Peace of Mind Organizing

Sometimes you can't do it alone

21 January 2009

Organizing is an activity that many people find difficult to do on their own. In the study of chronic disorganization, it is recognized that a chronically disorganized client needs to work with others. It’s called “social organizing.” Indeed, some clients simply can’t go through the process of sorting and weeding and organizing if they’re by themselves.

In her groundbreaking book, Conquering Chronic Disorganization, Judith Kolberg (the founder of the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization) writes about social organizing, as well as about body doubling in which an organizer (or friend or family member) sits quietly, perhaps facilitating by silently handing pieces of paper to the client or maybe filing the paper that’s been sorted. It can be especially helpful with maintenance work. Skills aren’t necessarily being transferred, but work is being accomplished that would not be accomplished without the silent partner. Kolberg writes,

A body double provides you with an anchor and a mirror. With a body double, your new-found level of organization can be maintained.

I’ve done body doubling work. It’s strange in that it can feel like I’m not actually doing anything. But at the end of the session the client says,” Thank you! I couldn’t have done this without you.” Then I see the true power of body doubling and social organizing.

Can you relate to this? Have you ever decided that today was the day you were going to sift through those piles, but you lost your steam early on, perhaps you couldn’t even get started? Or maybe everything else around you seems vastly more interesting than the stuff you’re supposed to be organizing.

Hiring an organizer can pull you out of that trap. Sometimes it works just because it forces you to put aside time for the work. By making an appointment with an organizer, you’re committed to actually doing it. You’ve cleared the time on your schedule and you’ve made a financial commitment. Those things are important. But if you’re chronically disorganized, the focused presence of another person can also make a huge difference.

Interestingly enough, if what you need is company in order to do the work, the person helping you doesn’t even have to be there in person. I’ve worked with people over the phone as they’ve decluttered a space. I’m there to provide advice if something tricky should come up, but I think my presence—and, again, the commitment of a specified amount of time—that makes the magic happen.

I’m working on a new program where I’ll help people in small groups by creating a virtual environment where some serious decluttering can take place—and we can have some fun in the process. I’ll be announcing that soon.

Tagged with: body doubling, chronic disorganization, focus, judith kolberg, social organizing

Comments