We all have those jobs around the house that we know need doing, but somehow they keep getting pushed further and further down the list.
For me, one of those jobs was our kitchen storeroom.
I had given the room a makeover about a year earlier, but over time it had become disorganised again. Because I could shut the door, it was very easy to ignore it — out of sight, out of mind!
Except it wasn’t really out of mind.
Every time we did our weekly grocery shop or I went into the storeroom, I’d notice the mess and think, I really need to sort this out.
And that in itself was taking up unnecessary headspace.
I’d rather use that energy thinking about something more interesting!
So I finally decided to tackle it, and it got me thinking about the things that help me get jobs done when I’m feeling tired, overwhelmed or simply lacking motivation.
1. Decide That You’re Actually Going to Do It
This sounds ridiculously obvious, but there’s a difference between thinking:
I really need to sort that cupboard out.
and deciding:
I’m sorting that cupboard out on Thursday.
The first can remain in your head for six months. The second is a plan.
Choose the particular job you want to tackle and make a decision that you’re going to complete it.
It can also help to ask yourself what’s actually stopping you. Is the job too big? Do you not know where to begin? Are you tired? Do you need someone to help you?
Once you know what’s holding you back, you can start finding a solution.
2. Give Yourself a Specific Block of Time
Once you’ve chosen the job, decide when you’re going to do it.
It could be an entire day, a couple of hours or even just an hour.
If you’ve got children, work around your family routine. Perhaps you have time during the school day, early in the morning or once the children are asleep.
When my children were babies, I sometimes did household jobs at night because that was the time I had available.
You don’t necessarily need a whole free day. Work with the life you actually have.
3. Break a Big Job Into Smaller Tasks
One reason we procrastinate is because we’re looking at the entire job rather than the individual steps.
Instead of writing:
Organise storeroom
your list might look more like:
- Empty shelves
- Throw away anything out of date
- Group similar foods together
- Wipe down shelves
- Sort storage containers
- Put everything back
- Sweep and clean the floor
Suddenly, one enormous job has become seven manageable ones.
Concentrate on the step you’re doing rather than everything that’s still waiting for you.
4. Prepare Before You Start
There’s nothing more annoying than finally finding the motivation to start a job and discovering you’re missing something you need.
Think ahead.
If you’re cleaning, do you have your cleaning products, cloths and bin bags?
If you’re organising, do you need baskets, boxes or containers?
For my storeroom, I knew I needed additional storage boxes, so I bought them the day before.
When it was time to start, I was ready.
5. Look at the Result You Want
This is one of my favourite ways of finding motivation.
Before tackling an organisation or decorating project, I love watching before-and-after videos. There’s something very satisfying about seeing a chaotic space transformed.
It reminds you what you’re working towards.
You can do the same with your own project. Picture what that cupboard, room, garden or paperwork pile will look like once you’re finished.
More importantly, imagine how you’ll feel.
Every time I walked into my messy storeroom, it reminded me of something I hadn’t done. Once it’s organised, that little mental burden disappears.
6. Don’t Make Things Harder by Running on Empty
Sometimes what feels like a lack of motivation is simply exhaustion.
If possible, get a decent night’s sleep before tackling a big job and have a filling meal.
Trying to organise an entire room when you’re exhausted and hungry probably isn’t going to bring out the best in you!
Look after yourself first so you’ve actually got some energy to work with.
7. Stop Thinking and Start
Eventually you reach the point where planning isn’t helping anymore.
You’ve got your time.
You’ve got your list.
You’ve got everything you need.
Now you have to start.
Don’t stand there looking at the entire room and wondering how you’re going to finish it.
Pick up the first thing.
Then the next.
And the next.
Once you start moving, you’ll often find that the motivation follows.
8. Remember: It Might Look Worse Before It Looks Better!
This happens to me all the time with organising.
You start with one untidy cupboard and half an hour later the contents of your entire life appear to be covering the floor.
There’s always that moment of:
Why did I start this?!
Don’t panic.
You’re in the messy middle.
Go back to your list and continue with one small task at a time.
9. Make the Process More Enjoyable
You don’t have to clean and organise in complete silence.
I like listening to something while I work — perhaps a podcast, motivational talk, Islamic reminder or even some true crime.
Find something you enjoy and get yourself into a rhythm.
Once you’re properly in the middle of the job, there’s usually no going back anyway!
10. Keep Thinking About the Finish Line
When you reach the point where you’ve had enough, remember why you started.
Imagine walking into that organised room.
Imagine opening the cupboard without everything falling out.
Imagine finally crossing that job off your mental to-do list.
Sometimes the best motivation isn’t wanting to do the task.
It’s wanting the feeling you’ll have when it’s done.
And Finally… Reward Yourself
You’ve finished!
Have that cup of tea or hot chocolate. Sit down and put your feet up. Watch something you enjoy.
And if you’ve completed some enormous project, perhaps you deserve the spa day!
Although while organising my storeroom, I found an out-of-date trifle.
That was definitely not my reward. 😂
You Don’t Need to Feel Motivated to Begin
Perhaps the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that we can’t always wait until we feel motivated.
There will always be jobs we’d rather avoid.
Choose one. Decide when you’re doing it. Break it into manageable pieces, prepare what you need and begin with the first small step.
You may be surprised by how much better you feel once that job that’s been sitting in the back of your mind is finally done.
And remember — your home doesn’t need to be perfect. The goal is simply to make your surroundings and your everyday life a little easier.
