3 Keys Thursday: 3 Keys to Creating an Organizational To-Don't List

 Of all the STYLE letters, E for Easy Upkeep gets the least amount of attention. It's what we aim for, using systems that match our styles as our road map, but it doesn't actually come with a road map of its own. 

So, life happens, clutter happens and, some days, the upkeep isn't so easy. Frustration follows, and we fall back into the trap of feeling hopelessly disorganized.

But we're not. What's happened is that we (and our systems) have become overwhelmed and we need to step back and think about not just what comes next, but also what got us here.

Recently, I wrote a whole post about "to-don't lists" over on The Porch Swing Chronicles, and it got me thinking about how a to-don't list might apply to organization. It seemed useful, but, in the spirit of useful to-don't lists, I wanted to avoid making it a negative, scolding, cringe-worthy thing. 

Enter the abridged "to-don't" list: a very short, specific, single-item list, prompted by a single question. What one rule could possibly have prevented the pile-up? 

At my house, the dining room table rarely stays clear for more than a week. Much as I'd like to point fingers, the truth is that the fingers pointing back at me are the most accurate reflection of where the problem lies. A single, simple to-don't rule applies: "Don't put it down, put it away."

And it works. Until it doesn't. So maybe I need something even simpler -- something like "Don't put papers on the dining room table."

If I followed that rule, I'd eliminate probably 90% of the clutter that accumulates.

Three things need to be true of our organizing "to-don't" lists. 

• They need to consist of a single rule. No one wants to be nagged and negative self-talk just sends us back into the "I'm so disorganized" spiral, which neither solves the problem nor makes us feel good about ourselves.
• The rule needs to be clear. The more open to interpretation it is, the easier it is to make excuses.
• The rule needs to be easy to follow. "Don't put it down, put it away" works great for me most of the time. But, when I'm tired and/or overwhelmed, I promise myself I'll do the "put it away" part tomorrow and, before I know it, the clutter is winning.

I cannot stress enough that the tone of the "to-don't" rule should be less command than light-hearted, humorous, and/or nurturing. Why? Because nagging never (successfully) accomplished anything. In addition, Organizing by STYLE is about remembering that you are at the center of the process, and you deserve to be treated nicely. 

Even when you make mistakes. 

Even when the paper clutter obscures the pretty tablecloth. 

Even when the same zone magnetically acquires clutter again and again because the three steps to put it where it belongs feel like three steps too many.

Some days, the clutter wins. But, if we have the right tools in our arsenal, we can emerge triumphant (and feeling good about ourselves) more often than not.

It's a process.

Then and Now: When it Doesn't All Fit

 

Then:

 It's 9:50 pm and I am just starting this post. It's far to say that I'm a little overbooked.

Although I love to be busy isn't my primary style, I do sometimes bite off a tad more than I can chew. When that happens, things pile up, and even making a list of what I need to do can be stressful because that means admitting everything I have to do.

As I see it, there are three ways to dig out when you're overwhelmed.

All at once. Pick a time, grit your teeth and power through. Give yourself a little leeway if you can by setting aside more time than you think you'll need, and don't despair if you don't make it all the way through. You're aiming for progress, not perfection.

A little at a time. No big chunks of time available? Five minutes here and fifteen minutes there can still lead to progress. It's slower going, so the piles linger and the to-do lists stay long for longer, but sometimes, it's the only option. Again, you're aiming for progress, not perfection.

The delegation plan. Is all of this really yours to do? Hand off what you can hand off (and be willing to accept the manner in which the person you delegated the job to does the job) and tackle the rest using one of the plans above. And hey, progress is still progress whether you did it yourself or assigned it to someone else.

If you, like me, have been here before, you've probably learned that what's important gets done and what falls through the cracks might just have landed exactly where it belongs. Take it one step at a time and forge your path. And, if it doesn't all get done...

Tomorrow is another day.

Now: A few weeks ago, I took on a new project, doing some work for a textbook company. I'm enjoying it, and I have no regrets...but I also don't have any extra hours in the day, so something has to give. Often, since the project is a cross between my writing and my teaching, it's my writing time that gets pushed aside, and new blog posts fall by the wayside. While delegation isn't my best thing (I'm used to having jobs where it isn't an option), it's my friend right now, at least until I get through this project. But, each day, I put writing on my list, optimistic that I won't run out of day before I run out of list. Some days, I get there, some days I don't. But each day is a new opportunity to set my priorities and make progress.

A little at a time.