Feeling stuck is something everyone experiences. It can also take a toll on motivation. Have you felt this way lately?

There can be many reasons you might feel at a standstill, such as:

• Overwhelm from a big or complex project

• Perfectionism and the belief that you have to do it “the right way”

• Decision fatigue that leaves you with little capacity to act

• Unclear about what to do next

• Lack of accountability or support

• Unrealistic expectations about what can be accomplished

• Fear of failure, success, or making the wrong decision

• Waiting until you feel motivated

Do any of these sound familiar, or is there another reason holding you back?

The “I Can’t” Mindset

When you get stuck, something psychological can happen. Instead of feeling a sense of agency and believing you will figure things out and move forward, you focus on what isn’t possible or what you can’t do.

The “I Can’t” mindset could be what’s keeping you stuck. You might ruminate or focus on messages like:

• “This project is so big. I’ll never get it done.”

• “I don’t know where to start.”

• “I don’t have the time.”

• “I don’t have the energy.”

• “It’s impossible for me to get organized.”

• “I’ll never catch up.”

• “I’m afraid I’ll make the wrong decision.”

• “I need to feel motivated first.”

Are any of these phrases ones you ‘hear’ yourself say? Identifying your unique “I Can’t” provides valuable insight into what’s keeping you blocked.

The Shift That Unlocks You, Builds Momentum, and Sparks Motivation

Mindset is everything. It can make all the difference in how you experience life and in what you do or don’t do. One way to take control of the narrative that hasn’t been working for you is to change the dialogue.

Instead of focusing on what’s not possible or your “I Can’t” list, use one of these possibility-infused questions to work its magic. Some options include:

• What’s one small step I can take right now?

• What’s possible today?

• What’s one thing I can do in the next five minutes?

• What’s good enough for today?

• What would make this a little easier?

And if you want an elegantly simple question, here’s one from James Clear that I love:

“What can I do?”

Ask a possibility-focused question to immediately shift your mindset toward a more positive, proactive one. 

“What can I do?”

— James Clear

The Choice Is Yours

It doesn’t feel good to be stuck. Your internal dialogue strongly shapes whether you stay stuck or move forward. Pay attention to the messages you tell yourself. You have the power to shift the dialogue from “I can’t” to “I can.”

Which phrases help or hurt you? How could a shift in mindset benefit you? How would that shift help you get unstuck? In what ways would it help build your motivation? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

How Can I Help?

Do you feel overwhelmed, disorganized, and stuck? Are you struggling with a lack of motivation? I’m here to help! You don’t have to do this alone. Virtual organizing is an extraordinary path forward – Local feel with a global reach.

Let’s talk! I’m easy to reach.

• Schedule a Discovery Call

• Fill out the Contact Form

• Email me at linda@ohsoorganized.com or

• Call 914-271-5673

Getting organized, cultivating motivation, and reaching your goals are possible, especially with support.

Do you hold too much in your time or space containers? It’s interesting how often you keep things that are annoying, unsatisfying, or in your way. These could be things that take up physical space, creating cluttered rooms and areas. The volume of stuff has become a tripping hazard. Or, having so many things makes it difficult to know what you own or to find what you’re looking for. Your space containers are beyond full, and it may be time to let go of some things.

There are also time containers that can overflow. Instead of physical items, a time challenge can look like-

• Crammed schedules

• Saying “yes” to too many requests

• Underestimating how long a task will take

• Always running late because you have just one more thing to do

• Having unhealthy boundaries

• Spending more time than needed to get something “just right”

• Being constantly interrupted or distracted

• Multitasking and trying to do too many things at once

Letting go creates space for what’s most important and valued. That might mean more time to enjoy doing what you truly love, like kayaking, spending time with family and friends, or learning something new.

Asking One Simple Question

A while ago, I read something in James Clear’s 3-2-1 newsletter that resonated with me. He asked a direct question that gets to the heart of what I just shared with you – how to manage your space or time containers when they’re overflowing.

Clear’s question is,

“What can you eliminate this week?”

— James Clear

Setting a deadline (this week) creates urgency and encourages you to act sooner rather than later. Pick an area of focus, such as your full calendar or the distractions you're facing.

Then ask, “What can you eliminate this week?” This might include-

• Removing or rescheduling an appointment to make your day flow better

• Pausing to evaluate before saying “yes” to anything else

• Delegating some tasks or errands

• Setting a time limit on social media scrolling

Is there anything specific that came up when you thought about removing something this week?

Decide to Let Go

Your space and time can quickly overflow. The good news is that you can change the dynamic through the process of elimination. One question, one focus area, one decision, and one action at a time.

What is making your space or time feel too full? What would it be like to practice letting go? Which area would you like to focus on first? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

How Can I Help?

Do you feel overwhelmed and disorganized? Are your space and time containers overflowing? I’m here to help! You don’t have to do this alone. Virtual organizing is an extraordinary path forward – Local feel with a global reach.

Let’s connect! I’m easy to reach.

• Schedule a Discovery Call

• Fill out the Contact Form

• Email me at linda@ohsoorganized.com or

• Call 914-271-5673

Managing your time, getting organized, and living with more ease are possible, especially with support.

As another major snowstorm, “a historic blizzard,” arrives today in the Northeast, thoughts of change fill my mind. As I write, only a light, gentle snow is falling. It’s barely sticking. Yet news reports warn that heavy snow (16” to 20”) is on the way. Talk about change! Right now, all is calm, but things can shift quickly.

The idea of progressing quickly is what I want to highlight. Although now, I’m not referring to the landscape or weather. Instead, I’m thinking about the change you want to make in your life. What shifts do you want, need, or hope for?

It’s all well and good to desire change, yet as you might have experienced, change can be difficult. Often, the challenge is with identifying which direction you want to take. When that happens, it’s easy to get stuck before you even begin.

Recently, I came across a quote from James Clear’s 3-2-1 newsletter. While he wrote specifically about growth, I interpreted his idea through the lens of change. His concept is so direct, and it could work beautifully, especially if you are struggling to make a change.

Two Ways to Choose Your Best Option for Change

When planning for the New Year, I use various templates and questions to design my year. Many I’ve shared with you, including these:

• 5 Guaranteed Ways That Will Make You Get a Hopeful Fresh Start

• 6 Ways to Shift Your Balance

• How to Immediately Find Your Best Balance Between Work and Play

James Clear’s concept is another way to cut through the noise and make a direct choice. He said,

“There are two ways to grow: by adding or by shedding. Do you need to add something or do you need to shed something?”

How powerful is that? As you think about Clear’s framing, what arises?

How to Use This Change Process

I can envision taking a piece of paper, drawing a vertical line down the middle, and labeling the two columns: “Add Something” and “Shed Something.” From there, capture your thoughts on the page.

Your “Add” column might include:

• Get more sleep

• Learn something new

• Drink more water

• Invite people over

• Meditate

• Exercise

• Do something creative

Your “Shed” column might include:

• Piles of magazines

• Books I’ll never read again

• Clothing that no longer fits

• Dishware I never use

• Thoughts that don’t serve me

• Relationships that are draining

Next, select one item from each column that you’re most interested in changing. Circle it. You’ve taken many ideas and narrowed them down to two. It’s much easier to make a choice when there are fewer options.

Which one is calling your name? Is it something from the Add or Shed column? Begin with the change that feels most enticing. This is your starting point. Your choice is made. Now you can work on making that change.

After completing the change, return to your list. This is a working, flexible document. Add, remove, and choose the next change you want to make.

“Do you need to add something or do you need to shed something?”

— James Clear

Focusing on Change

There are many ways to approach the changes you desire. What are your thoughts on this method inspired by James Clear? In what ways could it work for you?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

How Can I Help?

Do you feel overwhelmed or disorganized? Do you want to make a change, but feel stuck? I’m here to help! Virtual organizing is an extraordinary path forward – Local feel with a global reach.

Let’s connect! I’m easy to reach.

• Schedule a Discovery Call

• Fill out the Contact form

• Email me at linda@ohsoorganized.com or

• Call 914-271-5673

Embracing change and getting organized are possible, especially with support.

Feeling stuck is a common experience. Do you wait to feel motivated before starting a project or task? You might think you need to be in a good mood, have the right energy, or be completely clear about your plan before beginning. However, like with organizing and in life, waiting can keep you stuck. The reality is that motivation doesn’t always come first. More frequently, it follows the act of starting.

When you take that first tiny step, whether it’s decluttering one surface, recycling some papers, or making a short to-do list, you build momentum. Beginning helps you to":

• Break through mental clutter.

• Build confidence.

• Turn what’s overwhelming into something manageable.

Just starting reinforces that progress doesn’t begin with having everything figured out. Getting unstuck starts with taking one small step.

If you’ve been waiting for the perfect time, I encourage you to let go of perfection and take action today. The smallest effort can spark the motivation you’ve been missing.

As James Clear said, “Whenever you are stuck searching for the optimal plan, remember: Getting started changes everything.”

With these ideas in mind, what can help you change everything?

27 Ways to Get Started: A Motivation-Boosting Organizing Checklist

Nike’s iconic motto is “Just Do It.” Similarly, but with a twist, the suggestions in this checklist encourage you to just start with small actions that will help build significant momentum.

Use this checklist when you’re feeling stuck. Completing even one small task can boost the motivation needed to keep going.

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THE MOTIVATION-BOOSTING ORGANIZING CHECKLIST

Home Clutter

• Make your bed.

• Declutter one corner of your desk.

• Organize just one category, like shoes, coffee mugs, or bathing suits.

• Empty and edit the contents of a tote bag or bin.

• Declutter five items from any drawer.

• Take out the recycling.

• Place a donation bag somewhere visible.

• Put five items into the donation bag.

• Declutter one shelf or surface.

• Recycle ten old magazines, papers, or receipts.

Digital Clutter

• Delete or archive ten emails from your inbox.

• Clear your desktop of old files.

• Remove five phone apps you don’t use.

• Unsubscribe from three newsletters you never read.

• Turn off dings, pop-ups, and alerts.

Time-Induced Starts

• Set a 10-minute timer to declutter anything.

• Schedule 15 minutes this week to start your next project.

• Take five minutes to decide on the “maybe” items.

• Spend five minutes reviewing your to-do list and pick the top three tasks you want to accomplish today.

Quick Wins

• Toss all the non-working pens in your pencil cup.

• Clear the kitchen sink.

• Put dirty laundry in the hamper.

• Follow up on one item from your ‘pending’ pile.

• Label one shelf, bin, or folder.

• File or shred a small group of papers.

• Clean out your purse.

• Remove the trash from your car.

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What Small Actions Help You Get Started?

Don’t underestimate the positive impact taking small steps has on motivation. Relief and progress are within your reach. How does starting influence what happens next? Which items from the getting started checklist resonate most with you? What additional items would you like to add to your checklist?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

“The smallest effort can spark the motivation you’ve been missing.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVOP™

How Can I Help?

Would you like some support with motivation, activation, or organization? I’d love to help! Virtual organizing is an extraordinary path forward – Local feel with a global reach.

Let’s talk. You can:

• Schedule a Discovery Call

• Email me at linda@ohsoorganized.com or

• Call 914-271-5673

Organizing and sustaining motivation is possible, especially with support.