I saw a post on Facebook earlier in the year along the lines of “I’ve completed my 7-day free trial of 2022. At this time, I have decided not to renew my subscription!” And already, we are nearly halfway through February. Unfortunately, they didn’t get my note about not renewing my subscription!
How is 2022 panning out for you? It’s not going as I planned in various areas.
Covid-19 continues to dominate our every day, our news, and all other aspects of our lives.
I, for one, decluttered the amount of news I watch or listen to. It’s close to zero.
It is a constant reminder that we sometimes have very little control over what happens around us, our circumstances, and our health.
By the end of January, I had planned to:
- completely prepare my office for the year
- declutter my saved posts/screenshots/videos to “follow-up later.”
- organise the photos on my phone
- approve the copy for my Mum’s Memory Album that my beautiful friend is putting together
- catch up on all the smaller items to finish on my To-Do List
- complete my Home Hoarding Solutions course
- have the first three blogs for the year completed and ready to go
- complete a furniture restoration
Well, two out of seven isn’t bad. It may not sound like a lot, but I have learned to celebrate the small successes over the years.
I have completed the Home Hoarding Solutions course, which has improved my working skills with clients with hoarding tendencies in their homes.
I have also prepared my office for the year. It is not in any way minimalist, but it is set up so that I’m happy to enter the space, see the things that bring me joy, and clear up for the following day in a couple of minutes.
And . . . I am currently writing the first of the three Blogs that I promised myself to write.
As for the other items, I broke my own Golden Rule of making the goal/s too general. I preach this to my clients all the time.
Enough about me! How about you?
Was decluttering and getting organised one of your goals? With the craziness of the last couple of years, this item may have descended on your list of priorities. If it has, then that’s OK. Our lives are constantly changing and shifting around us. There are still ten and a half months to get started.
I’m sure that if you review your list of goals for 2021, there will be a number that you have achieved. Pat yourself on the back and reward yourself.
Last night, I took part in a Zoom meeting that focused on Goals and Visions for 2022.
A Vision was described as a broader farsighted image, aspirational, a clear idea of the future with an ultimate purpose. It is aligned with your values and core beliefs.
A Goal requires sequential steps that are quantifiable, action-orientated and tangible to yourself and others.
You may have heard of SMART Goals.
They are:
Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timed
Let’s break down one of the goals that I didn’t complete into a SMART Goal.
“Declutter my saved posts/screenshots/videos to “follow-up later.”
Specific: The word “later” gives me the license to drag this task out. I haven’t set a completion date that I would like to meet. I always impress my clients with the importance of booking a time in their diary to work on their decluttering project. Treat it as you would an important meeting or date. Let’s reword this.
“Declutter 10 Facebook saved posts that are no longer relevant or of interest.”
Measurable: What evidence will prove you’re making progress toward your goal? Are the number of saved posts decreasing? Am I increasing the number of times that I complete this small goal?
Attainable: Can I attain this? Yes! It can be done when I’m sitting in front of the TV in the evening.
Realistic: Yes. I usually sit down for about an hour and watch TV with my husband each night. My current binge program is House of Cards on Netflix. By the way, I highly recommend it.
Timed: 10 minutes is all it should take to complete this task.
If in 2022 you still are keen to sit down and measure your decluttering and organising, be SMART.
If you are feeling stuck and not so thrilled about 2022 just yet, let me help you check one item off your To-Do List.
As a Professional Organiser, one of the first things I speak to my clients is their vision and goals. For some, breaking down the steps that need to be taken can be difficult. I can assist with this develop a plan and steps to move forward!
You can call or message me on 0421 030 428, or Contact Me Now