Paper is Not the Problem

A 40-year old professional woman from Carlisle found me on the internet. She wanted to organize her office so that she could “get on top of things again.”

To make progress right away, Lacey signed up for my phone coaching service, and put her name on the waiting list for on-site clutter-clearing sessions, which I could do in about a month. I assured her that we could get a lot done in 30 minutes over the phone.

When we spoke again, Lacey told me how she loved her work, and that her office had always been messy, but gradually become a disaster as she coped with some family issues.

“How many hours a week do you work?” I asked.

“About 50,” she said. (I suspected more since most people significantly underestimate time.)

“Lacey, the disaster in your office makes perfect sense,” I explained, “Disorganization is not the problem; it is the consequence of unclear thinking and priorities. That’s what needs to be addressed.”

“Yah, I see what you mean,” Lacey sighed, “… but I just feel so incompetent, so out of control.”  

“Quite the contrary. You are very competent to get help before things get worse, which they would if you don’t change how you’re doing things.” I said. We spoke some more. I pointed out that it’s a good thing that it’s only her office that was a disaster. Her health and marriage sounded in good shape. Seeing a new perspective, she agreed.

What makes organizing or clutter-clearing difficult is the underlying emotions. I helped Lacey untangle the feelings that drove her so hard and made her feel stuck and incompetent. Feeling better, we began to identify options that she previously could not see.

During our next sessions, I showed Lacey how to “navigate her weeks” instead of be a slave to her daily to-do lists. The piles of paper were still on the floor, but her office was less of a burden.