A Few Essentials for Getting Organized

by Cheryl Carter

 In some circles, being organized has become synonymous with quenching creativity and individuality.  However, nothing can be further from the truth.  Creation itself testifies of this fact. This year we can resolve to have a greater measure of success by just doing a few things differently.

Set goals.  Few things are achieved in life without setting a goal. A God-inspired goal will draw you to it because it draws you closer to He who has placed the goal in your heart.  In essence, pursuing this goal fulfills you.  Some of us have made our own goals but a God-goal is actually seeing a glimpse of the Creator’s purpose for your life. A God goal is distinct and measurable with a clear deadline.  These goals must then be developed into plans.  A goal without a plan is a fantasy. Plans are clear and distinct steps to reach your goal.

Combine your goals.  It can be quite frustrating to work intently on several goals at one time.  By linking the goals together, your chances of achieving them are much greater.  The book Prayer Walk: Becoming a Woman of Prayer, Strength and Discipline by Janet Holm McHenry illustrates this point. She shows you how to combine your desire to journey deeper with God with your need to be physically fit. Besides giving very thorough explanation of the benefits of walking, McHenry gives very practical application of spiritual mapping a radical way to pray for those around you. (This concept was inspired by C. Peter Wagner’ book Breaking Strongholds In Your City, another worthy read.)  Lest you think you cannot begin a walking regimen in the winter month, think again. All you need is enthusiasm and resolve to successfully begin prayer walking.

Multi-task as much as possible.  Almost every mother is an expert at multi-tasking. A mom can do the laundry, balance the checkbook, nurse the baby, cook dinner, check homework, and clean out the fridge all at the same time.  All of us engage in multi-tasking on some level, but we can be more effective if we actually plan our several tasks.  I do not advocate a lifestyle of multi-tasking, as it will burn you out! Doing too much will often breed stress.  However, brief planned times of systematic multi-tasking can really increase your productivity because God will often challenge us to do the impossible.

Organize Your Environment.  Nothing creates more stress or thwarts progress than disorder.  Put time in your schedule to clean off your desk or to organize your home.  Daily times of organizing are best. Bursts of putting things in order or cleaning fever do not last long.  “I have a messy desk but I can find anything I need on it.” I advise those people to maintain a neat desk for a month.  I guarantee they will not want to go back.  Most people prefer order to chaos. Taking the time to organize will yield you much more time in the end. Notice when Jesus fed the multitude He organized them into smaller groups. We can use this same concept when we begin organizing.  Tackle a big job a little at a time.  The benefits of order are immense. An orderly environment helps us to think clearly and to be more productive.

Do the God thing, not the good thing.

We are all gifted by God to do many things but sometimes those of us with many gifts can become very frustrated as we are pulled in many different directions. We need to prayerfully consider new projects and activities. The God-thing is what God wants you to do, while the good thing may be what other, often well-meaning, people want you to do.   Just because you are a gifted teacher, that is no reason to volunteer to be a Preschool Sunday School Teacher.  Do you enjoy preschool children? Do they energize you? Do they bring you joy? Ask yourself these questions before you decide.  Just as you cannot give financially to every good cause, you cannot give yourself indiscriminately either. Sometimes when we prematurely do something because we feel it is a good thing we block the real person God has called to that position or job. At other times we are crying out to God to help us and He is saying, “I never told you to do that.”  This is not to imply there is no labor when God calls you, but you labor with joy.  Check the areas in your life where you no longer have joy this year.

Have Quiet Time regularly.  Slow down and get alone — away from the crowd.  The great saints in the history of the church were known to have consistent passionate private prayer lives.  We need to develop this discipline as well.  Our generation has bought the “quality time”  myth.  Quality time is a subjective term because you define it. True quality time is birthed through quantity time. You need to spend significant time alone to really get quality moments.  As I have always told my kids, I have never learned anything of significance in a crowd. It is in the tranquil peaceful moments that I get clarity and am energized.

Get an Accountability Partner.  Iron sharpens iron. We should have friends who encourage our growth.  It’s a great practice to write down your goals and plans and share them with a prayer partner.  Your spouse can make an ideal accountability partner. However, both husband and wife must communicate to one another in love with a genuine desire to see the other be all God would have them to be.

Nurture relationships.  God has given us both resources and relationships. Our relationships can continue into eternity and I have not known anyone yet who was able to take anything with them. Make time for significant relationships.  Reach out to others.  Your neighbors, children, husband, wife, etc are waiting to see eternity in you. They read you. What are they reading?  Do they see you as harsh, harried and hurried? Perhaps God is dealing with you to adjust your attitude this year.  Remember it is not what we say but the way we say it.  Honestly, go before God and confess your struggle to love like He loves.  The most powerful people are those with yielded hearts for Him.  Determine to be a vessel God can use this year.

Use the gift of time the Father has given you to grow closer to Him this year!

About the author

            Cheryl R. Carter is Founder/ Director of "Organize Your Life," an organization that helps women, moms in particular, reach their maximum effectiveness and productivity. She is the author of five books on time management and organization.  She enjoys living, loving and learning with her family. Visit www.Momtime.net and www.FamilySuccess.org for more information.