One must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star.~ Friedrich Nietzsche
True confession: I am organizationally challenged. Always have been.
And while my piles of papers make sense to me and my post-it notes on my computer screen are lovely little reminders of to-do items and the running lists I have in my head are always changing and the pile of shoes under my desk works as storage, most of the time – it’s getting exhausting. It ain’t easy being me to begin with. The extra challenges of being organizationally challenged (damn, that’s a lot of challenges) are becoming, well, a lot like me. A little old.
So, here’s the question: can you teach a mature, slightly stubborn and privately scared dog at least one new trick?
I’d like to find out.
Some people I respect a lot adhere to and are experts in organizational stuff -- their system, called Personal Kanban is good. Really good.
But here’s my dirty little secret: I don’t think I’m savvy enough to implement this for myself. My issues are different than the average Kanban user, from what I can tell – I’m not in the public workplace. My life is weird. And truth be told, I really don’t think I’m smart enough to handle it. Call me intimidated. Really intimidated. Shhh...
It’s this way for me with pretty much every organizational system I’ve ever looked at or attempted. Day Timer. Day Runner. Runner Time. Day Day. You name it, I’ve at least looked at it. Maybe it’s the systems. More likely it’s me. I just don’t get it. My hyper-developed right brained self rejects lists – actually, I lose lists. I write calendar dates down AFTER the fact. I procrastinate. I know (or think I know) exactly how much time I need to complete a project. That worked in college. These days, sometimes it’s a hit. Sometimes it’s a miss. I get bored with order. I change my mind midstream on every single project I’ve ever attempted. In fact, my mind never ever shuts down. Which, in itself makes me tired just thinking about it. Damn viscous circle.
There is a huge stress with disorganization and there is also a cost to being disorganized.
~ Carolee Cannata
Here’s what I’ve decided – if Miss Mohammed can’t figure out how to climb the mountain like everyone else, maybe she needs to devise her own personal way to get on up that hill.
I have a book – spine unbroken – that I just discovered on my book shelf about organizing. Who knew it was there? I didn’t. The irony is overwhelming. Called “Organizing for the Creative Person," it’s got the subtitle “right brain styles for conquering clutter (hooray!), mastering time (oh yeah!) and reaching your goals (whoopee!)”
I don’t know if this will give me all the answers I’m looking for. Hell, I don’t even know what I’m looking for at this point. Other than a grip on my clutter and a balm to ease the ache in my mental health. I want to move into my new house – my new office, where I will implement my new projects and create new visions – feeling in some sort of control of the world around me.
Help!
Sigh.
Wish me luck.
Disorganization indicates organization rearranging itself to achieve its intended purpose.
~ Anonymous
5 comments:
I *always* wish you the best of luck! If you discover some juicy secrets in this book, I hope you’ll share—I, too, often feel like I’m lost in a sea of clutter and just can’t quite wrap my brain around rigorous organizational systems like GTD or Kanban.
You are organized - you said it in the first paragraph. So what if your system doesn't go along with everyone else's, if it works for you, do it.
As far as Kanban goes, I don't work either and I'm doing it in it's simple form. Call me and I'll tell you how my 3 column sticky note system is working. You CAN do it! *hugs*
There came a time with Rupe that forgetfulness was becoming a real problem ... really screwing with his "system".
So .... Rupe started writing everything down. A make-shift journal, so to speak. Because (went the logic) if you write it down, you can forget it. So long as you review said "journal" everyday to remind yourself.
Make-shift? Yes. Does it work? You betcha.
Better than a swift kick in the knees.
Good luck, Janey. You're not that disorganized. You're only disorganized in your own sphere of influence. The fact you recognize the need for improvement, you believe, is an admission you wish to do better.
Rock on, robin. ........... Ruprecht
You keep shoes under your desk? That's organization right there so who you kidd'n?
And sticky notes on the monitor, hell you're hyper organized compared to most. You just need a system to keep your sticky notes from falling to the floor and being lost. (Duct Tape and a new monitor every 6 months)
Rupe has the key, write it down, and if you're doing the sticky note thingy, you're doing that :) Just let the inner Janey shine and don't sweat the small stuff that is left behind, it wasn't worth your time anyway!
Everyone has their own organizational issues you are NOT alone at all.
I am a huge Personal Kanban champion because it has worked so successfully for myself and in my opinion here is why: It can be as simple as you like, it can evolve into what you want it to be. You could write down two tasks you want to get done today and put them on the dashboard of your car to remind you. You don't need a white board, or anything specific you could even do it on your refrigerator with magnets. We need to talk, please call me I'd be glad to help you in any way.
I have no doubt in my mind that whatever form of organization you find for yourself, you can DO!! I have complete faith in you!!
Great post.
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