I love to learn new things. I am always reading, researching, and trying out new methods for being organized. As a result, I have a variety of methods in my tool kit to find the best fit for any given situation.
One thing, however, I have discovered in learning new methods is how important it is to keep them separate from the principles.
Let me explain.
As you know, if you have been reading my blog, I define being organized as having access to what you need when you need it. (You can find that blog here: How to Define “Being Organized”)
That’s the main principle of organizing that I use for everyone.
But methods, that’s a different story.
I find that each person is different and what works for one person may not work for the next.
So what’s the problem?
I hear over and over again everywhere I go examples of methods trumping the principle.
My heart aches for those who think they have not applied the principle if they are not following a particular method.
For example, I have a friend who is rather right-brained and creative who heard somewhere the method “all your files must be color-coded by topic with typed labels in a file cabinet.”
She heard principle not method.
Being right-brained, she would never take the time to keep up a system of that complexity (the method) so she didn’t think she could ever be organized (the principle).
We found other ways for her to find access to her papers when she needed them. It may not look like the so-called highly organized person, but she could find things and maintain it.
Same principle (having access to what you need when you need it) but a different method.
We love our methods. We share them. We live by them. We swear by them.
And we begin to think that others are not achieving the principle if they are not following our particular method.
Not all methods fit all people. And that’s okay.
What I am really getting at, is if you feel disorganized and are trying to be more organized, get the principle down.
Then play with the methods.
Listen to your friends. Take suggestions. But don’t ever think if you are not following a particular method you are not organized.
Remember, you are organized when you have access to what you need when you need it.