Women's Business Network: Systems and Routines

School vacation week is almost over, and if you are anything like me, you are anxious to get back into your routine.
Don't get me wrong. There is nothing more important and enjoyable to me than having the kids around and slowing down to spend more time with them. We had lots of fun activities planned for this week and also a lot of down time to relax and unwind.

      But I am ready to get back to normal life with our routines and systems that allow my family to function. Did you know that most disorganization stems from transitions and broken routines? Think about a time when you felt organized and in control. Most likely, you had set routines and systems that allowed you to complete daily tasks (like processing mail, cooking and doing laundry) while adjusting to the unpredictable (like sick kids and unexpected visitors).
       Now think about a time when your life was in transition. Have you ever moved? Started a new job? Gotten married? These are all times when our systems change and we need to create new ones or adapt our existing systems to accommodate our new needs.
       In order to feel organized and in control, we need to create systems and routines that allow us to function seamlessly. In her book, Organizing from the Inside Out, Julie Morgenstern offers the following definition of being organized:

"Organizing is the process by which we create environments that enable us to live, work and relax exactly as we want to. When we are organized, our homes, offices and schedules reflect and encourage who we are, what we want, and where we are going."

I love this definition because it reiterates that organizing has a lot less to do with how a space looks than how it functions. What are some systems that are working for you now and which ones might need a little tweaking? I would love to hear your feedback!

Sincerely,
Tamara