--no matter what the level of importance.

Michele's boss was not happy at all with this system. He agreed with the staff members that there were going to be some projects that were more important than others. He defined projects that should get high priority, and placed a red folder in each of the staff members' trays. This way, if they had something of high priority, the staff members would be able to place papers pertaining to that project in the red folder.

Michele, who didn't take to change well, was very upset. She couldn't understand why her system, which was working in her mind, had to be changed. But her boss required this change, so she had to be flexible and she had to accept it. Now that she's using the new system, she actually likes it.

When it comes to organizing, you have to be flexible. Continuous improvement should always be the name of the game. No matter what you're doing, there's almost always a better, faster, more efficient, more productive way.

4. Believing you have to toss everything. Someone once said to me there was no way she could get organized because she would never be able to bring herself to toss out everything she had. When I asked her where she got the idea that everything had to be tossed, she said, 'Everyone knows that's what getting organized means.'

I'm not sure where she heard this, but it's a myth. While you certainly shouldn't keep things you don't like or things you never use, there's always a way to either display or store the things you love and the things you do use.

Between shelving units, hooks, overhead storage, cabinet extenders, closet rods, utility shelves and so many more organizing options, there's no reason to toss the possessions that truly mean something special to you.

5. Thinking if you just write it down, it will get done. You can write all you want, but if you don't act on the things you jot down, they will never get done.

Erin, a stay-at-home mom, loves to make lists. She has TO DO lists, lists of movies she'd like to see, lists of chores she wants to complete, lists of friends she wants to contact, lists of activities she would like to do with her children, and scores of other lists that are way too numerous to even mention.

However, Erin has a huge problem with getting to anything on her lists. She is under the impression that just writing up lists is enough.

Writing up lists is wonderful and you should definitely have them. But to get anything accomplished, you have to actually schedule time to DO the things on your lists.

P.S. Be in-the-know when it comes to getting and staying organized and get more organized than you ever thought possible. Check out my I'm Finally Organized Tool Kit!

Just a very quick shout out to let you know that my latest issue of Anything and Everything is now available. It's the FEBRUARY 2022 issue, 12-pages and all in full color. I know you're going to love it. Check it out:

https://www.getorganizednow.com/rd-ae.html

If you don't already receive it, it's a great time to get your hands on a full year of Anything and Everything because, when you do, we're giving away 10 Bonuses, AND ALL of the back issues...complimentary!

Here are the topics in the FEBRUARY Issue...

The Best Gifts We Can Give Ourselves
These 10 gifts can be given at any time, will not cost you a cent, and will make life lighter and brighter

Making a Good First Impression
Ensure your first impressions are the best...9 ways

Plan an Enjoyable Day or Night Out
Here's a 5-step strategy to make it happen and to prepare yourself before you go

Your Personal Self-Care Checklist
21 'Do Good' Things for Your Body, Mind, and Soul

Never Look Bad in a Photo Again
Make every photo you take or have taken of you look great

Unexpected Ways to Use Olive Oil
12 Helpful Ways to Use Olive Oil in Our Day-to-Day Lives

Our Recipes of the Month
--Light Lemon Pesto Pasta
--Chickpea Salad

Stronger, Healthier Nails
12 Strategies to Strengthen Nails that are Weak and/or Brittle

If you don't already subscribe to my 'Anything and Everything' resource, you can learn about how to do so here:

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Maria

P.S. BONUS SPECIAL...Only Until 11:59 p.m. on FEBRUARY 4. When you sign up for your Anything and Everything Subscription, you will receive tons of bonuses, plus ALL the BACK ISSUES COMPLIMENTARY!

___ 1. Do today's task on my January Monthly Organizing Checklist. The January 29 TO DO focuses on puzzles. Visit GetOrganizedNow.com to access my January Monthly Organizing Checklist.

___ 2. Improve something today. What have you been doing for a long time that could use a bit of improvement? Perhaps some steps are being done unnecessarily? Perhaps it could be automated? Maybe it's no longer even serving its purpose. Take the time to step back and ask yourself, 'Is this really the best way, or can this be improved?'

___ 3. Send out a greeting card or two. I never forget to mail out birthday cards. Here's my system. Visit GetOrganizedNow.com to access my Dirty Little Secret on this topic.'

'It's amazing, really, how in one instant a wall can be torn down, or climbed over. Misconceptions can be shattered, illusions dashed, dreams irrevocably ruined. Given the right frame of mind, within a heartbeat, people can begin the business of starting over.' (Tamara Thiel)

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Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!
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