For those of you that were in high school in the 1980s (that would be me!), you may remember Joan Jett singing, "I don't give a damn about my reputation!" Sure, Joan could get away with not caring about her reputation (indeed, one can argue that her image was, in fact, not caring about her reputation, but I digress), but can you? The idea of projecting an organized image can be controversial.
Why? Because as professional organizers, many of us teach that being organized has less to do with the way an environment looks than how effectively it functions.
The goal is not to be organized, but for your life, home, and work to run more smoothly.
In other words, we do not generally focus on the outward perception of organizing or the aesthetics of it, but more on the way it improves your life.
We preach that it is not about being "neat.
" And that is all true.
But I also truly believe that projecting an organized image will positively affect your life in a myriad of ways.
Think about it.
Who would you prefer to do business with? Messy Marvin, who always looks a mess, can't find papers, forgets to return phone calls, and is late for meetings? Or Organized Ollie, who always looks put-together, returns phone calls within 24 hours, has an efficient paper management system, and is consistently on time for meetings and appointments? I would guess Organized Ollie (yes, maybe you would like to go to Happy Hour with Marvin, but that is a different story!).
Being organized can improve relationships and your reputation.
You will be more productive at work, which will translate into returning phone calls an d emails quicker, showing up for meetings on time, etc.
When you are organized in the workplace, you project a professional put-together image that people trust and are attracted to.
At home, many families have disagreements that stem from disorganized systems and habits in the home.
Therefore, getting organized almost always improves your family life.
And there are many people that are disorganized at home and embarrassed to have guests over, which certainly curtails your social life.
So getting organized at home and projecting that type of image will probably help you to be a better host.
Don't confuse projecting an organized image with perfection.
Perfection is not the goal here.
But realize that your habits do affect your overall image and the way others perceive you.
Start watching others that you admire and respect, and see what type of image they project.
Emulate those that you think look put-together and project an organized image.
I can't promise you it w ill change everything in your life, but I can promise you it will help.
Why? Because as professional organizers, many of us teach that being organized has less to do with the way an environment looks than how effectively it functions.
The goal is not to be organized, but for your life, home, and work to run more smoothly.
In other words, we do not generally focus on the outward perception of organizing or the aesthetics of it, but more on the way it improves your life.
We preach that it is not about being "neat.
" And that is all true.
But I also truly believe that projecting an organized image will positively affect your life in a myriad of ways.
Think about it.
Who would you prefer to do business with? Messy Marvin, who always looks a mess, can't find papers, forgets to return phone calls, and is late for meetings? Or Organized Ollie, who always looks put-together, returns phone calls within 24 hours, has an efficient paper management system, and is consistently on time for meetings and appointments? I would guess Organized Ollie (yes, maybe you would like to go to Happy Hour with Marvin, but that is a different story!).
Being organized can improve relationships and your reputation.
You will be more productive at work, which will translate into returning phone calls an d emails quicker, showing up for meetings on time, etc.
When you are organized in the workplace, you project a professional put-together image that people trust and are attracted to.
At home, many families have disagreements that stem from disorganized systems and habits in the home.
Therefore, getting organized almost always improves your family life.
And there are many people that are disorganized at home and embarrassed to have guests over, which certainly curtails your social life.
So getting organized at home and projecting that type of image will probably help you to be a better host.
Don't confuse projecting an organized image with perfection.
Perfection is not the goal here.
But realize that your habits do affect your overall image and the way others perceive you.
Start watching others that you admire and respect, and see what type of image they project.
Emulate those that you think look put-together and project an organized image.
I can't promise you it w ill change everything in your life, but I can promise you it will help.
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