The question many people ask is: Can I really improve my organization skills?
Although it is true that many people are born organized, I believe that being organized is something that is learned. There are many books and techniques to improve in this regard.
As a Virtual Assistant, I am used to organizing and it has been a topic that has always interested me. But what would be the first steps? Where do I begin?
Below I present very briefly 5 actions that will help you organize:
1. Make the decision to organize yourself. It seems basic but as long as you identify that at the point where you are, organizing is a priority, you can achieve your goal.
2. Schedule a time. You will need to spend some time to achieve this new goal. It doesn't matter if it's a full day (maybe, the weekend… many of us entrepreneurs find ourselves working on something we've been putting off for the weekend, right?) Or if it will be 1 hour a day for 1 week. But you will have to “invest” this time to later gain productivity.
3. Clear your desk. Doing at least a quick "clean" of your desktop will be very beneficial. There are probably a lot of things you can throw away! Working in a pleasant and clear environment will allow you to be more productive. Sort, file, clean and throw (the latter, everything you can!).
4. Prepare a listing. Write down all the things you have to do. It should include absolutely everything: from the all-important contract to looking for clothes at the dry cleaner. Get everything out of your head and write it on your list.
5. Prioritize tasks. Once you have this (surely, eternal) listing, prioritize your activities. By prioritizing tasks and analyzing them in detail you will be able to assess what to do and what to postpone. There are only a certain number of hours in the day, and setting yourself unattainable goals only leads to frustration. Keep it real.
As I mentioned, I think organization is an embedded skill. However, the fundamental requirement is to have the desire to learn and form certain habits. Then things will be simple and will come "naturally".
