Question of the day:
If there was a single reason keeping you from getting organized, what would it be?
Paulette Ensign NAPO President
<<If there was a single reason keeping you from getting organized, what would it be?>>
Time. Space. Procrastination.
Tanja
Hi Paulette,
I just talked with a home organizer about three weeks ago.
She had some good ideas, and I have been trying to follow them, but old habits (I'm kind of a a pile filer) die hard. I've found I'm a really great micro-organizer. The drawers in my desks and the little spaces are really organized. It's the larger spaces (the floor of my office) that's not.
I think if I had to name only one (one??) reason why I'm not more organized, it's because afraid of getting rid of things.
--Chrys :)
Chrys,
First, hats off to you for speaking with a home organizer! As to your identification of fear of getting rid of things, I like to suggest a reality test for people to try....what is the likelihood of your needing a particular item again and IF you do part with it, how easy would it be to get it again. Those can be some possible guides for you.
Welcome to this section...I recall exchanging emails with you on another forum a number of months back, and you were most helpful.
Paulette Ensign
Hi sorry for jumping in ... but I just had to!! I'm trying to organize, but being Irish it is difficult to throw away anything!! It is said that the Irish even save pocket lint!!
A true story ... my brother helped to clean a house of an elderly Irish women. He actually found a large box labeled "String, too short to use"!!
I hope I don't get that bad!
--Rick.
<<<A true story . . . "String, too sort to use"!!
PMJI, Just got in and signed on. Really enjoyed this story, made me chuckle after a long day. <S> Thanks for sharing it with us all. Guess it's true, "one persons trash is another's treasure".
As always =:->
Charlsey Y. Schroyer
>> If there was a single reason keeping you from getting organized, what
>> would it be?
That would probably be VISION.
I would have to have a vision of what "organized" looks like. If I can't see my goal, I can't get there. Not even accidentally.
How can I organize my books or files, if I don't have an outline in mind.
How can I organize my time, if I don't have an idea of my priorities.
How can I organize anything, if I don't know my objectives.
It takes vision to determine goals and objectives, to break down tasks and set priorities, to outline ones time and materials.
Once one has the vision, one can take on the other obstacles of time, money, creativity, and motivation.
If one lacks the motivation, one obviously has not envisioned the consequences of NOT being organized. <G>
Linda
Oh NO! At first I thought I only had no organization. Now I find out I have no VISION! <g>
Other deterrants -- no staff/no secretary. BIG adjustment! Big nosedive in productivity. Please understand, I'm not a snob about any of the things I do for myself now that I'm creating my own company that I didn't do before when I worked in the corporate world. I can do them, and I'm not half bad. But I was and am a great delegator and and now I can't keep up with myself! Ha.
I think I need to map out my time better with tasks, though, cause I can get on the computer and time flies...
Comments welcome!
Sheree
Sheree,
I would caution you about what I believe was a humorous response of having no vision. I'm SURE you've got vision, first of all. Second of a all, in my opinion (which I even expressed earlier today! <s>), some folks are more atuned to process, and others to results. No doubt there's a mid-point in there somewhere. Not everyone is comfortable visualizing results before they start the process. LOTS of folks are much more comfortable and successful just jumping in and seeing where goes...being open to all kinds of possibilities in the way of results.
I personally tend to err on the latter rather than the former... *sometimes* <s>.
Paulette Ensign
Sorry... didn't intend to offend with my response. I think I should have put a bigger <g> at the end.
I appreciated the "heads up" about vision, actually. It told me I need to step back and figure out how *I* want to operate day-to-day, and go from there, instead of the deluge of "stuff" (or papers, or junk mail, or things I think I might need) dictating to me.
Sheree
Sheree... No offense was taken by your response. Quite the contrary in fact. And, I will repeat, in my opinion and observation, some folks work more happily with process, others more geared toward results. For some people, "plan" is a four-letter word <VBG>.
Paulette Ensign
Hi Sheree,
PMFJI, but just wanted to toss a thought into the process. You might consider starting each day with 15-30 minutes of strategic planning. Let it be uninterrupted time each and every day, where you can let your mind get "together". USE PAPER to jot down "stuff". Rearrange the writings if you need to, into an "action" type of list. Simple logic... I'll do this first, that second, get this on the way to doing that. Protect and defend this time each day, and before long, you really might be amazed at how e-a-s-i-l-y things are coming together on an all-day basis. It's like a dress rehearsal (equals vision??), giving more space for the unexpected things which will happen, because all you have to do is fit them into what you already expected. Alternative??? Many events of the day aren't anticipated or expected, making it a lot more stressful.
Didn't mean to be soooo long winded! Just wanted to share what works really well for me.
Best,
Linda
Yes, LInda I appreciate your comments.
I do often have "unexpected" things. Like requests for information. Or having to send a packet of info to a prospective client. And since I usually personalize the information a bit, it does take more time than stuffing a few things in an envelope.
The early planning time, would, I take it, keep me from *realizing* at midday how much I have to do that I have not done...!
Sheree
Linda,
<<<<How can I organize anything, if I don't know my objectives.>>>> That was one of the many excellent points you brought up. Vision and goal setting are so important and I believe you MUST communicate them (vision and goals) to all who work with you.
Communication is key in all relationships - business and personal - and I think that is especially true in the relationship between organizer and client - how can the organizer help the client reach his/her goals if a) the client doesn't have any, or b) if the client doesn't communicate them to the organizer? It is the responsibility of the organizer to ask, and the responsibility of the client to tell.
Thanks for your insight.
Holly Uverity, TX NAPO
Linda, PMJI- Your response to Paulettes ? <<<single reason keeping you from getting organized . . .>>>"How can I . . . if I don"t. . . "- was so true and right at the heart of the problem for many I have found! Thanks for sharing it with us all. You might want to check out Steven Covey's books and tapes. They can be quite helpful in identifying your "don't knows"
As always =:->
Charlsey Y. Schroyer
Don't laugh or groan, but I think it's important to acknowledge that different ones of us may define "organized" differently. For one, it means a clean desk, for another, being able to retrieve a file in 10 seconds, for another, always knowing what to do next. I think much of it has to do with learning styles, right/left brain orientation, etc.
I keep Gantt charts on major projects, store notes on all contacts with existing or prospective clients, never miss a deadline (well, maybe I renegotiate one now and then) and keep impeccable billable time and accounting records, as well as files. I even keep a clean hard disk by zipping all the files of a completed project onto diskettes for long term storage.
I know people who seem to have an instinctive internal filing cabinet. They never lose track of anything, even though they have no visible organizational support system. On the other hand, I'm completely lacking in any innate organizational talent. I can't keep two things in my head at the same time, can't remember what's scheduled for which day, what's due when, etc. So I have to use external tools.
For me, it's not so much a question of what keeps me from getting organized, but what forces me to be organized. The answer to that is easy: I'll lose clients if I don't have good records, keep up with the pieces of a project, remember what I said to who and when (for obvious reasons, I gave up lying a LONG time ago), what's due when, what has to happen first, etc.
Here are some things that should be deterrents to procrastinating on getting organized:
Double billing (that'll lose customers in a hurry)
Poor expense tracking (you lose money or pay too much in taxes)
Appearing to go back on your word because you don't remember what you promised.
Failing to show up for meetings.
Having to shuffle around looking for something the client considers to be a critical document of his/hers.
That's enough, I guess.
On reasons for putting off getting organized, I'd list:
Depression
Not having a computer (give me a copy of Ecco, TimeSlips and QuickBooks, and I'm set)
Self sabotage/fear of success
Knowing you'll have to face up to some unpleasant tasks, but not knowing how good it feels to have them behind you.
Carl Carter, APR
Carl,
Didn't laugh or groan, but certainly agree and appreciate your responding in such length.<s> It just goes to show that definitions, perceptions, etc. can be framed and reframed depending on one's point of view and relevance to them. Your definition of "organized" is certainly one all of us in business can understand and relate to. Your list of deterrents to procrastinating on getting organized are right on the mark. Thanks for sharing them with us all and for coming at the question from a different direction. That is just one of the many things I enjoy so much from participating in this forum. Thanks again. As
always =:->
Charlsey Y. Schroyer, NAPO Member
Carl,
Within your very thoughtful reply, you raise an important point.... how different people define 'being organized'. My stock definition is : the ability to find what you want when you want it (possessions, time, energy..ALL resources!). Barbara Hemphill's definition (immed. past prez of NAPO) is : does it work for you and do you like it? Between the two of us, we leave all kinds of latitude for various styles and nu nuances!!!
Paulette Ensign
I can think of many excuses but not a good reason... Dan
Q: <<<if there was a single reason...>>>
A: Perfectionism!
-Huber and Schroyer
>> starting each day with 15-30 minutes of strategic planning.
Just a comment....it think it is helpful to make this a pleasant time to look forward to. I fix coffee, actually being from the NW I fix a skinny tall mocha, and then sit down to do my planning.
My point is, make this a pleasant time. About the time I'm done with my drink I have the day outlined and am ready to go.
Linda