Getting Organized, I KNOW I Have It But Where Did I Put It

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What I Got and Where'd I Put it

My favorite bit of office graffiti rested on the side of my desk for several years, and proclaimed 'A Clean Desk is the Sign of a Sick Mind.'

Well, it sat there until it got lost in a stack of clutter.

(dis)Organized 

Those who know me may laugh like mad when they've heard I've written a lens on organizing things, events, brain works, closets. I'll be the first to admit that I struggle with the process and am as easily distracted from it as a cat with a butterfly and.. oh gee that looks like a nice pair of knee socks over there on .. sorry. There I went again.

If I were younger, I might be diagnosed with ADHD or some set of official-sounding initials (adult-onset attention deficit disorder or something like that). As it is, I think it's more likely I am just forgetful and easily distracted by pretty, shiny.. ooo nice necklace on eBay!

My sister, on the other hand, is amazing. I swear she can organize a haystack, north to south, east to west, up to down, whatever order you want it to. She appears undaunted by any complex event. I shudder to even consider planning a family reunion for somewhere around 50 people. The mere thought of it spins my brain in its cage until I can't see straight. But she is world-famous for her abilities in that regard. Well, ok, family-famous!

This place may seem a tad disjointed, which is ironic as all get out, since half of it is meant to organize my own works, and the other half is to give recommendations on how to get things organized. I've found blogs, books, stuff on eBay to help through this process, which can be grueling unless one has a natural knack for doing so.

This place will be added to steadily as more lenses evolve from imagination to virtual reality. They include a mix of serious tech and casual interests, hobbies and avocations, as well as a capture of several great tools and sites I've found while building my primary sites. Besides, if I don't write them down someplace, I'll NEVER get organized.

The Power of ONE 

Deal with ONE item at a time.

Take ONE approach at a time.

Focus on ONE issue at a time.

Consider ONE thing at a time.

Then finish. And move on to the next ONE.

Electronic Things to Help You Get Organized 

Find one place to keep track of what you need to keep track of, and ditch the rest, or give them away to someone else. Don't have something yet? Consider this...

Palm Tungsten E2 Handheld

Wherever your life is going, this is the perfect handheld to take along for the ride. The sleek, stylishly designed Tungsten E2 handheld from palmOne brings your entire world to life. Your calendar, contacts, documents, presentations, photos and videos look sharper and more colorful. But just as important, its new flash memory keeps all that information safe -- even if you don't have time to recharge.

Amazon Price: $579.00 (as of 07/14/2009) Buy Now

The Perils of Getting Organized 

including that you have to keep track!

Start simple, small steps. Don't try to over-think or over-read or over-plan, or you may find things too painful to rearrange.

The Beverly Hills Organizer's Home Organizing Bible: A Pro's Answers to Your Organizing Prayers

At last-an easy-to-follow, step-by-step visual guide to organizing your home room by room and piece by piece. Most organizing books are too complicated to actually use-you have to read them cover-to-cover, search for the information you need, then try to remember it once you finally find it.

Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 07/14/2009) Buy Now

Things to Help Your House Get Organized 

Find one thing, one cabinet insert, one rack, that will help you get a single corner organized. Start with that first. Don't rush out to buy a houseful of organizers until you find the one that will work best for you.

Rubbermaid Configurations 3- to 6-Foot Deluxe Custom Closet Kit #3H8800

Organize that closet to your liking: by season, for work or leisure, or configure it for his and her clothing with this custom closet kit from Rubbermaid.

Amazon Price: $145.95 (as of 07/14/2009) Buy Now

Organizing and Other Painful Experiences 

What others say about getting their act together

Organizing a portfolio on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Anyone want to come over and help? I only have 2 more days until I give my first presentation...

Clutter Bustin' 

Can't get organized if you can't see your desk!

Someone may have a used organizer doodad that will help. Try not to buy someone else's clutter bunker though.

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So Tell Me... 

Your_Spacious_Self wrote...

Nice lens! You've got some great tips here for getting, and staying, organized. I'd love for you to drop by my lens on clearing clutter and say hi when you get the chance.

ReplyPosted January 27, 2009

MoomettesMagnificents wrote...

Excellent lists & I'd like to grab them all! I used to be so organized, but kids & grandkids did me in! I love all the links! Keep up the good work!

ReplyPosted January 12, 2008

butcat wrote...

Hi! Thanks for the link to Totally Cats! The great cat animation there (as well as its prototype :-) ), and the blog itself is great.

AJ
Butcat

ReplyPosted December 06, 2007

katiyana wrote...

Your life sounds like my life - I'm lucky I can find the keyboard under all this stuff just to type this message to you. A !

ReplyPosted November 22, 2007

Clutterbugs wrote...

Your entry - The Power of ONE - is so true! I'm a pro organizer, and I firmly believe in that as well. Check out my lens sometime - Organize YHB! :)

ReplyPosted September 16, 2007

 
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