Organization is a skill that can make a major difference in your success or failure as a leader.  Disorganized leaders create frustrated followers.  In this interview, organizational guru Katie Lorimer shares why organization is important and gives some practical disciplines that can help take your personal organization to the next level.

Show Notes

• Limited organization limits excellence

• The unfortunate but very real byproduct of being disorganized is a lack of integrity.  It can cause you to not follow through on promises, miss deadlines, show up late, and leave people feeling de-valued.

5 Tips for Personal Organization

1. Six List

Something Charles Schwab learned in the 1920s that transformed his organization- Every night before bed write down the top six things, in order, that you need to accomplish the next day (no more than six). Then, go systematically through the list, completing the tasks in order, crossing out each thing as you go.

2. Use a Paper Planner and write down everything in it

What is not written down is forgotten and what is forgotten does not get done

3. Have your written list of to-do's in an accessible place

For girls, a planner small enough to fit in their purse is perfect. Don’t buy a big, fancy one that is impractical when it comes to being able to take it anywhere or readily use it. For guys, write your to dos on a sticky note and put it in your wallet so it is on your person.

4. Color Code

Use a whiteboard calendar in your room to record the big things you have that month and not just the daily to do list. Use different color markers to record upcoming events by theme (sports, activities, family) or by who it is done with (work, school, church, friends, etc.). Take a look at this board before you leave each day to know what the day holds or what is upcoming. When someone invites you to an event this weekend, you will have a good idea if you can go or if you are already busy. Then, you won’t say “yeses” that you will have to take back later and disappoint people.

5. Write down things related to people, not just tasks

This includes birthday's, anniversaries, special occassions, and prayer requests.  Organization has the power to help with maintaining quality relationships

"There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord." (Proverbs 21:30-31)

We can’t always determine the outcome, but we can make the preparations.