Earlier this week we posed the following question to our Facebook Readers:
What do the US Armed Forces, the LDS Church, 12 step programs, both the Boy and Girl Scouts, and (sometimes) school children on trips have in common?
Bonus Question:
How can it help you get organized?
When after nine hours, no one had chimed in we added another clue – “Weightlifters also have this in common.” Before reading on, ask yourself, do you know the answer? Really think about it for a minute.
When someone is lifting a particularly heavy weight at the gym, what does that lifter need? When a Mormon is sent out on a religious mission what he/she take with him/her? When you went on a school trip what were you assigned?
The answer in all cases (though the specific nomenclature may vary) is the same: a buddy!
You may find yourself asking, so what? Or maybe you already know where we’re going with this. Well, ask yourself this, why assign a buddy?
How Does it Affect Organizing?
A buddy offers accountability, encouragement and support.
In 12 step programs, each person recovering from an addiction is assigned a sponsor. The sponsor is the person the recoverer can speak with whenever there is trouble and is also there to check in with on a regular basis.
On a school trip, weight lifting or the armed forces, your buddy helps keep you safe.
In all cases your buddy is someone other than yourself looking out for you and caring about your success – sometimes when you forget to!
So how does this affect organization?
The buddy system is not limited to the examples listed. The buddy system can help anywhere where two people are working toward common (though sometimes separate) goals.
If you’re trying to get organized and having a hard time getting started, or even if you just want some encouragement, ask around – is anyone else in the same position?
How Do I Start?
You may surprised how many people you know have similar goals to you. Most of us have a spot we’d like to straighten up. (Remember the chair?) And few people don’t appreciate encouragement. You almost certainly already know someone – a relative, friend or coworker, who is also looking to make some organizational progress.
So find someone in with a similar goal and work out a plan. Micro progress is a great way to go. But as long as you’re working at a similar pace and care about helping each other, you can plan it out however you like. Having someone there asking you how things are progressing will encourage you to keep going and may be the difference between success or forfeiture.
The two of you can even take pictures of your progress. With new technology, encouraging thoughts and words were never easier to send. 🙂
In a scholarly paper titled “Facilitators and barriers to weight loss and weight loss maintenance: A qualitative exploration,” found that women with peer support were far more effective in losing weight.
This may come as no surprise to anyone who’s tried it but it’s nice to see scientific support. It would be more surprising to find out the social support is not helpful.
We all need accountability. We all need encouragement. So find a friend, grab your phone, write a plan and let’s get organized!
What is a manageable way to begin?
Pick the space or routine that creates the most daily friction. A small improvement there often provides more relief than reorganizing an area you rarely use.
How do you make the change last?
Use the new setup during a normal week and pay attention to what still feels difficult. A system is allowed to change. If putting something away takes too many steps, simplify the category, move it closer to where it is used, or reduce what the space has to hold.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to finish the whole project at once?
No. Completing one defined area is more useful than creating several unfinished piles. Progress can be small and still be meaningful.
Should I buy organizing products first?
Usually not. Sort and measure first so any product you choose solves a specific problem instead of becoming one more item to manage.
What if I feel embarrassed asking for help?
You do not need to clean, organize, or apologize before asking WOW Organizing for support. We begin with what is happening now and work without judgment.
If you would like help applying these ideas in your own home, learn more about our Home Organizing Services.
Ready for a more manageable next step?
Tell us what is creating the most pressure. We will listen, answer your questions, and help you choose a realistic place to begin.
This might be a dumb question, but how do I know someone wants the help? I know lots of messy people but I don’t want to insult them. Also, I’m a little embarrassed to ask someone to buddy up with me because I feel like I should be able to do this myself. Any suggestions?
I think knowing who you’re talking to comes into play here. Generally speaking, we can usually phrase our questions in an inoffensive way if our intentions are genuine. Most people are happy for the offer of help and those who don’t need it are free to say so.
Regarding your embarrassment, we all get untidy from time to time. Some of us more than others. If you want to improve your life, be proud! You’re doing something about it! And if you need any help, give us a call – 540.420.8225.
Thanks for the question! Keep them coming!