1. Determine your goal or your vision. 

 

Maybe you envision an organized garage with your vehicle(s) parked inside?
 
Once you have your goal or vision, stay focused on the end result and its benefits:  your vehicle(s) will be protected from the weather and you will stay dry on rainy days.   
 
Goals can be overwhelming if they are too big.  Break the goal down into smaller steps.  For example: empty the garage, sort, and find homes for the items you decide to keep.
 
Ever since I was a teenager, I had a vision of starting my own business.  Once I decided to take the entrepreneurial leap, I listed the steps I needed to take: educate myself about keeping proper tax records, join a professional organization, market myself, ect.   My vision (dream) was the motivating factor for completing those steps.
 
What goal would you like to focus on this week? 
 
2. Enlist the help of friends and family. 

 

How about an organizing buddy?  This is a cool concept a friend of mine uses.  She and another friend team up to organize their homes.  It's more fun and the organizing is done much faster.  The key is to find a supportive and nonjudgmental friend.
 
Friends and family can hold you accountable.  If you tell them you are going to organize your desk, they can check up on your progress. 
 
From the beginning, I've relied on the support of organizing mentors, family, and friends.  In 2009 I hired my second business coach.  Every Sunday I email her my goals for the week.  This holds me accountable and keeps me focused and motivated. 
 
Who would you like to have as an accountability partner?  

 
3. Set a deadline for achieving your goal. 

 

Is your goal to clean your house on a regular basis?  Schedule frequent dates with friends...... at your house. 

 
Timers can be a fun way to get you moving.  Set a timer for 10 minutes and tell yourself you can focus on anything for 10 short minutes.  Who knows, when the timer goes off you may be motivated to continue for another 10 minutes!
 
If your goal is to have a garage sale then team up with a group of friends and offer to host it on a specific date or commit to a neighborhood sale.
 
Believe me, you would not be reading this newsletter every month if I didn't set a deadline for its release.
 
What deadline will you set for yourself?
 
Try these strategies next time you need some motivation.