Lacking Motivation? Learn the Magical Motivation of 3

I’m about to disappoint you.

I lack SERIOUS motivation when it comes to decluttering. I have to find tricks to get myself moving toward my goals. Most of the time, I can think of a million other things I’d rather be doing. Honestly, sometimes I even do laundry instead (WHAT??!!). And no, I do not like laundry.

Sure, at this point there are a few things that help motivate me along the way. You all, for one. I know you’re cheering me on. I don’t want to let you down. Also, I promised myself to get this done once and for all.

Visualizing my goal at the end helps. When I look around at a room that is mostly decluttered, it fills me with a little energy to move forward. But what about those days when I am exhausted? When I come home at the end of a long day, make dinner, clean up and have maybe 30 minutes before the bedtime routine starts. What to do on that day? I could just put it off till tomorrow. Very tempting. But instead, I’ve learned to lean on the Magical Motivation of 3. Let me explain.

This can work whether you are physically decluttering or trying to get tasks done you’ve been putting off (filing, paying bills, etc).

Simply agree to take care of 3 things. Just three. I usually have the energy for 3. And it ALWAYS satisfies. 2 doesn’t seem like quite enough and 4 is pushing it. Not sure why. Maybe b/c three is an odd number? Maybe pushing past 2 means I actually motivated myself?

When I’ve scheduled a declutter session (which I highly suggest–we will talk more about calendars and scheduling in another post) and I only have the energy for 3 things–I count it met. I’ll give you some examples.

I DO NOT DO FRIDGES. I don’t like it. I just can’t. I’d rather shove the extra in and close the door really fast. Yes, I realize I put a Tupperware on top of the Milk Jug and it is perched in a way that is dangerous to the next person who opens the door. Sorry.

When I apply the Magical power of 3, it makes it seem better. I feel a little exhale. Throwing out a moldy container of undetermined leftovers is a downer. Handling an entire fridge of them is unimaginable. But I can do 3. I can do 3, and there is typically room in the dishwasher to wash the containers. So I open, choose, dump and put the container in the dishwasher three times and I’m done. And there seems to be breathing space–especially if I practice 3 more often.

MY MASTER BATHROOM COUNTER. Does anyone else have this problem? Why does everyone in my family get ready in the Master bathroom? They even bring their toothbrush into our bathroom. So the counter, no matter how much I declutter is always a mess. The Magical power of 3 to the rescue. I choose three items. To begin with, it’s great to choose the largest or the easiest–they make the biggest impact.

I’m running late but I ALWAYS have time to put away three things! It literally takes under 5 minutes– 0 minutes if I make the culprit who brought them there do it. And if the counter is a mess and I practice the Power of 3 every day–it is typically cleared off by the third day.

A MESSY, FULL TO THE BRIM DRAWER OR CABINET. You know everything should have a home. So what do you do when you take an item to it’s home in a drawer or cabinet and there is no room?

“Pre-declutter me” would either leave the item where it was or lay it beside it’s home–thinking, oh well, no room. I might need another shelf. But now, I put the Power of 3 to work. Take out three things (again, the larger the better!) that are easy and I know either don’t belong or I don’t need. Now, making a decision on everything in that drawer–exhausting!! Remember, I’m tired, long day, want to relax and go on Pinterest. The entire drawer will have to wait.

But I can make three easy decisions about what needs to be removed from that drawer. And if I can’t and that item doesn’t fit, I either need to purge the item or move it to a different home. That simple.

I know I’m not the only one. I know we ALL have those days when getting off the couch seems out of the question. But next time that happens to you, try applying the Power of 3. You can surely conjure up enough energy to grab three things to declutter or put away.

If you need to pay your bills and are putting it off because the task is daunting, try paying 3 today and then do the same tomorrow. Same with filing. File 3 things today. And you just might find that once you get those three done, you have enough time and energy left to finish the job.

Our motivation can be directly tied to the progress we experience. Step back, take a look at the difference that is made and use that to push through. Remember to think about your overall goal. Simplifying our homes to make our life easier and to allow ourselves time to focus on our family, dreams and goals.

Eventually, the Power of 3 might become second nature and our schedule, and home, will be better for it.

Do you have a spot you could apply the Power of 3? I’d love to see pictures of your before and after!