On a good day, my organizational skills seriously lack credibility. I am the most unorganized person I know, and I have no idea why. I am usually thinking of about 12 things at the same time, so when I need to remember something, I really have to concentrate on only that one thing. For the most part, this processing ability serves me well—except when I’m trying to find something.
So what’s the big deal? I live with someone incredibly organized. Since I am not organizationally inclined, there are many discussions regarding items that cannot be located, papers that are misfiled, as well as information that's only in my head.
Recently, I had to call an airline to track down missing frequent flier miles. I had a memory of the discussion but couldn’t remember all the details. Lucky for me, my husband knows to write down all the details, make copies of receipts, staple them together, and file them in the folder that they need to occupy. As I was on the phone with the airline, I glanced through the papers in the file, and there in front of me was not only all the notes, but a receipt with all the information I needed.
I shouldn’t be stunned. This isn’t rocket science—just plain organization.
Here are some coping strategies that seem to work for both of us:
First, I have a place for everything: keys, backpack, sun glasses. The minute I walk in the house, all of these items go into a specified cabinet. The days when they do not, I am usually hunting through pockets for keys. It drives me crazy, but my husband really and truly has a place for everything. He can find anything he’s looking for at all times.
Second, I play to my strengths. I have an auditory/visual memory. If I’ve read or heard something, I can usually remember where something is located. I can actually see it in my head.
Third, I play to my husband’s strengths. I try to keep my desk clutter-free (which is quite the challenge), and I also try to keep copious notes when I run into a snag. I have to decipher my notes, but he appreciates that they are written down and not just floating around my head.
Lastly, for those things that I am charged with organizing, I make it a point to organize in a way that makes sense and maintain it. I rarely move the pantry around. Once things find a home, that is usually their home, so everyone knows where they can find the dog food or the wrapping paper.
Luckily, I have discovered that my lack of organizational skills and my husband’s excellent organizational skills are not genetic. My kids are a little of both. They rarely misplace items and they are both able to keep specifics in their heads. It’s a good lesson for me as a parent: If my kids can be organized when they need to be, maybe I can throw a little more energy at my own organizational skills. And I will—as soon as I find my keys.
