There is no shortage of people (and books), that pledge help and tools to get organized. It’s hard enough to get organized. It can be particularly hard to stay organized. One of the biggest reasons is that the benefits cited are often short-term and the techniques offered are tactical. The headline is usually some form of “stress relief”. See the “Spare Capacity” post for an idea about achieving longer-term more durable stress relief. Along with the tactical, there must be strategic, long-term analysis and thinking.
What helps us STAY organized?
In two words: Knowing Why.
Having one or two or more long-term benefits in mind (to go along with the short-term ones), will help us keep up the consistent delaying of gratification that is required to stay organized. In “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Stephen Covey advised, “Begin with end in mind”. Asking ourselves about the time between now and our death is a great place to begin.
A couple of High-level Questions to consider:
“What are my values?”
When I look back on my life…
“What significant things will I want to have done?”
“How will I want to have been?”
“In what roles will I be most effective and efficient?”
When you have identified values most important to you and chosen roles in which to engage, you will have context for saying “no” to things you otherwise would have wrongly said “yes” to and saying “yes” to things that fit well into the person you want to be.
What do you think about this topic?
What has worked for you?
Jeff Linroth – Longmont
10 replies on “Staying Organized”
I think when we can concentrate less on commercializing organization (selling this or that product which makes false or fleeting promises) and instead focus on helping one another best, we’ll get closer to the goal.
One big step in this direction is not to put too much on your plate to begin with
Good points you brought out. When we learn to say “no” to some very worthwhile projects, this is progress.
It is helpful to know what kinds activities give us a “dopamine hit”. Then we can try to engage in projects that have us doing some of those activities. It can also help us say “no” in situations where our dopamine receptors are trying to get us to say “yes”.
I think Stephen Covey’s advice to “begin with an end in mind”, also applies on the daily level. Sometimes our daily To Do lists keep us busy but do not reflect what we truly value.
[…] factor is how well you choose what to say “no” to. (Don’t forget to have some white space)! A framework is needed to help you prioritize so that you wind up satisfied with most of these […]
Very nicely written!
Thank you for your kind words. The better more organized our actions, (especially in the face of current adversities), the faster we will carry ourselves to better times.
– Jeff Linroth
Jeez Jeff! Your post is very timely for me! I’ve gradually been getting more and more frazzled. I’m doing a reset and going to utilize your post for my betterment.
Thanks!
Micah
Getting organized is one thing. Jeff you’ve really touched on the harder task….staying organized. I remember using binders and printed pages back in the day! Now with the powerful and fast databases we can get great help managing complex projects as well as keeping up with our appointments and basic “to do’s”. What a time!