Youth Column: The Benefits of Being Organized

Are there really any benefits to being organized? It's not about taking the fun or spontaneity out of life, but about getting the best from your life that you can. Here are 10 benefits to being organized:

1. You Will Have More Time for Yourself, Your Friends and Your Family

When you live an organized life, you get things done faster. You spend less time looking for lost things and more time with the people you love. Freeing up your time will also allow you to read that book you've been meaning to get to for the past year or take that tennis class. We never get yesterday back. Make sure you get the most out of each day.

2. You Will Save Money

You'll always use up what you have and not buy duplicates because they are lost in the back of a cabinet somewhere. No more last-minute purchases, which can add up very quickly, when you are organized.

3. You Will Achieve Balance in Your Life

You can spend less time on the little things of life and more time on the big things, like your health and your family. Achieving balance sets the stage for an amazing life.

4. You and Your Family Will Be Healthier

You'll have more time to prepare healthy meals and exercise.

5. Your Professional Life Will Improve

Not only will you make a better impression on your co-workers and boss, but you will feel great about yourself. When you feel like you have it all together at work, your professional life can take off and you can achieve things you have always dreamed of.

6. You Will Reduce the Clutter Around You

Being surrounded by clutter is like dragging heavy chains around with you all day. It slows you down, makes you tired and is just stressful. Getting rid of the clutter will help you to experience a sense of freedom.

7. You Will Have More Energy

Most organized people are full of energy. Why is that? Because they take better care of themselves inside and out.

8. You Won't Mind Last-Minute Visitors in Your Home

Your home will feel inviting and comfortable. You can invite them to sit down in a clean living room and even offer them something to eat and drink.

9. You Will Be Able to Set and Achieve Your Goals

People who write down their goals are much more likely to achieve them. Being organized can help you recognize what your goals are and map out a plan to achieve them.

10. You Will Be an Example to Those Around You

Your children are watching and learning from you every day. Showing them how to be organized and get the most out of each day will be a lesson they can take with them for the rest of their lives.

How to Stay Organized

Use files or folders to place all your personal documents. Segregate your documents and place different kinds in different files. Scan or photograph important documents and keep them in a secure email for quick reference.
Differentiate between urgent and important tasks. Important tasks sooner or later will come out to be either very fruitful or a complete disaster. Attending urgent tasks in timely manner will ensure healthy outcomes.
Observe your time stealers — routine tasks which take away a lot of time but do not produce real good results should be optimized. You will have more control on your time.
Place your things at right locations. Allocate proper drawers, boxes, cabinets and files for accessories. You won't have to waste your time when you need something.
Use Google Calendar — a great service which sends you email and SMS for any event stored in your online calendar. Set reminders for car service, tires replacement, birthdays and anniversaries.
Make a to-do list. Maintain it on daily/weekly basis. Use 'post-it' notes for shopping lists. Critical tasks will not be missed and unnecessary market revisits will be avoided.
If you are a person of faith, link your daily schedule to your prayer timings — this can make you punctual and give you the convenience to organize a lot of events in between them.

[Received with thanks through email]

"Find gratitude in the little things and your well of gratitude will never run dry." — Antonia Montoya