When I opened Google today, there were these nice circles at the top of the screen and I clicked on it to find out what they were. I found out they are crop circles. These are patterns created by flattening crops like wheat, barley, rye, or corn.
Many people think that these circles are formed by the paranormal or by lightning or vortices in the wind. Others believe the circles are man-made hoaxes.
Some of these circles are not circles at all, but rather beautiful geometric patterns, but the name circle has stuck as a generic term for crop patterns.
Do you feel like you are trapped in the generic world of the organization? Do you feel like you are going around in circles? Do you organize the clutter in your house the same way you always have but it just doesn’t work for you? Does the clutter keep piling up and you feel like you never get ahead of yourself? If this is the case, it’s probably time to take a look at what you’re doing and what you can change to make it work for you.
Crop circles have had a profound effect on thousands of people who have seen and studied them over the years. No matter how they have come to be, they have had a positive effect on people’s learning and understanding as they have worked to understand the meaning and purpose behind them.
In 1978, Bower and Chorley claimed to have started the crop circle phenomenon and, in fact, received the lg Nobel Prize in 1992 for their crop circle hoax. This prize is a parody of the Nobel Prizes and is awarded each year for ten achievements that “first make people laugh and then make them think.” They are organized by the scientific humor magazine.
Now is the time, as you are tidying up the mess, to take a step back and first laugh and then think, how can I do this differently, relax? Just as there are many different shapes and designs of crop circles; they are all unique, beautiful and interesting. Take the time to evaluate what is working for you and what is not working for you as you declutter.
Reasons why organizing clutter is a problem:
Children are the problem — You set the example. Be sure to get organized before expecting everyone else in the family to be organized. Children follow what their parents do and say. Make organizing a normal routine in your home.
· There are no clear and reasonable expectations. Write down each task and what needs to be done to complete it.
Create a responsibility chart (task chart sounds like heavy lifting to me). This is a great visual tool to remind everyone what to do. When you finish a task, put a star next to it. This provides positive visual feedback.
· There are no rewards for doing a good job. Having a reward can be a good motivator. The rewards will be different for each family member. We don’t all like the same things. Create specific rewards for each person.
It’s boring to organize the mess. Make it fun, play upbeat music, create a game, set a timer, and have a race to do it the fastest.
· Strengths are overlooked. Determine which family members are good at organizing. Build on those strengths.
Everyone in the family thinks that decluttering means something different. Get on the same page about what it means to organize clutter.
Organizing clutter doesn’t have to be as much of a mystery as beautiful crop circles. Take the time to see what’s working and build on those strengths, get everyone in the family involved and soon tidying up the mess will be quick and effortless.