Organized People Have More Fun

Guest post from Beth Cranford

 

Are summers getting shorter or is it just that I’m getting older?
I actually came into this summer feeling a bit apprehensive about us not having a lot planned. I thought it might drag on and be unbearably boring.

There was clearly no need to worry about that. I think summer lasted two days and now it’s almost time to get back to school! For us, that means finalizing homeschool curriculum and getting back into our daily routines. (We’re not terribly formal around here; we keep the schedule loose and uncluttered.)

 

I’ve always loved back-to-school time. The new clothes, new teachers, new books. Growing up in Maine and going back to school in September, we even got to enter a new season, which happened to be my favorite. I thought it was the best time of the year. (Except Christmas and of course the end of the school year, but that should go without saying, right?)

 

I loved, and still sort of enjoy, the organizing that goes into beginning a new school year. Did you ever think about getting organized as something that could be fun?

All my life I’ve heard the phrase “Blondes have more fun.” Well, I’m not blonde, so I can’t testify to the accuracy of that declaration. I must admit, I’m not terribly fun, so maybe there’s some truth to it.

But there is hope. I may not BE fun, but I can still HAVE fun. And so can you, regardless of you hair color. All you have to do is . . .

Get organized!

Because organized people have more fun! 

Really. It’s true.

Oh it might not appear to be true on the surface. After all, isn’t it often the disorganized people that are the life of the party?

Maybe.

Okay, yes.

But there’s more to it than that.

They may be the life of the party . . . once they get there . . .  an hour late.

And how about that mess they’ll have to clean up when they get home because they didn’t leave time to do it before the party.

And we won’t even mention that the party may end with an hour-long hunt for their keys!

 

So yes, the disorganized person is often the fun person. But even they could be having a lot more fun with some basic organization strategies in place.

Whether you’re blonde or brunette, fun or boring, lets look at how much easier (and therefore more fun) life could be for everyone involved if we got a little bit more organized.

Organized people:

• Don’t pay late fees (bills, library books, etc.)
• Never have a hot or super-cold car because they park it in the garage!
• Can have company on a regular basis (more than once per decade) because their house isn’t a disaster.
• Eat better food–because they have a meal plan and stick to it instead of running to the drive thru.
• Never have to buy things they already own because they can’t find them.
• Don’t miss appointments or consistently show up late.
• Get more accomplished by having and sticking to a plan.
• Don’t show up to work with mismatched shoes. (usually)
• Experience more harmony in their home and in their relationships.

 

I’m so honored that Laurie has asked me to be a contributor here at Homemaker’s Challenge.And I’m excited to bring you some of my favorite thoughts on organization. (Wow, that doesn’t sound like fun at all. But think of all the fun you’ll have with the money you’ll save just by becoming organized!)

 

We’re starting right here, right now.

Today I just have a few keys for success to share with you.

Start small: 

Organizing seems to be something like a fever. When you catch it, you’re all but consumed by it. And the temptation is to overhaul your entire life. Don’t do it. Just choose one area or your life and get that under control. Or choose the one most important thing from a few different areas. Take it in small steps will help make sure that you actually stick with it long enough to take the next small step.

Start with what’s bugging you the most:

You probably have many areas of life that could use some of your organizing energy. Don’t start with the one your neighbor or best friend is starting with. Don’t start with alphabetizing your spice rack or color-coding your sock drawer. Start with the  improvement that will bring the biggest positive change in your life.

 

Success breeds success:

Each successful step you take will set you up for being successful in your next step.Stick with it, take it slowly, and expect yourself to make the changes you desire to make.

 

Set yourself up for success by creating systems:

Sometimes the word “organized” is used when what we really mean is neat. I may be able to have a clear desk top or a living room with no clutter in sight. But that does not mean that I’m organized.
Being organized involves setting up systems that allow you to quickly put away, and just as quickly find, everything you own. It involves knowing where you need to be on what days and leaving early enough to get there on time.

So don’t just make neat piles of all your stuff and call it organized. Let’s set up systems so that your stuff will be neat but your life will also flow soothly.

 

Find some inspiration:

If you’re not naturally organized (okay, even if you are), you need some guidance and inspiration from those who may be a little obsessed with organization. There are books and  magazines full of advice and great ideas. And of course there are blogs and Pinterest.

 

To get you started I’ve found a couple of great blogs  to share with you.

Organized Junkie

Clutter Interrupted

And Clutter Interrupted has a podcast! Listen while you walk, drive, or do dishes!

Are you working towards getting more organized? Any tips you can share with us?