I’ve also been thinking recently that lots of things in life are about ups and downs.  In one’s relationships, career, faith, or weight loss/fitness goals, to name a few, there are often both positive and negative events that mark the path toward our goals.   When we continue to focus on our goals, we envision that we will achieve what we set out to accomplish, given time, persistence, and patience.  We can usually predict a positive trend from previous accomplishments.

Looking at trends helps us to think about any goal toward which we are working.  For instance, in the area of organizing, I can recall many times when I’ve not been as pleased with an organizing strategy within my classroom.  I’d try one method or product to help me organize my papers or files at school, only to completely change the system a week later.  To me, it felt like I was failing in my organizing efforts–that I didn’t know what I was doing–but really, it was one step towards finding what DID work for me.  I’m reminded of Thomas Edison’s quote: “I have not failed.  I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”  Hopefully, it won’t take us that many tries to “get it right” in our organizing lives, or with our relationships, jobs, or other journeys we’re taking in life.  But I like the general message, because we often don’t see success before we experience some aspect of failure.  The failure points on the “coordinate grid” of our lives aren’t all that much fun to identify, think about, or study.  But without them, we often don’t grow.  It’s rare not to stumble, not to face difficulties, not to meet with failed tries, before we come upon success.  We need to learn how to embrace it and move forward.

Here are some tips for moving forward in in a positive direction in your organizing (or any other) journey:

• Be very clear about your goals.  Determine ahead of time exactly what you want to change. What is your desired final outcome?  In the case of getting organized, what do you want to see at the end of the project?  Visualize it for yourself, and be specific so you are not wavering through the journey.
• Commit goals to paper.  Writing down desired goals is an important part of success.
• Determine ahead of time an alternate path or method if your strategy does not work. Thinking of more than one way to accomplish a goal will keep you motivated when things are difficult or prove to be ineffective.
• Share your goal with a trusted friend or colleague.  They may have perspective on the very thing you are wanting to change.  Having another person’s insight can give you the creative spark you need to move forward.
• Think “long term.”  Just as in the stock market, it’s often hard to gauge how well your goal is progressing in a short amount of time.  Often times, success comes only after a period of time.  It’s the same with many things in life, whether in relationships, jobs, or with getting organized in some area of our lives.

I’m reminded again of my math class, where we often deal with equations.  And in the case of keeping our eyes on our goals, we could use an equation, such as: Success + Struggle = Progress. One must have both elements to have a complete equation.  And, in the words of Frederick Douglas, “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”

I think resolution is a bit of a strong word.  Now, don’t get me wrong…in order to facilitate true change, I know we have to be resolute in our thinking in order to make strong improvements or gains in any area.  But I want to make changes in my life this year that make sense, and that will promote lasting change.  But “resolution” sounds so harsh, so black and white, and sometimes I feel that if I fall off the New Year’s Resolution bandwagon for a few weeks (or months?), I may feel like a failure, so the resolution-making may take me to a place worse than before!

Case in point:  Like many people, I want to work out so I can be healthier and stronger.  But I want to address first why I have trouble staying committed to working out in the first place.  One of my biggest barriers is lack of sleep.  I am a “night owl,” but at the same time, my job as a teacher gets me up at 5:30 each day.  In addition, my body requires lots of sleep, which I don’t regularly get.  So, I need to first address my sleep deficit before I can work out regularly.  I can take small steps to work out, of course, in increments and so forth (and I’ve read research that lends to workouts helping to boost energy which in turn will help with sleeping more soundly, etc.) But I don’t want to just jump on the “workout bandwagon” if my body needs sleep more desperately. I want my resolutions to be more deliberate and logical for myself so I can make life-long changes.

It’s the same with organizing.  There are so many wonderful techniques for organizing.  There are scores of products, colorful containers, and all sorts of organizing doo dads.  I love these products because seeing the myriad of ideas out there inspires me to stretch my thinking about my organizing systems.  But sometimes, in the excitement of the newest, neatest product, I can sometimes get caught up in the moment, and I find myself just jumping on the organizing bandwagon, if you will, just like the resolutions situation above.  I think we often focus on conversations with others, dialogue with our friends, or tips from the media, and we can sometimes assume it all applies to us.  Much of it does, I believe, but I feel better this year in pausing a little longer to discover the goals I need to make for myself, and determine the individual steps I need to make to achieve those goals.  In a way, I feel like I am going two steps backward, one step forward (play on words intended) in making sleep a primary goal before planning for a my exercise goal.  I think that this deeper planning will mark truer progress for me, in that it gives me a more solid foundation for lasting change.  Do you need to get off any bandwagons this year in order to provide for lasting change in your life? Either way, here’s to a happy, organized New Year!

Like most people, it’s hard not to think of all of the things that I need to accomplish in any given day. But despite all of the tips and suggestions about how to truly prioritize, I know that the bottom line is to keep myself focused on exactly what I need to do from day to day.  Sure, I’d love to be able to tackle all of the tasks on my “to do” list, but very nearly each day, I am limited to my “must do” tasks.

So how does this relate to becoming more organized?  There are many similarities.  Many people, when approaching how to get organized or manage their time more efficiently, often think about the big picture:  How many rooms or spaces they want to tackle, or the number of tasks they need to complete for a project to be completed in its entirety.  But our expectations may, in fact, be too high.  In other words, while it is indeed important to plan ahead, think big, and take action to fulfill our goals for getting organized, it’s essential to first remember to determine the “must do” tasks from day to day in order to hold realistic and achievable goals for getting organized.

Here are some tips to focus in on how to remain on track from day to day for getting organized in realistic, simple steps:

• If time management is a challenge, be a careful scheduler, and record all appointments clearly on your electronic calendar or paper organizer.  As soon as you have all of your appointments or other commitments written down, you can then plan around those commitments and begin to add other “to dos” to your daily schedule.
• Each day, determine what MUST be completed in order to be successful with your time.  Write those tasks down first on your “to do” list.
• Though there are differing opinions on this, I recommend doing more challenging tasks first on your to do list, while your energy level is still high.  If you wait to accomplish these tasks, you are likely to complete less pressing tasks first, which is, in a sense, procrastinating.  That larger project will still be looming, and you will still have it on your to do list for the next day.
• Break your large tasks into smaller chunks.  For instance, when I have mountains of papers to grade, it is essential that I break the job into smaller, more achievable goals.  Perhaps I will grade ten student essays in one night, but leave the rest for the next day or two.  This “chunking” helps me to do a better job grading as well, since I won’t be as overwhelmed in any one setting.  This strategy works well in any job or position, whether at home or at the office.

Using these tips won’t help you to tackle everything on your list in one day, and they don’t represent any new or “magical” way to get organized, but they may help you gain perspective about what is most important as you carry out your busy day.

Now that I’ve checked off this blog entry from my daily “must do” list for today, it’s time to move on to the next task!  What’s going on your “Must Do” list for the day?

In our lives, we often make positive steps forward in our organizing, but sometimes we may fall back into old habits that seem to sabotage our efforts.  Or, we think we’ve moved forward, only to see that we’ve only made small gains.

The important thing to remember is that forward progress is indeed progress.  It may not occur quickly, or in one big attempt (like a “Hail Mary” pass in football).

But progress is based largely on our willingness to try something that will help us better develop our organizing strategies over time. Those small steps (like downs in football) really do add up to true “forward progress.”

Follow these tips when thinking of organizing projects:

• Break larger organizing tasks into smaller ones.  You’ll see changes and be better able to recognize your efforts.
• Give yourself credit for trying something new.  Organizing is not an exact science, so even if a new tool, resource, or organizing system just doesn’t work for you, once you have determined that, you can reflect on ways to improve your system.
• Have a plan in place so that your organizing efforts have a better chance of working for you. Just like in football, the playbook is used as a plan for the structure of the game; without it, the team wouldn’t know how to break down plays, and could end up making a mess out of the game.  Having a plan gives you a focus for your next steps, and carrying out next steps promote positive gains.
• Have fun.  Organizing, like football, can truly be a fun process.  It takes planning and hard work, as well as sometimes taking some time to establish your “just right” plans for success, but you will never know progress unless you try.

Now I’m in the mood to watch football.  I guess I’ll have to wait a few more days for that.  Here’s to “forward progress” in your life!

But the other day, I took a small breath, if only for a moment.  Don’t get me wrong–school life is still very busy, and there are multiple things to plan for and consider each and every day.  I have many on-going assessments to evaluate for instruction, units to plan for, things to grade yet, and grade cards to think about in just a few weeks as well.  But, I could almost identify the brief moment of calm at the end of the day recently.  And I thought to myself, “It’s a good time to re-evaluate…” What does this mean?  I felt compelled to ask myself various questions that would help me to determine how things were going with my instruction, and to figure out what I felt needed to change, if only slightly, to ensure that I am providing the best possible educational opportunities for my students.

Though I am still in the process of this re-evaluation exercise, I think it’s a great idea to also take time to re-evaluate our systems for staying organized in our lives.

Ask yourself these questions in reflecting on and re-evaluating your own organizing practices.

• Are the organizing systems you have implemented for your home, office, or classroom providing a true sense of efficiency for you?  Do they save you time? Do you feel happy with these systems?
• Do any of your organizing systems seem like too much work?  Think about simplifying. Often changing or “tweaking” one or two small things can make a big difference.  Or, perhaps the systems you’ve implemented just aren’t your style, even though others may use these systems successfully.  It’s okay (and important) to find your own unique personal preferences.  As I state in my book, Organized Teacher, Happy Classroom, ”Consider your own personality, style, and personal preferences…No organizing style is superior to another.  If your organizing style works for you, it is a successful style (p. 13).

• Have you gotten bored with an organizing system or method you are using?  Is there something a bit more appealing that you could implement in order to contain your papers, supplies, or materials?  Research your favorite stores or online resources.  You may find something creative that you had not considered before that can help you rejuvenate your organizing efforts.
• Ask yourself the age-old organizing questions in regard to your spaces:  ”What is working for you?” and “What is NOT working for you?”

Taking the time to re-evaluate areas of our lives will help us to move forward in becoming even more organized.  Re-evaluation is often something we simply overlook due to time constraints and daily interruptions.  But taking the time to actively reflect about what is or is not effective can help us move soundly toward our goals, whether they are personal, social, spiritual, or work-related.

May we all allow ourselves the gift of this practice in our lives.

We never give a second thought to some habits.  I never forget to brush my teeth, and I floss regularly.  I never ignore washing my face, and I take vitamins regularly.  I always pay close attention to these types of simple routines, because to me, not doing them is simply not an option — it’s just something I do.  Other things take time and a bit more energy.  Making the bed, dusting regularly, and other household routines do not always come easily for me, but all of these things help me to take pride in my home and make me happier overall.

The power of habits transfers over to many aspects of getting organized as well.  Getting organized can sometimes require deliberate, focused attention, or it may not get done.  Being organized is not always an automatic choice, and sometimes making choices for the process of being organized can go in stages, due to the busy nature of life.  Follow these tips in thinking of how to make organizing your spaces a healthy habit for life:

• Determine what areas of your home, office, or classroom you truly need to work on organizing.  If you have a good handle on different rooms of your house or different areas of your office, then don’t change those systems.  But be specific about what needs changed so that you are clear on exactly what actions you need to take in moving forward with your organizing goals.
• Write out your goal.  If you create an organizing system, write out or list what needs to be done on a regular basis in order to ensure that your new system will continue, rather than fizzle out after only a week or two.  Writing it down seems to solidify the importance of the task.  And, if you’ve been specific about identifying what you really want to change, then this goal should be important enough to maintain on a regular basis.
• Evaluate your progress in keeping your space(s) organized.  Sometimes, as with exercise, things seem to stall, or become stagnant in some way.  Be open and honest about what may not be functioning well, and make small changes that seem to fit your style.  Even a small tweak can make a big difference.
• Ask for help.  Determine resources online and through family and friends for ideas on how to make organizing changes that will last for the long haul.  When we involve others with attaining our goals, we set up an accountability system for the choices and changes we make in our lives.

Whether or not it takes 21 days to establish a habit, I’m committed to establishing healthy ones for the long term.  So, I’m off to the treadmill.  One day at a time…

We live in a fast-food society, and in many areas of our lives, we often can get something so quickly to meet a need.  Think of the ability to microwave a quick meal, get a quick coffee to go, receive our photos in an hour (or much less if we use the self-serve kiosks!), and so much more. Unfortunately, getting organized is not usually a quick process, and there aren’t “quick fixes” or a speedy solutions to most organizing concerns.  That’s why organizing itself can sometimes be a bit daunting.  We are not immediately sure if the organizing systems we have in place are working or not.  We are hopeful, but not altogether sure.  We put our best foot forward, but we are not positive about what progress we’re always making.  One thing is for sure:  Organizing, like most things in life, is a process.  Sometimes we make mistakes, and sometimes our first try with something new gets us exactly what we want.  We don’t always know when we start a new organizing system or begin to use a new organizing gadget or storage item if it will work for us. But I am always happier with trying something that helps me to reach a goal.  Otherwise, I’ve made the choice to leave something alone, with no chance for positive change.

Remember these tips when starting a new organizing change:

• Be clear about what you want to change (i.e. organize your mail more efficiently, develop a new system for organizing your child’s artwork, etc.)
• Research online, in books, or by asking others what systems they use and/or recommend.  Those systems that others use tend to have been successful for others, so they may be good systems to try.
• Give yourself time.  Trying something new with organizing is not always going to show positive results right away.
• Keep an open mind.  After several weeks or more, reevaluate if the organizing system is not working.  Discover and try another method for organizing.  Perhaps it’s too systematic, and you are more relaxed with your style (or vice versa).  Discover ways to honor your personality to keep organizing a successful process for you.

I encourage you to try one new tool, resource, or organizing system this week, and acknowledge it for the effort alone.  In time, you’ll see the benefits, or at least you’ll learn from the experience. Either way, the process is worth it!

Often times, we see a new organizing product on the shelves, all neat and shiny and ready to help us with whatever organizing challenge we have.  We are excited, so we purchase this new system or product, sure that it will be the answer to finally helping us get our spaces organized once and for all. But just days into the process, we become frustrated and restless.  What is wrong?  Surely, it must be something we ourselves are doing wrong, right?  Not necessarily.

It’s so important to realize that getting organized is a highly personal process.  It’s hard to think so, when there are so many systems and products out there that claim to be the “one answer” to our organizing woes.  But it serves us well to remember that sometimes, the answer to our organizing concerns is really more simple than that.  Try these tips for helping your find the right “size” for your organizing concerns:

• Be specific about what you want to change in an area or room.  Write down what is not working so that you can formulate a specific action plan.
• Think simple.  What do you already have in your home that may work to contain or help you organize your files or other items?
• Be willing to try a product or system for a time, but have the flexibility to change it if it does not seem to be working.
• Be sure that any organizing changes you make in a room are ones you can maintain for the long haul.  Don’t try to “fit into” someone else’s organizing plan or system just because it looks “pretty” or “right” to you on a shelf in a store.

I’m reminded of a quote in my book, Organized Teacher, Happy Classroom, that relates to this idea of finding what works for you:

“Consider your own personality, style, and personal preferences.  No organizing style is superior to another.  If your organizing style works for you, it is a successful style (p. 13).

So, one size does not truly fit all.  Organizing is often a process of trial and error.  Now I’m off to go find some more jeans.  Wish me luck.

In chapter 3 of my book Organized Teacher, Happy Classroom, I mention that we need to “allow for temporary chaos to create order.”  This is especially true when we are thinking about organizing any space.  When you organize an area in your classroom, home, or office, you want visual confirmation that your organizing efforts are working.  But first, you need to be accepting of the chaos for that reality.

When purging any space, for example, it is likely that you have several piles in which you’ve placed items for trash, recycling, donating, keeping, etc.  This sorting can be rather daunting in and of itself, but even more so with the visual clutter you’ll start to see in those piles.  But when we can envision the improvement to come from this sorting and purging, we will be successful in our steps toward organizing.

Here are some tips to remember when purging:

• Define your sorting piles carefully, and stick to these categories.
• Be honest about sorting items.  If you love an item, keep it.  If you do not have a use for it, be honest with yourself, and donate or trash it.
• Try organizing one small area at a time so you don’t get overwhelmed.  The sorting piles that ensue, even for small spaces, can sometimes be overwhelming, so plan for this ahead of time by not trying to tackle too big a space at a time.
• When you feel your organizing efforts are reaching that “chaotic” stage, step away from the process for a half hour or so and take a break.  Grab a quick snack, and come back to organizing when you’ve cleared your head.
• Visualize the final product of an organized space.  Think carefully about what it will look like when you are finished.  Allow that visualization to carry you through the somewhat chaotic stages.

So as you can see, chaos can be a good thing (as long as it is temporary!).  Happy Purging!

• I was invited to be a guest on the Martha Stewart Living Radio show! I’m very excited!  It is on Monday, September 12, 2011 at 3:30 EST.  It will be on the Sirius Satellite radio for the Living Today Show.

I’ll be talking about ways to help students become more organized for the school year, both at home and at school, including ideas from my new book, Organized Teacher, Happy Classroom.

I hope you can listen in! (If you don’t have satellite radio and want to listen, you can sign up for a free trial at http://www.sirius.com/freetrial/register).