The Quest To Achieve
Organized Living

Organization isn't something that just happens, other things just happen! To be organized, it takes a concentrated effort. In other words, it takes WORK. The problem is, maybe you have an "outside of the home" job or are working more than full time at home. Whatever the circumstances, time is an issue. So you may ask yourself, "OK, how do I get organized without killing myself off?"

Organization begins in your mind. Some people naturally have an easier time getting and staying organized. Everyone can improve on their techniques though. I think that I have been one who has a natural desire and need for organization. I always feel a lot better when my surroundings are in the state of organization. I have always had a desire to achieve a high level of organization. When things get unorganized, cluttered, messy, I have a hard time relaxing. I have this urge to get things right. If things continue in their unorganized state, I soon become the "Creature From the Black Lagoon." It's not a pretty sight!

In my mind, I first envision what and how I want things to be. Whether it's with home or business, I use this 'envisioning' to see my goal. It would be nice if I could just live in that imaginary 'organized' world, but it's not real and I'm glad that I live in a real world. I have to figure out how to achieve my goal in 'real life'. Now we come to the tricky part, the doing of the ideas. There are many great scholars who sit around and think of many great things. When it comes to implementing those things, they fall short, they are only thinkers. The thinking is the easy part. I have had lots of great thoughts myself, but being able to bring those things to reality sometimes gets to be more than I can do. I run out of time (and sometimes money) before the thought is more than just a thought.

Break your thoughts up into individual areas of focus. You can't expect to get everything organized at once. Pick something to work on first. Choose a specific room or area of focus that you want to work on and then set out a realistic plan of action. If you only have a little time to work on this, take it one step at a time and keep at it until you are complete. The 'keeping at it' is the key to success. When you complete your first task you will feel encouraged and want to do more. If you don't finish this first step, you may never go back to it. Everyone likes to feel like a success; you have to make yourself a success. Also remember that there is no right or wrong way to do it. You can learn from the suggestions of others, but you have to find what works for you. I have changed my methods of organizing certain things many times over the years.

Throughout the coming months I will address specific areas of organization from closets and drawers to garages and crafts items. This month begin the envisioning and write down your ideas before they are lost. Determine that this will be the year that you will become an organized, doing person. Good luck, until next month.