What does “organized” mean?

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Lots of people want to get organized, and unfortunately (I was guilty) we get stuck into what a friend of mine calls, uh, “stuff” shifting (Ok, that’s obviously not what she said, but I’m trying to keep this a family show). So, we think or say things like, “I’ve GOT to get organized.” “My boss is driving me crazy and says he’ll fire me if I don’t clean this place up.” “My husband and I are having problems because I can’t get my act together.” “My brother said he doesn’t understand how I can work like this.” And on the list goes. So, we submit to the guilt, pick things up, shift them over here, stuff them over there and after a crash and burn weekend, we call it organized. We feel better, our desktop is clear, you can see the countertops - life is blissful. Until two weeks later when we are right back to where we started.  Sound familiar?

I’m going to say something that might offend or surprise you: “being organized” simply means you can find what you need within five minutes (read “Organizing For Your Brain Type” for more on this). So, organized can be whatever you want it to be. It doesn’t mean you have everything labeled, color-coded or lined up from shortest to tallest in a stifling strict order. It means you have arranged things in such a way that allows you to find your stuff. That’s it. It’s really that simple, and knowing your options help. Do crave order and need color-coded files? Ok, go with that. Do you abhor filing? Use separate boxes for financial, household and lifestyle categories - just placing papers in the box and going back when you need them. Find your groove and use what comes naturally for you. If you can find what you need in five minutes, you’re golden.