Tips to deal with a dis-organized partner

I caught up with two friends recently and we ended up discussing how different males and females are (in general of course!) when it comes to organization, thinking ahead and multi-tasking. The difference can often be stark and a source of great frustration.

There are ways to help avoid pitfalls in these areas, which I wrote an article about a while back. I thought it may be helpful to you if you are in a similar situation and have a dis-organized partner and don’t know how to get them to tackle/ keep on top of their own stuff - without world war three! Enjoy!

"10 Steps To Help You Deal With A Disorganized Partner.”
by Claire McFee

I have had numerous emails asking me for advice on what to do when you are organized but your other half isn't. Below are some tips on what you can do that may help if this is applicable to you and is driving you nuts. Please keep in mind that you can only change your own behaviour, not someone else's. Having said that remember that by altering your behaviour you may then help someone else react differently, thereby changing theirs.

1. Go in with a positive attitude - not with a negative one assuming the worst before you have even begun, because your partner will pick up on this. (review “How to get motivated and set goals”on ways to psyche yourself up for the challenge ahead.)

2. Lead by example and occasionally (& subtly) point out some of the changes you have made in your routine or the clutter you have tackled, and how much less stressed and how much better you feel finally dealing with it.

3. Initially keep up your own good work without expecting your partner to notice or even comment about it let alone miraculously do the same thing. Gradually ask for help.
For example ask them to go through that pile of papers of theirs on the kitchen table, (then move onto bigger jobs like the garage down the track. (Be prepared to help your partner go through their things with them and remember to help them be ruthless in the filing and/or binning of it all.)

4. Have your own "to do" list somewhere your partner can see it and over time start a separate one for them (don't make it overwhelmingly long or this may frighten them off!) The fridge is a good place to put this. Tick off the jobs for both of you as you go - (if your partner hasn't done theirs already.)

5. Write down a time-line for the jobs on your lists. Yours may be weekly but your partners may initially need to be monthly. If the jobs haven't been done within this time, it may highlight to them how much time has passed and how little has been done, which may help jog their memory to tackle the tasks sooner rather than later.

6. Be clear about your intentions and when you think the time is right, ask for your partners help. (Remember not to nag or you won't get anywhere!!) For example you could say- "I'm hoping to re-organize some of my things this weekend. Would you be able to help me go through some of your things at the same time? Then I'll know what I can take to the op shop and/or throw away of yours along with my stuff."

Happy Organizing

Claire McFee Creator Organize Your Life Organizers

Outrageously Healthy Free Tele-Seminar Series....Expert Guest Line up

Well the TeleSeminar I blogged about recently has been and gone and I am happy to say it was a blast. Talking with Lenore for an hour about Organizing Solutions absolutely flew - with lot of listener interaction!

We covered a lot of content – based on the top 5 Dis-organization Signals and how to handle them. It was great that there were so many listeners on the call and that so many sent in various q’s as well. There are heaps more Expert Speakers in the coming weeks (as seen below), so go sign up for the webinars (by becoming a free ruby member to the site) - which will get you several freebies from both of us. So get in quick! http://www.outrageouslyhealthy.com/rep/organizeyourlife.html

Lenore's just sent me this lovely comment about our interview which was really nice of her. She is such an inspirational lady, that I want to interview her for our subscribers soon too!

“Thank you so much for the excellent value you gave to our members on our interview this morning Claire. Your passion and expertise is inspiring and I know many of our members have been given new fabulous tips that will help them get organized and live the outrageously healthy life they deserve. I especially appreciate your honest warm approach. Our planet certainly needs people like you”
Lenore Miller
Founder and Host
Outrageously Healthy

Outrageously Healthy Free Expert Tele-Seminar Series Line-Up
Phyllis Briggs - will tell us how she risked $27000 and lost 27 kilos

Paige Haines - will show us how to reduce stress and increase the quality of your life quickly & easily

Holly George - discuss the Real Effects of Imbalances in Western Lifestyle and how we can overcome them

Liz Lichti and Laura Whitelaw - will help Boost Your Self Esteem and Achieve your Dream Life! using great fast effective methods live on the CALL!

Janelle Manton - will show how Success, Style and Sexuality - are Everything a woman needs!

Angie Tousignant - will show us How To Transform our Bodies and Relationships, she has some super cool workouts for us to workout with our significant other or workouts just for you

Amanda Moxley will share her outrageously healthy approach to holisitc health

Cyndi O'Meara - from Changing Habits Changing Lives will be sharing some super cool information with us about living an outrageously healthy lifestyle.

Here's the link again to get in on the action & get 4 Free Organizing eBooks hot off the shelf! http://www.outrageouslyhealthy.com/rep/organizeyourlife.html

Happy Organizing
Claire McFee
Organize Your Life Organizers

Organizing TV show called NEAT TV

I just heard about a Canadian TV show called 'Neat' hosted by Hellen Buttigeig, who is a Professional Organizer and Coach http://www.neattv.com/home.html

For those of you who haven't heard about Professional Organizers - they come into your home to help your re-organize and de-clutter your home. If in need of one you can go to http://www.napo.org/ or http://www.aapo.org.au/ to find one in your area.

The Neat TV Website has the best array of before and after organizing photos I have seen, so if you love a good home make-over like I do then go have a look.

If you need some more home, life, money or organizing inspiration check out all the organizational articles at our website.

Claire McFee
Organize Your Life Author