How many times have you vowed to get more organized even if it kills you? Everytime you shuffle through piles of paper on the desk looking for a bill you think you paid, or when looking through more piles near the telephone because you know you have that telephone number there somewhere, the thought likely strikes you that getting organized is really something you need to do. :)

If you are frantically jumping from one activity to another and life is controlling you, then you do have to stop and take a breather, then decide how you are going to rework your lifestyle to make it more satisfying and fulfilling. When you feel you have no control over the events in your day, it may be because life is managing you and you spend most of your time reacting to events rather than controlling them.

When we are pressed for time, running late or missing obligations because we spend time searching for things, forgetting appointments and perhaps neglecting important events or chores, we are apt to 'bend' the rules a bit.

Have you found yourself telling someone a lie because you forgot a meeting or appointment? Do you speed in traffic because you had to search the house for your car keys and you know you are likely going to arrive at your destination late for your event?
On top of the problems created from being disorganized which in itself is distressing enough, you may find that telling lies, breaking speed limits or otherwise going against your values adds greatly to your personal stress level.

So what can you do about this? Well first you have to just get started: look around you. What is the most upsetting thing in your life right now? Get a piece of paper, preferably a looseleaf book you can add to, and start writing down your thoughts. Divide your page into three sections.

1/ Family and Home life
2/ Social/Workplace
3/ Spiritual/self improvement

Now under each section write down the top three things that are of most concern to you. Do you have three things in each area that are upsetting you? Do you have three things that need some kind of decision made? Is one area more of a problem than another?

Taking one section at a time, starting with number one on your list, jot down the answers to these questions:

Is this something that needs my attention or can I hand it over to someone else?

Is this something I need to make a decision on? If so, do I need more information before making my decision?

Is this something that needs improvement in someway? Is this area being neglected? Are most of my problems in this area?

Is this something over which I have no control? What can I do to minimize this problem?