motivate others to be more organized

How do we help motivate others in our lives to be more organized? This could include your spouse, kids, co- workers, boss, and friends, among others…but most often; I get this question from women referring to their husbands!!

To motivate someone means to give an incentive for action. Other people must be able to 'see' the end goal in mind in order to be given a motive or reason for organizing.

1. We must be more organized ourselves! After all, how can we hold others to a higher standard than that which we hold ourselves?

2. We must model good behaviors: For example, let's say the new organizing rule at home is everyone must rinse off their own plates and put them in the dishwasher. Do you think your spouse and kids are going to follow this rule if they see you leaving your plate on the table?

3. We must be able to delegate duties: When dealing with kids, the duties must be age appropriate and ability level. Provide guidance and clear instructions about what you need others to do.

4. We must plan for rewards: rewards can be money, but they don’t have to be. They could be quality time, a new book or magazine, concert or movie tickets, time for a hobby or special activity, date night, a favorite TV show or movie, a bubble bath, facial, manicure, among countless others.

5. We must have a chore chart: this is especially useful if to keep track of other’s organizing projects and is actually quite simple to create. Just plug in everyone's names and their chores or duties for the week into a computer spread sheet.

6. We must involve everyone in the decision process: your family, co-workers, etc. will be more receptive to change if they understand the change and have a say it what will be changed. Important decisions must be discussed together.
7. We must setup and maintain simple systems: For example, bill paying supplies should be kept all together in the office. If we expect our kids to pick up their toys every evening, the series of cubbies or boxes must be easy to reach and simply labeled with both pictures and/or words.

Overall, we can help to motivate others in our lives to be more organized, which in turn will help you to be more organized. Whether it is in the office, at home, or even your friends, those who surround you impact your environment. Being more organized can and will make a difference in your everyday life.

For more organizing ideas, visit my website: www.andreadekker.com