“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.” ~ Helen Keller
How optimistic are you? Are you a glass half-full or glass half-empty kind of person?
When you wake up in the morning, are you generally hopeful about the day’s outcome or dreading something awful happening? Is that based on fact or story?
No doubt there are or will be events in our lives that will create a sense of dread or even stop us in our tracks. That should be an exception, not the rule—and based on something scarier than the sad corner in your basement or the box of photos under your bed.
Image what Helen Keller faced and overcame and suddenly that jumble of dead electronics on your closet floor seems rather tame.
Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t—you’re right,” and bell hooks reminds us that 90% of the things we worry about never happen.
So if you are avoiding getting organized because you don’t think you can or are afraid you will never be finished, dig in anyway. What’s the worst thing that could happen? Something you’re finished with leaves. Not bad even if not perfect.
When you procrastinate, you may tell yourself that you’re only being a realist, that you’re anticipating all the things that might go wrong, but really you’re just talking yourself out of taking one step forward.
The strength of optimism comes from realizing that although there may be obstacles, taken individually and as they come, you can overcome each of them in time. Regardless of whether they are imaginary OR very real and staring us in the face like that box of winter clothes, the pile of folders with old bills, or your computer desktop filled with photos you’ve downloaded but haven’t labeled or filed.
When it comes to getting organized, somewhere between The Little Engine That Could and Eeyore is a good place to be and if you had to choose one, I’d say go with the engine. I think Miss Keller would agree.
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