What Does Clearing My Head Have to Do With Cleaning My Desk?

Last year I purchased a copy of Regina Leeds’ book One Year to an Organized Work Life. I opened it in March. This year I have been determined to be a lot more disciplined about time management and productivity.  Between being mom, the good enough job, the work I am passionate about and trying to have a life, creating systems and being more organized is critical to getting things done.

I expected the first week of my one year journey with my new best book to focus on clearing your desk. That’s where things usually start – clear the clutter, toss out old stuff, create space for the new customers you want, yadda, yadda, yadda. So I sat down at my desk with a beautiful green trash bag ready and waiting and opened to week one  surprised to come face-to-face with the question – “Where am I now?” I immediately flipped back to the cover to make sure I had the right book. I did. After reading through the rest of the chapter it clicked. Just like any other outward change, getting more organized starts with internal clarity.

The next question inquired about how I got to where I am. This wasn’t about how did I get to be disorganized – to which I would have only had excuses as answers. But the question focused on how did I get to where I am in my work. Then the last evaluation question of week one focused on reconnecting me with my passion: Am I doing what I love? (see there’s a reason I knew this book was for me.)

The good news is – I am for the most part doing what I love. My ‘good enough’ day job is actually very good. And the more I invest in working my passion as coach, writer, and speaker, the more pleased I am with the return. Now do I have a little clutter? Yes. Does my desk get piled up with books and articles every week? Absolutely. Is there an easier way to track my ideas than 1001 post it notes covering my desk and monitor?  I really hope so. It’s real easy to be overwhelmed by an area we feel we are less than perfect in, despite how we really feel about the quality of our current experience. After some reflection I realized that creating more organization in how I work isn’t about my cracking the whip on my own back making sure I adhere to the master of a to-do list. Rather having more organization supports me in reaching the next set of goals I have.

So what did clearing my head have to do with cleaning my desk? For me realizing that being more organized creates more time for me to do what I love was huge inspiration for me to take action. The chapter didn’t wrap up with marching orders to go clean the office or even clean the desk, but I was inspired to take action anyway.

On to week 2!

• Pin It
• Share
• Tweet