Staying Organized in a Changing World

Sometimes it seems that just when you have a system in place to organize your world, your world changes! Your week is planned out efficiently, only to have several unexpected events present themselves.

What to do? Life is change! In order to be effective, we need to be flexible to change with it. In our schedules - yes. In our priorities - no.

In fact, knowing what is important allows us to get through the unexpected gracefully. Consequently, it is essential that we know what is important in order to land on our feet when life changes.

Determining what is important:

1. Know your passions - those things that ignite you (a cause, a new business idea, a consuming interest, athletics, an age group, a growth area for you/your children/your family, etc.).

2. Know your priorities - area in which you want to grow (physical, social, spiritual, financial, educational/vocational, recreationally, etc.).

3. Know your talents/gifts.

4. Know what is urgent - what needs to be done first, second, third, etc.

5. Know what is essential - those things that resonate with your values, those things which matter greatly to you.

I recommend taking some time to think through each of these areas. Then schedule these items into your calendar, scheduling the most urgent and important first.

The end product will be a filter or grid through which new or changing events can be filtered.

When you are approached with a new opportunity, you will easily be able to filter it through your passions, priorities, gifts, and urgent and essential commitments. This eliminates over-commitment or under-commitment because you will be doing what you love and are talented to do. It gives you confidence to say no if you need to do so. And you are able to live in reality in light of your commitments.

When life changes, you will have a clear picture of what is important in your life. Even if you need to adjust your schedule, you are able to remain calm because you know where you're going and to what you are committed.

How do you cope when life is changing? (Subscribers click the title to comment.)


More on this topic:
Your Priorities, Passions, and Gifts Create Context for Your Clutter
Why Throw Shallow New Years' Resolutions at Yourself When You Really Need to Rethink Life?
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