How Do You Get Motivated to Do a Project.....

you don't want to do around the house? Our 3rd bedroom/Office is a mess. Has been for 2 1/2 years since we have moved in. I have old paperwork that I have not gone through to keep or shred and I have a lot of nick-nacks that I need to go through (that are still in boxes) and figure out if I will keep or not. We do want to do a garage sale this Spring or Summer, so that part will be important to get done. I just hate going through paperwork.

Please give me some inspiring words people! Pleeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssseeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Re: How Do You Get Motivated to Do a Project.....

when it comes to really cleaning up i just watch Horders on A&E and that gets me off my arse every time

Message edited 2/23/2010 3:38:02 PM.

Re: How Do You Get Motivated to Do a Project.....

a little at a time, that way you don't get overwhelmed.
make small goals and tackle them.
maybe a pile of papers a day?
i sit there and do it in front of tv, with my filing box next to me and the shredder on the other side and just go through it.

small goals - big results!

Re: How Do You Get Motivated to Do a Project.....

When you figure it out, PLEASE let me know.

Our bathroom was remodeled in June and the door and trim are STILL not painted. My original excuse was that I was waiting to decide whether to go with paint or stain... then it was whether or not we would replace the other doors... then it was that I should just paint all the doors at once... then it became my "winter project"...

Next week is March and it is still not done!

Re: How Do You Get Motivated to Do a Project.....

Re: How Do You Get Motivated to Do a Project.....

Posted by rileysmama

a little at a time, that way you don't get overwhelmed.
make small goals and tackle them.
maybe a pile of papers a day?
i sit there and do it in front of tv, with my filing box next to me and the shredder on the other side and just go through it.

small goals - big results!

Re: How Do You Get Motivated to Do a Project.....

Re: How Do You Get Motivated to Do a Project.....

The only thing that really seems to motivate us is a deadline which 90% of the time is company coming.

Re: How Do You Get Motivated to Do a Project.....

Re: How Do You Get Motivated to Do a Project.....

Best case scenario:

Make a to do list for the week. Like take care of 3 boxes per week.
Another week, sort 2-4 stacks of paper.
Another week, give donations (clothes, books, etc...)

But if you are like me:

Do it because you have guests coming to visit and 2 days left to finish it all. Nothing like DEADLINES!!!!

ETA: GET supplies. Heavy duty trash bags, shredder. I find I can't do anythin without a place to do with what I don't want. I also get those cheap/economy archive boxes at Staples. They are a good size that you can stack and they have hole as handles and a top that is easily removable. I love those boxes. Make sorting much easier.

Message edited 2/23/2010 5:26:57 PM.

Re: How Do You Get Motivated to Do a Project.....

Posted by JldDolphin

Posted by rileysmama

a little at a time, that way you don't get overwhelmed.
make small goals and tackle them.
maybe a pile of papers a day?
i sit there and do it in front of tv, with my filing box next to me and the shredder on the other side and just go through it.

small goals - big results!

Good idea! Either I will grab one box or just open the box and grab what I can in my hands and that is all I work on for the night. Good idea. Of course the shredder right next to me.

Re: How Do You Get Motivated to Do a Project.....

Lately there has been a lot of things around my house that I have been putting off in the past and now that my house is under construction, I figure it is the best time to work on some of those things. Today after the Oil guy came to fix my oil tank, I decided to DEMO the ugly work bench and shelving that was in the back of my garage. I also pulled down the old sheet rock. The contractors will be sheetrocking the whole garage, so I figured I would get rid of the old stuff. Now my garage is deep.....Without that ugly work bench there.

Scott

Re: How Do You Get Motivated to Do a Project.....

i watch clean house and it motivates me every time. also moving in a few months is making me realize i don't want to drag everything all over. the less i have to pack the better.

Re: How Do You Get Motivated to Do a Project.....

i try and picture the end result & how happy I will feel once I have completed it...that is what got me thru painting my kitchen. livingroom & hallway this past week...now i smile when i walk in these rooms!

Re: How Do You Get Motivated to Do a Project.....

I watch Hoarders too. After I watch the show I pick one area of my house that needs cleaning and I immediately go and do it. I DVR the show so that I can watch it when I know I will have time to go and do the cleaning. Since watching this show my house is visibly cleaner. I am more organized and I feel so much better.

As for shredding that is my biggest challenge. I have a bag of papers for shredding. I never seem to have time to go and do it.

Last week I went to a professional organizer class and the instructor had some really great ideas. What I took away from the class was as follows:
1. make a space that is a sanctuary for yourself where you have no clutter and can free your mind of clutter.
2. give yourself permission to collect something within reason.
3. group like things together
4. when something comes into the house, give it a "home"
5. edit your clothing on a regular basis - if it is 2 sizes to small or to big, out of style, you don't like it, it is worn out, torn, pilling then either donate it or throw it away depending upon its condition
6. just because someone gave it to you does not mean you need to keep it if you don't like it or need it
7. do you really need multiples of it? how many multiples of it is really necessary
8. (for paper) can you easily access the information on line?
9. print out some photos to store in a book, don't print doubles.

Re: How Do You Get Motivated to Do a Project.....

I find that you have to do it in small steps otherwise it can get very overwhelming. Try to sort a box each week. Before you know it, the room will be organized as you want it. When sorting papers, I prefer to go through all the papers then shred. And I now make it a point to sort my mail as soon as I get it. Sort, and shred whatever is not important. This has been very helpful.

Re: How Do You Get Motivated to Do a Project.....

i usually look at your posts!

Re: How Do You Get Motivated to Do a Project.....

Set a time....

15 minutes a day for 1 week. Just take 15 minutes each day and sort through some paperwork - put it into piles - to do, file, the rest throw out. After 7 days you will have a better handle on the paperwork.

Week 2 - set up files. Make labels, buy new folders. Put the 'file away' stuff in the folders. Set up a system - where the bills/to do papers sit, where the 'file pile' sits until you have time to file. Go through the current 'to do' papers and do 1 thing per night.

Week 3 - go through books and other boxes. 1 box per night. Chuck old books, old knicknacks, etc. Create a memory box to store away in a closet - have access so you can add to it, but away because you don't need to see the contents on a daily basis.

Re: How Do You Get Motivated to Do a Project.....

Re: How Do You Get Motivated to Do a Project.....

Posted by rkoenke

i usually look at your posts!

Re: How Do You Get Motivated to Do a Project.....

Re: How Do You Get Motivated to Do a Project.....

Thanks everyone! You all have some great advise for my office. Hopefully I will be able to start this week on this project.