December 2021 IssueWhat Does Disorganization Cost?Written by Gayle M. Gruenberg, CPO-CD®, CVPOBBeing disorganized andliving with clutter can take a toll on you:body, mind, and spirit. Working with clientswho live with chronic disorganization,I see first-hand the effects that beingdisorganized can have. It doesn’t have tobe this way. Examining the underlyingreasons for the disorganization and/oraccumulated clutter, then taking even onesmall action to mitigate these effects, canhave life-changing benefits.Are you losing time by beingdisorganized? Looking for things thatare out of place or hidden, or becomingdistracted, think shiny object syndrome,can cause an average of one and a halfhours in lost time each day. Creating adesignated place for everything in yourhome or office lets you find what you needquickly and clarifies where to put it whenyou’re done. No more guessing, “What doI do with this?”Are you losing money by beingdisorganized? That 1.5 hours per day addsup to over 500 hours per year. Multiplythat by how much you earn per hourand see what the financial cost of beingdisorganized can be. Add to that anyfines or penalties assessed for bills thatwent unpaid because they got lost. Addon repurchasing things that had to bereplaced because they went missing orwere damaged as a result of clutter orneglect. What is the total?Is your energy being sapped bydisorganization? Racing around lookingfor the things that are out of place orhidden, rushing to appointments becauseyou’re late, or doing things over and overagain because you didn’t do it right thefirst time, puts a strain on the body. Notonly does it require physical exertion,it causes mental and emotional stress,which taxes the circulatory, respiratory,and endocrine systems as well.Are your relationships suffering asa result of disorganization? If you’vesurrounded yourself with stuff in yourhome or office, you may unconsciouslybe creating a barrier to intimacy orfriendships. At home, someone living withchronic disorganization who shares spacewith one or more people who are notdisorganized can cause volatile clashesover the underlying issues of respect,boundaries, and self-control. At work,being disorganized, or even appearingto be, can sabotage trust, reliability, andopportunities for advancement.Is your mental health affected bydisorganization? Do you beat yourself upfor not being good enough or thinking,“Why can’t I do this? Everyone else can.”You may be living with brain-basedconditions that affect your executivefunction. If you haven’t been evaluatedand diagnosed, you may think thatsomething is wrong with you. There isn’t.Your brain just works differently. You arebrilliantly you, and you’re amazing justthe way you are.Committing to addressing yourorganizing challenges and theirunderlying sources can pay hugedividends in terms of time, money,energy, relationships, and your overallmental health.About The AuthorGAYLE GRUENBERGGayle M. Gruenberg, CPO-CD ® , CVPOis the Chief Executive Organizer of Let’sGet Organized, LLC, an Organizer Coach,and the creator of the Make Space forBlessings system.To Learn More Visit:www.LGOrganized.com.
We can helpCONFUSED & UNCERTAINABOUT HEALTHCARE?INSURANCE & BILLING ISSUESHEALTH AND WELLNESS COACHING TOMANAGE CHRONIC ILLNESSELDER CARE ISSUESCARE COORDINATIONTRANSITIONS FROM THE HOSPITALTO REHAB OR HOMEMEDICAL GUIDANCE ON DOCTOR’S VISITS,HOSPITALIZATIONS, SECOND OPINIONSHEALTHLINKADVOCATES.COM