I have realized that there is something about wearing an apron that says, "Get busy!"
So true! Sometimes we suit up with a "uniform" when we are serious about getting a lot done. Maybe for you it's a "do-rag" bandana on your head, an old t-shirt or jeans, some sturdy shoes, or an APRON. Aprons are particularly great because they have big pockets to hold tools and trash, and of course, they protect your "good clothes."
For me, my "Get Busy" uniform includes my iPod. I love listening to audiobooks, podcasts, and music while I am doing organizing, filing, and cleaning. Sometimes I am so focused on listening that I am not even conscious of what I have accomplished! "Hey, who cleaned out the refrigerator? Oh, yeah, it was ME!"
Obviously different levels of detail in the work call for different levels of audio content. If you are filing, you probably can't focus very well on making decisions about the papers while listening to a thought-provoking interview– so you would need to dial down your audio to some non-distracting music. But "mindless" tasks like folding clothes and cleaning can be done while listening to fascinating books, lectures and interviews. Our online organizing program has hours of audio content that our members can download for this very purpose.
Your suiting-up process might also include gathering your tools, such as a label maker, trash bags, markers, cleaning supplies, and the like. We have a whole tutorial called "Your Organizing Toolkit" that is available for our members, with a checklist of essential organizing tools to get started quickly on any project.
When you mean business about accomplishing something in your home, how do you "suit up?" Share in the comments!
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Great idea! We certainly recommend a good mindset and a “uniform” can also help with the process.
Great information!
I never really thought of it, but I also have my work uniform. I pull my hair back with a bandana or in a pony tail, put on my favorite old jeans and t-shirt, then grab my iPod. If I am working in the yard, then I almost always were my work boots.
I also use a timer a lot. It helps me to stay focused when I tell myself that I have to work on something for a specific amount of time.