ORGANIZE
- Arrange into a structured whole.
- Make arrangements or preparations; coordinate.
Synonyms: put in order, arrange, sort (out), assemble, group, classify, collocate, categorize, catalog, codify, systematize, systemize
SYSTEM
- a set of connected things or parts forming a complex whole, in particular.
- a set of principles or procedures according to which something is done; an organized scheme or method.: “a multiparty system of government” “the public school system”.
Synonyms: method, methodology, technique, process, procedure, approach, practice
Definitions help a lot when trying to find a core of a problem I am researching. Also, lists of synonyms.
We don’t usually think of organizing as of arranging into a structured whole. And yet, it is. Also notice, both words, organize and system have something in common.
Both words, organize and system, mention a “whole”, either a structured whole or a formation of part to create a complex whole.
What is our life if not a formation of different parts that are structured to form a flow of a morning coffee being followed by having work to do, having time with friends and family, supper, and going off to bed? Not all of us follow that same pattern, obviously. Some of work nights. Some work at home. Some do not work either by choice or circumstance, but we all have a pattern we follow in life.
Do you know your pattern?
Some patterns are very easy to spot. Like this one: 2 2 2 4 2 2 2 4 2 2 2 4 ….. Others are a bit more complicated: 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17….
When you are trying to figure out your own pattern, you need not to be a mathematics major. You need to simply pay attention. There are several ways to spot the pattern in action, and some patterns occur every single day. Meals, for example. A person has got to eat, right?
A pattern that is not so easy to spot would be, for example, every time something comes up, you lose yourself in Social Media. You don’t want to tackle this certain task, and you are pouring yet another cup of coffee.
Even harder to spot are the behavioral patterns that influence your well being on the subconscious level.You keep the clothes from 1986 in your closet. There is a pile, no, a mountain of paper on your counter. The dishes don’t get done for the longest time. Laundry screams at you…
This is NOT happening because you are lazy, or stupid, or just disorganized. This is a manifestation of something that is going wrong on the inside. What is wrong? What is eating you up?
What works for you in your pattern?
When you look at what is happening from a standpoint of an observer and not judge yourself but embrace your own way, you will see there are so many things that work well in your life. What are they? How are they working together in order to help you?
Let’s say you made supper last night and you spent extra 10 minutes making sure there is enough food left over for tomorrow lunch. This lunch will nourish you, and may be your partner or spouse. This lunch demonstrates love and care. If you do something like this more often than not, it is your system and it work for you.
Do you remember to get the laundry out of the dryer while it’s still warm and hang it up fast? I bet this helps avoid wrinkles and ironing later on. IF this is something you do, you have a great system.
What doesn’t work for you?
This one is bit harder. to not judge yourself. We were taught we are supposed to make it work. At school, at work, in our marriages, we have got to make it work. It may be hard to step aside from this notion and move into “observer” role.
Do not judge yourself. You are doing this to help yourself get better at what you do.
What isn’t working for you?
Is the morning routine completely out of whack? By the time kids are sent off to school, you need yet another shower, but no time for this. Got to go. Come back later, only to reap the fruits of a crazy morning: dishes all over, messy table, maybe even milk left out on the counter… grrr… out of milk… again…
Is cleaning something that drives you bonkers? Or is it the closets that are so full you won’t be able to squeeze a sheet of paper in even if you tried really hard?
It Can Be Changed.
A system is a set of connected things or parts forming a complex whole. Before you complete a whole, you need to make sure you have all the parts present.
I dare say that an organized household and organized lifestyle are probably as complex in making as a space craft. There are so many details and variable that we need to keep in mind in order to keep the system working that it may get overwhelming sometimes.
In order to avoid this, I would break the system into subsystems. For example:
Household System
- cleaning subsystem
- Laundry subsystem
Meals System
- Organized kitchen
- Organized pantry
- Planning
- Grocery shopping
- Prep
- Cooking
- freezer
Morning Routine
- Clothes ready
- Breakfast prep
- Lunch packed
You can switch and move those any way you like or any way it would work for your family.
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Creating an organizing system is not about installing new shelves or buying pretty basket, even though it may help. Neither it is about implementing every new organizing gimmick there is. I have seen so many different approaches to creating a system, but they all give you a way to create a similar system to what the author is talking about. Not your system, but theirs.
KonMarie method is wonderful in its fun simplicity, but no matter how many times I let the socks relax in the drawers, my boys will have hard time pairing them and getting dressed. It will cause unnecessary stressful mornings. This system is not for me. We have developed our own system. They help me match the clean socks and then put them in their drawers. In the morning, their socks will not cause me stress. Simple, right?
How would you like to have an organizing system tailored exactly to meet your needs and those of your family? What are the things that are not working for you now?