GET ORGANIZED
WHY IT MATTERS
From tasks, to people, to projects, everything a leader does requires some form of organization. Leaders by nature are required to manage large amounts of complex work. It is critical in doing so that nothing is forgotten or gets off track. Leaders with a strong system for getting and staying organized accomplish more than others do, and they do it better. Their ability to get organized enables them to keep everyone and everything moving in the same direction while also doing the work that is uniquely their own. Their aptitude for organization allows them to accomplish more with less. Leaders who can’t get organized will eventually become consumed by their work and leave the door wide open for critical mistakes to occur.
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
Leaders that get organized know that your success at the end of a task or project will only be as good as your organization at the beginning of it. They approach their work deliberately, purposefully, and without haste. They know that starting a journey, be it a single day’s work or a long-term project, without having a plan, can lead to disaster. They rely on their ability to get organized to clear the pathway for achieving their goals in the very best way.
Leaders that get organized begin each day, week, month, and year by reviewing how they will use their time. They carefully determine what needs their attention most. They prioritize the order in which their tasks and work should be completed. They ensure their time is used in the most effective way each day. Because they approach their work with clarity and order they get more done than most people.
Leaders that get organized put in place processes that allow them to track their tasks and assignments simultaneously, accurately, and simply. They don’t let to-do items slip through the cracks or go undone. They keep lists of work to be done, and important things to remember.
Leaders that get organized create and follow clear work plans. They have a well-defined picture of what they are trying to accomplish, why they are trying to accomplish it, how their success will be measured, and what will indicate work completion. They plan step-by-step how to achieve each component of their work. They break large projects down into smaller parts and sequence their execution. They correctly assess how long work will take to complete. They identify the tools, funding, and people their work will require.
Leaders that organize themselves well can organize many things to happen simultaneously so they converge at just the right point, at just the right place, and at just the right time.
Leaders that get organized have an orderly personal workspace. They put in place systems to manage their communications, files and documents. They ensure their information is where they need it, when they need it. They know where things are and can find them quickly. They clear away unneeded clutter. The organization of their workspace puts them in control of their work. Their work environment becomes an asset to their success instead of a distraction to their performance.
BELIEFS
BEST PRACTICES
SELF-REFLECTION
WORDS OF CAUTION
From tasks, to people, to projects, everything a leader does requires some form of organization. Leaders by nature are required to manage large amounts of complex work. It is critical in doing so that nothing is forgotten or gets off track. Leaders with a strong system for getting and staying organized accomplish more than others do, and they do it better. Their ability to get organized enables them to keep everyone and everything moving in the same direction while also doing the work that is uniquely their own. Their aptitude for organization allows them to accomplish more with less. Leaders who can’t get organized will eventually become consumed by their work and leave the door wide open for critical mistakes to occur.
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
Leaders that get organized know that your success at the end of a task or project will only be as good as your organization at the beginning of it. They approach their work deliberately, purposefully, and without haste. They know that starting a journey, be it a single day’s work or a long-term project, without having a plan, can lead to disaster. They rely on their ability to get organized to clear the pathway for achieving their goals in the very best way.
Leaders that get organized begin each day, week, month, and year by reviewing how they will use their time. They carefully determine what needs their attention most. They prioritize the order in which their tasks and work should be completed. They ensure their time is used in the most effective way each day. Because they approach their work with clarity and order they get more done than most people.
Leaders that get organized put in place processes that allow them to track their tasks and assignments simultaneously, accurately, and simply. They don’t let to-do items slip through the cracks or go undone. They keep lists of work to be done, and important things to remember.
Leaders that get organized create and follow clear work plans. They have a well-defined picture of what they are trying to accomplish, why they are trying to accomplish it, how their success will be measured, and what will indicate work completion. They plan step-by-step how to achieve each component of their work. They break large projects down into smaller parts and sequence their execution. They correctly assess how long work will take to complete. They identify the tools, funding, and people their work will require.
Leaders that organize themselves well can organize many things to happen simultaneously so they converge at just the right point, at just the right place, and at just the right time.
Leaders that get organized have an orderly personal workspace. They put in place systems to manage their communications, files and documents. They ensure their information is where they need it, when they need it. They know where things are and can find them quickly. They clear away unneeded clutter. The organization of their workspace puts them in control of their work. Their work environment becomes an asset to their success instead of a distraction to their performance.
BELIEFS
- Be clear about what you are organizing before you try and organize it or you will just end up wasting time.
- Don’t think shortcuts intended to avoid getting organized will pay off. There is no way to fake being organized.
- Either get organized before you begin your work or plan on having to get organized when it goes off track.
- The benefit of getting organized is never having to wonder where you are going, if you can get there, or when you will get there.
- Good things just happen when you invest in getting yourself organized.
- Things only “fall into place” if there is a defined place for them to fall.
- Very few great things happen without careful organization at their foundation.
- Begin each day by organizing and putting your time in its proper place.
BEST PRACTICES
- Start each day by organizing yourself.
- Determine step by step how to do your work.
- Keep accurate track of tasks and “to do” items.
- Don’t let things slip through the cracks.
- Maintain your personal workspace.
- Organize files in a readily accessible way.
- Plan exactly how to get from point A to B.
- Do your work with minimal waste.
- Know what needs to be done and when.
- Adapt your plans when they need to change.
- Clear out clutter and unneeded items.
- Don’t ever be too busy to get organized.
- Set clear goals for the use of your time and energy.
- Define your priorities clearly and accurately.
- Don’t take shortcuts in getting organized.
- Know where your time is needed most.
- Know best practices for organizing your work.
- Assess correctly what it takes to get work done.
- Be able to find what you need, when you need it.
- Record progress at the end of each day.
- Choose a way to keep notes during the day.
- Set aside specific times to get organized.
SELF-REFLECTION
- Do I think other people would call me an organized person, or do I think they would say I am disorganized?
- Do I look forward to getting organized, or do I dread having to take the time and energy to organize things?
- Do I keep my workspace free of clutter, or is my personal workspace in constant chaos and disarray?
- Do I know exactly where to find things when I need them, or do I have to spend time looking for things when I need them?
- Do I begin each day by reviewing how I will spend my time, or do I rush into my workday without a plan?
- Do I know the priority of the work I need to perform, or do I go from activity to activity without clear cause?
- Do I have a defined method for keeping track of my tasks and to-do lists, or do I let work fall through the cracks?
- Do I feel in control of my work because I have organized it well, or do I constantly feel out of control?
WORDS OF CAUTION
- Don’t be so regimented and orderly that you can’t adapt when the people around you or the situation you are in demand it.
- Don’t rely on organization to the point you are unable to perform in anything other than perfectly ordered conditions.
- Don’t let your efforts to be organized lead you to invest in organizing things of little value or consequence.
- There are clear performance metrics for the work I do.
- Under budget is the only acceptable way to complete a project.
- I understand that there are additional steps in-between point A and point B.
- When selecting a team member, I always look for organizational skills.
- If the case is made, we’ll always get additional funding.