Simple Organizing 101: Help! I Need to Get Organized (part 1 of 4)
"Organization" is a word that strikes fear in the heart of busy and creative people everywhere. Actually organizing isn't scary or complex. On the contrary, it is a very uncomplicated process that anyone can do when pointed in the right direction.
What does it mean to be "organized?"
Organizing guru Julia Morganstern defines organized not as neatness but as the "process by which we create environments that allow us to live, work, and relax exactly as we want to." Order brings many rewards. It helps us to think clearly, welcomes others into our space, increases efficiency and quality of life and brings a sense of pride.
Personal Organizing Inventory Do you find yourself stressing over things like paying bills late (and paying extra fees), consistently searching for things or running late, leaving others to wait on you?
Do you find yourself keeping stuff in piles everywhere because you "might need it sometime?"
Do you find yourself buying things like sunglasses in large quantities because you will probably misplace most of them?
Do you find yourself stuffing toys and magazines under the sofa and closing bedroom doors when you hear the doorbell ring? Or do you avoid company all together?
Do you find yourself opening closets and "assuming the position"-placing your hands over your head to avoid the avalanche?
If this describes a day in your life, take heart. Order can be freeing and purging can be therapeutic.
Why get organized?
Have you ever stopped to think about why you want (or need) to get organized? Most reasons fall somewhere within the following list:
To have more time in your life for things that matter.
To get your spouse, partner or boss off your back.
To be more productive and work more efficiently.
To save money.
To simplify your life and reduce stress.
To fulfill a dream or discover one.
As you think about why you want to get organized you will start to get excited about the changes to come.
Where to start?
Any organizer will tell you, "At the beginning, of course." All kidding aside, logic dictates that we start with a goal and formulate a plan to reach that goal. It's as simple as that. When you decide you are going to change the way you move through your day, the rest will fall into place. Don't sweat the details right now. It is enough to know that you don't want to keep doing things the way you have been doing them in the past.
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