Self Organizing Tips
Self-organizing is fostered by self-discipline. There are many forces that work against you during working hours that take you off track and off focus. When you set out to do a job, stay on topic! Don't allow yourself to be sidetracked or distracted. Oh, sure, there are times when you must be interrupted and change course, but always keep in mind the goal of finishing what you began.
In today's world, we live at a fast pace and are record-setting at personal achievement. More and more demands are made on us and our time - work, home and family are constantly draining our energy but right up at the top are the demands we make of ourselves. We strive to be over-achievers, the best employee, the best parent, expert at everything.
Occasionally, we run into something that upsets our applecart. Now this could cause a real disaster, depending on exactly what the emergency or interruption is, but if we have already mastered the art of self-organizing, disruptions need not create chaos or panic.
Self-Discipline
Most of us have a natural affinity to pamper ourselves. Yes, we do need some rewards and a pat on the back from time to time, we also need to understand that we are responsible for self-organization and keeping our personal space clean! Cultivate habits that encourage self-discipline. Learn to prioritize tasks and stay focused. Finish the job you started. Don't allow yourself to become side-tracked to the extent that you forget what you started to do and begin something else. Learn to make lists and use them.
Reduce Clutter
Remove as much clutter from your life as possible. Clutter is not just messy. Clutter causes you to being unable to focus on other important issues and causes distraction from the job at hand. Learn the old adage, " A place for everything and everything in its place." If it doesn't have a place, get rid of it,
Cultivate Good Habits
Bad habits are hard to break - so are good ones if they are well learned. Write appointments and plans on your calendar. Make lists of important things you need to do, calls you need to make. As you accomplish each item, place a check mark in front of it. At the end of the day, you can look at your list, be glad that you have accomplished goals and taken care of important business!
Be consistent with good practices - when you walk into a room, pick up the obvious clutter and either put it away or throw it away. When you leave the room, do the same - stack magazines neatly, straighten books in the book case, etc.
Don't expect to be perfect overnight! While it doesn't take a lifetime to acquire bad habits, it may take lifetime to change them. Don't be discouraged and don't expect miracles. Just keep plugging away. There will be the day when it all comes together - you'll have the satisfaction of realizing what you've accomplished.
How To Stay Organized
If being disorganized is a major problem in your life, quit thinking of gadget-based solutions! Think in terms of habit-based solutions. That's precisely what this whole page is focused on - replacing bad habits with good habits. A habit is an action that is consistently repeated. Make a point of consistently repeating good actions! You can practice good habits in every thing you do - from personal hygiene, relationships, house keeping, work, play - everything! Even the words you use in daily conversation. Use your good habits to stay organized.
Don't set unreachable goals. If you're like most of us, you CANNOT clean your whole house in one day. What you can do, is de-clutter each room upon arrival and departure. You'd be surprised at how organized the appearance becomes - without having to do a thorough deep cleaning!
Never quit, never give up - completely. "Throwing in the towel," does not apply to housekeeping (office or home)! If you follow this advice and keep a list of things to do, you'll find some things are repeatedly coming to the top. Your list may seem never-ending, and that's a good thing. Really! Responsibility and accomplishment give us a reason for getting out of bed each day - work and responsibility build character. Working to get something you want, is achievement, whether it's mental or physical. Concentrate on winning - not whining!
Think Positive
Utilize the power of positive thinking. Set goals - more than one - short term, long term:
- "I will organize and deep clean my whole house in one month." Just how will that happen? "On Saturday, I will deep clean every bathroom in my house; on Monday evening, I will clean out my kitchen drawers and organize the food storage shelves."
- "I want to retire as a successful, self supporting business person when I am 50 years old." How? "This fall, I will sign up and complete lessons in business management and administration."
- Analyze yourself - do you need to lose weight? "I want to lose 45 pounds by Christmas." How? "I will talk to my doctor about my goals, follow a sensible plan and exercise. I will weigh myself in one month."
- Write it down! Yeah, that's another list. By making the effort to put your goals or objective on paper, you have taken it from the realm of fantasy and given it body - material, physical properties. It becomes an aid in accomplishing goals - it's the basic tool in becoming organized.
- Don't set impossible goals. Be realistic. You may not have time to give your house or office a thorough cleaning before the holiday party. Call the pros! (Mrs. Clean specializes in pre-holiday cleaning.)
- Be true to yourself. Work daily on honing good habits until they become rote. Finally, you won't even be conscious of your organizing abilities until that day when someone says, "I envy you so! You are so organized!" Believe it ... it will happen!
