Most people are motivated by one of two things: a desire to either increase pleasure or decrease pain in their lives. That's what inside-out organizing is all about - getting clear about your internal desires...what you want more or less of in your life -- and then working outward to achieve desired outcome.

In Kelly's case, although she has created clutter problem, her husband owns it. Until she is ready to own problem, nothing will change in their household. So how can Kelly become motivated to take ownership of problem and do something about it? Let's revisit question, "What's possible for Kelly once she gets organized?" To illustrate how this works, I've made up three scenarios in which Kelly could explore answer to that question:

1. Kelly and her husband sit down together and add up actual costs of clutter and disorganization -- late payment fees because bills are not getting opened and paid on time, purchasing duplicate items because they can't find what they need, canceling subscriptions to magazines that do not get read, etc. Then they determine some alternative ways to spend money they'll save ... perhaps for a vacation they've wanted to take, or for a home improvement Kelly wants that they cannot afford. Motivating factor: Freeing up more disposable income to use for things on wish list.

2. Kelly and her husband are both committed to caring for each other in meaningful ways. She recognizes that order is important to her husband and he is important to her. Therefore order becomes important to her for sake of nurturing their relationship in a way that is meaningful to her husband. Motivating factor: Building a more satisfying relationship with her husband.

3. Kelly has a hobby that she has not done for years because there's no space in house to work on it. She has a renewed energy and passion for resurrecting this hobby, and that serves as a motivation to begin de-cluttering their home. Motivating factor: Following a passion of hers and doing something she enjoys.

In each scenario above, Kelly might be motivated to change some habits if it's worth prize that awaits her on other side of clutter.

Being organized is not about how your environment looks, but about creating an environment and a schedule that enables you to work, play, and live exactly as you want to. Stephanie Winston, author of The Organized Executive, reminds us that "a good system expresses organization of your mind in environment."

To assess your current level of organization at home, answer following questions: * Can you find what you need when you need it? * Does your environment express and support who you are and what you value most? * Does your schedule express and support who you are and what you value most?

To assess your current level of organization at work, answer following questions: * Can you consistently find what you need within a few seconds? * If you work with others, can they quickly find what they need in your office when you're not around? * Does your current system keep you focused on what's most important and remind you of important follow-up? * Does your current paper & information management system work? Do you like it?

If you answered yes to these questions, you are doing just fine, even if your environment doesn't look organized to others.

If you answered no to any of these questions, ask yourself what you would gain if you organized your time and your space around what's most important to you. What opportunities do you miss out on or turn away because of a cluttered schedule, cluttered environment, or a cluttered mind? Visit http://www.orgcoach.net/whatitcosts.html to find out what disorganization costs you or your company.

Someone once said that "one definition of insanity is to keep doing same thing and expecting different results." If you were to get and stay organized, what different results would be possible? What will getting organized enable you to do that you are not doing now? Once you are clear about answer to these questions, keep your eye on prize and you'll have motivation to succeed!

April is Stress Awareness Month, and week of April 15th is National Organize Your Files Week. When you are motivated to reduce your stress by making a change in your environment and/or your schedule, I can help you get started. E-mail me at mailto:orgcoach@gte.net to schedule a complimentary consultation or coaching session.

FIVE: "Out Honor" Your Co-Workers. Take risk of having others take advantage of you. Cross line first rather than waiting for other person to communicate first. In other words, give gift before you receive it.

SIX: Learn Something New about Someone. When you are curious (not snoopy!) about people at work, you are giving them respect. People love to be respected! Find out how their family is doing, or more about their favor hobby.

SEVEN: Notify Spouses and Family. Speaking of respect, a card of thanks or acknowledgement sent to a spouse or parent can go a long way to improve communication with your employees.

EIGHT: Invite Kids. When I was a kid, my Dad often took me with him in his work. As a minister, that meant calling on people in rest homes, going to weddings and occasionally watching him rope calves at a branding event. This is a great way to communicate pride in your work.

NINE: Invite Ideas. People love to work where their ideas are valued. Most everyone notices how to improve bottom line, but many want to be invited to share their thoughts.

TEN: Give Credit Away Even When It's Your Idea! Anytime you can build up another person at your own expense, you have a good shot at improving communication at work. Positive communication can be just as contagious as people who are disgruntled.

BONUS: Listen Differently than You Do Now. Practice learning new ways of listening. If you use same technique, you may find you are missing out on some important information.

©2002, Carwin Dover, Intentional Partnerships