If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life, which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. - Henry David Thoreau

The headlines shouted, Easy Steps to Organization. As I stand in the supermarket checkout line, one magazine issue right after the other expounds the virtues of being organized. Everyone is writing about getting organized and even TV reality shows chatter about the possibility of getting clutter under control.

Is it as easy as the magazine articles and TV programs claim? Sometimes yes, but most often no. Reaching your goal to get and stay organized (or any goal you choose) depends mostly on your dream and the strength of your commitment. In other words, how badly do you want it? Is it just a wishful thought or a vision built upon an action plan?

A top New Years resolution is to get organized. Every year on January 1, millions of people resolve to do a better job at decluttering and every year millions of people reach July still wishing they were better organized. How are you doing with your resolutions? Are you steadily progressing toward your goal or still hoping to find the time to start the project?

Why do so many people struggle with getting organized and never reach their goal? The answer is simple self-imposing obstacles! Obstacles are the constraints we place upon our dreams that prevent us from moving forward. Many people begin with high hopes and end up with excusitis a disease of making excuses when things do not end up the way we dreamed. Excuses range from not enough time, not enough money, not enough education, not enough help, not enough____ . You fill in the blank. Face reality! An excuse is just that, an excuse for you to not keep a promise made to yourself.

Sharing in a Dream

My older son has a scuba diving facility in Florida. His dream was to build a business that would allow him to share his passion of the underwater world. For three years, he and his wife have worked day and night to achieve their goal. By the way, my son started to swim when he was 6 months old and loves to tell people he was born with gills. Should I wonder why he chose a profession in the water?

Over the years, I have watched him grow in his skills and observed his continued learning process. He is now one of a few scuba instructors working with physically challenged individuals - OurOceanDreams.com

My son had a dream, a commitment and a plan. By systematically executing his action plan, he attained success. I watched this process and got caught up in his enthusiasm. When he broached the subject of me learning to scuba dive and share in his passion, I said yes. Now, I had a dream, a commitment and a plan.

Participating in a home study program, I read the book and watched the DVD before heading to Florida to complete the pool work. Finally, the day arrived and we boarded a plane for Bonaire where I discovered just how deep my commitment would be. Believe me, it was a mountain of fear to overcome physically, mentally and emotionally. On the fourth day and after completing the list of qualifications, my son pulled out his underwater slateboard and wrote, Congratulations, you are now a scuba diver and Im proud of my Mom.

It was a dream with lots of obstacles. But, the goal was clear and each obstacle was surmounted. Yes, I am now a certified scuba diver. Most obstacles are fear driven. When we face those fears, we can climb over, under, around or through each obstacle we meet. It can be done!

Summary Think Big!

It is time to review your goals Are you on the right path or have you stumbled into the bushes? What is stopping you from reaching your goal?

I have learned that the only thing that stops people from achieving their dreams is the size of their thinking. So start to think big! How big you think determines the size of your accomplishments.

And, here is another truth action cures fear. In other words, just do it, as Nike tells us. Put on those shoes, fins or skates and take the first step. What is holding you back? Are you fearful of the process or the results of decluttering? Just start! Sit down at your desk and start the clearing process. Pull out those clothes from the closet and start purging. Head to the basement and decide what is important enough to keep and occupy the valuable space.

Action is a confidence builder and tool for success. As David Schwartz, PhD states in The Magic of Thinking Big, an idea without action is a car without an engine. Successful people have ideas, develop an action plan and follow through.

Get in contact with me if you need help in the process. You will succeed if your commitment is strong.