Change is Good!

When you move your family every 2-3 years, it seems to be a requirement that you are an organized person - at least to a certain degree. You are always prepared to make adjustments and, as they say in the Marine Corps, "adapt and overcome". 

As the spouse of a retired Marine, I was used to adapting and adjusting my schedule every 3 years.   That was up until retirement - 17 years ago! Even in retirement though, I am still making adjustments to my daily schedule in order to keep a business and household running smoothly. Don't mistake what I'm saying as a complaint! Life is all about making adjustments and change is what keeps life interesting.

What are some changes that you have obligated yourself and your family to this year? Are you determined to enjoy your family and life more than ever before? Is your goal to eliminate stress and be generally happy? Or perhaps, you would like to do some reorganization or de-cluttering. No matter what you would like to change, the best way to make positive and lasting changes are to  develop new and fresh habits. This may mean some of the following:

•Reorganizing your schedule

•Delegating tasks and jobs to someone else

•Getting up a little earlier each day

•Developing better time management skills

•Improving your communication skills

And this all involves being consistent in what we do and how we do things. This is what the military teaches our husbands, wives, sons and daughters, right? Everything that we do is a process. A great example of this is the process of brushing your teeth...think about it, you brush your teeth the same way, every time - right?  

Have you decided to make 2013 your Year of Change? If so, start small. While it is great to jump into change with both feet, it can also prepare you for failure. Set yourself up for success by making minor adjustments to your schedule. Take a look at your calendar and block out the time required to reach just one portion of your goal. A good example of this is organizing a closet. Organizing the entire closet at one time may be too overwhelming - and keep you from getting it organized. Instead of blocking out an entire day, simply block out a chunk of time on your calendar to organize just one section at a time.

It is also important to be realistic about what you want to change. A long list may have great intentions, however, it can't and won't happen all at once. Be methodical about the process and allow yourself to reach your goals. Keeping your space and life organized will help you be prepared for "life". What will you change this year? Make your list and allow yourself to be welcome to change. 

Linda Clevenger, owner of Organization Direct, is a home and business organizer and a Blue Star Mom. She operates the company from her Northern Virginia home and helps clients throughout the country. Sign up for Linda's weekly newsletter, An Organized Mind, HERE. She's also on Facebook and Twitter. To find out more about the services provided go to www.organizationdirect.com.