I’ve never been the queen of good organization in my actions. I can accomplish things and get them done rather fast, but I can’t say that I’m very well organized.
However, I do realize that I have to, in order to accomplish my goals these days.
What about you? Could you use a little more organization? If yes, then read on…
Why do we Need to be Organized?
Organization can increase your productivity by a lot. It can even make the difference between being successful and not being successful. So, needless to say, organization is vital.
But what could prevent you from being organized?
Please, understand that I’m not talking about organizing your house here, I’m talking having a serious organized plan for what you need to accomplish to improve your life form where you are at now.
Organization is an extremely important factor to accomplish great things (that could be a quote).
You may call it plan of action, goal, step by step; it doesn’t matter what you call it. It comes down to organizing things to be able to improve and progress. I found that a large part of lack of success for many people – when you investigative them a bit closer – is lack of organization.
Right now, I’m working on this item with a client, so I thought that a post about the need to be organized was really apropos.
Success Takes Organization, Will and Work
I mean as much as I believe in the law of attraction, most of us were not necessarily programmed to attract success automatically. We do have to work it, so to speak.
Now when I say work, I don’t mean that you have to sweat it either, but what you have to do is take the right decisions and the right course of action and apply them. Doing this takes organization. It takes being organized both in your mind and in the steps that you’re taking to get from point A to point B.
One thing I was able to observe though is that you can’t be physically organized if you’re not organized in your head. In other words, organization is an inside job, like so many other things pertaining to a human being.
Have you ever heard that people who keep their living areas messy are messy in their heads? That’s probably because it’s true. If your office, apartment or house is messy, it certainly means that there is some level of disorder in your head. Your organization, or the lack of it can only come from your brain.
On a more alarming level, people who are hoarders have deep mental and emotional problems that translate physically into hoarding.
Bottom line is that what you see is never the cause of the problem, but the result of a problem. A lack of organization to achieve a given goal could be caused by some deep down issues, but what are they and how can you get rid of them?
Causes that Can Create Lack of Organization
At an individual level, there could be many different things that create your lack of organization, and that can be determined exactly only if you had a one on one consultation with a coach or expert, but as a general rule, issues that create lack of organization are the following.
- Self-sabotage
- Fear of success
- Depression
- Procrastination
- Lack of motivation
- Emotional pain
Those are the main roots of lack of organization that could lead you to fail or miss on opportunities that could otherwise lead you to success. However, those causes are not the real root of the problem; there are just causes which that we will explain in more details.
Self Sabotage comes from a deep-rooted issue that makes you take the wrong turn at every corner. I have a fresh example of someone who was a living example of self sabotage. His whole life story was screaming self-sabotage. I can’t remember one instance when this person made the right choice in his life when he was presented with two choices.
The good thing, though, is that he finally got to realize this and understood that he had a deep down problem that he needed to attend.
The reason why self-sabotage is so hard to deal with it’s that it’s a subconscious programming matter/issue. As long as it remains there, the self-sabotage will keep on happening.
Self-sabotage can be responsible for your lack of organization.
Fear of success is the sister of self-sabotage. It pretty much does the same bad job that self-sabotage does.
You may be under the illusion that you are searching for success, but there is an underlining fear of success that you know would change your life as you know it. This makes you feel very uncomfortable, procrastinate and lack organization that would otherwise greatly help you.
This is also an issue happening at the subconscious level for the most part. But unfortunately, many people suffering from fear of success are not aware of it.
Depression is, of course, a huge hindered for anything, but it’s a direct enemy of success and will prevent you to create any kind of organization.
I have myself dealt with depression for a few years, and while some people wanted me to believe that it was due to some type of hormonal imbalance, I always knew that it had more to do with the unwanted things in my life. When I removed those things, the depression went away. No need for pills.
Whatever type of depression you may be suffering from will most likely prevent you from organizing and planning for success.
Procrastination is a killer for organization. To organize means to take action steps and follow through on them. The problem is that if you procrastinate you won’t go far with organizing things. Procrastination is also usually rooted deep down in your subconscious mind.
We all procrastinate to a degree, but if the procrastination is very serious, there’s going to be some deeper issues to fix.
Lack of motivation could be a momentary problem due to grief or illness, but it could also become a chronic issue due to deep-rooted problems such as chronic depression. Lack of motivation can also be early signs of mental diseases such as Alzheimer.
If you feel that your motivation is dwindling away long term, you need to look for the root of the problem. This at times can be serious. Lack of motivation will cause lack of organization.
Emotional pain is something that I’m personally very familiar with. Emotional pain can be linked to a situation that is beyond your control and that may affect you more or less, depending on your mental and emotional strength.
Either way, emotional pain can be a cause for lack of organization.
5 Step to Overcome the Hurdles and become more Organized
First of all, if you suffer strongly from any of the above issues, you should consult with a coach or therapist professional that could help you to go to the real roots of the problem, in order for you to heal.
If you feel that you only suffer lightly with one or more of them, but can handle it on your own, you could try the following …
1– Take a white sheet of paper (or not book) and write down what you want to accomplish or finish. It could be in your business or personal life.
2- Take a second sheet of paper and write few loose sentences of the steps you need to take to get to your goal or goals.
3- On the third sheet of paper take each step and write down daily, weekly and monthly actions you need to take for each one of them. Do this for each step on each item. One page per item.
4- Keep those sheets of paper (or notebook) by yourself at all time as much as possible, in order to look to look them up often.
5- Each evening, check your lists to see if you have accomplished each step as you should. If not, make it a MUST do before you retired for the day.
These steps will be your organization cheat sheets. The more you’ll stick to what you wrote down (and you can also modify it as you go) the more organized you will become.
As you do this, I suggest that you use some brainwave entertainment devices as I mentioned in my last post (Go read it now if you haven’t yet). As a matter of fact, it could really speed things up for you.
I hope you enjoyed this. Your turn now. Let me know what you think below in the comments.
Photo credits: Digital Photos
Sylviane Nuccio
Hi Sylviane,
I adore these tips. From a guy who has been disorganized and depressed too writing things down adds order to your mind and life.
What an easy way to change things.
Guess what? I got lazy. Right now I will write down my new, refreshed life goals.
Right down, right now.
Thanks so much for sharing this much-needed tip.
I appreciate it more than you could know 😉 Yeah the perfect timing thing lol….
Ryan
Ryan Biddulph invites you to read..3 Reasons Why You Are a Pathetic Slave to Your Handheld Device
That’s wonderful Ryan,
When you spend time and energy writing a post and at least one person tells you that’s what they needed, it’s all worth it. Thanks so much for telling me this.
Happy list and goal making! 🙂 and thanks for coming.
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..Syndrome Of Lack Of Organization And How To Overcome It
Hi Sylviane,
Yet another wonderful topic!
I like the idea of writing things down on a sheet of paper. Otherwise all the things I have to do is like “post-its” in my mind.
When I have an emotional conflict, or am depressed, That sheet of paper works all the time.
Don’t you just love it when you are able to cross out all those things on the list?
Thank you for another great way to overcome the lack of organization. I cannot be organized unless I write things down!
-Donna
Donna Merrill invites you to read..Leveraging Social Media
Hi Donna,
Yes, we all love to cross things off our list don’t we? It feels so good.
As I said I’m not the best list maker,myself, but I’m working on it, because I’m really working at getting more organized in my business and my life.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Always appreciated.
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..Syndrome Of Lack Of Organization And How To Overcome It
Hi Sylviane,
I wrote a couple of emails recently about this topic! One just recently where I talked about how when one thing is out of order in your life (like a messy desk, or a big pile of mail) then you start to let bigger things slide. Before you know it, everything is a mess.
I totally agree with you – your head and your space either get messy together or work together. It’s a bit of a chicken-and-egg thing. Which comes first? Messy head or messy space? But the reality is that if you find yourself getting disorganized, not getting things done, not achieving what you want – then it’s time to take a look around at your space and put it in order! I work much better when things around me are organized.
I also make lots of lists! I always find that helpful. I like your idea of multiple lists with big picture items then smaller steps. Sometimes I make a mind map and that helps because you don’t realize all the things you have to put into accomplishing one task. Usually a single task has a bunch of smaller tasks involved ad the better you can define them, the easier it will be to follow along. Plus I love crossing things off my list 🙂
These are great points and they remind me I had better clean up my desk!
Carol Lynn invites you to read..Hitting ‘Em Where It Hurts: The Power Of Pain Point Marketing
Hi Carol,
10 years ago I was working in a law firm and my boss had a huge mess issue. One day I got so tired of his mess that I cleaned piles and piles of sheets of paper and other things on his desk and he didn’t like it. He said he couldn’t find anything anymore.
I believed that’s how his head worked, but I think that’s terrible to be that way.
I need to get more into lists and charts myself. I love them, but at times I feel a resistance in me making them, so I have to take my own medicine 🙂
Thanks for your input.
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..Syndrome Of Lack Of Organization And How To Overcome It
Hey Sylviane,
While I’m by no means perfect in my thoughts or my life I am annoyingly organized. My Mom says I get it from her but I very seriously doubt that. I wouldn’t call her as organized as I am because she’s never got things in their place.
So I’ve been this way pretty much all my life. Everything has it’s place and my desk is never messy. I’ve heard that saying that if you’re messy in your life then your thinking is as well. Boy do I believe that.
I write down daily what I need to achieve, I don’t keep it on the computer. I have a spiral notebook and I’ve been doing this for probably the last three or four years. Yep, I’ve got quite a few piled up now but I like things in front of me. A post it note is okay for certain reminders but you’re right, get organized with things and you’ll function so much better.
Great advice Sylviane and I know this to work beautifully, at least for myself.
Hope you’re enjoying your week and see you tomorrow.
~Adrienne
Adrienne invites you to read..How To Easily Insert A Tweet Into Your Post
Hi Adrienne,
Yes, I know you’ve told me that before, Adrienne, and that’s a great thing. That’s when you can tell easily if someone steals from you right?
I am organized when it comes to keeping my things neat like my house and desk, but where I could use more organization it’s when it comes to create sheets or lists of the work I need to do. That I can use some work.
I do not understand how messy people can live, and when you add dirty to messy, then that’s pitiful. I’ve seen lots of household in the country just like that. It just blows my mind every time.
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..Syndrome Of Lack Of Organization And How To Overcome It
Hello Sylviane,
I can’t work on a messy desk and I’m like that with cooking too. I can’t cook when there are dishes in the sink and stuff the kids left out. I can’t focus on the task at hand with all the mess around me.
I love the suggestions you shared. I stay organized by keeping a to-do list but I might be able to incorporate your ideas to it to make it better. 🙂
I do try my best to get everything done on my list. I’ve lost sleep because I knew there were some items that were left undone….that’s kind of out there isn’t it?
Thanks for putting this together for us. Hope you’re having a great week!
Corina Ramos invites you to read..Competing With Other Professionals? 5 Ways to Tip the Scale and Land the Job
Hi Corina,
I’m like you, I can’t function in messy areas and I can’t rest either. I know I’ve got myslef out of bed sick at times to fix some mess, because I couldn’t get any rest 🙂 It’s funny what those things do to your mind, doesn’t it?
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..Syndrome Of Lack Of Organization And How To Overcome It
Hi Sylviane,
I think I’m another one like Adrienne, and just cannot work if things aren’t organized, but with kids and a family, it becomes tough at times 🙂
Having a messy table is an absolute no-no and it just gets me SO bugged to see clutter in the work area that unless I don’t sit to sort it out, I just can’t sit to work. Similar is the case in any area of work that I have to go and work on, be it the kitchen, or my cooking, or organizing my cupboard – everything has to be in order. Y hubby sometimes keeps telling me not to be so much of a perfectionist, but it’s something that’s kind of inborn in some people, and I honestly prefer it this ways – everything in it’s proper place and time, IF it can be.
I liked your tips and I think those who have problems in organisation should follow them. I’ve never felt the need to write down things as they are pretty well laid out in my top-storey 🙂
Thanks for sharing. Have a nice week ahead 🙂
Harleena Singh invites you to read..What the Dead Have to Do With the Living
Hi Harleena,
I’m like you, I can’t work or concentrate if there is some mess around me, and I definitely think that’s more of a female thing, because guys don’t seem to be that affected by this that much. I know some guys that would be a nightmare for any woman like us.
When everything is in order and clean it’s like my whole been is in a better place.
Thanks for coming and your input.
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..Syndrome Of Lack Of Organization And How To Overcome It
I really like the way you explain small thing which pushes you back. Sometimes too much works creates chaos in life and it affect every aspect of life. Hope I too over come from all the problems soon…. Keep up the good work….
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Hi Pooja, and thank you for your input.
Indeed, it doesn’t take much to become desorganized, but not much is required to be more organized, though.
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..Syndrome Of Lack Of Organization And How To Overcome It
My problem has indeed has to be with self- sabotage. I am obviously going to go through those process you’ve outlined.
I need to this visit this more often! Thanks Madam Nuccio.
Hi Emmanuel,
Sorry to hear that. I suggest that you follow some of the tips I mention on this post that could help you stop sabotaging yourself.
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..Syndrome Of Lack Of Organization And How To Overcome It
Great reminder tips Sylviane as I’ve gotten away from those lists and that’s why I’m here. I was going to focus on one thing tonight and started on Twitter then got to Facebook and here I am. If I had the lists I would not be here yet.
I’ve been feeling like I’m not accomplishing things due to lack of organization and being “all over the the place”.
#2 is not one I’ve done often like #1. Thanks for the tips – I really must using them!
Lisa invites you to read..Relationships or Quality Links – Which Matter More To You?
Hi Lisa,
I know what you mean by being all over the place. I know this feeling so well. At times I overwhelm myself 🙂 and that’s when I start talking to myself to calm down and regroup.
I’m glad you found this post if you needed it. That’s perfect timing 🙂
Thank for coming, Lisa.
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..Syndrome Of Lack Of Organization And How To Overcome It
Hi Sylviane,
I trust you are well. Thank you for another informative post.
I am another one who is likes to stay organized. I would not be so without using what I call my “Success Scheduler.” I always schedule my work on various projects.
Part of the planning process that I use incorporates scheduling important and urgent tasks, and setting time aside for less urgent matters.
This structure is easy to look at, know what’s coming up, helps to plan ahead and stay organized. In looking back, it also helps you appreciate what you’ve accomplished.
I think it also helps when you keep company with those who are organized. My wife gets into what I call her “busy bee” mode whenever she sets to tidying up.
Have a great weekend!
Bill
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Hi William,
I’m glad to hear that you are organized, and you seem to be very much so. I wish I could say the same thing, but at times I’m not as organized as I would like to. I think that “Success Scheduler” is a great name for it too.
Thanks for coming
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..Syndrome Of Lack Of Organization And How To Overcome It
Wow Sylviane,
What an incredible depth in this post about why to get organized, why we don’t, what does it take and many other facets of it.
Finally, the 5 steps you shared are absolutely easy to follow and sure to produce great results.
Thank you for sharing!
Regards,
Kumar
Kumar Gauraw invites you to read..5 Proven Ways to Decrease The Bounce Rate Of Your Blog
I’m glad you enjoyed this post, Kumar, and thank you for coming.
Sorry for the late reply 🙂
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..Syndrome Of Lack Of Organization And How To Overcome It
Hello Sylviane
Thank you for this valuable piece of information. The list is great and easy to follow.
I have heard that if a house/office is messy and cluttered, then most likely the mind is the same way.
I notebooks and mind maps to help me. At this moment my living room is messy,because I just took out some of my Christmas decorations out. But I will clear it up as I begin to decorate. I have to start early, since I will be in Puerto Rico from December 24 until Jan 9
Thank you for the great reminders.
Gladys
Gladys invites you to read..How to Overcome Self-Pity
Hi Gladys,
Well, lucky you to be able to spend Christmas in Porto Rico.
Of course, momentary fun is not a big deal, it’s when it’s chronic that it can be a more serious deep down problem.
I’m glad you enjoyed the post and thank you for coming.
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..Syndrome Of Lack Of Organization And How To Overcome It
Hi Sylviane
This is an amazingly in-depth post. I used to be so organized and since I have been online I am not so good. I was never like Adrienne but I was organized.
I am not messy if you look at my desk but if you look in my cupboards not so good. I need to be visually tidy and have things out of sight.
I do work from a list but my problem is I never seem to get right through it. It is about being more realistic I guess. I also need to start turning off Skype so other people cannot distract me.
Awesome post and advice as always.
Sue
Sue Price invites you to read..Are You Crystal Clear On Who Your Target Market Is?
Hi Sue,
There are not too many people as organized as Adrienne is 🙂 As a matter of fact most people are messy and disorganized and a good chunk of them dirty on top of that. But I digress.
Maybe you should reduce your list by a quarter and see how it goes, as well as follow some tips such as the ones I mentioned on the post. That might help you.
Thank you and I’m glad you enjoyed this post.
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..Syndrome Of Lack Of Organization And How To Overcome It
I’m the same way! I have this really bad OCD where I need to keep my room extremely clean and organize at all times. I’ve never not made my bed. This even spreads into me counting every single macronutrient that I eat.
This works for me though. How about Albert Einstein? He was quite messy… I think it differs from person to person.
Sebastian invites you to read..Fear Of Failure… Screw That
Hi Sebastian,
I wouldn’t be surprised that a genus mind might be messy, because in many ways a genus mind act different than the logic would expect. I knew of a genius girl at school who wasn’t able to catch a ball that you’d throw at her. That always amazed me so much.
Thank you for sharing your input with me and my readers. See you around.
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..Syndrome Of Lack Of Organization And How To Overcome It
Thanks for this article, Sylviane.
One thing I have found is that it’s way easier to stay organized if I have less stuff and keep my life as simple as possible. So a focus of my tapping and priorities has been clearing clutter and getting rid of stuff. Going paperless and having less stuff also better for our environment.
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Hi Erika, and welcome here.
For sure, less papers means less mess around. When I moved 6 months ago I did get rid of a lot of pieces of paper and it felt very good.
Thanks for coming and for your input.
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..How To Create Your Perfect Life – Part One
Hello Sylviane,
It’s great that you posted this article when I have come to terms with the fact that if I were better organized, I’d reap more out of life.
You’ll have to agree with me that the universe is an ordered arrangement that rewards those who follow its unwritten but time tested principles.
I’ll be following your advice and I’m positive I’ll give a testimonial someday soon.
Do have a super charged day…and thanks for the piece once again!
– Terungwa
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Hi Akaahan and thank you for coming.
Yes, you are so right. The Universe is orderly and things are more in harmony with the Universe when they are organized. Thank you so much for your excellent feedback and welcome to my blog. Let me know when you have a testimonial 🙂
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..How To Create Your Perfect Life – Part One
Hi Sylviane,
I really found this post helpful. I do tend to lack organization in my life, and I tend to think that it may be a result of some of the things you listed above. I guess I never really realized how much disorganization in our lives may actually translate to be a result of the disorganization in our head. I guess i shall have to work on that! (not only in my room but also on my blog haha)
Thanks for sharing,
Josh May
Josh May invites you to read..Announcing a New Project! And I Could Use your Help –
Hi Josh and welcome to my blog.
I’m so gald you found this post helpful and that you enjoyed the information. Hop to see you here again soon.
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..How To Create Your Perfect Life – Part One