Blueprint For Organization

(reprint of article in "Organized Living" newsletter, Mar/Apr 2000 issue)

By Cyndi Seidler

Have you ever wondered how to get started with getting organized? All it takes is the decision to do it and a plan of attack. If we were to approach this like starting out most endeavors, we can trace the beginning with a blueprint. A blueprint is a detailed plan of action. It can present itself as a map, in so many ways, on how to get from one point to another.

In defining “order”, it signifies a condition of logical or comprehensible arrangement among the separate elements of a group. It is an established system, a prescribed form or customary procedure. Therefore, to create order in an area, we need to establish an arrangement of things in the space and have a procedure that makes the system work.

An example of this would be planning to organize the office. In reviewing the current condition of the office, we might make note that there is paper clutter on the desk, files that can’t be found in the file cabinets, boxes with who-knows-what lying around on the floor space, and general items that have no place. A plan of action would be to sort through all the paper and organize it into files and archive boxes, and purge any paper that doesn’t need to be kept or referenced. Also, certain items might need to be purchased to organize things into. To take action on the plan is the next step, although, in essence, one has already taken action by creating a plan!

The act of organizing is a process and brings all the elements into an ordered whole (i.e., an organized office). Establishing a systematic arrangement of things provides a peaceful environment that allows a person to focus better and be more productive. It isn’t necessarily a one-step task. It is a process.

By mapping out a plan of action, one can achieve the goal of being organized. Maybe certain day(s) or times need to be set aside for this activity? Maybe one needs to arrange another person to help them with the project? Whatever is needed to get the job done, that is what needs to be in the blueprint.

What we see here is that getting organized is not an event. It is a process. And, with most processes, it requires a plan and a series of steps to accomplish the plan.

Copyright © 1997 Cyndi Seidler.  All Rights Reserved.

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