Think about the most successful people you know for a moment. For the most part, successful people are ruthless with their time. They take the time to do the inglorious task of planning. Getting and staying organized is grueling, but without it, you are on a collision course with failure.
This week, we're concentrating on Order: self-organization. Initially, Frank Bettger set aside every Saturday morning for what he called, "self-organization day." Every Monday morning, instead of having to drive himself to sell, he approached the week with confidence and enthusiasm. He was eager and anxious to see people because he had thought about them, studied their situations, and had some ideas he believed would be of value to them.
You may be thinking this isn't for you - you don't have time to devote a morning to planning - you don't want to be tied down to a schedule. Here's good news for you: You are already living on a schedule. And, if it's not a planned one, it's probably a poor one!
We adhere to a weekly plan, as well as a daily "To Do" list, which we follow religiously. We like to think of it as planning to wake up employed! Plan your work and work your plan. Your enthusiasm and confidence will soar when you take the time to get and stay organized!
One of the greatest satisfactions in life comes from getting things done and knowing you have done them to the best of your ability. If you are having trouble getting yourself organized, if you want to increase your ability to think and do things in the order of their importance, remember there is only one way: Take more time to think and do things in the order of their importance.
Order: Self-organization
• Designate a set period of time each week for self-organization, planning your week, getting things in order.
• Get up one hour earlier each day. Use this time to read and study.
• Keep your weekly and daily plans visible.
• Be ruthless with your time.
• Commit to bringing more order to your work and your personal life. The secret of freedom from anxiety over not having enough time lies not in working more hours, but in the proper planning of those hours.
