We have been having numerous conversations of late with young adults who are looking to find ways to better organize themselves as they prepare for whatever may be on their immediate horizon -- a gap year, their sophomore year of college or even their first "real" job.
This work is hard. Real hard, but you can increase your chances for success by following these three C's -
Clearing your mental and physical space,
Calendar-ing your life
Choosing to limit your choices.
By holding yourself accountable on these recommendations, you will find yourself better navigating your organizational agenda, regardless what you may be facing in the days, weeks or months ahead.
Clear Space = Clear Mind
Clutter in your physical or mental space creates distraction and confusion. No one wants that. We all want to be happy in our physical and psychological spaces.
Subtracting commitments, choices and "stuff" can make you happier, lower your stress level and improve your mental health.
Clutter Kicker on the Lessons from "The Happiness Lab" Podcast
Managing your physical space -- and your sleep -- will contribute significantly to what is going on in your mind. With a clear mind and environment, you can approach your day with a renewed sense of energy and purpose. You owe it to yourself to minimize distractions in environments where your main goal is to get things done.
Your Calendar is Key
Once your environment is clear, you need the tools to set yourself up for success.
Whether you're planning your semester or your summer internship, your calendar is key. It does not matter whether you use a Google calendar, Microsoft Outlook or some fancy new app. What matters most is having a system and implementing it consistently. Without accountability and consistency, the calendar will be no more than another task that drives guilt in your life versus answering the question, "Where has all my time gone?"
As Ted Urban likes to say in his infamous podcast about procrastination, "One day I woke up with three days until the deadline still not having written a word."
When there are deadlines, the effects of procrastination are contained.
We've all been there. It does not feel good for your instant gratification monkey and does not deliver the desired results for procrastinators and non-procrastinators alike. Implementing an organizational strategy leveraging your calendar as the "one source of truth" together with accountability and realistic deadlines will drive the outcomes in your life that you desire.
Choosing is a Choice... and why Analysis Paralysis is the Enemy of Results
While we all aim to be thorough in our organizational strategies, we also need to be able to set limits on what we will do before making a decision.
The pressure to make the perfect choice can be paralyzing.
Sometimes we postpone - or never make - the decision, so as not to deal with it. This analysis paralysis is very real and can cause you to have an intense, emotional reaction when faced with making a decision.
If this struggle resonates with you, give yourself a break. Try not to put the pressure on yourself to make the absolute best decision, rather try to make one that is good enough, especially if the stakes are low.
A pros and cons list can be helpful but remember to keep a healthy balance of evaluating your options while also trusting your instincts. Going on a walk, practicing guided meditation, breathing exercises and even some light exercise are all great ways to navigate what may otherwise be a stumbling block for your organizational success.
You will never achieve perfect information to make the right decision 100% of the time, but this balanced approach to decision-making will more often than not deliver you the positive outcome you desire.
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