Being Organized Is "Just" Planning Ahead

We have a wonderful treat today!

My super-organized, sister-in-law, is guest posting for us today.  She is a mother of FIVE, including a set of twins.   She is always on top of her game, and is sharing one of her secrets to success with us today!

Once I heard someone say--"All being organized is, is planning ahead." Sometimes I'm able to finish certain tasks far ahead of time and it's wonderful. Other times, it feels like I'm so busy that I can't even get today's tasks done, let alone plan ahead! Perhaps you've heard the saying--"I'm so far behind, I think I'm first!"

During the past few weeks I have somehow managed to plan ahead for various specific events, and it's a terrific feeling. Several weeks ago we received an invitation to a wedding reception. I went out right away and bought a wedding gift and wrapped it. As I'm writing this, I am reminded that I need to print out directions for getting to the reception. So, I did that just now and I put the directions in my closet next to the gift. It will be such a good feeling to get ready for the wedding reception, take the gift and directions out of the closet, and be on our way. No last minute shopping or scrambling to see if I have enough wrapping paper or an appropriate gift bag. We've probably all had those moments when we've wondered if the bride & groom would notice if we used a "Spiderman" birthday gift bag since that's all we have and there's no time to run to Target.

My daughter's birthday is coming, and during the past few weeks I managed to shop ahead of time for her gifts and wrap them. Today we'll enjoy working on her birthday cake together, and on her birthday, the day will be all about enjoying time with her, not rushing around to finish last minute details.

However, we each have to be patient with ourselves and realize that sometimes everything isn't going to go as smoothly as we had hoped. Sometimes we will feel like we're spinning on a merry-to-round and we'll have many last-minute tasks to do. I remember plenty of Christmases where I stayed up late on Christmas Eve wrapping gifts. Sometimes I'll head out to a meeting with a printed agenda that I pulled together minutes before because I just couldn't make the time earlier. (Don't you love those moments of panic when the printer won't print?).

We just need to do the best we can, keeping things simple, and having our priorities set so that we can focus on the most important things. (Easier said than done sometimes, isn't it?). Some of the last minute, spontaneous, unplanned moments can bring lots of "joy to our journey." So take a deep breath and try to create order in your life, while still making room for the unpredictable things that come your way!

Thanks for sharing Erika!  Please " COME" again!