Do you prefer to do everything yourself? Do you feel guilty asking for help? You're not alone. I've been there too.

There are many reasons why we don’t enlist help, even if we really need it. The next time you’re feeling stressed, stuck, or overwhelmed, consider some of these ideas about the positives of asking for help. I'd love to hear your experience about a successful time when you enlisted help.

6 Reasons to Enlist Help . . .

1. Not Just for Babies.

We recently spent a summer weekend socializing two eight-week-old puppies for Guiding Eyes. There was no question that these babies needed our help. However, just because we become adults, it doesn’t mean that we stop needing assistance with certain things.  Lose the guilt. Pay attention to times when getting help might be the solution.

2. Return the Favor. 

Are you more comfortable giving than receiving help? When you ask people for help, it gives them the opportunity to “pay you back” in kind. They will feel better about receiving from you if they know you will, in turn, accept their help too.

3. Just 24 Hours.

We only have 24 hours a day. One-third of those hours are needed for sleeping. Enlisting help can free up your available time to focus on what’s most important. That might mean more time to spend with your family, friends, pursue a new goal, or engage in hobbies.

4. Fun is Good.

For those who enjoy the company of others, seeking help with specific tasks can make the mundane more enjoyable and manageable. Particularly if you tend to procrastinate, adding the social piece into the mix can be productive and motivating.

5. Bring in the Professionals.

Sometimes the type of help we need is beyond what our family or friends can offer. Or, we might be uncomfortable asking them for certain kinds of help. That’s why we hire others, such as plumbers, electricians, accountants, therapists, coaches, doctors, lawyers, or professional organizers. There are resources available for finding professionals of all types. If you are organizationally challenged, you can find an organizer through NAPO (National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals), ICD (Institute for Challenging Disorganization), or Linda Samuels, founder of Oh, So Organized!

6. Discover New Perspectives.

We only know what we know. There are serendipities to enlisting help. When we invite someone in, we learn new ways of doing and looking at things. This is particularly useful when we are feeling stuck or don’t know which step to take next. Be open to the possibilities a fresh perspective can offer.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Join in the conversation. What has been a positive “enlisting help” experience you’ve had?

While sitting on a bench by the river on a recent summer day, I was watching the sailboats glide by, enjoying my lunch and doing some work on my iPad. It felt good being outside in the fresh air and hot sun. I was starting to lose focus when all of the sudden, a message popped-up on the screen that I’d never seen before. It said, “Your iPad needs to cool down before you can use it.”

I burst out laughing! My iPad was telling me that it needed a “time out.” By default, it was giving me a time out too, because I couldn’t continue my work. The timing of getting the message was interesting because I wasn’t feeling focused.

Since my iPad had never spoken to me in this way before, I figured that as funny as the message was, I better take her seriously. She was telling me that it was time to take a break, “cool down,” and then begin again. Far be it from me to ignore such sage advice. I headed to The Blue Pig for an espresso toffee ice cream cone. By the time I had finished my snack and returned home, my iPad and me were ready to get some work done.

She had her method of cooling down and I had mine. That break left me refreshed and motivated to move forward with more energy and purpose than before.

The next time you aren’t quite feeling focused to move ahead, feel free to think about my iPad’s advice. Take a mini break, refresh, refocus and begin again.

When do you know it’s time for a break? What motivates you to take your next step?

Getting organized is easier for some than for others. What happens when organizing is one of your challenges? When you want to get organized and don’t feel like doing the work, how can you get motivated to move ahead?

There are many motivation techniques. I compiled several of my favorites. The next time you’re feeling motivationally-challenged, give one a try.

5 Motivation Tricks

• Use a timer. Strive to organize for short yet regular 15-30 minute sessions. Organizing doesn't need to be done in marathon time blocks. Sometimes it's more bearable to do a challenging task if you are doing it in shorter increments. It becomes less of a big deal in your mind and circumvents the tendency to procrastinate.

• Underwhelm your lists. We often make our lists of projects and to dos so large that they de-motivate rather than motivate us to action. If your big expectations are preventing you from getting started, write a short list that includes the next two tiny steps. Focus on doing less to motivate you ahead. Think in bite-sized pieces.

• Celebrate your success. After accomplishing five short organizing sessions during a week, give yourself an appropriate reward. Visit a park, have an ice cream cone or meet a friend for coffee. Rewarding yourself for commitment and progress can be a great motivator.

• Be kind to yourself. If you can’t decide between organizing or going for a walk, take the walk, clear your head and then come back and reset your timer for a 15-minute organizing session. The idea is to be consistent, work around the difficulties and forge ahead.

• Build in fun-factor. Sometimes we work better when we have people with us to cheer us on and provide focus. Turning organizing into a social event can be fun and motivating. Ask a friend or professional to help with the process, especially if you are struggling to move ahead on your own.

What motivates you to move ahead when you are stuck? Do any of these resonate with you? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation!

Photo by Linda SamuelsSummer is the time to slow down, tackle those organizing projects and enjoy vacation time. One powerful motivator for getting things accomplished is having a time deadline. For example, knowing the bags have to be packed before the plane takes off or the minivan leaves for the family road trip creates an urgency to be ready. For the Summer Organizing Giveaway, I’ve put together some fun travel-related organizing tips and giveaways.

Organizing Travel Tips

• The List: Yes, we can try to keep all the details in our heads, but making a list of the items you want to take, makes packing easier and less stressful. After writing your list, “go shopping” in your drawers and closets. Gather items onto a large, flat surface and then pack away.
• The Containers: You can just throw things willy-nilly into your bags, but grouping items together in packing cubes or Ziploc bags will keep you and your suitcase organized. Packing cubes can also be used as drawer organizers when you arrive at your destination.
• The Nourishment: Bring items to feed both the mind and the body. For the body, pack some travel snacks (nuts, dried fruit, mints or chocolate) because you never know when hunger might strike. For the mind, travel light and download your favorite books to your electronic reader. The Other Side of Organized just became available for the iPad, iPhone, Kindle and Nook. It will soon be available on Sony Reader too.
• The Last Minutes:  Before any trip, there are always last minute things to do and purchase. Keep an extra list nearby to capture those “to do” thoughts that pop into your head. Having your action list nearby will help keep you focused and worry-free about not forgetting to cancel the newspaper, hold your mail or buy extra sunscreen.

The Summer Organizing Giveaway starts on July 14^th.  One winner will be selected on July 21^st.  It includes goodies that will organize, inspire, relax and delight you.  Continue reading for description and contest rules. The winner will receive everything described below:

• The Container Store $25 gift card
• “Pack This!” Pad by Knock Knock
• Eagle Creek Pack-It Cubes (2)
• Clear Zippered Case
• 24/7 Reusable, Compact Bag
• “To Do” Sticky Notes by Knock Knock
• Starbucks $25 gift card
• Oh, So Organized! coffee mug
• Autographed copy of The Other Side of Organized by Linda Samuels

Contest Rules:

• Comment on this blog post below with your favorite vacation spot, memory, travel organizing tip or challenge
• Comment about the giveaway on the Oh, So Organized! Facebook page
• Re-tweet this giveaway on Twitter and include @LindaSamuels when you do
• Subscribe to Oh, So Organized! monthly e-newsletter for continued inspiration and motivation
• Visit the newly redesigned Oh, So Organized! website and comment on this blog about your favorite feature, section or part
• Purchase a copy of The Other Side of Organized (paperback or e-Book) and email copy of receipt to linda@ohsoorganized.com
• Do one or all of the above to enter. The more you do, the more times your name will be entered to win (up to 6 total entries!)

Come join the conversation about vacations, organizing and more. Wishing you all good luck!