Benefits of Getting Organized
Getting organized is not just a good idea because your mom said so. There are lots of benefits to being in control and developing a clutter-free lifestyle. As an adult, being organized is a matter of decision. As an entrepreneur, one of the first things you come to know is that being organized, or not being organized in your personal life, spills over into your business.
As an adult, being organized is a matter of decision. As an entrepreneur, one of the first things you come to know is that being organized, or not being organized in your personal life, spills over into your business.
-V. Lynn Hawkins
What is organization and why do some people feel as though it’s a curse word? Some people are blind to the disorganization they live in and that flows over into other areas of their lives. They have a messy home, a messy car, yet they put on the persona of organized at work, unless they have an office. When they have an office, their truth in messy gets revealed.
That is one of the psychological reasons more corporations went to cubicles. When people can readily see you, you tend to have a different attitude about what people see and you make the effort to be organized, even in the slightest. It is also easier to set standards for the larger body in a corporate environment and people do not want to get recognized for something they feel is negative, being disorganized.
Here are some synonyms that I believe are in order a bit of discussion: planning, arrangement, coordination, structuring, administration, organizing, management, logistics; establishment, formation, development. When you consider organization, it’s easy to see how these all play into the how of being organized.
Let’s talk about more of the psychology of being organized. Here are 6 examples of the benefits of being organized. When you express discipline and take effort to be more organized, you will realize these benefits.
- Less stress
When organized you are automatically less stressed. There is a sense of ease when you know where your keys, wallet, important papers, phone charger, phone, files, notes are. Begin with the start of the day. Create the habit of morning gratitude and make up your bed every morning. The sense of calm that is brought about by just the single act of consistently making your bed will give your subconscious mind a sense of ease. When you return home in the evening or if on the weekend, you return to your room, you are received by calm and organization just by making your bed.
Similarly, if your project plan is up to date and you complete your reports on time, there’s no need to worry about on-the-spot requests for project updates or meetings. Many of us feel that our work is a major source of stress. Wouldn’t it be great if it were our source of joy. That happens when we shift stress into peace and calm.
- More time
Planning your time and keeping up-to-date means you can allocate time for everything in your life, including downtime. Being organized means, you won’t get sidetracked or panicked by not being able to find important items. You’ll be punctual and more productive.
You cannot create more time. We all have the same 24 hours in the day. There is only one exception and one specific way to create more time; plan your time by being more organized. Whether that’s a family calendar showing all the events for the month, or for meal planning purposes, having a grocery list and check the cabinets and frig before you go to the grocery store. If you’re changing to buy more healthy foods, consider tossing what’s in the pantry, providing the space and replacing those things with your healthier items purchased.
- Ready for the unexpected
You can be prepared for last-minute requests or deadlines because you’re not distracted by untidiness or the mental cloud of not being quite sure where things stand. That is true for everything from planning your child’s birthday party to that big project at work you are overseeing.
It also applies to the big client project that you need or have outside resources to help meet the objectives and deadlines. Being organized means you have systems in place that allow you to optimize time and resources to be ready for the unexpected.
- Better health
Studies have shown that being organized has demonstrable health benefits. Lower stress levels mean lower blood pressure and less body inflammation. Also, your immune system is stronger, and you’re less likely to be at risk of depression. You set up a positive feedback loop that spills over into all other areas of your life.
Better organization habits lead to better eating, exercise and sleep habits, mainly because you see a way and intentionally incorporate these things into your day or your week. The biggest argument in support of ill health is that there isn’t enough time or it takes too much work. Yet, when you do the tiny shift in your habits and are more organized in your life and work, you will allocate the time to eat better, exercise and you can sleep better.
- Nothing feels overwhelming
Having your life running smoothly, means you’re much calmer and in a better mental position to deal with things. You can look at your to-do list without panicking because you know you can do it. You know that you can tackle the list task-by-task, priority-by-priority, without feeling overwhelmed.
First, being organized means you create the list, better yet; create the system you can use (monthly calendar, weekly calendar, to-do list, etc). When you know what you want to do, you can more easily get it done. Make your to-do list every day before completing your work, or your day as an entrepreneur. The next morning, review your list and set your priorities. Set an amount of time that you will spend on any particular task or project. Even if you can only get a bit done in a day, you’ve made progress and can feel good about it. When you get a little done daily, in a matter of days, you’ve completed the task, or gotten closer to your project goals.
- More energy
It might seem counter-intuitive but putting effort into planning and organizing your life (your work, or your business) gives you more energy. You’re less stressed because your mind isn’t obsessing about all the stuff you have to do. When you have a plan, you’re in control and know you can get it all done. If your papers, ideas, and tasks (personal and business) are in order, you can see a way through. When you are working with systems, and your systems are working for you, life and business flow more smoothly. Life is no longer a chaotic mystery!
Finally, being organized signals trust and reliability. If you are on time, follow through on your commitments and are ready for whatever comes at you, you will project an image of professionalism and responsibility. You will look promotion-ready, ready for that next ideal client and get more respect from your colleagues and your family.
It is so important to be organized in your life and business and it can be easy to do. If you need help getting organized, ask yourself if it’s a pattern in your life, or if it’s a matter of needing a better system. Either way, seek answers. You will love your life even more when it’s no longer a chaotic, stress filled journey.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lynn Hawkins is a certified business acceleration coach, consultant and small business funding strategist, specializing in helping entrepreneurs with online marketing to grow business and revenue. As CEO/Founder of the P3 Academy of Social Entrepreneurship, she coaches her signature 5 Tiers of Accelerated Business Development, courses and programs her audience is asking for. Lynn teaches how to raise capital using crowdfunding and is host of the Crowdfunding Hacker Show. She is an author, speaker and an advocate for growing women entrepreneurs and their businesses and is often caught saying “when you earn more revenue, you can do more good in the world”. She believes in creating a living legacy through your work. Her “Goddesspreneur DIAMOND Mastermind” and “Women Empowering Women” live events help women express their vision, vibe, voice, and visibility to live victorious legacy lives, creating and growing legacy businesses.
Keywords:
Business, business building, strategic planning, P3 Academy SE, content marketing, story, brand marketing, organization, organizational strategy,
