Peace of Mind Organizing

Backsliding

16 November 2006

In the organizing field, particularly for organizers who work with chronically disorganized people, backsliding is all too common. You leave a client with systems in place, skills transferred, attitudes and motivation high, and then you stop hearing from her. You try to contact the client and when you finally reach her she admits that she’s lost control again. She’s ashamed of this and rather than reaching out to get more help, she just doesn’t call. What she probably doesn’t realize is that this happens all the time and it’s nothing to be ashamed of.

As I stare at cascading stacks of paper on my desk, I understand this all too well. I don’t think I’m chronically disorganized—though sometimes I feel like I am—but oh I struggle with the piles. At this moment, I have a project I need to be working on and I can’t find the papers I need. They’re not in the appropriate file and I can’t immediately find them in the pile.

I’m a backslider. Sometimes my desk is beautifully neat; in fact, I try to make sure it is every night before I stop work. There’s a place for everything. But for whatever reason, I have a hard time making myself put things in their place. I love doing this with clients. But my own piles of stuff are a huge drag.

If you’ve experienced backsliding, where you get everything in place and before you know it it’s all messy again, take heart. It might mean that your systems aren’t right for you. But it might say more about your attitude and motivation than anything. I know what a pleasure it is to have a clean desk. I know for a fact that it helps my productivity. But I can’t get myself to maintain it all the time.

So right this minute, I’m tempted to turn a blind eye to my messy desk and start in on the writing project that’s on the top of my list. But I think my day will be more productive if I take 15 minutes and put everything away. When I write it like that, it seems like a no-brainer. So I’m going to try it. But first I’m going to take a picture of the mess.

This desk was making me nuts.

Well, it took 30 minutes not 15. But at the end of that half hour, my desk looks like this.

The cleaned up desk 30 minutes later

Notice that my cat, Joe, is unimpressed by the whole process.

I have to say that I’m feeling incredibly empowered. I can face my work with a clear head. I’ve accomplished something tangible. I made the right decision by taking the time to clear my desk. I’m going to try very hard to make sure it’s clean at the end of the workday. I’m on the road to the peace of mind I always crave.

What is Organized?

10 November 2006

How many times have you heard people say, “I need to get organized”? But what do they mean by that? How do they measure, “organized?” As a professional organizer, I think about this a lot. To me, organized means being able to put my hands on what I need when I need it. As long as I know where things are and can find them easily (and that includes finding appointments in my calendar), I feel organized and in control. Even if something’s in a stack, as long as I can grab it swiftly, that’s organized. So for me, organized doesn’t mean that everything is put away and that all surfaces are clear. And in fact, neat spaces aren’t necessarily organized.

You might not agree. I’ve had clients who feel out of control if they have a stack or two on their desk they can’t seem to get rid of. That’s okay—I’m happy to help them figure out how to get rid of those stacks.

I’ve come to the conclusion that “organized” is a state of mind. It’s great to feel organized. I think people who feel organized are happier, with less stress and higher self esteem. Is there such a thing as too organized? No, as long as the level of organization of the individual feels right to them. I’m pretty casual, so sometimes I feel uncomfortable around or overly controlled by a Type A super-organized person. But as long as they’re happy (and they’re not making the people they live with crazy), that’s okay.

The bottom line is that “being organized” is an individual thing. I shouldn’t impose my standards of organization on anyone (which can be a challenge in my line of work). Likewise, you shouldn’t judge me because an occasional stack of paper languishes on my desk and it doesn’t bother me. Perfectionism can be the enemy of the organized person. I encourage my clients to be “organized enough.” If it’s desirable and achievable for you to have a house that would make Martha Stewart proud, go for it. But if not, don’t beat yourself up. Strive to find the level of organization that makes you feel comfortable and in control, then work to maintain it.

What’s your definition of organized?