24 Seven February 2022

February 2022 Issue
The Impossible Task
Written by Gayle M. Gruenberg, CPO-CD ® , CVPO
I
Is there one thing you absolutely,
positively cannot do, and you don’t
understand why?
The task could be anything, like making
a bed, doing dishes, paying a bill, or going
food shopping. It could be assigning a
home for a category of items or putting
something back where it belongs after
using it. It could be a project at work
that you know you have the skills and
bandwidth to complete, but you just can’t
take the first step.
This may be your impossible task.
The term “the impossible task” was
coined in 2018 by M. Molly Backes to
describe the overwhelm, guilt, shame,
and complete inability to do something
necessary that appears simple and
otherwise easy to perform on its surface.
The longer the task goes undone, the more
the pressure and desire to do it continue
to build, as does the inability to actually
get it done, and the self-recrimination
over not being able to do it.
Organizing can be the impossible task
for many people. They may know what
they need to do, have the physical ability
to do it, and understand why it needs to
be done, but they just can’t initiate the
action.
The underlying cause of this lack of
motivation can be varied. It is not laziness.
It can be a symptom and a side-effect of
some anti-depressants. It may be one
aspect of anxiety. People with traumatic
brain injury or PTSD can experience the
feeling. The impossible task is how people
with depression describe how it feels to
not be able to do something.
How can someone manage the feeling
of the impossible task? First, let go of
the guilt. Recognize the challenge as a
symptom of an underlying condition
rather than a character flaw. Treat yourself
gently. Break a task down to manageable
pieces. Combine the task with something
very enjoyable, like listening to music
while vacuuming. Delegate the task to
someone who loves to do it. Get support
from a friend or professional.
About The Author
GAYLE M. GRUENBERG
Gayle M. Gruenberg, CPO-CD ® , CVPO
is the chief executive organizer of
Let’s Get Organized, LLC, an organizer
coach, and the creator of the Make
Space for Blessings system.
To Learn More Visit:
www.LGOrganized.com