Get Organized Isn’t the Goal: How to Set Organizing Goals That Actually Stick
- Kelly Brask
- Jan 5
- 3 min read
Every January, “get organized” shows up on our resolution lists like it’s a finish line.
But here’s the truth: getting organized isn’t the goal. It’s a tool.
The real goal is what organizing gives you—more peace, more enjoyment in your home and relationships, and less time feeling like your home is running you. When you get clear on your “why,” it becomes much easier to decide what to keep, what to let go of, and what systems will actually work for your real life.
Define what “organized” means to you
“Get organized” is vague. Your brain can’t aim at vague.
Instead, ask:
What would feel different in my day if my home was more organized?
What would be easier?
What would I stop doing (or stressing about) every weekend?
A great organizing goal is specific enough that you’ll know when you’ve made progress.
Common organizing goals that backfire
These are goals I hear all the time—and they usually lead to frustration:
“I want my home to look perfect (Pinterest-worthy).” Real homes are lived in. A system has to work on your busiest day, not just in photos.
“I want a place for everything… without getting rid of anything.” If your storage is already full, adding “homes” for more items usually means overflowing bins and constant reshuffling.
“I just want someone to do it for me.” Support is wonderful (and often necessary), but the best results happen when you’re part of the process. When you understand why something lives where it lives, you’ll “own” the system—and it will feel natural to maintain.
Set better organizing goals
Here are examples of goals that lead to lasting change:
“I want it to be easy for everyone to follow—so I’m not the only one putting things away.”
“I want to figure out what we’re done with and get it out of the house.”
“I want to be able to have last-minute guests over without panic-cleaning.”
“I want to enjoy free time with my family instead of spending the whole weekend cleaning and organizing.”
Notice how these goals focus on how you want to live, not how you want your shelves to look.
Organizing is a process!
One of the first things I talk about with clients is that organizing is a process—not a one-and-done event.
That’s not bad news. It means you’re giving yourself time to make thoughtful decisions and build habits that last.
If you need permission to go slower, here it is:
The clutter police aren’t going to come and give you a ticket if you’re not done tonight.
Taking time is often what creates the most lasting results.
Start small: 15 minutes a day
If you’re not sure where to begin, start with 15 minutes a day. Consistency beats intensity.
For the first few days, your “15 minutes” can be as simple as gathering items to leave your home:
Trash
Recycling
Donations
This builds momentum fast—and it creates breathing room before you even touch the deeper categories.
No shopping before organizing!
This is a big one.
Don’t buy containers before you declutter.
You have to know what you’re keeping and how much you’re keeping before you can choose the right storage.
If you want to test a storage idea, use what you already have:
Shoe boxes
Small bins from around the house
A cardboard box temporarily labeled “snacks” or “batteries”
Once the system works, then you can upgrade the containers if you want.
A simple way to define success
Before you start, pick one sentence that defines success for you and set that as your organizing goal. For example:
“I want mornings to feel calmer.”
“I want to be able to find what I need quickly.”
“I want our home to feel welcoming, not stressful.”
Then choose one small area that supports that goal.
Ready to get started?
If you’re in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs (including the North Shore) and you’d like support setting realistic goals—and building systems your whole household can follow—we’d love to help.
Ready to get started? Visit our contact page and tell us what you want your home (and your days) to feel like.
Comments