10 Secrets of Organised People

If you are regular reader of this blog you will know that we do have a bit of thing for getting organised.  We approach organisation in our own typically creative way (see Kylie’s recent blog on her office makeover) but at the heart of it is an understanding on our behalf that organisation is a key ingredient to success – to be efficient and productive, creative and innovative you do need to be organised…simple as that.
However for all my organisation talk I am not a naturally organised person and Kylie has said the same about herself; however we are highly productive, efficient and creative individuals.  Shock, horror I know, a planner confessing to be naturally disorganised.  But it is the truth; I have to work really hard at it.  Perhaps that is why I talk about ‘organisation’ regularly, because it is something that I have to put to the forefront of my mind to make it happen.
A few years ago I attended a workshop about ‘getting organised’ hosted by the Organising Place.  The workshop was great, firstly because I realised that many of us struggle with being organised and there was no need for me to feel secretly ashamed of the fact anymore.  Secondly it did give me some clear ‘getting and staying organised’ strategies that are actually easy to follow.  You see the key to getting and staying organised is not about being an organisation Nazi as the naturally organised will have you believe.  It is in fact as easy as making basic organisation principles part of your daily routine. 
If you are really disorganised, getting yourself to a place of being organised may take some initial work (and you may need to hire an expert to help you out if things are really out of control) but once you get there, if you put systems and habits in place, there is no reason for you to ever go to that chaotic place again.
Here are the 10 Secrets of Organised People (according to the Organising Place) that really help me in my daily life: 
Organised People;

• Set goals and plan what they want to achieve!
• Set aside time for self development and leisure activities!
• Regularly declutter their homes and offices!
• Always put things away in their proper place!
• Delegate some of their responsibilities to others!
• Don’t over plan – they stick to the essentials!
• Keep only one calendar or diary to record their goals and tasks!
• Can find what they need in 10 seconds or less!
• Don’t let interruptions stand in the way of their goals!
• Realise being organised is not the same as being neat and tidy!

Each of these things on their own is not difficult and makes sense, but if you do find the list daunting, break it down.  Start with the first three this week and move onto the others next week.  If you are like me and need to be constantly reminded, print the list out, laminate it and keep it handy, so that you can remind yourself constantly that getting organised, is not a big deal!