Evasive language and the powerful message we send with it is one of my bugbears, especially if you are setting yourself up to fail before you begin – let me explain. When I hear people say they will try to get organised or intend to get organised. I see them as troublesome statements, that allow failure before you even move one object.

This is because intention is very different from action.

Organising is a crucial part of life that brings clarity, functionality, and peace of mind. Yet, many people fall into the trap of *intending* to organise rather than taking meaningful action. Words like "I'll try to get organised" or "I intend to organise" may sound harmless, but they subtly set the stage for inaction. This article delves into the importance of moving from intention to action and provides practical steps to embrace an organising mindset.

The Pitfall of Intention Without Action if you want to get organise

Intending to organise is different from actually doing it. While intentions often arise from genuine motivation, they lack the tangible steps needed to create change. “I intending to organise” allows room for procrastination and failure. It’s like standing on the edge of a pool and declaring you’re going to swim—but never taking the plunge.

Intentions can feel comforting because they suggest progress without requiring effort. However, intentions alone won’t reduce clutter, clear your mind, or transform your living spaces. The real transformation happens when you act.

Why Action Speaks Louder

Action is empowering because it produces visible results, this counts for many things in live but doubly if you want to organise your life. For example, saying, “On Saturday morning, I will organise my living room,” sets a clear goal. Breaking the task into actionable steps—such as sorting clothes into piles for washing, donation, or storage—ensures measurable progress. This specificity turns a daunting task into manageable chunks.

The beauty of action lies in its feedback loop. When you start decluttering and organising, the results—clearer surfaces, fewer items, and an overall sense of order—reinforce your efforts. This momentum builds motivation to tackle more spaces or refine your system.

Words Shape Your Mindset and can help you organise your life

The language you use profoundly influences your mindset. Saying, “I’ll try to organise,” introduces uncertainty, whereas “I will organise” signals determination. By committing to action through your words, you are more likely to follow through.

Start small if the idea of organising feels overwhelming. For instance, say, “Today, I will organise the books on my shelf.” This phrasing establishes a clear boundary, making the task less intimidating and easier to accomplish. Each small victory builds confidence and momentum for tackling larger projects.

The Role of Specificity and Measurability when you organise

One reason people struggle with organising is that their goals are often too vague. A statement like “I need to organise the house” lacks direction and can feel paralyzing. Instead, adopt the well-known SMART framework when you organise: make your goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Here’s how this could look like when we organise:

Specific: "I will organise the kitchen pantry."
Measurable: "I will throw out all expired items and group similar products together."
Achievable: "I’ll focus on one shelf at a time."
Relevant: "Having an organised pantry will make cooking easier."
Time-bound: "I’ll complete this task by Sunday afternoon."
Reward: I would never finish without a reward in our example “as a reward I’ll buy my favourite take out meal and watch a movie on Sunday night”.

By framing your goals in this way, you create a roadmap that encourages action and accountability.

Overcoming the Challenges of Organising

Let’s face it—decluttering and organising can be hard. Sentimental attachments, time constraints, and sheer overwhelm often stand in the way. Here’s how to overcome common hurdles:

Ask for Help: Enlist the support of a neat friend, read organising books, explore websites, or hire a professional organiser. External perspectives can provide clarity and motivation.
Focus on Progress, Not Perfection: Accept that organising is an ongoing process. Instead of striving for perfection, celebrate every small improvement.
Reward Yourself: Completing even a small organising task deserves recognition. Treat yourself to something you enjoy—a favourite snack, a short break, or a moment of relaxation.

Practical Steps to Shift from Intention to Action when you want to organise your spaces

Set a Clear Plan of what you will organise: Define what you want to organise, why it matters, and when you’ll do it. Write it down if needed.
Break It Down: Large organising projects can be overwhelming. Divide them into smaller, manageable tasks.
Start Small: Begin with a single drawer, a corner of a room, or a specific category like shoes. Success in one area will inspire you to continue.
Use the “One In, One Out” Rule: For every new item you bring into your home, remove one. This practice helps maintain balance and prevents clutter from accumulating. If you still have a lot of clutter change it to the one in three out rule.
Create Systems: Invest in storage solutions or categorise items so everything has a designated place. Labelled boxes, shelves, or folders make it easier to maintain organisation.
Schedule Regular Maintenance: Organising isn’t a one-time activity. Dedicate a specific time each week or month to tidy up and reassess your spaces.

The Psychological Benefits of Organising

Taking action to organise your space goes beyond physical results; it also improves mental well-being. A tidy environment reduces stress, enhances focus, and fosters a sense of accomplishment. When your home or workspace is organised, you’re less likely to waste time searching for misplaced items, leaving more room for creativity and productivity.

Examples of Organising in Action

Consider two individuals:

Person A says, “I really need to organise my closet sometime.” Months pass, and their closet remains cluttered.
Person B decides, “This Saturday, from 10 – 12 pm I’ll sort through my closet. I’ll donate clothes I haven’t worn in a year on Saturday afternoon at 1 pm, have lunch come back home and organise the rest of my clothes by category.” By Saturday afternoon, Person B’s closet is tidy, and they feel a sense of achievement.

The difference between these two people isn’t just their level of motivation—it’s their willingness to act. Person B translated intention into concrete steps, leading to tangible results.

The Ripple Effect of Organising

Action breeds action. Once you begin organising one area, the sense of accomplishment can inspire you to tackle others. A clean-living room might motivate you to declutter the kitchen, which then leads to organising your wardrobe.

Moreover, your actions can influence others. When family members, housemates, or colleagues see the positive impact of your efforts, they may feel inspired to follow suit.

Final Thoughts: Time for Action if you want to organise

Organising is not about perfection; it’s about making deliberate choices to improve your space and, by extension, your life. Saying you’ll organise or intending to do so won’t make the clutter disappear. Instead, take a proactive approach by setting specific goals, breaking tasks into manageable steps, and celebrating your progress.

Remember, every small action counts. Whether you’re picking up toys from the floor, clearing out a drawer, or decluttering an entire room, you’re taking meaningful steps toward a more organised and fulfilling life. So, don’t just say you’ll organise—start action towards that goal today.

If you are going to organise - act

It is much better to say that on Saturday morning I will organise my living room - I will start with removing the clothes and either placing them in the wardrobe, the wash or giving them away. Then I will move to the kid’s toys which I either place in the kids’ toy box or if they have outgrown it, I will pass it along.

Don’t intend or try to organise

As you can see intention or trying remove any clarity, focus, and measurable outcome to any goal you have. Not to say that you can never try something, but in some cases you might like to try a certain organising box and see how it works. You however cannot try to get organised, you either clear up specific things or not.

Clutter has a great way of telling you whether you are improving or not, as it will become less if you are actually getting organised.

To be fair, I do understand that decluttering and organising is hard, therefor you can always ask for help from a neat friend, an organising book, a website or call a professional.

Be mindful about how you talk about your organising goals

The shift however needs to be very clear in the way you talk about your organising goals. Have a what, why, when and how if possible, make it specific and measurable it can be as easy as; I will only pick up toys from the floor this morning. This is still organising and it is much more powerful than a vague wish, stating you intent to get organised.