The Top 2 Reasons to Take the Time to Set Up An Organizing System

Having a system to your organizing - one that you can easily add to and take away from - is magical. Having a constant place to dump all those projects and thoughts and grocery lists and appointments helps your brain be able to focus more on 2 very important things. 

1. Your relationships - spouse, children, parents, siblings, family, close friends and other meaningful relationships

2. Your creativity - the things you truly want to spend your time and energy on 

Creativity is not confined to art, music and dance, although they are definitely included. Creativity extends to all the things we do that inspire, lift, build and solidify our souls and give us purpose and joy.

How do you find a system to organize the tasks and appointments in your life so you can enjoy your relationships and creativity more fully?

First, you have to do the work of finding a system. This may be one of the most time-consuming parts of the entire process. To truly find a system that will work for you, you have to put a little effort into trying it out and that may take a little while.

Here are some tips:

*Try to find an electronic method. I know. I know. I was a physical planner person for years. If that’s what you want to continue using, then do it. But remember that every day you will have to spend time writing things out  - often repeats to stay on top of your goals. *Time is money.

*There are literally hundreds of electronic planners and task lists. Look for one that looks appealing to you AND has reoccurring tasks. This trick will help you reach your goals faster and with greater focus because you will be able to put the daily and weekly reminders in and it will be like having your personal assistant reminding you “what’s next” every day. It is a powerful tool.

* If the task list you like is only a task list, take time to also find an electronic calendar you like as well. I spent several hours one month trying to find the calendar I liked – I wanted to see the time and event for the entire month.

*It’s okay to continue downloading and deleting different apps until you get the one you love. It’s usually easy to try out the “lite” versions and see how you like them before paying for the app. Ask your family and friends if they use anything they like. Chances are you won’t have to look very hard if you can glean from others’ work.  

*Remember that paying a few dollars for the apps you truly love and will use will save you so much time and money in the future. 1^st, you won’t have to continue to purchase a calendar or a planner year after year; 2^nd, once you set up the tasks and reoccurring events in your calendar, you will only have to add a new task or appointment as it comes up – which is a HUGE time saver every single day, as opposed to rewriting down everything everyday; 3^rd, you will be able to reach your goals and find the time and energy to enhance your relationships and focus on the creative elements in you.  

Investing in a system that you love is a true investment in yourself and what you have to offer the world.

Be patient with yourself. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Finding a system may take time, but give yourself a deadline to pick one.

Once you find a system, promise to try it out for 21 days. Don’t resort to pulling out your scratch paper that you can’t find the next day – that hasn’t been working.

Stick to the system for 21 days to truly vet it.

Maybe you will need to find something new. Maybe you will find if you just use it in a different way, it works better. Those 21 days are the chance for you and your new planning system to get acquainted. Spend time fixing what you don’t like and renaming and reworking things to work for you.

When a new task or appointment comes up, take the time to schedule it in your system and then let it be off your brain. 

Until, of course, your new brain system reminds you to actually start that project.