Many people I talk to want to become more organized. Yes, staying organized is also a concern, but if you are already orderly, chances are you know how to do that. I’m interested today in how to set yourself up for success. In the process, you may discover that you enjoy your new behaviors and see the fruits of your labor.
What are the benefits of being organized?
The benefits of being organized include better work flow and time management. You’ll also become a top-notch problem solver as you uncover habits that don’t work for you. Shedding unproductive ways is like moving to high-speed internet or upgrading your operating system.
5 benefits of being and staying organized
To entice you to begin to think like an organized person (you’ve got your sh*t together), I’ve compiled a list. Call it the top 5 benefits of becoming and maintaining an organized lifestyle.
Getting a medal for helping my sister-in-law get out of boxes after her move
What is the best way to stay organized?
The best way to stay organized is to change a few behaviors. You have to create the conditions that move you away from chaos. Once you have a zest for it, you will want to maintain and even improve the way you do things. Here’s an example. A good friend of mine works from home, as I do. She saw a picture of my office and couldn’t believe how tidy my desk was. “I can’t seem to de-clutter” she moaned. “I love papers too much.” My suggestion was that she not try to be a different person. I recommended she keep her enthusiasm for post-its. “Color code them” I said. “Post them on a something like a white board.” Well, this seems to be working for her small space. She chose to put post-its on a board behind her computer desk. It helps her manage her projects. I think if you can see what you have, you will:
Buy less
Have better access to your things
Not waste time looking
Put alike items together for visual assistance
How do I become neat and organized?
The best way to become neat and tidy is to place like items together. Full disclaimer, I color code where possible. This system works well when I am getting dressed in the morning. You don’t have to go full in right away. My husband likes all his t-shirts together followed by hoodies. I prefer to put all my whites together. Are you a category person like him? Or are you a follow the rainbow person like me?
Preparation is the key to success
Truth told, my grandma taught me how to become organized. Not by drilling it into me. No. I must have learned by watching her. She too, worked from home. Back when hand-made knitting was in (before machines) she and Zaida had a knitting business. Since we lived with my grandparents, her hands were full (pun intended). I know many working women will relate. But it didn’t stop her from entertaining. Picture holiday meals with every family member, mah-jong games with ‘the girls’ and more. Grandma met the challenges of her life through old-fashioned preparation. I saw her make cookies days in advance of get togethers. Her suitcases were at the door 2 weeks ahead of take-off. The secret to her success with staying organized was to do what she could ahead of time. One little thing here and there broke down what some would call arduous into effortless. These skills are classic like a strand of pearls. Do one little thing today that isn’t due til next week. [bctt tweet=”The key to becoming organized is to do one thing today for tomorrow” username=”yoginiqueen”]
A Conscious Strategy
Becoming organized will take some conscious strategizing on your part. You’ll have to play detective with your own habits. What do you hate about your day? How would you like to re-write that story? If it is your desk, start there. If it is the fact you never know what to make for dinner, begin to solve that problem. It is easier to maintain a system when it makes sense to you.
I was going to write a classic #howto develop a resource mindset but then I stopped myself. ‘How to’s’ and ‘guide to’s’ presume the reader knows nothing. That s/he needs advice.
It is my belief that you have a resource mindset inside of you. Whether you know it or not. And, that when you activate yours, you will be as one hockey friend used to say, “on fire!”.
To help you activate your inner resourceful self, I thought I would share my story and values. If you relate in any way, the wisdom I have gained will fuel you to share with others.
I also want to help you tap into your sense of confidence. Flick the switch and you can start using your resource mindset whenever possible.
What is Resourcefulness?
If you want to crush life, a resource mindset is crucial. I know it helps me meet challenges. These are the moments when our innermost self shows up and says “show me what you’ve got or I’ll kick the shit out of you.”
Just What is a Resource Mindset?
A resource mindset is one that is pre-set to think outside the box. It is not daunted by an apparent lack of options and will keep trying to figure things out. I think it’s what my husband means when he calls me ‘tenacious.’
Resourcefulness is a mindset, and is especially relevant when the goals you have set are difficult to achieve or you cannot envision a clear path to get to where you desire to go.
Yes, resourcefulness is a skill that can be practiced and learned. I learned it at the foot of my grandmother when I watched her bake. She managed to take what she had and make it work.
Being a yoga student and yoga therapist also taught me how to adapt practices to an individual. It showed me you have to think on your feet and be in the moment. There isn’t a text book solution to every problem.
When you think there is only one way of doing things, you may be right. But what happens when circumstances change? Will you be able to handle life’s challenges without an open mind? [bctt tweet=”A resourceful mindset is the queen of problem-solving #resourcefulness ” username=”@yoginiqueen”]
Resourcefulness is the queen of problem-solving. It is the knowledge that there is another solution and it will present itself.
What is an example of resourcefulness?
A perfect example of resourcefulness is lemonade. “When you have lemons, make lemonade”. That’s as classic a statement as a pearl necklace. Lemons means anything that is unpalatable (sour). Adding some simple ingredients like patience (sugar) and fluidity (water), you get a whole new experience.
How Can I Be Resourceful?
To be resourceful, practice giving up the outcome and sometimes, the goal.
Surrendering all thoughts of outcome,
unperturbed, self reliant,
he does nothing at all, even
when fully engaged in actions.
Bhagavad Gita A New Translation, Stephen Mitchell
Below, I talk about five ways I practice the resource mindset in my life. My hope is that you will tap into this energy when obstacles rear their heads.
Rewrite your story. If life knocks you down, that is ok. Do your best to take a next step when you are ready. It’s not over. What other tools do you have at your disposal? Is there something you can do instead?” These are some questions that surf in a resource mindset. Hint, “I can’t do it” is not resourceful. Say “I can learn to do that”, “I won’t do that”, or something like “I can do it another way, but not the way I hoped.” Instead of “I don’t have that” say, “this is what I have”. What story could you re-write in order to come to a new point of view?
Figure it out. I used to find it annoying when people (you know who you are) would say, “we’ll figure it out”. I felt like it was a way of blowing things off. In fact, it is a great example of the resource mindset. It says, “I don’t know how now, but when it comes time, I trust I will know what to do.” Is there any situation where you could hit the pause button until the answer is clear to you?
Prepare yourself in increments. My grandmother used to prepare for trips a week ahead. She also prepared for family holidays like Passover, several weeks in advance. She did a little bit each day. I try to integrate this lesson by doing something today that will ease my tomorrow. Writing forward is one example. Is there any one thing you could do today to work towards a goal?
Adapt and respond. Adapting isn’t always fun, don’t get me wrong. It is hard work. But just think about this: Which is stronger, water or steel? Water is the more powerful. Learn from water to be fluid and responsive. Think of yourself as a great chef who makes the most amazing tomato sauce with tomatoes, salt, pepper and a drizzle of olive oil. How do you feel when you have fewer resources? Can you simplify?
Repurpose. Repurposing is a deep tissue massage for your resource mindset. I’m guilty of that as a writer. (See this vs that article). I’ve taken one message and written it for two distinct audiences. This action has helped me stretch my creative muscles. Truth be told, I also repurpose old t-shirts into pj’s. What old trick can you do in a new way?
The minute you practice one of these concepts in your own life is the minute you own your resource mindset. Go try!
I recently attended the ICC where one of the best sessions I attended was about writing for SEO. This is what I do for my job so I admit, I have been less than diligent about posting on my own blog. So what is my motivation? I am reading a new book called “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing”. I’m not that far into it, but the theme can be applied to writing style as much as to organizing a closet. So the topic for today is: Are you writing for SEO or Streaming of Consciousness? How to stay relevant to search without getting messy or too wordy and how to tidy up your act.
If you are writing for SEO, you want to make use of search phrases. However, you don’t want to just stuff the same key words into one paragraph. That is akin to putting all your clothes in a bundle on your floor.
The act of tidying is a series of simple actions in which objects are moved from one place to another. It involves putting things away where they belong ~ Marie Kondo
I found, ironically, that the few first paragraphs of this book are cluttered. Repetitious. I’m not disparaging it. For a novel, stream of consciousness writing is acceptable. If you don’t like the author’s style, you don’t have to read the book. Arguably, if you are writing for a website, your goal is two fold: write for the audience, and write for the spiders. Some repetition is necessary although keeping it spaced out is a better option. Akin to hanging your white blouses on separate hangers.
Cleaning up your act: Writing with style and SEO in Mind
Writing for content generation is a layering process.
You have the visible layer that you readers see, and the text that is woven through to ensure that your brilliant penmanship is not buried on google like the proverbial heap of clothing on your floor.
SEO and the art of layered writing
Cleaning up your act may involve:
Determining your search phrase
Organizing your thoughts: having a beginning, a middle and an end
Categorizing your posts/pages so they are easier to access in search
Expressing your key words in a variety of ways (don’t be too repetitious)
If you use stream of consciousness you have to balance that with the art of tidying up.
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