More than 30 years ago when I was working on projects as an engineer it was essential that I kept everything well organized and naturally I did so. But at home my innate nature takes over, and I could easily be considered a slob. This afternoon I performed a long-overdue cleanup of one of my work spaces while having an imaginary conversation with myself about the ridiculous position I had gotten myself into.
I always have a number of little projects in progress, which is a good reason to be well organized, but I’m not. My worst habit probably is that the residue of previous finished or abandoned projects is allowed to accumulate in the work space, like a cancer that quickly reaches the point where the thought of dealing with the mess discourages me from doing anything about it. So it keeps getting worse. There are tools and who knows what else hidden in the clutter that I need, but can’t find. It’s ridiculous, and I know it’s ridiculous, but I can’t seem to prevent myself from continuing to do it.
I am going to try to TURN OVER A NEW LEAF. Focus on one thing at a time. When it’s finished, put away the tools, leftover parts and materials, clean up and dispose of the debris that was created, and have a clean work space that is ready for the next project. I have just begun this process, I have several cluttered work spaces. I’ll be busy. Things will be better.
I can’t be the only person who does this, so I thought I would point out how inefficient it is to behave like this in order to help others avoid this nonsense. When the number of things you have exceeds the amount of storage space you have, then you have a problem.
Sometimes my wife gets frustrated with me because I MUST complete one project AND CLEAN UP & PUT THE TOOLS AWAY before I start another project . . . years ago I learned to keep my tools clean & well organized.
You got that Right! Remember the Hints From Heloise from 67 years ago. I would suggest we bring those back but the young people of today cannot read after graduation from high school. (Neither can their teachers.)
I had the same problem. What works for me is clean up as you go.
Sometimes my wife gets frustrated with me because I MUST complete one project AND CLEAN UP & PUT THE TOOLS AWAY before I start another project . . . years ago I learned to keep my tools clean & well organized.
Thanks for this article, I am sending it to my husband. maybe he will look at your new attitude and get a new one himself.
You got that Right! Remember the Hints From Heloise from 67 years ago. I would suggest we bring those back but the young people of today cannot read after graduation from high school. (Neither can their teachers.)