How Organizational Skills Can Increase Joy and Productivity

Good organizational skills can prove beneficial in many areas of life, including personal, school, and business areas. Organization can increase a person’s general productivity, assignment completion, project management, and can even affect his memory and retention skills. These skills are not acquired overnight – it will take a lot of hard work and practice. But with a little guidance and the right tools, anyone can learn how to stop hunting for missing things and become better organized.

To effectively learn better organization skills, a person must first learn efficient training tools and tips to help him reach his goals. With this help, everyone can take a better look at their current habits and form a new plan to become better organized in life.

Examine current habits and routines that are not organized
Learn to prioritize your time schedule and daily tasks
Determine ways of storing information and supplies
Learn to organize personal, school, and work space
Learn to resist procrastination
Make plans to stay organized in the future

Out of clutter, find simplicity.
Albert Einstein

Minimize the Distractions

One of the hardest parts about getting organized is going through and minimizing the things that cause distractions. When you find yourself among the many things we want and need to do, it can seem overwhelming. But by taking it one step at a time, and remembering to breathe, and monitoring your thoughts, you can begin to de-clutter your life and start on the path to successful organization.

Just Do it

Sometimes we can feel overwhelmed about taking on the task of removing our clutter and tend to make excuses as to why it doesn’t get done. We can claim that we don’t have the time, or that there is too much to do at once. But as Nike says, we have to “Just Do It” and we have to throw away our excuses and dive in. Make a plan on how you can get started, such as making a ‘Things To-Do calendar’. Stick with your plan until the job is complete, and don’t let excuses hinder your success.

Helpful tips

Make a calendar with time to do priorities
Divide the areas that need to be conquered into manageable pieces
Make a list of all tasks (those things we want to do and need to do)
Decide what activities need to take priority

Three Boxes: Keep, Donate, and Trash

The most common approach to clearing out clutter is the Three Boxes method. This method forces a decision to be made about each item you touch as you go through your clutter. You don’t get to put it aside or come back to it later. Pick up an item, one at a time, and think about which box it should go in. Try not to release the item until a decision is made. (Ask a trusted friend, or relative, or counselor, for help if needed.

Box 1 – Items to Keep: This box is for items you would like to keep in your area or maybe even put away for safe keeping (such as heirlooms or special gifts). This is not to be confused with the ‘things I might need later’ type of thinking. Only keep items that have value and meaning to you.

Box 2 – Items to Donate: This box is for items that you realize you no longer need or want. Items in this box can be donated or sold at a rummage sale, just as long as it leaves the clutter!

Box 3 – Trash: This box is for the things that you do not need or want and cannot be donated or given away. This often includes old papers or documents, mail, or broken items. Once this box is full or complete, remove it from the area right away and don’t give it a second look.

Learn more about Dr. Eric J. Nach, Ph.D., M.Ed., A.S.D. Certified, owner of the Support for Students Growth Center and Associates in Boca Raton, Florida, services, groups, classes and workshops at https://www.supportforstudentsgrowthcenter.com

Organizational Skills