“Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.” –Thomas Jefferson
Everyone knows that getting organized is a key to success, right? Unfortunately, most people also know that staying organized can be very challenging. I’m one of those people. I’ve spent decades holding onto the myth that if I could only find the perfect system, I could leave clutter and disorganization behind for good.
Here’s the sad truth: While there are some very helpful organizing tools out there on the market, there is no such thing as an effort-proof system. The only way to guarantee that you will get organized and stay organized is by practicing a dogged commitment to orderliness day in and day out.
Thomas Jefferson, primary author of the Declaration of Independence, once said that “Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.” He might have added that eternal vigilance is also the only sure-fire guarantee of not getting overrun by the loads of papers, e-mails, and other random stuff that can multiply like bacteria in your room, locker, desktop and other available surfaces.
Consistency is key. Whatever system you adopt, from using a planner provided by the school to texting yourself reminders of assignments and other to dos, the development of strong organized habits is what will make the difference between using your system well and wanting to toss it out the window. For example, an organized person might make a daily habit of stopping by her locker at the end of each day to gather everything she needs for homework that evening, and she might also set aside part of a study hall or free period each Friday to file any loose papers that are floating around her book bag or locker into the appropriate binders. Figure out what works for you, and then do it, over and over, day in and day out, week in and week out, all year long.
Good luck, and as always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.
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