With Time to Spare

Organize to Make Life Easier

Sue McMillin

Organizing Consultant & Speaker

719-352-5535
sue@withtimetospare.com

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You are here: Home / Life Lessons / If I Only Had…

January 9, 2017 by Sue McMillin

If I Only Had…

Once in a while I hear something that makes me think of the Wizard of Oz and Dorothy’s traveling companions. They truly wanted to help Dorothy, but each of them thought they were lacking in something essential. Lion wanted nerve. Scarecrow a brain. Tin Man desired a heart. And they sang a similar chorus, “If I only had…”

Today, there’s no wizard to find, no flying monkeys to avoid, no witch to defeat. But I still hear a chorus of ifs that are just as troubling.

OK, I can hear some of you now. “Sue, hold on a sec! What in the world does the Wizard of Oz have to do with being organized?”

“If I only had more space!” says the mom.

“If I only had more time!” adds the dad.

“If we only had more money!” cries the kids.

Believe it or not, in more than three decades of organizing homes and offices across the country, I have never found any of my clients who genuinely had lack of space or time or money.  Don’t misunderstand me. I hear clients say this all the time and many of them believe it is true. “If I only had…” is a built-in mindset of the human condition, isn’t it?

It isn’t easy for any of us to face the seemingly stark reality of our personal situations, that the root cause of our inability to manage our lives lies squarely within ourselves — in that guy or gal we look at in the mirror each day. Just like with Lion, Scarecrow and Tin Man. And Dorothy, too. Remember the ruby slippers? The ability to go home had been within her power and on her own two feet ever since her house set down on the Wicked Witch of the East.

New Years is upon us, and it’s a great time to face yourself in the mirror and change your thinking. Stop saying, “if only…” and start saying “with only…”

  • With only a little bit of space, you can organize a closet using every wall surface to it’s fullest potential with hooks for hanging and installing more shelving.
  • With only a little bit of time, you can organize your kitchen or desk by setting aside 15 minutes a day and in two weeks it’s done.
  • With only a little bit of money, you can organize a whole house. I once decluttered and organized a four-bedroom home in Utah using only $55 of boxes and containers.

It’s not the lack of space, time or money that’s our enemy, it’s how we think about what we already have. So transform your thinking from “If only…” to “With only…” and just imagine what you can accomplish!

I hope to hear your success stories in this New Year.

Filed Under: Life Lessons, Organize Your Home

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Sue’s Story

I've been a professional organizer most of my adult life. Who I am and why I love my work comes from how I was raised and the mysteries of DNA!

From the most humble of beginnings in Kentucky to helping businesses and organizations across the U.S., I always try my best to share both practical and inspirational principles and techniques.

I hope you enjoy your visit here and come back often. And feel free to call or email anytime.

Even though you might reach me on my porch looking out at the Colorado Rockies, a born and bred Kentucky girl enjoys a good chat.

Order out of Chaos

Recent Posts

  • Worry is the Language of Hell, Worship is the Language of Heaven
  • Turn Your Frustration into Celebration with Praise
  • Are You Going Through a Rough Time? Then You are in Good Company!
  • How to Create More Space for…
  • Clear, Clean, Celebrate!

Quick Reads

  • Give your kids what they really want: your time, energy and focus
  • Conquering Your Stronghold With a Strong Suit
  • A Holiday Tale with a Twist
  • Be Generous This Christmas
  • Sue’s New Year’s Riddle

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