| "If one advances confidently in the direction of his | | | | physically challenged individuals - My son had a dream, |
| dreams,and endeavors to live the life, which he has | | | | a commitment and a plan. By systematically executing |
| imagined,he will meet with a success unexpected in | | | | his action plan, he attained success. I watched this |
| common hours". | | | | process and got caught up in his enthusiasm. When |
| - Henry David Thoreau | | | | he broached the subject of me learning to scuba dive |
| The headlines shouted, "Easy Steps to Organization." | | | | and share in his passion, I said yes. Now, I had a |
| As I stand in the supermarket checkout line, one | | | | dream, a commitment and a plan. |
| magazine issue right after the other expounds the | | | | Participating in a home study program, I read the |
| virtues of being organized. Everyone is writing about | | | | book and watched the DVD before heading to |
| getting organized and even TV reality shows chatter | | | | Florida to complete the pool work. Finally, the day |
| about the possibility of getting clutter under control. | | | | arrived and we boarded a plane for Bonaire where I |
| Is it as easy as the magazine articles and TV | | | | discovered just how deep my commitment would be. |
| programs claim? Sometimes yes, but most often no. | | | | Believe me, it was a mountain of fear to overcome - |
| Reaching your goal to get and stay organized (or any | | | | physically, mentally and emotionally. On the fourth |
| goal you choose) depends mostly on your dream and | | | | day and after completing the list of qualifications, my |
| the strength of your commitment. In other words, | | | | son pulled out his underwater slateboard and wrote, |
| how badly do you want it? Is it just a wishful | | | | "Congratulations, you are now a scuba diver and I'm |
| thought or a vision built upon an action plan? | | | | proud of my Mom." |
| A top New Year's resolution is to get organized. | | | | It was a dream with lots of obstacles. But, the goal |
| Every year on January 1, millions of people resolve to | | | | was clear and each obstacle was surmounted. Yes, I |
| do a better job at decluttering and every year | | | | am now a certified scuba diver. Most obstacles are |
| millions of people reach July still wishing they were | | | | fear driven. When we face those fears, we can climb |
| better organized. How are you doing with your | | | | over, under, around or through each obstacle we |
| resolutions? Are you steadily progressing toward | | | | meet. It can be done! |
| your goal or still hoping to find the time to start the | | | | Summary - Think Big! |
| project? | | | | It is time to review your goals Are you on the right |
| Why do so many people struggle with getting | | | | path or have you stumbled into the bushes? What is |
| organized and never reach their goal? The answer is | | | | stopping you from reaching your goal? |
| simple - self-imposing obstacles! Obstacles are the | | | | I have learned that the only thing that stops people |
| constraints we place upon our dreams that prevent | | | | from achieving their dreams is the size of their |
| us from moving forward. Many people begin with high | | | | thinking. So start to think big! How big you think |
| hopes and end up with "excusitis" - a disease of | | | | determines the size of your accomplishments. |
| making excuses when things do not end up the way | | | | And, here is another truth - action cures fear. In |
| we dreamed. Excuses range from not enough time, | | | | other words, just do it, as Nike tells us. Put on those |
| not enough money, not enough education, not | | | | shoes, fins or skates and take the first step. What is |
| enough help, not enough____ . You fill in the blank. | | | | holding you back? Are you fearful of the process or |
| Face reality! An excuse is just that, an excuse for | | | | the results of decluttering? Just start! Sit down at |
| you to not keep a promise made to yourself. | | | | your desk and start the clearing process. Pull out |
| Sharing in a Dream | | | | those clothes from the closet and start purging. Head |
| My older son has a scuba diving facility in Florida. His | | | | to the basement and decide what is important |
| dream was to build a business that would allow him | | | | enough to keep and occupy the valuable space. |
| to share his passion of the underwater world. For | | | | Action is a confidence builder and tool for success. As |
| three years, he and his wife have worked day and | | | | David Schwartz, PhD states in "The Magic of Thinking |
| night to achieve their goal. By the way, my son | | | | Big," an idea without action is a car without an engine. |
| started to swim when he was 6 months old and | | | | Successful people have ideas, develop an action plan |
| loves to tell people he was born with gills. Should I | | | | and follow through. |
| wonder why he chose a profession in the water? | | | | Get in contact with me if you need help in the |
| Over the years, I have watched him grow in his skills | | | | process. You will succeed if your commitment is |
| and observed his continued learning process. He is | | | | strong. |
| now one of a few scuba instructors working with | | | | |