Now, I am almost spluttering out my own cup of tea as I just wrote the title to this blog. Because I'll be honest–being organised is not my Thing and it has been known for me to roll my eyes (a lot) at the mere suggestion of a spreadsheet. But when it's something that's important to me, I can be more organised than a clipboard-wielding matron with a ward full of patients.
When it comes to doing something with my Thing I really want to do, my organisational gene shows up. If it's a trip I want to take, an event I want to run or a new project I want to get under way, I can be “all over it”. And when I am organised, I get more done (I know, who knew?!).
The joy of spreadsheets (and other systemising things) is that feeling that you've 'cleared some space in your head' to get on with your Thing. I am a lists person. I cannot even begin to count how many 'to do' lists I have (actually, I could as I now have the fabulous Maria–The Details Director) keeping a eye on them. But they make space.
If you're trying to 'do' a million (or even 10) things at once, it's hard to get and stay focused. It really is a good idea to do one thing at a time. BUT if you're like me, that makes you panic–you worry what will get forgotten, and what you'll 'miss' and so you spend more time worry about 'everything' than getting on with 'one thing'. And that is where the joy of a spreadsheet (or project management tool, or even a to do list on paper) can work wonders.
Maria calls it a 'Details Dump' and it's literally that–you empty your head of all the noise and to-dos and know that somewhere it's all documented. Knowing that you won't miss anything means you no longer have to 'worry' and can focus on your Thing.
I even have a spreadsheet for Christmas and Birthday presents (I know, I know... that does not make me sound cool). But even if I've not bought them all, I know everyone who needs one is 'on a list' and I can cross it off or add ideas and links to it as the thought pops in my head (and not stress that I'll not remember it when I need to).
I'm not suggesting you spend all your time 'organising' and no time doing (and I know this can happen). But spend ENOUGH time finding the joy in a spreadsheet or similar so you can free up MORE time to do your Thing.
Want to talk more about this?
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