Get Organized!

Every year, during the week between Christmas and New Year's Day, I sit down with my journal and make a list of the goals I want to accomplish in the coming year. I begin by evaluating the goals I set for the year before, and I consider it a success if I have made even a modest amount of progress towards that goal.

For 2010, aside from the ubiquitous weight-loss goal that has been a part of my goal statements for the past umpteen years, I have decided to focus on uncluttering and organizing my home, one room at a time.

Apparently, I'm not alone, as Oprah Winfrey has dedicated the March issue of her magazine, O, to decluttering. One of the articles in the magazine really spoke to me and my perfectionistic bent. It's called "The 10 Habits of Highly Organized People. You can read the full article here:

http://www.oprah.com/home/The-10-Habits-of-Highly-Organized-People_1

The article postulates that the highly organized among us are not perfectionists. They simply follow a few rules that the rest of us have yet to discover, starting with #2 on the list, "Make peace with imperfection."

This really resonated with me. You see, I am a perfectionist. It's an addiction, really...an addiction that will make you absolutely out-of-your-mind crazy.

I am well-meaning about it. I really want the best for myself, my family, and Tri-County CASA. And yet, I find myself falling into the trap of never completing anything because I am afraid it is not good enough. And yes, there is a "good enough."

Perhaps you are struggling with this, too. Maybe writing a court report that makes sense keeps you from finishing the report, or waiting until the very last second to write it because you procrastinated. Maybe you fail to plan out your next steps on your case because you aren't sure exactly what to do next and the feeling that you should know (but don't) paralyzes you. Maybe you've made a mistake and the humiliation you are feeling keeps you from sharing that with your Advocate Coordinator.

We all need to remember rule #7 on Oprah's list: "Ask for help." According to Dorothy Breininger, "The organized person is willing to expose herself to short-term embarrassment and call for backup."

Springtime is on the horizon, and with it, "Spring Cleaning." Take time to analyze what needs to be cleaned out in your volunteer position.

Do you have case files from 2007 lurking around your home office? Gather them up and bring them to the CASA Office for shredding. The shred box is in the corner to your right as you enter the door. Dump it off there, no questions asked.

Are you stuck on your case and don't know what to do next? Call your Advocate Coordinator and ask for a meeting to develop a plan. Hint: Good CASA volunteers do this all the time!

Are your notes written on pieces of scrap paper and Post-Its? Ask for a notebook or a three-ring binder that you can keep it all in. Use what works best for you (rule #5 from Oprah's list "Stick with what works").

What organization methods work best for you? Share them in the comments section so we can learn from you!