“Spring is the time of plans and projects.” – Leo Tolstoy

Spring is the season that motivates so many of us to make changes; to start fresh. Why not make the most of it, go beyond just ‘spring cleaning’, and do something that will bring order to your life all year long?

Think Small

You probably have a mental list of a dozen or more little projects that you’ve been putting off for a while. Usually, these projects aren’t complicated or hard, but they just haven’t gotten done. Spring is a great time to move them off of your mental list and onto a written to-do list.

Commit to a small amount of time each day – 10 or 15 minutes – and tackle something off of your list. After a few weeks, you will have a lot of check marks and a more ordered space.

Small Spring Possibilities

  • One or two drawers in your kitchen – Tackle that one drawer that always gets hung up on the avocado slicer you never use. Or donate those Bob the Builder spoons that your (now college-aged) son ate his Cheerios with.
  • A shelf in the linen closet – Pull out all of those old towels and donate them to your local animal shelter or veterinarian’s office. Fold the towels you actually use so that they fit neatly on the shelf.
  • Freezer and/or refrigerator – Go thru your condiments. Throw out anything that’s expired. Don’t forget to add it to your shopping list if it’s something you still use.
  • Magazine rack – If it’s been in there more than three months, you probably aren’t going to read it at all. Keep only the current issues and remind yourself to actually read them. Recycle the rest or donate them. Schools and childcare centers often take donations of old magazines to use for projects.

Or Think Big

Your mental list probably also includes a couple of bigger projects. If you’d prefer, choose one of those and spend your 10-15 minutes each day making progress on that. You may not get the same immediate sense of satisfaction that comes with finishing a project completely. But, after a few weeks, you’ll have finished something that is likely to have a big impact on your life.

It is important to think of a big project as a series of small projects. That way, you can feel good about completing a little part and motivate yourself to keep going.

Big Spring Possibilities

  • Clean out your closet
  • Declutter your garage
  • Set up a filing system (paper or digital)
  • Go thru your photographs (paper or digital)
  • Organize your pantry

Game Plan

Whether you choose a big project or a small one, block out 10-15 minutes per day on your calendar. Consider it a ‘Spring Project’ appointment. When the time comes, set a timer and go all out until it rings. Put on a motivational playlist. Mute all of your notifications.

Keep It Going

Hopefully, your steady progress will be enough to keep you motivated. If that falters, try and re-energize yourself.

  • Take pictures of the before and after – A picture is worth a thousand words and you will be inspired by how much you accomplished in such a short time.
  • Tell someone about what you’re doing – Sharing our projects with friends or family provides us with another source of accountability. And, let’s be honest, it can also give us someone to tell us ‘way to go!’.
  • Remember why you started – You had a reason for picking this project. There was a need, a problem, or an opportunity that you saw. Remind yourself.

I’d love to hear about your projects! Comment on this article and let us know what you’re doing. Or, post your pictures on your Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram accounts with the hashtag #YourOrderedLife.

Happy Spring!