Eva Abreuperson’s perspective. It’s important to be non-judgmental and to
remind ourselves to keep a positive outlook through the entire process.
It’s easy to become negative, so it will require some conscious effort
and self- encouragement to continue along the success path.
I recommend finding an accountability partner—someone to work
with such as a friend or family member. For some people, though, the
interpersonal dynamics are too emotionally charged and no progress is
made; that’s where I come in as a coach, mentor, and cheerleader. I
strive to be objective and realistic, yet compassionate and motivating.
In addressing perfectionism, I tell students in my STO Organizing
workshops to give themselves permission to say, “It’s okay not to be
perfect.” The attendees usually breathe a sigh of relief and I can see a
ph ysical shift in the room as everyone becomes more relaxed.
Sometimes, there are one or two people who say that they cannot let go
of the concept of perfectionism. I explain that if it delays the start of an
organizing project or prevents them from finishing it, then it needs to
be addressed. The main point is to get started and keep going
regardless of whether or not y ou are in the “perfect” mood or if a
“perfect” excuse comes up to stop you from moving forward. Of course,
it doesn’t mean that you are going to compromise the quality of your
work or create a safety hazard just f or the sake of finishing a project.
We have to recognize to what degree perfectionism might be holding us
back and how to address it if it becomes a roadblock.
As f or procrastination, acknowledge that it ’s a natural r eaction as a
human being to want to procrastinate. Accept it, embrace it, then push it
aside. It ’s not a matt er of never procrastinating again; it’s recognizing
th at yes, procrastination is there within us, how ever, we are going to
pu sh the feeling temporarily out of the way and take a step forward. In
my STO Organizing workshops, my students begin to learn that they
are in control and can decide to do something, rather than do nothing at
that very moment. We c an learn to take forward action, even though our
mind is telling us to procrastinate. We realize that we don’t have to
surrender to the urge to take a nap, or have ice cream or go shopping—
th e three top things that p eople tell me th ey would rather do instead of
organizing. In my forthcoming book, STO Sort Things Out Method
of