Posted by Jan Benschop on September 02, 1999 at 08:37:07:
In Reply to: If there was a single reason keeping you from getting organized, what would it be? posted by Jan Benschop on September 02, 1999 at 08:30:19:
: Procrastination. Why? Being daunted by the seemingly insurmountable task of having to visualize the end result. Even if I could visualize it, getting there is a different story. I find that whatever objects I set out to organize, I have to find an appropriate "filing system." I may have to buy small, clear drawers with bin organizers, and label them for memory jogging when I wish to retrieve them later. Anything I have not used in a year and have no immediate plans for, I toss. The exception is paperwork. Obviously, the IRS wants you to hold on to five years' worth of some kinds of paperwork. Point is, I "feel" and brainstorm my way through the first half of every organizing task. Then, I begin seeing a pattern form, that works. I follow that pattern to its ultimate and most elegant (simplified, workable) solution. THAT becomes the end result. Some people have to make it up as they go, but end up with a better-engineered system, because they don't jump to premature conclusions about what the end result should look like. Sort of like walking a journey, rather than flying there. If you understand the landmarks, you can also find your way back, and repeat the journey if you need to. It is important sometimes, not to look at all the components of a task at the same time, but at how to conquer the parts ("divide and conquer"). I see eating a bunch of grapes in one bite as impossible. Eating them one by one is not only possible, but satisfying and sometimes even fun.