The truth about organized people...

What does it mean to be organized?

   That really depends on who you ask. By definition, organized means to be arranged in a systematic way, especially on a large scale.
 
   For many, this simply means have a system. A way to do something. A place to put stuff.
 
   To the majority of people, however, organization is a symbol of control. If you want to know how much people crave this control, you merely have to do a quick search on the internet. There are websites and books dedicated to helping people organize their lives. There are stores whose sole purpose is to sell goods that help people organize their stuff. Apps and calendars are available for every technical device. A person can even obtain a degree to become a professional or personal organizer and earn a living helping others to become better organized.

   It seems that just about everyone has a fantasy about being organized. Really, who doesn't want to have some control? But before you idolize that organized person you think you want to be, there are a few truths about organized people that you should know up front:

They are Lazy.

They are Egotistical.

They are Time Snobs.

   And they revel in these aspects! If you are honest with yourself, you might see that you have some of these traits and may be on your way to being organized. What will people think?

   I will be honest, I would much rather spend my time with my feet up than working. If I must work, I prefer to do so with my feet up. An organized person tends to have some very lazy traits and as a result will put a system in place of extending physical or mental effort. If you don't think you fit this category, ask yourself this question: Would you carry a shovel full pea gravel across the yard fifteen times, or would you use a wheelbarrow and make just two trips? If you are lazy, like I am, you are going to vote for the wheelbarrow and less trips. Want to hone your lazy organizational skills, pick a home for the wheelbarrow afterward. Saves the energy of having to go looking for it later. Time saved looking for the wheelbarrow is time to relax on the patio with an ice cold beverage! The key to organized life is merely finding a method to save time and energy.

   By saving time and energy, the organized person achieves the goal of being in control! Control that they know they are meant to have. Control over some part of the universe around them! The organized person feels that they should be in control of their time and their universe.

That sounded a bit egotistical. 

   The biggest complaint I hear from people is that they don't have time to get organized. When someone tells me this, I worry about their self image. Are they merely minions who are going to let tasks dictate how things will get done and how much time it will take? Or will they take control and make the determination of how their time will be spent? 

   By being organized, you take less time to find the stuff you need to do the task and overall, less time to do the actual task. That will make you an egotist who thinks that you are worthy of handling time! You must be careful or the neighbors will talk.

   But doesn't it take time and energy to become a lazy, egotistical, time-snob, organized person? Truthfully, yes, but not much and probably less than you think. Remember, the average lazy organized person is looking to do as little work as possible, in the least amount of time. They have better things to do. Like put their feet up.

   Still think you want to be organized (and talked about by your friends and family) but not sure where to start? Remember the paragraph above about web pages and books and stores? Yeah, start there. Better yet, enlist help! Find someone you already know who fits the description of an organized person and get their input. Flatter them and they will be happy to lend a hand (remember, they are egotistical!).  

   People imagine that becoming organized is difficult. Imagination makes for the biggest, scariest monsters. Ask any kid how big are the monsters under their bed, then measure the space between the floor and the bed. The monster will most likely not fit in the actual space. Unless your kid sleeps in a bunk-bed or a loft-bed. Then I suggest skipping this step.

   So the only real question, is do you really want to be labeled as organized?

   Think about it. While you do, I am going to sit with my feet up warming my hands on a hot cup of French Vanilla Cappuccino and watch the snowflakes fall while I think about world domination. After all, I have finished this post with the help of on-line organization tools and now have a little extra time!