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Conquer Unrealistic Expectations
Posted By : Ellen Martin on 13-May-2010When I think about exercise and dieting, I always come up with grand plans. These plans usually involve a few hours of exercise each day and eating fabulous foods that are healthy. Of course, it would be wonderful if I actually did these things, but I never do. The fact is that I set myself up for failure from the start.
My diet and exercise plans in the past have been way too ambitious for someone with my schedule. Taking into account that I hate to shop and cook, the idea that I would have fresh food in the house that I would then prepare is pretty silly when I look back on it. So, what went wrong?
I made these plans based on what I thought I should be doing, not what I knew I would actually do. Of course, I have to make some changes in my behavior if I want to have fabulous arms and killer abs, but it’s helpful to be realistic about what you will do when faced with the choice of laying in bed until 7:00 or getting up to do a workout.
In organizing projects this happens frequently. We have so many images of what organized means in various situations. Perfectly clear desktops, doing everything the moment you think to do it, scanning all of your paper so you never have to deal with it again. Not to mention all of the books out there touting the definitive solution to organizing problems. The reality is that much of what is published in books and articles probably won’t work for you.
Here’s my beef with most of the information out there on organizing. Solutions are presented as though they are great for everyone. If you just put enough effort into it, this extremely complex system can work for you. No way! Your organizing systems must be based on your own logic and realistic assessment of your behavior.
I was recently asked by a workshop participant if scanning paper was a good solution for paper clutter. I asked if the person liked dealing with paper. She cringed and said “No way! I hate paper!” So, my answer is that scanning probably won’t be a good solution for her. If she hates paper so much that she won’t deal with it to get it filed, what are the chances that she will want to sit around scanning paper for hours. Now, I’m not saying that scanning is not a good option for dealing with paper clutter. I’m simply pointing out that realistically, she will probably not keep up with scanning paper if she doesn’t like dealing with paper to begin with.
Here are three things to consider when setting up a system or routine for organizing:
1) Is there anything wrong with your current system? Don’t change for the sake of changing. If your systems work, leave them alone.
2) Ask the question, “What will I really do?” Will you really scan all that paper or is it better to come up with some strategies to keep the paper from coming in at all. Will you really put all of those articles you’ve been saving into alphabetized binders? Or is it better to put them into a few research folders and call it a day? Better yet, you probably won’t ever look at them again so maybe you could just toss them.
3) Keep things simple. Complicated systems are typically difficult to maintain. The best organizing systems and routines are very simple. No need to color code your file system or calendar…unless you really believe that you will keep it up. As you develop your systems, continually ask yourself how it could be made easier.
So, my new diet plan is to exercise as many times as I can each week and to cut out eating so much ice cream. I’ve also recruited my brother to be my accountability partner as we tackle P90X. Yikes, that is a rough program! I could still use some work keeping up my new routine, but I am being more realistic and not beating myself up.
Happy Organizing!
10 Responses to “Conquer Unrealistic Expectations”
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ahhhh…your article makes me take a deep breath.
yes, what will I really do~ keep it simple.
Excellent reminders and a brilliant strategy to ensure we don’t go into overwhelm.
your article really creates a sense of peace in me as a move forward with simple tasks that actually help create the big picture.
Thanks!
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Ellen,
Thanks for taking the pressure off! Doing something is better than doing nothing at all. I liked the idea of accountability partner for working out…great incentive to get out of bed and into the gym. Thanks girl..your articles are always packed full of valuable content!
Kiyla
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Ellen,
I love that you approach organizing on a more individual basis. Not every system works for everyone. It’s similar with marketing and copywriting — cookie cutter systems won’t deliver what all businesses need so it’s important to have customized and individual offers that fit the needs of each business.
Write on!~
Lisa
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I echo the other comments. I often find in my consulting that clients want to take on everything at once. And they are shocked when I tell them (force them) to only take on one change. But then they win at that one change, and can take on another.
I also love that you acknowledge there are no one-size-fits-all systems! We don’t have one-size-fits-all people – why do we think our solutions would be that way?
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Ellen, I’m shaking your hand. You’ve just given me permission to be realistic and not perfectionistic! Thanks
Lynn
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Ellen – We are of the same mind, my friend!
It’s SO about the person and not the system itself.
-Carmen
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I like your idea of just setting a couple of goals that are realistic, rather than trying to be perfect and setting ourselves up for disappointment!
Linda
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Ellen, thank you for my new favorite question: What will i really do? 5 words that will set me up for success!!!
Grace Heer
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Keeping it simple has been my motto for 2010. I will be asking myself the question “what will I really do?” more often. Thanks for the great tips so that business won’t be so overwhelming.
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Wow, Awesome blog post! I struggle with that all the time. I plan these huge projects for a weekend or whatever and I feel so bad that I didnt accomplish 1/10th of what I wanted. Now I know that I am setting myself up for failure and will try setting more realistic goals for myself. Thanks for reminding me.
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