24 Seven December 2021

December 2021 Issue
What Does Disorganization Cost?
Written by Gayle M. Gruenberg, CPO-CD®, CVPO
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Being disorganized and
living with clutter can take a toll on you:
body, mind, and spirit. Working with clients
who live with chronic disorganization,
I see first-hand the effects that being
disorganized can have. It doesn’t have to
be this way. Examining the underlying
reasons for the disorganization and/or
accumulated clutter, then taking even one
small action to mitigate these effects, can
have life-changing benefits.
Are you losing time by being
disorganized? Looking for things that
are out of place or hidden, or becoming
distracted, think shiny object syndrome,
can cause an average of one and a half
hours in lost time each day. Creating a
designated place for everything in your
home or office lets you find what you need
quickly and clarifies where to put it when
you’re done. No more guessing, “What do
I do with this?”
Are you losing money by being
disorganized? That 1.5 hours per day adds
up to over 500 hours per year. Multiply
that by how much you earn per hour
and see what the financial cost of being
disorganized can be. Add to that any
fines or penalties assessed for bills that
went unpaid because they got lost. Add
on repurchasing things that had to be
replaced because they went missing or
were damaged as a result of clutter or
neglect. What is the total?
Is your energy being sapped by
disorganization? Racing around looking
for the things that are out of place or
hidden, rushing to appointments because
you’re late, or doing things over and over
again because you didn’t do it right the
first time, puts a strain on the body. Not
only does it require physical exertion,
it causes mental and emotional stress,
which taxes the circulatory, respiratory,
and endocrine systems as well.
Are your relationships suffering as
a result of disorganization? If you’ve
surrounded yourself with stuff in your
home or office, you may unconsciously
be creating a barrier to intimacy or
friendships. At home, someone living with
chronic disorganization who shares space
with one or more people who are not
disorganized can cause volatile clashes
over the underlying issues of respect,
boundaries, and self-control. At work,
being disorganized, or even appearing
to be, can sabotage trust, reliability, and
opportunities for advancement.
Is your mental health affected by
disorganization? Do you beat yourself up
for not being good enough or thinking,
“Why can’t I do this? Everyone else can.”
You may be living with brain-based
conditions that affect your executive
function. If you haven’t been evaluated
and diagnosed, you may think that
something is wrong with you. There isn’t.
Your brain just works differently. You are
brilliantly you, and you’re amazing just
the way you are.
Committing to addressing your
organizing challenges and their
underlying sources can pay huge
dividends in terms of time, money,
energy, relationships, and your overall
mental health.
About The Author
GAYLE GRUENBERG
Gayle M. Gruenberg, CPO-CD ® , CVPO
is the Chief Executive Organizer of Let’s
Get Organized, LLC, an Organizer Coach,
and the creator of the Make Space for
Blessings system.
To Learn More Visit:
www.LGOrganized.com.