I'm a lot of things: Ambitious, friendly... frisky? But, above all, I am a disorganized person.
I sometimes do not follow through with things, not because I don't want to do them... most of the time, but rather due to the fact that I don't remember them.
I was reading Business Insider's article the other day about how messy desks were supposed to aid in the process of creativity. I 100% agree with this, but I also find that when it comes to everyday life, most of the time your productivity is based on efficiency and organization, not messiness and creativity. Of course, that depends on which company and department you work at, but as of my circumstances, I find this to be true.
While I may still not have the neatest desk, here are a few things I use to help me with my disorganization:
1) Reminder app
I sometimes do not follow through with things, not because I don't want to do them... most of the time, but rather due to the fact that I don't remember them.
I was reading Business Insider's article the other day about how messy desks were supposed to aid in the process of creativity. I 100% agree with this, but I also find that when it comes to everyday life, most of the time your productivity is based on efficiency and organization, not messiness and creativity. Of course, that depends on which company and department you work at, but as of my circumstances, I find this to be true.
While I may still not have the neatest desk, here are a few things I use to help me with my disorganization:
1) Reminder app
Considering that some of today's modern society has moved on from using mere pen-and-paper lists, myself included, I use reminder apps to help me with this, such as the iOS default app, or ToDo Reminder List app for Android. These apps really help me.
I simply type in my task assigned, give it a time and date, then click the "okay" button, and I'm all set.
If it were not for these wonderful apps, I myself would be lost and never found, never mind my various valuables and possessions. I specifically like the one for Android, ToDo Reminder List. That one works nice.
Also, I thought it would be the best fit for me since I am almost always checking my phone, as with most 15-year-old boys these days. Simple plan: Look at phone, see assignment. Done.
2) Lists
I simply type in my task assigned, give it a time and date, then click the "okay" button, and I'm all set.
If it were not for these wonderful apps, I myself would be lost and never found, never mind my various valuables and possessions. I specifically like the one for Android, ToDo Reminder List. That one works nice.
Also, I thought it would be the best fit for me since I am almost always checking my phone, as with most 15-year-old boys these days. Simple plan: Look at phone, see assignment. Done.
2) Lists
Ah, yes, lists. They are a wonderful thing. I use lists practically every day. Though, I will say that you can get carried away with them to the point of redundancy. For example, I used to have a book of lists that was around 200 pages long, each referencing a very certain part of my day, from eating to sleeping. It seems ridiculous now, but at the time, it seemed productive and helpful. Then, one day I realized that it took me at least a minute to fully brief myself for my routine, so I had to stop with that book.
I don't know about other people, but I find that every time I write a new part of my day down, even just one part, it makes me feel very productive. I am not really sure what the reason for this is, but it gives me a pleasant feeling of closure and satisfaction.
The moral of this story: Don't overdo it.
3) Pillows put in places where they don't belong.
I don't know about other people, but I find that every time I write a new part of my day down, even just one part, it makes me feel very productive. I am not really sure what the reason for this is, but it gives me a pleasant feeling of closure and satisfaction.
The moral of this story: Don't overdo it.
3) Pillows put in places where they don't belong.
This is an odd trick of mine to help me remember important things that I know I would forget otherwise. I have an easily distracted mind, so when I think "pillow", my mind goes off into a lot of places; don't take that the wrong way.
Picture this example: Justin needs to buy some groceries. Justin forgets just about everything, so he decides to grab a pillow from the family room and puts it in his room in the morning. Justin comes home from school, completely exhausted. Just as he's about to pass through the doorway, Justin realizes that a pillow from the family room is there. "Huh, that's weird. These pillows are usually in the family room," Justin thinks. "I wonder why it's there." For some strange reason, Justin always remembers the important thing he has to do because of that pillow. "Thank you, pillow," Justin says.
No, not all of that is true. Specifically the part where I thanked an inanimate object.
So, I shared my ways, what are yours? Let me know in the comments below!
And, as always,
Thanks for Reading!
-Justin
Picture this example: Justin needs to buy some groceries. Justin forgets just about everything, so he decides to grab a pillow from the family room and puts it in his room in the morning. Justin comes home from school, completely exhausted. Just as he's about to pass through the doorway, Justin realizes that a pillow from the family room is there. "Huh, that's weird. These pillows are usually in the family room," Justin thinks. "I wonder why it's there." For some strange reason, Justin always remembers the important thing he has to do because of that pillow. "Thank you, pillow," Justin says.
No, not all of that is true. Specifically the part where I thanked an inanimate object.
So, I shared my ways, what are yours? Let me know in the comments below!
And, as always,
Thanks for Reading!
-Justin