I am a Certified Professional Organizer. When most people think of that term they immediately think of Martha Stewart……well Martha Stewart I am not. Don’t get me wrong, I really am organized it’s just that I don’t live in a magazine. I don’t have everything color coded and perfectly labeled. I don’t have all my papers filed immediately and I certainly have not had time to hand make all my Christmas decorations.
I am a Certified Professional Organizer but I have a confession to make. I am a bit of a paper stacker! I am stating publicly that I have papers stacked around my house.
EXHIBIT A
The above photo shows a stack of miscellaneous papers that I have not had time to take care of or attack. I am not even sure what is in the stack, I just know that it needs my attention or it would have not made it to the stack. So, see, I am a purposeful stacker! I don’t just throw any kind of paper in the stack, I have to know it needs further attention or follow up.
Now, many organizers will tell you to put this stack of paper in a file folder with the label TO DO. I am here to tell you if any of my papers go in any kind of file, they will never get done!!! For me, most filing is for when things are completed or I only need to go back to the file for reference purposes. I don’t know why my brain works this way but it just does and I know many of your brains work the same way. The beautiful thing about this stack is that it is sitting where I can see it, it is all in one neat stack and I will take care of it because I can see it.
Now, many organizers will tell you to put this stack of paper in a file folder with the label TO DO. I am here to tell you if any of my papers go in any kind of file, they will never get done!!! For me, most filing is for when things are completed or I only need to go back to the file for reference purposes. I don’t know why my brain works this way but it just does and I know many of your brains work the same way. The beautiful thing about this stack is that it is sitting where I can see it, it is all in one neat stack and I will take care of it because I can see it.
Many of my clients feel like they are less than organized because every single thing in their house is not in place; nothing could be further from the truth. Sometimes you have to have a little mess to be organized. Sometimes you need things in your field of vision in order for them to not be totally forgotten. Sometimes you need a small paper stack to remind you that you have some things that need your attention!
I am not advocating stacks and stacks and stacks because that means you are not stacking purposefully! I am merely saying that you can give yourself some grace and have a stack or two of papers. The key is to not let the stacks continue to stack but schedule some time to actually “attack the stack”.
Exhibit B
So, now I have to quit blogging and go attack my paper stack……and I would suggest you do the same!