My granddaughters are master pretenders. Last time I babysat we were all dragons with detailed descriptions. Pretending isn’t my forte, but I hang in there until we move on to coloring—that’s where my strengths lie.

Today as I was cleaning my guest room window blinds, I was thinking about how we get ourselves to do things we don’t like to do. Often there are special people, specific circumstances or a deadline that prompts action. Company coming for the weekend did it for me this time—special people, specific circumstances, and a deadline. I know they would be gracious had the blinds not been freshly cleaned, but it made me feel good.

I’d much rather reorganize a closet than clean baseboards and blinds. You might be the opposite. Cleaning may be your forte but organizing, not-so-much. Maybe the last time you decluttered a closet was when you remodeled or moved. The longer you wait, the bigger the project. The bigger the project, the easier it is to procrastinate. So, what do you do when there are no special people, circumstances, or deadlines prompting you to action?

You can pretend. Here are some Timely Tips to help you imagine your way to getting organized.

Timely Tips for pretending—to get organized for real

Pretend that you’re preparing to put your house on the market. Set a date for your “open house” to provide yourself a deadline. Start decluttering the common areas. Get rid of old magazines, mail, and other items that have been strewn about.

To borrow from my granddaughters’ imaginations, pretend the floor is “hot lava.” Clear it of all unnecessary items before they burn. Provide “orphans,” another favorite pretending theme, a home alongside a family of items they belong with. Send home things that belong to other people or in other places. Send things you no longer need on an adventure to another home through a donation center.

Continue this process throughout your rooms and closets. On “open house” day, buy yourself some flowers, bake some chocolate chip cookies, and enjoy your accomplishment. Far too many people wait to create a home environment they enjoy, until they’re about to leave it.

For more creative folk, imagine your organizing goal as a baking, sewing, crafting, or building project. Write out your organizing steps, like you would see on a recipe, sewing pattern, or project instruction sheet. “Trim the excess from the hall closet.” “Combine like items.” “Strain old paperwork and set some aside for shredding.”

Make a list of “ingredients/supplies” like bags for trash, recycle, donations, and containers for organizing similar things. Envision your goal like you would your favorite project. Then, follow your steps till complete.

If you’re of the left-brained variety, you may prefer a more concrete plan. Generate your own circumstances and deadline by scheduling a dinner or game night with friends or family at your place. Make sure to give yourself a realistic period of time to complete your project.

Take “before” pics and attach them to a calendar to designate specific start dates for each room. As soon as you’re finished with an area take an “after” pic. Create a little photo album for your “before and afters” and admire your accomplishment. Enjoy opening your home to the special people in your life.