One of my greatest weaknesses is organization. I mean, I can remember dates, and I might even use a planner or a calendar once in a while, when I'm feeling ambitious. But honestly, my time is spent in one big, swirling storm.
I suppose this wouldn't be too much of a problem if it didn't hurt or inconvenience others. Today, because of my lack of future-oriented planning skills, I hurt a very dear friend. Also, since I finished planning my Sunday school lesson for today at, oh, 3:00 am, I ended up very unprepared. Note: This is NOT a good thing when handling a wily pack of four-year olds! Actually I take that back, the kids had PLENTY to do... the craft I planned was at a 1st grade level, if not at least kindegarten. *sigh* It ended up being a little too complicated; five steps more than it should have been (the ideal is three). ARGH! Poor kids.
Steve/Job--MR. Organization, btw-- offers many helpful suggestions as to how I can organize my time. But I admit, I usually smile and feign ignorance. He suggests I use my microsoft calendar and organize my hours, minutes, seconds into bite-size, vaccuum-sealed portions. But when I hear this, my free-reeling mind says "NO! NO! NO! TOO MUCH STRUCTURE!"
Now, I'm Orthodox; I obviously don't have a problem with structure. I can handle order and precision. But when it comes to planning out my own free time, it seems like I'm binding myself in chains. I guess it's my last big rebellion as "Adulthood" breathes down my neck. Yes, I clean my messes. Yes, I go to work. Yes I go to school. Yes I go to church. Yes I go grocery shopping. Yes I go to church. Yes I go to church (repeat intended). Yes, yes, yes... But come on! Is minute-by-minute precision really crucial to being an adult? Anyone? I need to hear what you say. I'm really curious. I need success stories. I need to hear how FUN planning can be, because so far I haven't gotten that memo.
And yet...
I think I already know the answer. And I think it means I have to get my rear in gear. Oh self-discipline: the horror, the horror.
Tragedy strikes once more...
A student at my school drowned Saturday night. She was spending time by herself on a retreat at the beach, and while wading in the water, a strong current came and overpowered her. She was really involved here on campus, and her death is really hitting the campus hard. I can't imagine how the girls on her floor will cope (she was an resident assistant on a floor of 28 girls), let alone her family (who actually live one block down from where I live). She was a very committed Christian. Please pray for Karissa and her family and friends. May her Memory be Eternal!
5 comments:
"Is minute-by-minute precision really crucial to being an adult?"
Sorry to say, but yep it sure is. Being married will drill that into you. And if you still manage to avoid the issue, then having kids will seal the deal (or so I've heard!)
"I need to hear how FUN planning can be, because so far I haven't gotten that memo."
The fun comes, not so much in he work of being organized, but in the *freedom* it allows. Being organized keeps your stress level way down. And not being stressed out all the time is fun, right?
"Karissa..."
That is very sad. May all involved be lead closer to God in this time...
I'm with Lois... even though many men in our parish put down flylady, I think that some of her ideas are great. And it's probably good that you are going to marry an organized person. In our family, I'm the organized one (pay the bills ontime, balance the checkbook, keep track of dr. appts, etc.) while Paul was very happy to hand over those tasks to me. I think it's good if at least one person is organized (if both people are unorganized, well, then, Lord have mercy!). Working full time has helped to get Paul organized more than getting married or having a child!
I'm so sorry to hear about the girl from your school. It's very difficult to make sense of death when it comes at "odd" times (young v. old, sick v. healthy, etc.). We will add her and her family to our prayer list.
Mom, Karl and Christina,
Thanks for your input, I appreciate it! I hope it doesn't sound like I'm bashing Steve... despite my somewhat tongue-in-cheek comments regarding his organization skills, I actually REALLY admire that about him.
You're right Christina, I'm so glad at least one of us is organized!
And I don't think flylady is that bad... she just fills the inbox with tons of junk at times! But, I'm sure I could benefit from her advice! I like her 15 minute idea, at least when it comes to extraneous things like checking e-mail, browsing the net, preparing and eating lunch, etc....
I've got it! A new addition to my birthday/Christmas list:
organization paraphenelia!!!!
folders, calendars, planners, files, cork boards, "how to" books...
oh it's sad that, in order to organize more, we need to consume more! :P I have a feeling it should be the opposite...!)
As for Karissa, thank you ALL for your kind words and prayers!!! It means a lot to me, and I know it means a lot for many others who are hurting.
First of all I would like to state for the record that I may have my time pretty well planned out, but my room/bathroom/kitchen etc. are not orginized at all (granted I do have some lazy roommates, but I'm still just as responsable). There of course are different things that come easy for us to orginanize and other things that we struggle with. Planning time also doesn't mean having every second of your life locked down, it just means orginizing the important stuff (church, school, time with friends, etc). I agree with Karl that having your time planned out, again the important things, stress is cut down. Katie, I must thank you for putting up with my tight time schedual, I appreaciate it :)
Love you so much!
Steve
Thanks Laura!
After reading your blog on "flakiness," I realized we probably have a lot in common :D So your "submission" to organizational tools is very inspiring for a fellow flake ;)
And yes, I'll try not to acquire more clutter..! :)
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