Organization Made Simple

By Barry J. Izsak

Do you feel overwhelmed by a constant barrage of memos, books, articles, etc.? Are you tired of spending precious time searching for what you need? And, mostly importantly, does the thought of organizing it all seem even more overwhelming? Getting organized is much easier than you think. The key is to implement a simple system that works for you--the less complex the better. It’s about choosing the best way to organize the "stuff" in your life, so you will be able to retrieve what you need quickly.

Whether your desk is piled high with stacks of paper or your closet looks like a tornado hit it, the steps toward taming any organizing challenge are basically the same:

Preliminary Steps

• Set realistic organizational goals. Don’t try to organize every area of your life at once or you’ll become even more overwhelmed. Set a deadline and make sure you can accomplish your goals within the time you have allotted.
• Break down your organizing task into small, manageable pieces. As with any project, you need to identify the action steps, then complete them one by one. Instead of deciding that today is the day you are going to organize your entire office, select one specific place to start--perhaps the top drawer of your desk or your briefcase.

The Process
Once you have decided where to start, the rest is easy. Follow these simple steps and you’ll see real progress in a short period of time.

1. Remove items from the designated area.
2. Sort the items by grouping like things together.
3. Evaluate each item. The goal is to toss or recycle the things you no longer need. Ask yourself why you are keeping an item and whether it still serves a purpose. If you have trouble “letting go,” ask yourself, “What is the worst thing that could happen if I toss this?” If you can live with your answer, get rid of it.
4. Use drawer dividers, file folders, binders and appropriately sized storage boxes to store similar items together so that you’ll be able to retrieve them quickly.
5. Replace sorted items in the designated area.
6. Treat yourself to a latte (optional).

Once you commit to a simple, logical system of organization, you’ll be rewarded with a much more pleasant work environment and increased efficiency, since you won’t waste time wading through what you don’t need to find what you want. So don’t be afraid. Choose a task and dive in.

Learn more through these related AMA seminars:

• Managing Chaos: How to Set Priorities and Make Decisions Under Pressure
• Time Management

AMA On-site: Every one of AMA’s 170+ public seminars can be delivered on-site. This flexible, money-saving option allows you to train ten or more people, when and where you choose, at a low cost per participant. Click here for more information.

Author Bio: Barry J. Izsak is president of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). He is a national speaker and founder of Arranging it All™ in Austin, Texas. Contact him at Barry@ArrangingItAll.com or visit www.ArrangingItAll.com.