This story appears in the
July 1999 issue of
Startups.
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Whether you like it or not, when you're dealing with a
spouse, associate or subcontractor, his or her organizational style
(or lack thereof) can affect your productivity. Because we all know
you catch more bees with honey, crank up the charm and try these
ways to help someone get organized.
- Use positive reinforcement. Instead of focusing on other
people's disorganization, praise them when they make an attempt
to get organized. They knows they're disorganized and don't
need to hear your criticism.
- Teach by example. You can't expect someone to listen to you
extol the virtues of organization when you make Oscar Madison look
orderly. If you've changed your style from disorganized to
organized, be willing to share the secrets behind your
transformation.
- Be patient and realize everyone is organized to a different
degree. Keep in mind that if someone changes one bad organizing
habit, his or her productivity will start to increase. Give that
person time to make changes and offer encouragement when he or she
makes an effort to get organized.
Lisa Kanarek (http://www.everythingsorganized.com)
is a home office organizing expert and author of several books,
including Organizing Your Home Office For Success (Blakely
Press) and 101 Home Office Success Secrets (Career
Press).