You want to be organized.  This is sometimes hard to admit because then it sets a standard that seems hard to achieve.  I mean, who can keep a house put together with kids, kids schedules today, your work schedule, a partner who probably thinks this is your job and kids who really don’t care?

But then you watch a reality show, realize you’re no where near that bad and your motivation hits a new high.  You can do this!  A schedule an Olympian would shrink from is created to get organized.

You are determined to take your house back.

Then something happens.  After pulling everything out of your first closet, you have a bigger pile of “I don’t knows” than recycle, trash or donate.  Your kids keep interrupting you with things they “need” all of sudden.  And your husband turns into a child on a road trip asking you if you’re finished yet.  Thoughts of your college education from a really good university keep running through you mind as well as challenges at work you have overcome.  You flashback to the time your family got lost on a 100 degree day, ran out of gas and had to walk 5 miles.  You can do this silly organizing!

But you don’t, and I know why.

How?  Because I work with people just like you everyday hearing their reasons why they can’t stay organized.  I see them in their environment with their habits.  And because I have the same habits too that I deal with every day, hour & minute.  There’s no sugarcoating it.  The reason you can’t stay organized is because of you.  And here are the top 5 reasons why.

1. You have Low Expectations.  Let’s face it, you really don’t think your kids can learn how to help you with the work to be done.  Sure they won’t know right away how to dust, vacuum, make their bed or put away their clothes properly, but you didn’t either right away.  It’s all a learning process.

2.You have High Expectations. Yes, you can have both at the same time.  Example: the bathroom should be white glove clean when done cleaning.  This would be nice, but how about a compromise?  Give your kid a Clorox wipe & tell them they aren’t done until all of it is dirty.  That’s your new expectation of clean.  Which brings me to number 3….

3.Your Ego is too Big.  You can’t imagine someone accomplishing a task as well as you.  Well duh, if you don’t let them try, it will never happen.  And, they probably will NOT do it exactly like you.  Heads up here.  There are several ways to tackle a task.  Your family may surprise you will a few creative ways to do something that is better than your fancy way.  I love it when clients have a better way than me.  Learning something new is fun!

4.You’re Not Completely Honest.  If you think you can maintain your biggest financial investment when you don’t set aside time to do so, you are lying to yourself.  Maintaining your purchases from your home, clothes, pool, boat, cars and anything else you thought would be cool or fun takes time.  And you’re lying to yourself about HOW much time time it will take.  Whatever you have in your pretty little head for the amount of time, you need to double that.

5.You’re Dreaming. We all do it…..dream of what it would be like to have a full staff to cook, clean, iron, run errands and manage your kids and husband for that matter.  AAHHHH!  Pure bliss.  Now snap out of it.  This is life.  You are an adult now.  Maintaining your home on a regular basis is part of being an adult.  Teaching your kids how to do it is part of being an adult.

As Oprah would say, “What I do know is that you and your family are up to the task.”  Not believing this is your thorn in your side creating doubt that can take you down.  Because when you have an exceptionally tough day, your whole family needs that belief to get back on top.

So how do you stay organized?  You have to suck it up and work on it every day. Yes,everyday.  Accepting this fact is 90% of the hard work.  Once you and your family understand this is just something you do everyday, the process won’t even take brain power.  You’ll just do it like brushing your teeth everyday.  If you don’t brush your teeth everyday, this might be a good first step to getting organized.

What is your best Olympian effort?  Share these on the Styled & Organized Living Facebook Page.