Organizing is….
A while back I asked my readers what being organized meant to them, here are a few of their responses…
Paula said, “organization is all about making your daily life easier and less stressful. It’s also about making sure you have time for what is really important to you and your family.”
Gilda said, “I think of Organization as bringing Order to Life – whether it be home, work, schedules or whatever it is you’re doing. When there is order, there is peace.”
Hope said, “Organizing = an end to chaos; simplicity in your life; a sense of accomplishment; success; an open door for more independence”
Larissa said, “I think organizing means considering everything that you really need to use for your life to go smoothly, figuring out how to efficiently allow those things to do their job, and clearing out/getting rid of everything else.”
Wow are these some smart ladies or what! I think this quote from AA Milne really simplifies the meaning of organization quite well. This is actually being said by Christopher Robin in Winnie the Pooh…
“Organizing is what you do before you do anything, so that when you do it, it’s not all mixed up.” ~ AA Milne
I gave a few examples of how clutter can lead to disorganization and really clutter is any thing or thought that prevents you from living life to the fullest. It is STUFF that has no plan or purpose; no rhyme or reason. It is just there piling up.
To be successful at anything you have to make goals, plan and prepare. There are not many things you can do in life that you can just jump right in and do and be a complete success. We learn to walk on wobbly legs, we learn to ride a bike on training wheels, we practice at getting that recipe just right, we read and research everything we can before bringing that new baby home! We become Husbands, Wives, Moms, Dads, homeowners, caretakers, business men/women and we are expected to manage it all and have it all together. Life is full of curve balls and sometimes we have to make the best of what we have. But before we do anything we have to prepare, plan and make goals.
“Organizing is what you do before you do anything, so that when you do it, it’s not all mixed up.” ~ AA Milne
We have all these things we want to do and want to be and sometimes it just looks like one jumbled mess. If you think of organizing as what you do before you do anything then perhaps it will be easier to set that time aside and set priorities for yourself.
Organizing is Not…
Organizing is not about being perfect. You can still have piles of paper and know where everything is. Are your piles functioning and not bothering anyone or are they clutter?
Organizing is not one size fits all. Did you try to get organized and fail miserably at it? There are many different ways to organize. Perhaps you are a visual person and you tried to tuck everything away out of site. Everyone has there own organizing style. Don’t give up.
Being organized looks different for each individual. You may have to try something new every once in a while. Our needs are constantly changing and our rolls and lives get rearranged. Don’t get stuck on one idea or mindset that you think you should follow. Keep an open mind in order to find a system that works for you.
What is the hardest part of organizing for you? Where do you get stuck?
[photo: ripkas]
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
The hardest part of organizing is keeping up with the paperwork that seems to take over my life and my world. I don’t have enough time to do everything and I feel like I will never catch up.
Hi.
The hardest part for me is remembering that it doesn’t take six hours to make something better. You might not finish a big job in 6 hours, but you can make it better in 15 minutes.
I have a tendency to avoid doing anything until I have ‘enough time’ to do the whole thing. And that just stacks up more clutter in the meantime. There’s never ‘enough time’ but there’s always ‘a little time’.
shris
I am setting up my crafting room right now in the 6th home we have lived in, in 9 years. Each new home means creating new “processes”. I can make it happen everywhere but in the one room where I would love to spend more time, being more productive, doing what I love. This home is our “keeper” so I need to absolutely get “my room” in shape. Of course that was the plan this week until it snowed and the kids are getting ready to spend another day here. Grrrrrr. More time lost.
That is right, every home needs new processes! Your space will be different in each home so you have to reevaluate your systems and rework them to work in the new space. I think we are in this house for quite a while although we frequently get the itch to move. My dream home is something completely custom with all the nooks and crannies built in. Or I can just retire to a mobile home and travel. That sound good too!
What a great quote! There are some wise words from a lot of the Winnie The Pooh shows. Makes you think sometimes. =p
The refrigerator. Without fail that is the most disorganized part of the house day in and day out, even if it is straightened each day. Too many hands going in and out each with a different idea of where every item should go.