Organize + Energize: Are You Resistant to Change?

Tuesday, August 05, 2014

Kristin MacRae, GoLocalWorcester Organizing Expert

Recently, I’ve been working with companies who have brought me in to help their disorganized employees. I am finding that most of these employees are resistant to change. It is my job to try to get these employees to see how being organized can improve their work flow, productivity, efficiency levels and above all, have a better quality of life at work.

I understand it is normal to resist change. Some people do not like to be taken out of their comfort zone. Many people are happy doing the same thing, the same way that they have been doing it for the past 20 years. If they are disorganized, they are happy with their disorganization and see no reason to change. It is difficult for them to see the benefits until they actually make changes and live it. This can be accomplished and more once an employee goes from being disorganized to organized and has processes and systems in place.

On the other spectrum, you have the employees that want to change and get organized but just don’t have the skill set to get organized. They are open to change and welcome any suggestions that you may have. They feel stuck by their disorganization and can’t find a way out. They really want to get organized but don’t know where to begin and don’t know how to create working organized systems. Once the systems are in place, they know they will have structure and will be able to follow the systems. They understand that if they change, great things will begin to happen, they just need assistance in creating that change.

Which category do you fall into? Think about it for a moment.

What if you could generate more money for your company? Being organized will save your business money. Thousands of dollars a year are wasted when a business is disorganized.

What if you could have more free time, or qualify for a promotion once you change your ways and get organized? When you are organized, you will open up yourself to opportunities that you never imagined.

Imagine having extra hours in your day. Executives waste six weeks per year searching for lost documents. What could you do with an extra six weeks?

What if your job could become easier once you were organized? Wouldn’t you say, sign me up, I’m in? Unless you like tackling a task in six steps versus two, then by all means continue with how you function.

Is being disorganized hurting your business? Are you losing time, money, and clients due to your disorganization? There is too much competition out there. Get organized and retain your valuable clients.

Is it hindering you from moving forward onto greater ventures with your business? You won’t believe how freeing it will be to get organized. The possibilities are endless once you clear the clutter, get organized and streamline processes and procedures.

Is your disorganized support staff hurting your business? How many times have you lost business due to your staff? Are your employees struggling with their disorganization? Sit with them and shadow them for a few hours to see how they function.

Next time you are in your office, take a few minutes and a pen, paper, and sit at your desk and take a look around your office. Make note of what you see on your desk, bookshelves, and walls. Open your desk drawers, filing cabinets and closets.

Think about how you function in your office. How are your systems working for you? Do you have your processes streamlined and are you running as efficiently as you could be?

There is a quote by David Tolin, PhD, “You are only as good as the system you are working with.” How are your systems working for you and your employees? Do you have processes and systems in place? Maybe it’s time for a change.

Get out of your comfort zone and be open to change. There are so many great opportunities out there that you may be missing out on. It’s never a bad time to make that change and get organized.

Kristin Carcieri-MacRae, the founder and owner of Organizing in RI, has always enjoyed finding creative ways to streamline the environment around her. She has appeared on air on Patricia Raskin's Positive Business Radio and her articles have been published in the Rhode Island Small Business Journal and New England Home Life. Kristin's CD, Organizing Basics, is a 1-hour guide for the person who wants to get organized but doesn't know where to start. She is also available for organizing workshops. Tune into her weekly radio show, Organize, Energize! on Mondays at 8:30am on http://www.talkstreamradio.com.

Related Slideshow: 5 Organizing Blunders

Avoid these mistakes and your project will take less time than you expected. You won’t be as stressed or as overwhelmed as you anticipated. You will be amazed at what you have accomplished. You will be motivated and energized to tackle another project.

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Not planning ahead

Getting organized is a process and you have to have a plan on how to conquer your project. You can’t tear apart an entire room all at once. You need to break the project down into small pieces. Plan to tackle your project in 3-hour increments. If you work longer than 3 hours at a time, you are setting yourself up for burnout. Plan ahead to try to avoid distractions and stay focused.

Click here for more tips on how to avoid distractions.

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Purchasing the incorrect supplies

I know you are excited to get organized, but don’t rush out to the store and purchase products just because you like the way they look. Get organized first. Figure out what you need to contain, and then purchase your container to match the items you need it to hold.

Click here for more on choosing the right container.

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Not letting others know about your system

Once you set up the organized system, you have to get everybody in your home on board. Show them the systems and how you are going to function with this system going forward. Label everything if you must, so everybody gets in the habit of putting items away. Remember, the simpler the system, the easier it’s going to be to maintain.

Need help creating those systems? Go here.

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Not maximizing your space

Use every inch of space and use it well. Take everything out of the area you are organizing. You can’t get a clear visual of the space if it is filled with clutter. Shifting items around is not going to work.

Here are more tips on maximizing your space.

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Repeatedly clearing spaces

You are creating more work for yourself if you continue to clear spaces once a month. Create a system and allow everything in your home to have its own place, and you will never have to clear a space again.

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