Organize what you
can when you can

"But," you may retort, "How can I? I've tried before, only to fall short each time I'm not disciplined or focused enough I don't have much time to devote to this. How can this year be any different from the rest?"

If you've made false starts in the past, I can empathize with you.

I remember back when I was truly disorganized, I had a book that promised to get me organized and in control of my life in just five days. I didn't even make it halfway through the book!

I have good news for those who can identify with me. Just because you've tried and been unsuccessful in the past doesn't mean that you are lazy, undisciplined or incompetent. Rather, I propose that the system tried didn't match your inborn style.

While there are those left-brainers who can follow a system to completion, there are many of us right-brainers who are scattered in our thoughts and actions.

So, I'd like to suggest a different approach: Do what you can, when you can, in whatever area you are frustrated with at the moment.

I suggest this because in the past I've laid out beautiful timetables and schedules for myself. I could never stick to them beyond a week. So now, I just go with my natural flow and tackle whatever area I'm frustrated with.

For example, last week I realized my bathroom counter had become crowded with excess. I decided it was worth 20 minutes to remove that irritation, so I attacked and sorted, tossed or put away everything that did not belong. I ended by wiping the counter clean.

Of course, I still needed to do the vanity drawers and under-sink cabinet, but those are projects for another day, and besides, they aren't frustrating to me now. On the counter, I did what I could in the time that I had. And what a difference it made.

Had I only 10 minutes to clear the counter, I would have limited my focus to perhaps just the left side. It's important to select an area that can be completed in the time that you have.

A few days later, I attacked my clothes closet, which had become too crowded for comfort.

This scattered, zigzag organizing would not work for logical, linear left-brainers. In fact, most organizers reject it. But for right-brainers it works and might be the only way to achieve results. By going with our natural flow, we can gain control over those irritating problem areas.

Your assignment is to identify those areas of frustration or inefficiency and do what you can, when you can. Be sure you complete that area and maintain the order.

See you in two weeks!