Last week, someone asked me why I started Organizational Habits. I was pondering this while out walking along the rocky Maine shore and thought the landscape perfectly illustrated my “why”.
Whether you are trying to get organized, are forming a new habit, or are seeking a new path, here are 12 steps you don’t want to miss. Continue reading
Creative avoidance is the fun stuff you do to skirt getting to the big stuff. When you’re pondering a big, juicy project, it’s hard to get started for many reasons… And if you don’t have time, you have the perfect excuse!
“I’d love to get this done but I don’t have time.” Continue reading
As a business professional, I am known for organizational efficiency. But as a kid, my parents used to refer to me as “the messy one”. Why couldn’t I keep my room clean? Why did I never pick up?
Because:
1) It was my room.
2) I liked seeing my stuff. Continue reading
If you’re trying to get organized, it can feel overwhelming and it’s hard to know where to start. My recommendation is before you jump in, do an energy audit. If your energy is low your focus will be weak, and taking on organization may be too much to ask of yourself! So what’s draining your energy?
Energy Audit Exercise
1. Sit somewhere you are comfortable and have room to write. If you are at your desk and it’s messy, move everything except paper and pen to the floor. You don’t have to clean the desk, and please don’t clean the room! Just move your stuff off the desk for now so you aren’t distracted.
2. Take a deep breath and sent an intent: “I need to know what’s draining my energy”
3. Spend time visualizing each item on this list and decide: Does this part of my life raise my energy? Feel neutral? Or lower my energy? Next to each point, put a +, 0, or – sign. Continue reading
“Life is just a short walk from the cradle to the grave, and it sure behooves us to be kind to one another along the way.” – Alice Childress, playwright
How does this apply to organizational habits? It’s big.
If you are organized and efficient and are loving it, please know that most people are not organized and efficient – and accept that. Organizational Zen is about getting organized so you waste less time. Then it’s about using that saved time to think clearer and to work on big, meaningful projects in your life.
If you’re feeling disorganized, it may be that you need to get organized. OR it may be time to make changes in your life. Just like you can’t reorganize a room or house until you declutter, you can’t get organized if you have too much junk floating around in your head.
Here are some signs you need more than an organizational fix: Continue reading
Going task-to-task can leave you feeling like a hamster on a wheel!
That’s not a great way to get good work done.
I love the idea of getting off the wheel and making space between projects. It’s great to be organized. And it’s great to get a lot done. AND it’s important to take a break – especially between big projects. Continue reading
Zen organization isn’t about being neat and orderly – it’s about being focused and mindful of how you use your time. Are you using your time to do good work? If not, maybe you need a big project to work on. Get through the daily tasks so you can get to the good stuff!
Feel like your big project list is lacking? Add a dose of curiosity and see what stirs your soul. Continue reading
Organizational Habits 