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Being organized does not mean being perfect. We are humans and bound to get messy because life is complicated. Even the most successful people we know do not have immaculate offices. Take a look at this photo taken by Diana Walker in August 2004 of Steve Jobs in his home office. Shocking, isn’t it?! Here is a man who leads a multi-billion dollar company and he has stacks of paper on his desk. And did you check out that pile behind his chair?
I say if Steve Jobs is allowed to be a little messy in his office and still be successful, then so can the rest of us. No, I’m not encouraging you to ignore the mess. But I am saying “Cut yourself some slack!” Getting organized and staying organized is not suppose to take over your business because you need to be busy running it. However, if you let this always be your excuse for not keeping the “mess” under control, and the disorganization is making you lose money and business, then it is time to change a few things. Be organized enough to run your business with less stress and more success, and then stop. Perfection is not needed in organization.
This post was written by
Gabriela “Gabby” Burgman, President of Claiming Space, provides nonjudgmental organizing assistance to busy professionals who want to bring order, productivity, and inspiration to their home office or work room.
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Gabriela I love this. I met you at the San Diego NAPO Conference this past week. We as organizers have to realize that we are human. I can speak for myself when I say that I do get a messy desk from time-to-time. The thing is, it doesn’t take me long to put things away because I’ve created a system where there is a place for everything. Great article.
Well, I might not be as rich as Steve Jobs, but my office is better organized. When did you help me re-organize? It must have been a year ago! At any rate, my office still looks about the same as when we finished, thanks for the sustainable tips you taught me.
Ha-ha. I think Steve Jobs is a visual learner and feels that he has to keep everything out in the open to “remember” that it is there. Perhaps I should send him some organizing hints. I’m so glad that your office is still working out great. You are still my first successful virtual client.
“Be organized enough” is my favorite phrase – from Kathy Waddill’s great book!