Being An Organized Person

 

As far back as I can remember, I have always been an organizer. Sometimes I call it a gift, actually most of the time it is a gift, but sometimes being an organizer can be exhausting. It seems I've always been an organizer in my career and in my personal life. I've discovered most organizers are multi-taskers who have developed multiple skills over the years of which other people rely on you to organize for them. I've heard the phrase knowledge is power. Hmmmm . . . is it? I find that having knowledge in many areas is what makes an organized person able to accomplish their tasks in an orderly manner.

So it was easy for me to come up with my blog topic today, because all day I've been organizing mine and my companion's agenda. I WOKE UP ASKING GOD TO PLEASE HELP ME TO FOLLOW HIS AGENDA FOR ME TODAY. This is an exercise I learned by reading Humble Roots and It's All Under Control. As the day was getting later, I realized I hadn't chosen my topic for my blog yet. So, I asked God for a topic -- "Organization" is what came to the forefront of my mind. In my day, I have systematic goals I plan for myself, which for the most part are actually God related and important for me to be consistent in -- it helps me with my spiritual journey.. My testimony and blogging is very important for me and getting my daily bible study accomplished through my Harvest Discipleship App. As soon as I wake up, I open the application in order to get my daily devotion to reflect on for the day. As part of getting my devotional time, I also read other Christian's comments to get encouraged or as a means to give encouragement to others -- however Holy Spirit moves me in my devotional time. So these are things I've been consistent in and maintain my organization to accomplish daily.

Let me give you background. We already know how many marriages I've been through -- I can tell you that in all those marriages, I was the relied upon organizer of EVERYTHING outside of their work/careers. It seemed I was always the one to organize the events and what days each task would be accomplished and how. This always required strategy and planning. I'm sure I have a personality type, but that's for another day. I can't do things half hazardly and for the most part the outcome has to be spot on.

As a mother -- we all know that Mom's are the organized ones and it should be common knowledge that if you plan on having children to recognize, you will be the primary organizer -- I'm sure there are exceptions, but for the most part organization of EVERYTHING falls into the hands of the Mom. At least in my case that was my role, until my children got old enough to start organizing for themselves, but they would always ask me as their advisor for assistance if they entered into a territory that wasn't going as planned. Also, I'm still raising two college aged boys who for the most part when it comes to their schooling they have it completely under control. Also, their meal planning spread sheets are flawless and they organize those. They also have learned how to inventory and organize their collection of stuff -- I've discussed their collections in a previous blog as well. 

However, because I am their financial provider at this point, I find I have to keep up with the organization of financing the household they primarily live in as well as the maintenance and operations involved in living in a six year old house. Currently, their home is considered my primary residence, but I also organize two other properties that belong to my companion. So I travel between the two main homes. Plus I have a sweet furry companion, who today I had to organize the visitation and payment of a vet for because he was under the weather. My poor boy had two ear infections, but his general health is excellent for a 17 year old little guy. My boys were very helpful in accomplishing this task. Along with organizing the finances and operations of their home, I do the same for my companion’s other two properties.

I need to slip in here that I also have to keep up with organizing the maintenance of two fairly new vehicles. One my boys drive and one is for my companion's and my usage. Thank goodness for Nissan's upkeep reminders and DMV Renewal notices.

I have a written calendar and also keep a digital calendar -- just in case there is an issue with battery life or electricity malfunctions. I think I would be lost without my calendar, which is my primary source of staying organized. When I absolutely have to remember certain appointments, they get an alert setting on my phone, so I can remember where I'm supposed to be at certain times.

I've shared my career path in a previous blog and in all my clerical through Human Resource Management positions, I definitely was relied upon for my organizational skills in every capacity. Depending on the hat I was wearing, I was relied upon by one or up to 22 administrators for my organization skills. It's funny as I reflect, I remember people asking me how I keep up with everything that I'm responsible to accomplish, my answer was I don't know. Then I would remember to respond to them, I'm pretty sure God has a lot to do with it. Actually, that should always be my response for everything I get done in a day -- especially when I hand my schedule off to Him first thing in the morning.

Then on top of the above responsibilities of organization, I've added my hobbies of music and art. Each one of those two areas of my life requires me to be organized. I also love to read (a lot lately) and dabble in a little crocheting. I need to maintain my supplies and resources for these hobbies, because when I go to do a particular activity, I want to be able to have what I need in hands reach.

I will share that I used to be the one to keep my homes cleaned and visually lovely. I'm happy to say that I get some help in this area with one of my companion's homes. However, I'm still responsible for laundry. I tried using a laundry service and it just isn't the same as doing it for yourself. I love softener and my clothes to have that just washed smell. I do still take free liberty when it comes to decorating all the homes. Because as part of decorating, everything has to have a place and be organized or it becomes just chaos behind the doors.

As I wrote this blog, I got exhausted thinking of the different areas of my life that require organizing. I have to admit, there are several more areas, but I don't want to keep you reading an entire narrative. I did want to give you a glimpse of my life when it comes to being an organized person, because after all it is part of my testimony.

In summary, I do consider being an organized person a gift. I've also been relied upon with this gift while serving in different capacities in church and service to God as well. I know I am not alone in this area of being an organized person. I would say being organized also requires one to prioritize each task into different levels of importance as well. I take one task at a time and move forward moment by moment. After all, all we have are moments.

Romans 8:28 -- "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

1 Corinthians 14:40  -- "Let all things be done decently and in order."