Because I regularly work with working women who are, say, less than organized, I find myself helping those who are struggling with their “stuff” on a daily basis. But what about OVER-organized women? They waste as much, if not more time, than those surrounded by mounds of clutter.

 

You might be OVER-organized if:

 

• You write and re-write your to-do list every time you cross something off.

• You write an item on your to-do list AFTER you have done it to be sure you get to cross it off and then you proceed to rewrite the list (again).

• You do a lot of busy work that adds little to no value to your daily work.

• You create new folders for nearly every piece of paper you receive.

• You continuously rearrange the papers on your desk without acting on them.

• You organize your books and/or pens in perfect descending order.

Do you qualify? If so, welcome to my world.

 

I founded my company in 1999, but it took me nearly five full years to realize that I wasted an awful lot of time doing things that were completely unproductive. Sure, I felt great doing them, but feeling good and being broke was not my goal. Bummer.

 

If your job description doesn’t specifically require you to be OVER-organized, then there comes a time when you need to ask yourself, “Is what I am doing adding value to my life and/or work?” Or, if you are a business owner, “Is what I am doing making me money?” If you answer no to either question, you are certainly doing things for naught.

 

So how do you make changes so you can feel organized, but without all the wasted time? The answers are simple, but not necessarily easy to implement.

 

First and foremost, you have to give yourself permission to be less than OVER-organized (that would make you organized minus the OVER part). Like I said, that sounds simple, but it’s not easy to do.

 

Next, take a look at those around you who are your opposite. This would include the ones who can never find anything when they need them, couldn’t care less about being perfect (in fact, the word “perfect” doesn’t even exist for them), and they are late, no matter what. See how they do it and copy them. Much easier living – I guarantee it.

 

 

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