How to organize in 4 easy steps 

Reprinted from
The Indianapolis Star 
Sept. 23, 2001

Isn't it great to be able to have choices in life?  

Everyday I see an opportunity to make a choice, and I don't always see it coming or know I've made it.  

It's a pretty quiet occurrence, really.  It's the sort of thing that sneaks up on you, gives you a nudge, startles your attention, then commands a response.  Choices, you can't ignore them.

One very decisive choice lingering around in many households and offices is that of being organized, or not.  The thought-process can weigh fairly heavy on some people, especially when being disorganized is already an overwhelming situation in itself. 

Yet, those who decide they are ready, will simply start. 

A formula for being organized can be viewed as comprising 4 easy steps: 

1. Want it

2. Decide to do it

3. Do it, and then 

4. Be it.   

What is meant by "be it" is to choose or assume a particular identification of yourself with something -- in this case, to be organized.  This can be quite an invigorating experience -- similar to the feeling of a fresh bath.

We've all witnessed successful people who applied this formula.  They wanted something, decided to go after it, did all the actions necessary in reaching their goals, then reaped the benefits of being successful. 

Now, don't fret.  Those of you who like things more complicated can achieve the same result with a few more steps.  This could then be an adjusted to: 

1. Want it 

2. Know you'd like to have it 

3. Realize that everyone else would like to see you do it 

4. Judge whether or not you can cope with it a little longer 

5. Fend off as many people as you can from harassing you about it 

6. Decide you're finally fed up with it

7. Want it even more

8. Decide you're ultimately going to do something about it 

9. Decide you won't change your mind and delay it any longer

10. Take action to actually do it

11. Be an organized person.

There might be a few more steps that can be added to this formula, leaving it up to each individual to customize for themselves.  I'm sure though, if followed to the end, no matter what shortcuts are taken, eventual results are achieved, guaranteed.  

The key is getting to the end.  And, the variables just depend on how fast you want to be there.

Maybe you need to ask yourself why you would want to be there in the first place.

Would it be because you want to be less stressed out?  Not be overwhelmed?  Be able to focus better?  Get things done?

Suppose you close your eyes and picture your perfect day.  How would it be, and what would it look like to be organized?  A good start and a god end to a good day, yes?

I won't ask you to picture a day you may already experience.  There's no point to it.  You already know what it's like.

Faced with things to prioritize, directions to take, actions to do, and decisions to make, I think it's exhilarating to know we have the ability to make choices in these matters.  

To be organized, or not to be organized -- that is the choice.

 

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