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Blog: Chronic Disorganization
 CHRONIC DISORGANIZATION AND PROCRASTINATION
I think chronically disorganized people procrastinate for somewhat different reasons than plain old disorganized people. The word 'procrastination' comes from the Latin words 'pro' meaning 'forward' and 'crastinus' meaning 'of tomorrow'. A perfect word root for describing procrastination (man, those Latins were smart!) Who doesn't remember the scene from Gone With the Wind, hand-to-forehead "I'll think about it tomorrow". Most people procrastinate because of:
· fear of failure
· unable to cope with the frustration of doing something new
· confusion about the assignment that they won't admit to
· avoidance of responsibility
· risk aversion
A good general source for info on procrastination is http://psychologytoday.com/rss/pto-20030823-000001.htm.
I find that CD folks procrastinate because of lack of a sense of urgency, conscientiousness, and overwhelm.
Procrastination and Conscientiousness
Postponing the carrying out of a task is consistent with the higher-than-usual level of conscientiousness that often characterizes people who are chronically disorganized. In an effort to be conscientious, postponement of actually implementing or doing a task is a kind of thoroughnes/conscientiousness. (Or not, as in the joke "If something is worth doing someone probably did it already."
Arousal and Procrastination
Organizing tasks can be pretty darn dull (Unless you're a professional organizer who has orgasms at The Container Store). Much of life is made up of the mundane. We tend to put off tasks that are not compelled by time or importance but eventually we get to them. Procrastination builds up steam. Sometimes arousal is needed (NOW I've got your attention).
Overwhelm
In order to warm up to high priority tasks, we all engage in low-priority, manageable tasks. The hundreds of tasks big and small that remain open loops are what overwhelms chronically disorganized people. The warm-up tasks are not finished and the more demanding tasks are incomplete. Closure is not their forte. So those to-do open loops rule the day and anything else that comes up gets put aside.
MY FAVORITE SOLUTIONS
Alan Lakein, the famous time management specialist recommends the Swiss Cheese method. Do a task in pieces. Bite of a little and a little more until it can be swallowed. How To Control Your Time and Your Life is a great classic. Get it at http://www.amazon.com/Control-Your-Time-Life-Signet/dp/0451167724
Get aroused! Plan a great reward that reeks of sin and sensuality for doing a job you hate.
Get aroused! Play a waiting game that cuts things just close enough for a thrill but not enough to be risky.
Start with an easy part, start with the hard part and put it behind you, start in the middle and eat your way out of task.THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO START!`
Establish interim deadlines or mini-deadlines before the final deadline to keep you going. I like Plan Your Work - Work Your Plan published by Crisp at amazon.com (in fact all their books are so crispt and to the point they're perfect for anyone who needs quickly organizing solutions.)
Match your work to your natural energy levels. For instance if you're not a morning person do low-brain administrative tasks. Save problem-solving and strategic thinking to late morning or after lunch.
Build your procrastination time into the equation of how long work will take you to complete. Add 20% or more.
Want more info about CD and Procrastination? go to http://squallpress.net/store/index.php?target=products&product_id=29787
UNCLASSIFIED ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Want to participate in a survey that will further the understanding of chronically disorganized people? Sharon Mintz, a doctoral student at Fordham University needs your help. go to http://quuol.notlong.com for more information.
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Want to make a cool $100.00?
I want to do speaking engagements on Long Island. If you land me a paying gig, I'll pay you $100.00.
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KOLBERG ON THE GO
February 25
The Seoul Television System has invited Judith Kolberg to be their guest on a special segment about organizing. Kolberg's book Conquering Chronic Disorganization is published in Korean and "there is increasing interest in the benefits of organization." For more information contact [email protected]
February 29
Pearson Education, one of the country's leading publishers of textbooks, is sponsoring a teleclass for its employees featuring Judith Kolberg. The class is entitled Time Management, Time Perception and Adult AD/HD, based on the Special Report authored by Kolberg on the same topic available at www.squallpress.net.
March 1
Judith Kolberg is the keynote speaker at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference for Professional Organizers, sponsored by the Washington, D.C. chapter of NAPO. The title of her talk is The Super Powers of Disorganized People. For more information go to www.dcorganizers.org
March 5
Pearson Education, one of the country's leading publishers of textbooks, is sponsoring a teleclass for its employees featuring Judith Kolberg. The class is entitled Understanding Chronic Disorganization: The Role of Decision-Making, Procrastination and Perfectionism, based on the Special Report authored by Kolberg on the same topic available at www.squallpress.net.
March 7
Pearson Education, one of the country's leading publishers of textbooks, is sponsoring a teleclass for its employees featuring Judith Kolberg. The class is entitled The De-Acquisition of Stuff, based on the Special Report authored by Kolberg on the same topic available at www.squallpress.net.
March 14
Pearson Education, one of the country's leading publishers of textbooks, is sponsoring a teleclass for its employees featuring Judith Kolberg. The class is entitled Getting From 'Here' to 'There' – Executive Function and Organizing, based on the Special Report authored by Kolberg on the same topic available at www.squallpress.net.
March
Messies Anonymous director, Sandra Felton, has invited Judith Kolberg to conduct a teleclass on Executive Function and Dysfunction. For more information, contact [email protected]
April 9-11
Judith Kolberg's complete line of organizing books, special reports, CD's and E-books will be available for sale at the National Association of Professional Organizers Annual Conference and Organizing Exposition. For more information about these products go to www.squallpress.net
May 3
The ADHD Coaches Association has selected Judith Kolberg to deliver the keynote address at their first conference. Kolberg's address is entitled The Super Powers of Disorganized People: Advice for ADHD Coaches. For more information about the conference go to www.adhdcoaches.org
September 1
Judith Kolberg will present The Super Powers of Disorganized People at The Decatur Book Festival. Her complete line of organizing books, special reports, CD's and E-books will be available for sale at the festival. For more information go to www.decaturbookfestival.com
September 25
The National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization will hold its annual conference in St. Louis, MO where Judith Kolberg will be conducting a workshop. For more information go to www.nsgcd.com
October 27
The Geogia chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizer is sponsoring a Fall Conference. Judith Kolberg will be presenting The Super Powers of Disorganized People. For more information go to www.georgianapo.com
posted on: 2/2/2008 11:00:00 AM by Judith Kolberg
category: Organizing Challenges
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Chronic Disorganization
by Judith Kolberg
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About Judith:
FileHeads Professional Organizers founded in 1989, is a business-to-business professional organizing firm providing time management , office organizing, and productivity consulting. Company-wide training, keynote speaking, and custom teleclasses are available as well as individual organizing sessions. Chief organizer, Judith Kolberg, is an award-winning professional organizer, international author and speaker. FileHeads is regarded as one of the nation's foremost authorities on the special organizing needs of chronically disorganized and AD/HD individuals.
Judith's Website:
www.fileheads.net
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