Do you worry that you won’t be able to keep a space organized once you go through the effort of getting it organized? If so, replace your doubt-filled thoughts with this empowering message:

If I can get it organized, I can keep it organized!

The process of organizing a space is different from the process of keeping a space organized. But if you can do the first, you can certainly do the second. Organizing involves many steps such as setting up systems, allocating space to specific functions, deciding what to keep and what to let go of, selecting storage, and adding labels—to name just a few. Staying organized, on the other hand, involves creating new habits—the habits of using your new systems as you intended when you organized the space to begin with.

toothbrush and toothpasteIt’s a much simpler process to keep a space organized. At the core, keeping a space organized is as uncomplicated as putting things back where they belong when you’re finished using them. It’s really that simple. And here’s the good news: If you’re capable of maintaining any habits, such as regularly brushing your teeth, you can learn to adopt the habits required to keep your spaces organized, too!

So tonight, as you brush your teeth, remind yourself that staying organized is a new habit you can learn, just as you successfully enjoy the habit (and the consequences!) of brushing your teeth. You might even try repeating this new saying in your head a couple of times (just so it really sinks in).

If I can get it organized, I can keep it organized…

I know you can do it!