My vulnerable area is my organizational systems. I put things away and forget where I put them. I file papers and then go to look and they are not there.

It is very frustrating because it breaks up my work flow, causes anxiety and disrupts creativity.

Wikipedia says, “An Achilles’ heel is a fatal weakness in spite of overall strength, that can actually or potentially lead to downfall. ”

Okay- to be kind to myself, the issue is much more in control than it was a year ago. I hired an organizer to help me look at the paper flow in my office. I put in new systems and now things do work well  when I focus.

The big word is “Control.”  Good systems and organization equal control. Without control you can’t grow your business past a certain point. You need to be able to handle more information, more files easily and quickly.

Some people love organizing and they would rather do that than eat ice cream or take a nap. Not me.  Having to stop everything and “organize” makes me sigh heavy,  as I would rather be doing creative things.  I haven’t yet figured out how to make organizing be creative but I know it’s possible.  What I do know is that when everything is neat and the systems are working, it feels good and  I like being in my office.

Here are a few tips I have learned. Maybe you organizational people can add a few more.

1. Get a large white board and put it on your wall where you can see it from your desk. Use it for to-do lists, reminders, etc.  Erase things when they are completed as it will give you a good feeling

2. Determine 4-5 categories that work for  your business.  Every paper needs to fit into one of these categories. Mine are marketing, products, money, customer service and research and development. I have five rows of paper trays and everything goes into it’s correct area. This has really worked for me.

3. Clean your office on the same day every week. I have chosen Sundays. I tidy up and it feels good to get ready for the week.

4. Keep a running list of tasks that someone else could do. Eventually you’ll have enough to hire an assistant and your job description will be done!

5. Develop strategies to overcome obstacles that get in your way. No matter how big the mountain there is always a way over the top.

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