Organization All Around Us

This weekend, I was reminded that we can find examples of organization all around us. Some of these examples are the big ideas we take for granted, such as waiting in line at a store or parking lots with neatly painted spaces. But I was taking note of smaller examples, including the labeled 'Field Monitor' headphones the referee was wearing while reviewing a play during the Patriots game and the shoe store clerk noting how important it was for them to put the pens back in the pen holder at the counter, so they can find one quickly when it gets busy.

I was reminded that these are the types of examples that can give us good ideas for organizing our own lives if we just take the time to pay attention. So the next time you're out at a store or school or any other place that relies on efficiency and organization, take note of the little details and examples of organizing principles including labeling and 'a place for everything and everything in its place.' These organization details might seem so commonplace in an environment like an office or school, but there's really no reason we can't apply them in our own homes or lives.

If you're a non-traditional organizer (i.e. you get hives when you look at a filing cabinet), you can still find ideas and systems out there to help you. Ever notice funny reminder signs or pictures, items organized by color, or visual organizing systems like a giant white board for ideas or a literature sorter used as a horizontal filing system? People have great ideas everywhere and there's something out there for everyone.

Bottom Line: Instead of taking the time to stop and smell the roses, take the time to notice great examples of organization out there. Figure out why it works and why you like it and go ahead and try it out for yourself!

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