When someone tells you they’re trying to get organized what’s the first thing you think of?  Probably that person is running around with a highlighter in one hand and a pen in the other in a very messy house, sticking post-it notes everywhere, tons of labeled boxes sitting around, multiple planners on the table with highlighted sections sticking out, dogs barking, and kids screaming.  However, that could not be further from the truth.  Getting organized may take some time and work at the beginning, but once it gets done it’s actually very rewarding and makes for a much easier, smoother life. 
I do understand, however, that getting organized may seem like a very daunting task that would scare even the manliest of men;yet, once again, this could not be more false.  In order to become organized you must plan, have some free time, and have a basic idea of where you want to be after you’re finished.  For example, my aunt has tons of paper work.  She keeps everything (that’s important) from doctor notes to her children’s school report cards.  Did I mention she has seven kids??  That’s a lot of report cards!  When I approached her about helping her get organized she was very excited, but I think a little nervous about being jerked away from her normal system that she was used to.  Yet, she allowed me to “do my thing.”  I took all of her old folders and began to split them up based on each child.  I had a stack for each kid (seven total) and then we decided to compile all of the kid’s school stuff into one section.  I then used one of the collapsible/expandable binders that you can purchase at Wal-Mart/Dollar General/Target to start the actual organizing.  The binder had 14 different slots in it, so I used two per child.  One was for Important School Stuff and the other was used as Miscellaneous School Stuff.  We began to file away the papers and pretty soon had everything separated in a neat and orderly manner.  We continued this process for about two hours every night for three days until we finally had every piece of paper in a specific slot/folder.  After four collapsible binders, one small tote to store them in, one small collapsible binder for receipts, and several hours of tedious work, my aunt finally had a burden lifted.  All of her paper work was now organized, easy to find and easy to access.  Over eight years of paper work had been organized in less than three days.  Not as bad as you thought, huh?
I often hear people say, “Well I need to get more organized, but I just don’t have the time or money.”  That statement contradicts itself, mainly due to the fact that without organization you will always struggle to have free time, yet without a little free time you can’t have organization.  I was the same way when I first started.  When I realized I needed to get organized I was terrified.  I expected to have to clean everyday, buy all sorts of bins and containers and keep a daily schedule of meticulous activities that would soon bore me to death.  Yet, I slowly noticed that staying organized didn’t take much time.  Don’t get me wrong, for the first few days of going through junk and organizing stuff it does take some time and dedication, yet after that it’s not that difficult to maintain your “Organizational Flow.”  Your Org Flow (as I call it) is basically the flow to things that you’re doing and the flow to which things get done.
 Think of it as a clogged up sink.  If it gets stopped up every two months, then it won’t take long before you realize that you can’t wait until it gets completely clogged for you to do something about it.  You learn that it’s much easier to unclog it about a month in, before the clog gets too bad.  The flow of the water represents the flow of your life.  When you first start getting organized it’s like unclogging your sink for the first time.  It may take a couple of tries and you may break a sweat, but eventually you’ll break through. 
Once you “unclog” your life, you have to keep it maintained.  Cleaning your house, organizing your desk and washing the dishes before they get out of control are like working on your sink every few weeks.  It makes it much easier in the long run.  I had a client about a year ago that I first used this metaphor on and I told her straight forward that her Org Flow was drowning her!  She would get a little organized, then she would stop and it would all swell back up and devour her.  Once I explained this to her she finally understood what I meant.  We developed a system for her and she eventually got, and stayed, organized.  That’s all it takes; keeping your Org Flow moving and making sure you maintain the “pipes.”
My challenge to you this week is to focus on your “Org Flow.”  Don’t begin organizing yet; just step back and see what is “clogging up your pipes” and stopping you from reaching your full potential.  Until you see what is causing the problem you won’t be able to successfully remove it.  Next week, we’ll discuss the different ways to successfully maintain your Organizational Flow.