It’s the middle of March, and the first day Spring, so I want to ask how is the New Year New You resolutions going? If you have already given up, I encourage you to schedule a time to review and revisit your commitments. It’s time to refine and re-dedicate yourself.

With the attention on Netflix’s new star Marie Kondo and show Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, I’m refocusing on being organized. I used to be OCD about everything having it’s place. Then I had kids. I couldn’t beat them, so I joined them. For the past few years, I have found a happy medium so that the three of us can share the same space. It’s not easy. One is a hoarder, the other I am assuming was born into a royal family in a previous life because he drops his stuff wherever and keeps going.

Organizing has it pros. It’s not just about being a neat freak. Remove the clutter and you make room for growth. I don’t mean as in more stuff. I mean you as a person. If I have my pen, notebook and computer charged and ready for work, it eliminates the stress of preparing and being distracted. My to-do-list was written out the night before so there is no guessing at where I need to start. Being organized keeps me focused, on-time and capable of completing task.

And now the being part of being organized. It’s the action of organization. Actively involved in a daily ritual of doing. Keeping consistent is another way to stay on course. Consistently starting with a goal in mind each day. If your ritual begins with meditation, exercise, or just a cup of coffee with reflection, do it consistently. Never feel guilty for the self-care you give yourself and your dreams.

You don’t have to be over organized to hold it all together. Do what feels right for you. I have my laptop open, scribbled ideas on post-it notes, my three notebooks opened and Pandora queued up to one of five channels, depending on my mood. Of course, something salty within arms reach, because I am a major grazer. You might look at it and think “how does she work with all of this crap around her?” For me, it’s the only way I can think. There is no one size fits all.

Without organization, speaking from experience, you would not get enough completed. I no longer multi-task. I check off as I go. My post-it notes go in my binder. My binder goes in my purse at the end of the day. If my binder is forgotten, there is no way I am going to remember what was next. Nor do I have the time to waste trying to remember.

As you can see, I am pro to-do list. I am pro-planner. I am pro getting things accomplished. At the end of the day, before you close your eyes, measure your progress. Are your efforts aligning with your goals? Are you making strides towards the behaviors you want to see? If not, make adjustments. If you are, celebrate. If the only thing on your list for that day was to relax, did you do it? Then you have permission to celebrate!

You are so worth it!

-Portia