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Get Organized
Find Your Organizational Style: Part III
Deciphering your natural rhythms
Your ideal organizational style consists of the things you do most naturally. You might not recognize your own distinctive traits, but the self-assessment tips below can help. Ask yourself these basic questions and write the answers down to help recognize emerging patterns.
– Do you work better alone or with a team? Select organizing opportunities that match your soloist or socialite preference.
– Do you prefer a quiet environment, or one with Lady GaGa filling the airwaves? You may need both — silence to formulate your plans and energizing rhythms to execute them.
– Do you prefer working at a sprinter’s pace or are you a marathon runner? Tackle your organizing efforts accordingly.
– Are you a big picture person or do you prefer detail? A catch-all container works best for those who see the total scheme of things but feel burdened by details. An intricate filing system works better for those who love every small distinction.
– Do you have pinpoint focus or are you easily intrigued by distractions? A short attention span dictates quick fixes.
– Do you process information inductively (start with details and build to a global idea) or deductively (start with a general concept and use details to flesh out)?
– Are you an “all or nothing” individual, or do you like to sample multiple tasks in bits and pieces? Some perfectionists exhibit the “all or nothing” preference, only undertaking tasks they can complete perfectly.
– Are you comfortable with empty space? If “out of sight, out of mind” describes your paperwork, filing cabinets won’t work as well as clear containers. Conversely, if you need a clear desktop, conceal everything else in a cabinet, file drawers or lidded box.
Next time we’ll explore what to do when organization styles conflict — “He’s a filer, I’m a piler!” — as well as address some extreme organizational challenges.
Patricia Ryan is a freelance writer based in Houston. She is owner of Ryan Proposal Management, LLC, which provides business development and proposal management consultation to corporations seeking federal government contracts.
– Do you work better alone or with a team? Select organizing opportunities that match your soloist or socialite preference.
– Do you prefer a quiet environment, or one with Lady GaGa filling the airwaves? You may need both — silence to formulate your plans and energizing rhythms to execute them.
– Do you prefer working at a sprinter’s pace or are you a marathon runner? Tackle your organizing efforts accordingly.
– Are you a big picture person or do you prefer detail? A catch-all container works best for those who see the total scheme of things but feel burdened by details. An intricate filing system works better for those who love every small distinction.
– Do you have pinpoint focus or are you easily intrigued by distractions? A short attention span dictates quick fixes.
– Do you process information inductively (start with details and build to a global idea) or deductively (start with a general concept and use details to flesh out)?
– Are you an “all or nothing” individual, or do you like to sample multiple tasks in bits and pieces? Some perfectionists exhibit the “all or nothing” preference, only undertaking tasks they can complete perfectly.
– Are you comfortable with empty space? If “out of sight, out of mind” describes your paperwork, filing cabinets won’t work as well as clear containers. Conversely, if you need a clear desktop, conceal everything else in a cabinet, file drawers or lidded box.
Next time we’ll explore what to do when organization styles conflict — “He’s a filer, I’m a piler!” — as well as address some extreme organizational challenges.
Patricia Ryan is a freelance writer based in Houston. She is owner of Ryan Proposal Management, LLC, which provides business development and proposal management consultation to corporations seeking federal government contracts.
This article is from WorkingWorld.com
