Sometimes it feels like one of the hardest parts of organizing your home or apartment is simply getting started. Questionlander seattle firefly knows this and has asked this week's home-improvement panel for help:

"I have boxes of files that need to be gone through hidden under a pretty throw, but I know it would be so much nicer to have that space free and open in the apartment. What do you do when you know you have a task in the home but aren't feeling so motivated to tackle it?"

Our organizing experts in Questionland have some great advice. Beth Award, who has spent years helping people de-clutter their lives, says:

I can get motivated by giving myself a timeframe (I'm going to sit here for 30 minutes), and since I'm also motivated by treats (after 30 minutes I get a cupcake) that really helps. Ultimately, I'm motivated to do more by the good feeling I get from looking at the place where the pile used to be and seeing clear space/my favorite picture/a shiny surface.

I also recommend hauling in a good-natured friend (or hiring someone) who has a talent for helping you make decisions without a lot of yelling or threats. That's basically how I started doing what I do: it was a friend's out-of-control t-shirt collection that helped me discover my "talent."

Get more home repair and organizing tips (or share your own) in Questionland! We have experts answering your questions about everything from drafty windows to broken vacuums all week.

And here's one more little motivational tool, for those of you who are neglecting your chores: