How To Organize Your Life!

As I become more dedicated to my career, my day-to-day ambitions become more demanding. I am sure any college student who has turned his/her motivational burners to high, has realized that the time in the day seems to feel shorter the more you squeeze onto your plate. So... what to do? Well it's time to take control! Easier said than done, I admit, but totally possible, and something I have managed to accomplish myself.

First thing is first, you need to remove your clutter; get rid of the things your really don't need. The difficult part of this task is realizing that it's not only material things I'm talking about here. Responsibilities clutter your life, so try not to get caught up in things other people have dropped in your lap. Guilt clutters your life, so don't spend time thinking about what you haven't done, or what you should be doing, just hop to it the best you can. Rules clutter your life, so don't clean your room just because it's been a rule enforced at home when you were younger, and a habit you've gotten used to, if there is something much more important you need to do; prioritize! Myths clutter your life, so if there is something that you've picked up from child-hood or from society, and it's not serving you well, then you need to take a long hard look in the mirror, and tell yourself to cut it out because it's just not worth it.

Once you have done the best you can removing the clutter from your life, and figuring out your time management priorities, you can move on to finally worrying about organization; which becomes much more effective after removing clutter, not before! You need to be able to get a hold of your things, thoughts, and projects easily and efficiently.

First you must organize your material things, meaning getting filing cabinets, binders, folders, shelves, baskets, crates, and/or closet organizers. I recommend labeling things well.

If you have an important idea then make a brainstorm web. This is an exercise I have had to do my whole life, throughout elementary school, and high school, and has served me well. Basically you put your idea in the middle of a blank page, circled. Then, related idea bubbles stem from the middle bubble, and from there, anything can stem out to anything else, and things can interconnect. The result is a big web-like brainstorm map revolving around a central idea. It's one of the best starting places for an idea, no matter what it's for, or how it will be used.

These are the basic concepts. They are simple enough, but may take a lifetime to master. Just make sure this is something you are putting effort into, like all the other important things you have piled onto your daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly schedule. Every little thing helps, whether it be getting a calendar/daily planner, a Palm Pilot/iPhone, buying a book like "The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People By Stephen R. Covey", visiting websites like "http://drgingerblume.com/scripts_cluttered_life.htm", or buying motivational and organizational software. Alright readers, good luck, and smooth sailing, it's a rough ride, but we all just need to be doing what we can, little by little, on a daily basis. Be sure to check in soon for new posts.
-Daniel Shore