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Your Personal Organization
Several years ago when I was just starting out in life, I learned a valuable skill that I have kept to this day. My husband had attended a workshop and came home and told me the interesting things he had learned about being effective in business management. At the time, I wasn't managing much except our home, our newborn and my very low-key, simple life. But I began to put it into practice in the smallest of ways and it made a tremendous impact on my ability to balance and carry out responsibilities.
The simple tip:
"Near the end of the day, list 'six' things that you plan to accomplish the next day. No more, no less, just six things -- And Do Them!"
Then:
-Put them in order of priority.
-Estimate the amount of time it will take to do it.
-Organize your day around the list, or organize your list around your day, depending on your lifestyle and schedule.
As I began to put this into practice, it was amazing. It was one of the most life-transforming habits I've ever incorporated. Before that, I would make a list-- but it was so long that is was overwhelming. Although everything seemed important, nothing seemed urgent.
I felt like I was getting nowhere! As soon as I began making my list of six things each evening, I was able to be so much more effective and I enjoyed the sense of accomplishment I had at the end of the day. Even now, I use an ongoing master list, and from that make my "doable six-thing list" each evening. I recommend you try it! Don't wait until the morning; you need to already be in gear by then. Believe it or not, sometimes, you can accomplish two things at once, just by planning ahead.
Make sure you are realistic and learn your limits by trial and error. When I first tried it, I put on my list, "Send Dad a birthday present." But then I realized that has several smaller components that needed to be broken down. I then learned that I needed to 1) shop for a present 2) purchase the present, 3) wrap and package the present 4) go to the Post Office and get postage and mail the present. I may have put only one a day on my list, but I was eventually able to tackle big things and not procrastinate.
It saves time when you are organized with your personal life. It increases momentum when you are on a roll and not "stuck" or overwhelmed. Ten minutes a day can help you to plan effectively.
Why six you may ask?
The number six is known to be the number of man, indicative of our human limitations. Perhaps that has something to do with it. As a Christian, I make sure spending time with God each day is at the top of my list, bringing my total list to seven things, which is known to be the number of God. Still the number of my assigned tasks to be accomplished remains at six.
Remember to keep the items on your list very small and manageable, and enjoy the success and sense of accomplishment at the end of each day. Organize your tasks. No more than six, no less than six. You can do it!
Copyright © 2008-2015 Debbie Reynolds Harper
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