"Organisation isn't about perfection,
it's about efficiency,
reducing stress and clutter,
saving time and money
and improving the overall quality of life."
~ Christina Scalise
it's about efficiency,
reducing stress and clutter,
saving time and money
and improving the overall quality of life."
~ Christina Scalise
organize
ˈɔːɡ(ə)nʌɪz/
verb
verb: organise
ˈɔːɡ(ə)nʌɪz/
verb
verb: organise
- 1.
arrange systematically; order. - 2.
make arrangements or preparations for (an event or activity). - 3.
archaic
Organisational skills seems to be one of those things most of us grow into over time. You eventually reach the point where you are tired of looking for the darn TV remote or car keys every.single.time and so everything gets a place. A few of us may have been organised kids but I think for the majority of us it comes after much wasted time and many curse words....
I knew the value of being organised this morning after oversleeping. Having spent some time last night getting ready I was able to make up for lost time. That sudden need for organisation spilled over into my work day and although I still have a lot to do on my desk it is now in manageable chunks and I don't feel as harassed as I did first thing this morning.
For me time spent on a Sunday evening making notes of things which need doing during the week, checking my diary for birthdays, appointments or important events and jotting down anything important for work and kids, makes for a much more relaxed and productive week. I don't like feeling like I'm constantly trying to chase down that one last task that I forgot about. And there is always a sense of satisfaction when ticking off items on my to do list. By trying to avoid the last minute rush I also avoid a lot of extra stress on myself.
Organisation is very personal and unique to each of us. Whatever system you settle on the only person it needs to work for is you. The thing to remember though is that "failing to prepare is preparing to fail". While mindfulness wants us to live in the present moment the only way we can be fully engaged in that moment is if we know we have taken care of what is important. You are not going to be fully present if your mind is constantly wondering whether or not you switched off the stove. All it takes is a few minutes of preparation to save a lifetime of agony.
I use a day diary which goes everywhere with me. In it I write down all my lists and notes and tick things off as I go. I check it morning and night as a reminder and I also make use of my cellphone to set alarms for appointments or reminders. It keeps me pretty well covered when it comes to planning. My clothes are organised by items and length (short sleeves / long sleeves) and my bookshelf into read books which I want to keep, to be read books and then biographies on a shelf on their own. It's just little ways in which I ensure that I can keep tabs on things which are important to me.
Figure out your own systems as you go along and make sure it is a comfortable fit that is working for you and your needs. Eventually you will find what works best but just don't try and run your life by the seat of your pants. All it takes is for one thing to be forgotten, and it can be a completely minor and trivial item, and a whole chain reaction of unnecessary stress will suddenly appear in your life.
There is no perfect way to be organised. You just have to start somewhere.
Love Always
I knew the value of being organised this morning after oversleeping. Having spent some time last night getting ready I was able to make up for lost time. That sudden need for organisation spilled over into my work day and although I still have a lot to do on my desk it is now in manageable chunks and I don't feel as harassed as I did first thing this morning.
For me time spent on a Sunday evening making notes of things which need doing during the week, checking my diary for birthdays, appointments or important events and jotting down anything important for work and kids, makes for a much more relaxed and productive week. I don't like feeling like I'm constantly trying to chase down that one last task that I forgot about. And there is always a sense of satisfaction when ticking off items on my to do list. By trying to avoid the last minute rush I also avoid a lot of extra stress on myself.
Organisation is very personal and unique to each of us. Whatever system you settle on the only person it needs to work for is you. The thing to remember though is that "failing to prepare is preparing to fail". While mindfulness wants us to live in the present moment the only way we can be fully engaged in that moment is if we know we have taken care of what is important. You are not going to be fully present if your mind is constantly wondering whether or not you switched off the stove. All it takes is a few minutes of preparation to save a lifetime of agony.
I use a day diary which goes everywhere with me. In it I write down all my lists and notes and tick things off as I go. I check it morning and night as a reminder and I also make use of my cellphone to set alarms for appointments or reminders. It keeps me pretty well covered when it comes to planning. My clothes are organised by items and length (short sleeves / long sleeves) and my bookshelf into read books which I want to keep, to be read books and then biographies on a shelf on their own. It's just little ways in which I ensure that I can keep tabs on things which are important to me.
Figure out your own systems as you go along and make sure it is a comfortable fit that is working for you and your needs. Eventually you will find what works best but just don't try and run your life by the seat of your pants. All it takes is for one thing to be forgotten, and it can be a completely minor and trivial item, and a whole chain reaction of unnecessary stress will suddenly appear in your life.
There is no perfect way to be organised. You just have to start somewhere.
Love Always