The first of “Making Promises Become Practices” series, the Five Steps, explored the idea of how to make the promises that order and organization declare a reality in our lives. Today’s post tackles our habits.
In my thirty years of being a professional organizer, I have found that long-held habits are often the bump in the road, or should we say the huge pothole in the road, that keep folks from following through with the steps needed to find balance, harmony and discovery in their lives.
Perhaps you have some bad habits that need to be relegated to the trash heap, as well. How can you bring order and organization to your habits? Here are four life-changing habits worth cultivating:
- Start your day with time for yourself. Pray, meditate or simply reflect on your blessings. Give yourself time to reflect and savor the good things in your life. Be thankful for what you have and what you have already accomplished.
- Plan your day with a day-planner, a wall-calendar or e-calendar, or smartphone app for scheduling. Plan each day before the day begins. Use simple check lists.
- Conquer your day by eliminating interruptions and procrastination. Turn your phone on vibrate or mute, if needed. And once you’ve started a task, keep at it! Don’t let fear of failure keep you from completing a task, or worse, avoiding it. Interruptions and procrastination are insidious enemies of time, energy and focus. Banish these bad boys and finish your tasks for the day!
- End your day on a note of accomplishment. Clear off your office or home desk. Make a short list of anything you must do the following morning. This brings closure to your day and gives focus when you return to your office.
I once heard that a habit is being stuck in a rut when it comes to a certain practice, and a rut is really just a grave with the ends blown out. I know that long-held habits are very hard to break. It takes attention, enthusiasm and determination to break free from some destructive habits. It also takes patience and help. You didn’t form that habit overnight, and you won’t escape or change that habit overnight, either. Get the organizational help you need from a spouse, friend, or coworker, or even a professional, like me.
Just give me a call at 719-495-7626 or email me at Sue@withtimetospare.com.
Next week we will look at our attitudes and what part they play in hindering you from obtaining the promises that order and organization give.