NEEDS HELP GETTING ORGANIZED:

Most of the complaints I hear about organizing have to do with being unable to throw stuff away. That's not my problem--in fact, I'm a great thrower-awayer. If I buy a book, I get rid of a book. Same thing with clothes.

But when I work in my small office, I don't put anything back. I get reference books all over the floor, discarded paper scattered randomly, accumulations of mail--junk and otherwise--that pile up while I'm on deadline. Sweaters, towels, half-eaten sandwiches line my two desks, file folders lying on every surface and often dumped by my half-Aby cat, Grendel. One morning my little dog was asleep on the floor by my desk, his chin resting on my Logitec mouse...

I'm trying to do better! My desktops (two desks,two"secretaries" attached) have been empty for more than a week except for my system, phones & fax machine, phone pad and appointment book. We'll see...

Of course, if I had a scanner, I wouldn't have to make all those trips to Kinko's for the writers' conference I direct; I could stay home and put things away.

Kris

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Kris,

My remedy for putting things away is that, at the end of my work day, I make a point of taking the few minutes it takes to file any and all of what I have aimed into one pile...papers, books, etc. etc. It truly rarely takes me even as much as ten minutes, and coming back into my office the next time, I meet with clear surfaces on all counts. See if that may help any, okay?

Paulette Ensign NAPO President

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>>My remedy for putting things away is that, at the end of my work day, I make a point of taking the few minutes it takes to file any and all of what I have aimed into one pile...papers, books, etc. etc. It truly rarely takes me even as much as ten minutes, and coming back into my office the next time, I meet with clear surfaces on all counts. See if that may help any, okay?<<

Obviously, you're a person who would never work in a white heat from 7 a.m. until midnight, take your heart pills, and fall on the bed in your worn-all-day t-shirt and underpants! I have giant social reforms that last for a few weeks, during which time I live on a sort of schedule, put things away, eat right and feed my husband right, and act civilized. Then my book contract goes to deadline or the characters in my mystery start acting up...I can write a book in a short time, but then they have to dig me out with a backhoe.

But I'm trying! I think this year's events--moving twice, pneumonia twice, a heart attack and the death of my mother--have made me slightly crazy. I'm beginning to act civilized again, so maybe I'm recovering from some mental disease. Kris PS Thanks for your help, Paulette. I have downloaded all the organizing files in the library and even put some threads in a file, and I'm finding all of it very encouraging.

Kris

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Paulette,

No suggestions, just funny comments. <g>

Seriously, it is depressing to start the day with an office cluttered from the day before. It also costs time looking for things that are buried in piles. I *try* to clean up the desk/office at the end of the day so that I can start the next day fresh. I find it somewhat uplifting to walk into my office with a clean desk.

- Brooks

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Brooks,

I personally agree completely with your comments, speaking to my own work style! That is not to say others don't have a different tolerance level. When it comes down to saving time and minimizing stress, and being able to find what you want/need when you want/need it, nothing seems to beat being organized! <s>.

Thanks for you comments and general input. Keep it a-comin'! <s>

Paulette Ensign NAPO President

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You're welcome. I'm not sure I'm in a position to give advice.

People tell me that I'm a very organized person and you would probably also think so with a quick glance at my office. But, I feel like my systems are out of control. A closer look reveals bookshelves bulging, file drawers stuffed tight and secondary hanging file crates starting to multiple.

I'm about as neat and large as the central library. The only problem is that I should be the size of a branch library.

I haven't found a quick and efficient way to purge. And maybe I'm saving some things I shouldn't. How do I correct an overstuffed situation that took years to develop? If I did it all at once, it would take weeks. If I do it an hour a day, I would get discouraged/bored/etc and quit before it was done.

Any comments?

- Brooks

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Brooks,

Suuuuure I have some thoughts <s>. And, by the way, EVERYONE on this forum is in a position to give suggestions!!!!

As to your question re: purging, most businesses and business-owners have some kind of lag time, either in busy activity or personal energ THAT, in my opinion, is the time to do purging, chunks at a time. For years, the two slowest weeks in my business were the last week or Aug ust and the last week of December. Sometimes Thanksgiving week would get thrown in there too. Instead of making myself nuts about business being dead during those times, I made a point of doing purging then, or some other administrivia that didn't warrant prime time! I don't know who has the luxury of doing a purge all at once among home-based busi ness owners. Then, there are those rare days when all the calls I make find me in the voice mail maze, and, well, you know, nothing seems t o be working the way *I* thought I wanted it to. That's another prime day to do purge. What I've found in the process is very often new ideas for new products/services/clients. Never a total loss!!! <VBG>.

Keep making those contributions, Brooks, and thanks for your input up until now.

Paulette Ensign NAPO President

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My drawers and bookshelves are always in good order. It's the surface that I destroy. And--maybe because writing is my business--I hate to write letters. I keep all my shame out in the open, Brooks.

Kris

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Brooks, Loved your analogy:

<I'm about as neat and large as the central library. The only problem is that I should be the size of a branch library.>

Because it appears to be some time since you have purged your records and reference materials, I would suggest this. Set a weekend or a couple of slow days aside for a major purging. Let's use this time to get you started. That is, get someone knowledgeable to help you and go to it. Start to finish. Whew, does that feel good;-)

Now that the toughest part is done, implement a purging system like the one Paulette suggested to you. Set that regular time aside on your calendar or schedule and then as the Nile commercial says- "Just Do It!" Also, get your helper to assist you with a criteria list for what is a Keeper in the first plays and when and how you will purge. The, when it is time to file or purge, evaluate your material against your criteria. The volume will already be cut down because of your initial purge and your newly implemented system of "what is a Keeper" ! When you get this going, it will be simple and easy helping you avoid those feelings of discouragement and defeat. Having someone help you and doing it regularly in small pieces, helps break the boredom of the initial project of correcting the "overstuffed" situation and then your maintenance routine!

Charlsey Y. Schroyer, NAPO Member

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I've done this before and made minor dents. Because many hanging files and notebooks become catch-alls for similar subjects, I seem to do reorganizing while purging. Its discouraging how much gets thrown out for the time invested (and how much is left to go).

<Also, get your helper to assist you with a criteria list for what is a Keeper in the first plays and when and how you will purge.>

I've tried making a criteria list with questions like:

"Have I used it in the past year?", "Am I likely to use it in the next year?"

Again it seems to take a long time to answer these questions for the many documents which must be reviewed. I particularly have problems determining how much and what to keep from past projects, past plans and for future hobbies, etc. (if I can ever make the time for them).

Thanks,

- Brooks

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Brooks,

I know it takes time. Unfortunately, it took time to accumulate it all and it will take time to purge it initially to bring it into a very manageable amount. However, if you will get someone to help you who is knowledgeable but not "attached" to what you have kept, they will be able to get the purging and any reorganization worked through much more quickly and keep you focused on the objective of purging! Once this is completed, you will be able to maintain it by carefully following your purge criterion with each decision of keeper or tosser!

Hang in there, you CAN do this! As always, {:-D

Charlsey Y. Schroyer, NAPO Member

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Paulette, I agree with you and Brooks both. If it is not someones particular lifestyle or their "thing", I would encourage them to at least try having a professional come in and take care of keeping things cleaned up, neat and organized for them. It would surprise me tremendously if they did not enjoy the luxury of this and find that they are much more efficient, productive with time to spare! Sometimes what might seem to be a luxury is truly a necessity!

Charlsey Y. Schroyer, NAPO Member

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Charlsey,

I'm so glad you ended your posting re: luxury the way you did. Our services are anything BUT a luxury, as witnessed by the return our clients *ALWAYS* get on their investment!!!

Paulette Ensign NAPO President

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can you tell me where i can find the contest info for a last minute entry. I had it but it got lost....

Charles

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I didn't stay with any "system" in the world until I asked myself, "What WILL I do." No use making a list that starts with a quick check of the files every morning--I won't do it. But how about on Wednesday afternoons, I reward myself with a Coke for dumping three old files? It's working; after years of hectic squalor, my two desktops (each with an extension) have been empty for almost four weeks. And I found my passport.

Kris

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Kris,

<It's working; after years of hectic squalor, my two desktops (each with an extension) have been empty for almost four weeks. And I found my passport.>

LOL. That's funny! I like it!

- Brooks

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Building yourself rewards or incentives into your organizing or daily routine can help make it fun and help motivate some. This strategy is used in a number of weight management programs and is a valid behavior modification technique. If it works for you, I say go for it! Those of you having difficulty getting going or staying on track, try it! It might be just what you are needing. Be sure though your system or routine is a good "fit" for your style. Otherwise, it will be tough going regardless of the rewards you set.

As always,

Charlsey Y. Schroyer, NAPO Member

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Kris,

What a simple, elegant motivational solution...chocolate cookies...er rewards,

up front. I also liked the idea of something you like to do (listening to audio tapes), but only doing it while you're accomlishing your goal.

Once, a long time ago, I made a list of things I really wanted to do in life. Some of them very long projects, e.g. learn to play the violin, get my PhD, have a child; others not so big...go white-water rafting, try skydiving, host a dinner party with an interesting twist. These were all on little pieces of yellow paper. Then I made a list of rewards for myself on little pieces of white paper...take a long bath, get a pedicure...etc. I threw them all into a pretty little tin that I keep on my dresser.

I haven't made it all the way through my tin of pieces of paper yet, but

I have done many of them. So I draw a white one when I "deserve" a reward (I'm going to add chocolate cookies), and I draw a yellow one when I'm ready for a new challenge. Have done the white-water rafting, skydiving, taught someone to read (that was a cool one), and am currently working on the having a child (due in September)...although I must admit that was totally unrelated to drawing that piece of paper :), it's still waiting to be drawn! It's kind of fun to draw a reward or project totally at random... I never know quite what I'm going to get, but I know it's something good because I made the list!

I have my own silly set of rules too, just to make it fun. Like, I'm not allowed to draw a new yellow one until I've finished the one I've drawn...even if it is something like "learn to play the violin" which may take me decades!

So now, perhaps I will draw some rewards up front. I'll let you know how it works.

It's been fun reading all your notes out here. There are so many fascinating people in WFH!

Janet Parsons - NAPO member

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Janet,

It is ever encouraging reading the messages here in this section.

I enjoyed your sharing with us your goal reaching method (yellow pieces of paper with them written on it) and reward system (white papers). <<I never know quite what I'm going to get, but I know it's something good because I made the list!>> ROTFL!!

How simple but, OOOHHHH so true. At times I feel we make madness out of fullfilling our dreams and desires. Even the highest of aspirations are attained through simple means that are built one upon the other.

Keep it coming one and all.

Traci Thomasson-NAPO member

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