How To Get Organized Using Your Heart - Instead Of A Battering Ram
Is it me - or did that stuff appear from absolutely nowhere?
Layne and I were talking this morning and she snapped her fingers to illustrate just how fast it happened.
“Where did it come from?” she asked, completely perplexed. “I just cleaned up my office yesterday!”
It’s amazing how fast life moves. Sometimes in just a couple of days you can get a surprise email to set up an appointment, a good networking opportunity, an update for your website, an unexpected phone call - and, oh, your next newsletter is coming due…
Before you know it, life feels out of control and your office looks like a bomb exploded. These exciting opportunities can blow your semi-organized life out of order and turn your workspace upside down. And you’re left reeling.
If you can relate (I know I can!), the important thing to know is that messiness and craziness are just a symptom. It means you’ve lost touch with the grounding energy of your organizing system.
Internal Organ(izing)
“Ick,” you might say, “Organizing is so dry and boring.”
Yes, no doubt, it certainly can be. But by my definition, organizing isn’t sterile or regimented or even painful. It’s a personal thing that is unique to you - like the organs in your body.
Organ… Organization… They’re similar.
See, every organ has a job - and all of them rely on the other organs to get the whole job done. That’s what keeps you alive.
Your business organizing systems works the same way. Your files, your desk top, your billing, your note taking, are all part of a larger system of keeping your business alive - and hopefully flourishing.
But when you spend too much time on one organ, or one system, things get really lopsided and unhealthy. Can you relate?
The good news? It’s not a chronic condition. And you won’t need surgery to fix it.
Things to Try:
1. Take stock:
Take out a pen and some paper - and write down an estimate of about how much time you spend focused on the externals of your business?
By “externals” I mean things like working with clients, writing newsletters, checking email, talking on the phone, and more. Basically, being externally-focused involves you to be focused on others.
Take a guess at what percentage of your work time is spent in out-focus mode.
2. Take it a step further:
Now consider how much time do you devote to the internal operations of your business?
This might include balancing expenses and income, filing information where you can easily locate it, purging non-essential information and materials, planning and charting your short- and long-term goals, updating files, cleaning your office, and more.
Again, guess what percentage of your time is spend with internal maintenance.
When you compare these two percentages, notice if you think that one might need more attention.
3. Set a new goal:
Okay, so I’m going to take a wild guess here and assume that the second category, internal focus, was significantly lower than the first.
If that’s true, take a few moments to contemplate the following two questions (this is a great internally-focused activity!).
What do you think the impact of the in-focus/out-focus disparity is having on your business?
If internal maintenance is essential to the health of your business, what attention does your business need internally?
Bonus: A few ideas…
For some people, it really works well to dedicate some unscheduled time once a month - or once a week - to do small bits of maintenance like filing, billing, purging, etc.
Some people make appointments with their files, or their money, or other “organs” to make sure they’re healthy and strong.
I like to spend the first minutes of my day with my calendar, planning out what to get done today. This helps me stay on track and accomplish the things I want to - leaving time for fun and spontaneity at break times, evenings and weekends.
It’s fun to swim upstream!
Even though you might feel pressure to be externally-focused, attending to the internal maintenance of your business can have a profound impact on your success. It can give you the stability you need to go into the world feeling supported and competent.
If your business is growing, but you can’t seem to get your office under control, help is here.
At Inspired Home Office, home-based entrepreneurs create a work environment that supports them both logically and aesthetically. Your office can work for you - not the other way around.
Jennifer Hofmann brings years of experience in making collosal organizing and decorating mistakes (and learning) to benefit her clients - presented with a healthy dose of humility and humor.
Visit http://www.inspiredhomeoffice.com today and sign up to receive regular gems like the one you’re reading now.
Tags: caring, health, home office, office, order, Organization, organizing, productivity, professional
Related Posts
- How Can I Get An Ex Back - Should I Get Back Together With My Ex
- Follow Your Heart To Business - 4 Things The Books May Not Tell You About Starting Your Own Business
- Come Up With A Plan–tips On How To Get A Grip On The Mess & Get Organized
- Roxy Luggage Has The Most Beautifully Patterned Luggage Items
- Search Illinois Divorce Records
Comments
Leave a Reply