Virtuosos and Students

"I've always been the messy one in my family. My parents hassled me about my messy room when I was a kid, and my coworkers tease me about my desk now. If I've always been disorganized, is there any hope for me?"

I often hear people talk about organizational ability as if it's something they were born with and are destined to live with, like their hair color or their height. "I'm just a messy person," or "I'm not the kind of person that [does laundry every week/keeps a calendar/etc]" or "That's just not how my brain works."

Let me make this clear right now: Organizing is a skill. Say that out loud right now. Organizing is a skill. Think about it like playing the piano. Sure, you know some super-organized people who just seem to have it all together. There are also natural virtuosos with perfect pitch who can play piano effortlessly. But more often, there are those kids who had parents who drove them to lessons, harped on them about practicing, and exposed them to the classical greats. Some of those kids took to it immediately and loved every minute of it, and some dreaded their next class. Being organized is the same way. It comes naturally to some and it was taught to others. Some people enjoy it, and some people find it tedious to learn. But once you're good at it, it's enjoyable and it's something you can be proud of.

Unlike hiring a housekeeper, your sessions with me are more like lessons, to help you learn those mindsets that will allow you to declutter, stay on top of your to-dos, and spend more time on what's important to you. You'll have worksheets, homework, and maybe a little required reading here and there (though it's more like pinspiration than a textbook, I promise). It'll all be tailored to the areas you are struggling with, and I'll be there to walk you through the parts you get stuck on. The more you implement the tips and tricks you learn with me, the better you'll cement those ideas, and the easier and faster they'll become.

Sure, you might fall off the wagon here and there, but like playing the piano, you'll be able to start up again with a great foundation. Sometimes you just don't have time for practicing, but it's reassuring to know that you'll be able to manage things again once you find the time.

For most of us, organization applies to far more of our daily activities than playing the piano does, and the rewards are considerably greater. (My apologies to any renowned concert pianists reading this; that sentence might not apply to you!) It's something you can do every single day, no matter where you are. It'll give you more time to spend with your family and friends, improve your finances, help you eat more healthfully, and give you focus on your priorities. I bet if you heard about a musical instrument that could make those same claims, you'd be searching for local lessons right now!

Before you know it, you'll be one of those people that your friends look at with envy, wishing that they were just a naturally organized person like you. And maybe with your newfound free time, you can schedule those piano lessons you've been thinking about.