| LEADERS |
What
characteristics do the exceptional leaders share
with well-organized people? They all have a
vision of accomplishment, of efficiency in
pursuit of that vision, and effective handling of
priorities.
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We tend to equate good leadership with good
organization. Yet, there are some successful
professionals, regarded as leaders in their
fields, who do not invite visitors into their
homes. (You'd never guess it, because at
the office they appear "very
organized.") However, they don't even allow
plumbers or housekeepers in ... because of the
clutter. Stacks of newspapers line passageways,
opened and unopened mail and numerous other items
to deal with are littered over tables, sofas,
chairs and floors. And their home office is a
disaster too. Nothing can be located quickly or
easily. Organizing experts explain that simply "Clutter
is postponed decisions." |
In their professional lives, most leaders have
no trouble making decisions. Every day they get things
done, lots of things. Moreover, they delegate what they
don't have the time or ability to do well. Organized
people do the same thing. What the most effective leaders
do is combine skills. They apply basic organizing
principles to their professional and personal lives.
Professional Organizers often hear clients protest,
"I'm both intelligent and successful. Why can't I
keep everything organized on my own?" But getting
organized doesn't require instinct. It requires skills.
Fortunately, those skills can be learned.
Most people don't know how to speak a foreign language or
develop an appropriate fitness program. That's what
professionals are for. A Professional Organizer can give
you a jump start in the techniques you need, and will
coach you to develop a routine that will keep you on
track.
HOW DO YOU START?
Leaders cannot afford clutter -- it wastes too much time.
More than one busy executive has discovered the virtue of
paying attention to their "To Do" lists. These
consist of a short term list and a long term reminder
list of priorities. The lists are updated daily, because
circumstances and priorities change. When a delivery is
facing delay, or a family member is in crisis, they need
to immediately reconsider "what's next." If
their space is efficient, their time is well-planned, and
all incoming information has a "home," they can
instantly juggle the pieces of this ready-made structure
to meet new challenges.
WHERE IS MY ... ?
There are two quick ways to find "what's next"
-- keep it within easy reach and find it where it
belongs. You reach for only a few things all the time:
calendar, datebook, notepad, stapler, scissors and active
records. Outdated records such as last year's taxes and
correspondence are boxed, labeled and put someplace else.
Categorizing items helps you group them and store them
near where you'll use them later. The process of sorting
eliminates redundancy and duplication of labels and
files.
WHEN CAN I ... ?
Leaders who are organized have time under their thumb,
and they don't do it alone. They rely on tools like
dayplanners, baskets and dividers to plan and manage
their lives and activities. They are limited by the same
amount of time we all are, yet they use it to a better
advantage.
For one thing, they remember to allot time for preparing
for each task, as well as noting its due date, which
removes a lot of deadline stress. To make sure they relax
and have fun, some people confess that they also make an
occasional "date" with themselves (and don't
break it!).
WHICH ONE ... ?
Business and professional leaders owe a lot of their
success to the relationships they cultivate. The trouble
is, more people in their lives means more information --
phone numbers, business cards, emails and events to
attend. When every item has its "proper" place,
it's easier to put it there. And it's where they expect
to find it when they need it.
HIRING HELP IS SMART!
Successful leadership requires skillful management of
time, space, and information. Chaos can be conquered,
paper dragons and all, with basic organizational skills.
If you can't do it, the professionals
can. Then they will teach you
how.
This article was
published in New Woman Spirit Magazine -- Fall 1997
Need help
from a Professional Organizer? Go to ... An Organized
Office
Copyright
© Donna D. McMillan. All rights reserved.
No part of these articles may be reproduced in
any way without written permission by author. |
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