I came across an article I’ve been saving that really has nothing to do with organizing: “I won’t, I won’t, you can’t make me” by Carl Duivenvorden. However, his point about the difference between “can’t” and “won’t” has everything to do with organizing. Many times, my clients say, “I can’t get organized; what’s wrong with me?”
First of all, there is nothing wrong with you. However, there is likely something wrong with your storage, systems, and processes. And perhaps there is something wrong with the word “can’t.” Technically speaking, that word means that it is physically impossible for you to get organized. Maybe what you should actually be saying is, “I won’t” get organized.
Creating Better Systems
Most people I work with don’t like the work associated with getting organized. In fact, one way to achieve better organization is to have as little stuff as possible. Unfortunately, minimizing your stuff is a lot of work. Then there is the work of thinking about creating storage places (homes) for everything in your home or office.
Sometimes, you also have to create the right storage solution for your stuff so that it has a proper home. You can’t just put it somewhere and hope that it stays organized if the place you put it isn’t perfectly designed for it.
Since it appears that you can get organized, what is stopping you from doing so? Well, technically, it’s that you “won’t” make the time to go through your stuff and set up storage solutions. I know you’re a busy person, and you “can’t possibly make time for that,” along with everything else you have to do.
Well, technically, you can make time if you eliminate some of the other things that are using up your time. However, therein lies the problem. You don’t want to stop doing the other things because they are a lot more fun than organizing, right? Well then, you really only have two choices. Keep living in a disorganized state by choice, and stop saying you “can’t” get organized. Or get someone to help you. It will force you to make the time for the work that needs to be done.
Reach Out for Help
As you reach out for help, instead of telling the other person you “can’t get organized,” tell them you “won’t” get organized unless they help you. I wonder if the semantics of those two small words really matter. I think perhaps saying “won’t” helps you take responsibility for the solution to the problem and helps you realize you actually “can” get organized.
Replace can’t with won’t for a week, and let me know what you discover.