Know Thyself: The Key to Getting Organized—Your Way

I like to think of myself as a driven person. And I suppose I am—just not in a traditional, always-crushing-goals kind of way. When I reflect honestly, there are really only two things that truly motivate me: external obligation (hello, deadlines and commitments) and intrinsic interest (aka excitement and inspiration). When I’ve made a promise to someone else, I almost always follow through, even when I don’t feel like it. But when it comes to commitments I’ve made just to myself? That’s a little murkier.

As a small business owner, I’m constantly brainstorming ideas to expand or enhance my services. Some of those ideas evolve and no longer make sense, but others remain on my to-do list simply because I can’t seem to start them. Intellectually, I know they’d be great to execute, and I’d probably even enjoy them! But something blocks me from initiating. (Spoiler alert: that something is ADHD.)

Structure When I Need It, Flow When It Comes

Lately, I’ve been in a coach training program. The course is well-structured, with regular homework and required small group sessions. Because I’ve committed to my instructors and classmates, I show up every time no matter how tired, distracted, or “not in the mood” I may be. That external accountability pulls me through. The structure gives me exactly what I need to take consistent action.

Here’s the important thing I’ve realized: my tendency to stall on self-generated projects is only a “problem” if I choose to see it that way. If something is time-sensitive or genuinely urgent, the pressure of a deadline will usually snap me into action. Otherwise, the best strategy for my brain is to avoid seeing delayed action as avoidance. I know myself. I know that when the time is right, inspiration will hit. I’ll enter a state of hyperfocus, and the quality of my work will be top-notch. It won’t be a chore, it will be a creative, all-consuming flow that I thoroughly enjoy.

So instead of forcing myself to adhere to rigid timelines for self-imposed goals, I’m trying something different: holding myself accountable for noticing when I’m in the mood to act. Let me explain.

One of my business goals is to start developing organizing content to sell on my website. I’ve decided that producing one piece of content per quarter is a realistic cadence for me, especially considering how full my client schedule already is. What I like about this approach is that it feels spacious. I’m not pressuring myself to create on a specific day or follow a set formula. I’m simply keeping the goal in mind and waiting for the spark of inspiration to hit. When it does, I’ll be ready to run with it.

This way, the work doesn’t feel like another item to check off a list. Instead, it becomes something energizing and even joyful—a natural outlet for my creativity. And the end product will likely be better for it.

How this Story Applies to My Chicago Home Organizing Clients

I’m sharing this personal insight because many of the people I work with, especially those with ADHD or other neurodiverse wiring, struggle with the same challenges. They tell themselves that something is wrong with them because they can’t stick to conventional organizing systems or routines. But in reality, the problem isn’t them, it’s the system.

Here’s the truth: knowing yourself is the first step to doing anything well. You don’t have to organize your home or your life the way other people do. You just need to figure out what works for you.

When I work with my home organizing clients here in Chicago, I’m not just tidying their spaces. I’m listening closely to how they think, how they live, how their brain works. I try to help them step outside of traditional expectations and find creative, personalized solutions. Because the organizing industry isn’t about following rules, it’s about creating function and peace in your environment. And that looks different for everyone.

Let’s say, for example, that you hate hauling laundry to a single central location. Then don’t! Put laundry baskets where dirty clothes naturally pile up. Or maybe you struggle with “out of sight, out of mind” and paper clutter feels overwhelming. You don’t need to use a filing cabinet. You might need a highly visible system, like labeled open trays or a bulletin board, so your brain stays engaged.

These are the kinds of organizing hacks that truly stick. Not because they’re trendy or picture-perfect, but because they are customized to how your brain works.

That’s what I love most about my job—helping people discover their own best way of functioning. It’s not one-size-fits-all. It’s trial and error. It’s self-awareness. It’s learning to trust yourself and honor the way you are wired.

So, whether you’re managing your home, launching a business, or just trying to start that one lingering project, remember this: you don’t need more discipline. You need more self-knowledge. When you know yourself, you can stop fighting your natural tendencies and start working with them.

And that, my friends, is where the real transformation begins.