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Never too late to get
organized
By MARILEE CROCKER
Ever since we moved into
our new home in July, my home office has been a shambles.
Until last week it was so bad that the
short trip from the office door to my desk involved stepping gingerly
over multiple heaps of books, unopened mail, file folders, phone
equipment and assorted junk. It was so bad that some days just going
into my office was stressful.
Some of this I blame on not having found
time to buy the bookshelves, filing cabinets and other furnishings my
new workspace needs. But that doesn't explain my desk, which is messier
than ever.
Curious as to how a professional
organizer might help, I called Jennifer Cramer of Jennifer's Organizing
Business in North Falmouth. I described to Cramer the dozens of random
notes scribbled on Post-its and paper scraps that litter my desk.
Cramer, who estimates that about half
her clients are home-based businesspeople, was ready with a strategy.
''Put away the Post-it notes and develop a master list notebook that
will serve as your portable brain. Write down everything that crosses
your mind, everything you want to remember, so you see it in one place.
That way you don't have visual chaos. That allows you to look at what
you have to do, decide what's a priority and schedule things.''
The key is to review the notebook at
least weekly, schedule time in your calendar or PDA to handle each item,
and then treat your calendar as sacred, Cramer said.
Next we addressed my other big challenge
- the loose files, papers, articles and magazines strewn in chaotic
heaps across my desk and floor.
I told Cramer that I'm pretty good at
remembering where things are in the mess. Sure, she said, ''some people
like a little chaos and adrenaline. But your brain is wasting a lot of
energy remembering where all that stuff is.''
Cramer suggested I adopt something that
organizers call the F.A.T. system, as in File, Act, Toss.
You've probably heard of this. With
every piece of paper that comes into your office, you're supposed to do
one of three things: If it's reference material you'll use, file it. If
it's something you need to act on within a week, put it in the
appropriate action file or bin (calls to make, bills, notes to write,
etc.) and note the item on your master list. If it's junk mail or
something you'll never read, toss it.
Sounds great, I said. But how do I get
myself to stick to the systems? Getting organized is a lot like losing
weight, she replied. You have to practice certain skills to create new
habits. It also helps to visualize yourself being successful.
You also need a good reason to get
organized, and Cramer gave me the best rationale I've ever heard. In
addition to the usual benefits - more time and less stress - getting
organized helps you improve your follow-through. And that adds to your
integrity. Now that's a goal I can get serious about.
Marilee Crocker is a freelance writer
and editor who lives in Brewster. Her column about home-based business
runs the first and third Sundays of the month. You can reach her at
marileecrocker@hotmail.com.
(Published: October 2, 2005)
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