3 Keys Thursday: 3 Keys of a Working Organizational System

Dodgerton Skillhause via Morguefile

At the beginning of this week, I sat down and set writing goals, personal goals and a few other goals for 2018.

I did not set organizing goals.

I'm not sure that's necessarily a bad thing; organizing by STYLE is my ongoing organizing goal. And, although I'm drowning a bit in the transition from Christmas to New Year's to a new semester, the  things that are working outnumber those that aren't.

How can you tell if a system is working? Here are three ways.


The side effects of your default styles are minimized -- or better yet, gone. Pile-ups, mystery locations, crushed, torn or broken items and that horrible feeling of being completely overwhelmed by stuff are wispy memories when your system is working. If those side effects (in my case, that would be pile ups and visual clutter) are re-emerging, that's often the first hint that a system needs to be tweaked.

You use it on a regular basis. Good systems are easy to use and maintain. If you're bypassing the system, a key component of one of your styles is probably going unaddressed. Set aside the "shoulds" and plan realistically. Maybe that metal file cabinet that keeps everything hidden is a great tool for your spouse, but if you pile things on top of it instead of opening the drawers, maybe a file holder with an open top is a better fit for your style.

You can find what you're looking for.  To me, the true test of being organized is that you can find what you're looking for in five minutes or less. Smoothly running systems earn their keep in saved time and reduced stress. If you have to go on a scavenger hunt for something every time you need it, it may be time to re-think the location you've chosen. This is also true when the supply of something has overrun its container or when you remember where it is, but it takes you more than five minutes to dig it out.

So, I guess my organization goal for 2018 is pretty simple: create more of the above. It's the best way I know to win the war on clutter.