Do you like storing your papers on top of your desk in trays, baskets or just plain piles? Do you have a preference for Post-it notes and maybe some colorful file folders? Or are clearly labeled files and file cabinets more your style? Do you 'file' or 'pile'? I make it a practice of testing my workshop participants for this very thing because of its importance in creating and supporting an effective, organized workspace.
The brain's dominance factor
Research conducted in the late 1980's proved that human beings exhibit brain hemisphere dominance in early childhood. Brain hemispheres have distinct functions that work together so that we actually use both sides of our brain in everything we do.
Your brain's dominance directly impacts how you respond to new experiences. The more aware you are of your own learning style, the better positioned you are to use what you learn.
Your natural style is the key
Left-brain dominance indicates someone who tends to be analytical, methodical and a linear thinker. This scenario may imply that left-brainers are more organized, but this is perception more than reality. Language resides in the left side of the brain so these individuals look for a word on a label affixed to a file folder frequently found stored vertically on top of their desk or in their file cabinet.
Right-brainers, on the other hand, are characterized as individuals who are conceptual thinkers, visionaries who scan more than focus. They tend to be more people/project oriented. This style responds to color or placement and frequently files papers horizontally on top of their desk. Putting something inside a file cabinet could mean it is lost to them forever.
Benefit
Identifying your natural paper management style helps you work towards eliminating those on-going feelings of stress and frustration when you look at your desktop. Actively developing a user-friendly system that supports your style is a key element in not only creating an organized workspace, but more importantly in maintaining one.
Outcome? Increased productivity and peace of mind.
So?are you left or right?
Copyright 2001 Cynthia Kyriazis. All rights reserved.
Cynthia Kyriazis is a Professional Organizer, trainer, consultant, speaker, coach and author with over 20 years management experience in multi-unit corporations. She is President of Organize it, Inc., an organizational consulting firm serving Fortune 500 clients since 1995. Cynthia has worked with over 150 companies and hundreds of professionals to help improve performance in the areas of time, information, space and electronic file management.
Cynthia has appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Kansas City Star and the Legal Intelligencer. She currently serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), member of the National Speakers Association (NSA), member of International Society for Performance Improvement ? Kansas City chapter (ISPI-KC) and consultant to the American Coaching Association.
Cindy looks at the calendar and sighs. Ah, the end... Read More
What's an item that can help you organize every room... Read More
Have you ever felt so discouraged, your life so out-of-control,... Read More
Individuals who are organized in their personal lives most generally... Read More
1) It's easy to have a good clear out: Not... Read More
Clutter is postponed decisions®. Here are some suggestions to simplify... Read More
One of the most basic ways to find papers when... Read More
In your quest to get 'up and running' so to... Read More
Buried under mountains of paperwork from your company? Do the... Read More
Helping people clean out their closet is something I love... Read More
Home organization isn't just for neat-nicks or those drawn toward... Read More
You start each week with great intentions. You are determined... Read More
If you have piles of paper all over your desk,... Read More
My mother is one of the most productive people I... Read More
1. A calendar is an essential organizing tool ? start... Read More
Feeling Overwhelmed and Unorganized? - How to Use Index Cards... Read More
Balance- what a popular topic these days! Finding a work-life... Read More
It may be difficult to relate saving money with organization... Read More
Some people seem to be born organized. You probably remember... Read More
Here's a little lesson I experienced while packing boxes for... Read More
To want in one's heart to do a thing for... Read More
What's in a Name?Everything.What do you do with all the... Read More
A lot of us grew up with Mom taking care... Read More
Color-There Is No SubstituteIn anatomical illustrations you see the brain's... Read More
Working for one of the top Marketers online (David Ledoux)... Read More
Do you use to-do lists? Do you find it satisfying... Read More
The true definition of an organization is one that is... Read More
We previously noted that papers must be sorted before they... Read More
Life with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) can be a constant... Read More
There are eight distinct steps to constructing and executing an... Read More
I recently read an article that had some interesting but... Read More
Whoever thought you'd be able to get organized in just... Read More
Laundry. You sort, you wash, you fold, you blink ?... Read More
I gathered some things you can do this spring while... Read More
Many people have a huge challenge coping with the incoming... Read More
Do you like storing your papers on top of your... Read More
Home organization isn't just for neat-nicks or those drawn toward... Read More
When the things in your home start crowding in around... Read More
Cindy looks at the calendar and sighs. Ah, the end... Read More
Feeling overwhelmed at the thought of organizing your home? Start... Read More
What does "time" have to do with getting organized? Everything!... Read More
There are eight distinct steps to constructing and executing an... Read More
Last year I attended a presentation from Parenting Expert and... Read More
What do your storage spaces look like? Do you know... Read More
One of the most basic ways to find papers when... Read More
One of the hardest things for most individuals working from... Read More
One of my mother-in-law's many oft-quoted and wise declarations was... Read More
We are bombarded with so many factors that perpetuate disorganization.... Read More
In one of my favorite books, First Things First, written... Read More
"Junkyard Wars," a TV series showed two teams of experts... Read More
What does "quality of life" mean to you? If you... Read More
I've noticed that in the two years since the major... Read More
Obviously, productivity involves producing. Producing widgets, events, reports, sales. The... Read More
It happens without warning. One day you notice your home... Read More
1. Teach your children to use an alarm clock or... Read More
It wasn't long ago that you spent an entire weekend... Read More
Remember when you charged into the office that first day,... Read More
Use these 35 sanity savers this year to help you... Read More
"The real question is, why do you want it? What... Read More
Clutter is postponed decisions®. Here are some suggestions to simplify... Read More
Do you ever sit down at your desk buried in... Read More
Have nothing in your houses that you do not know... Read More
* Cupboards and drawers should contain items that are grouped... Read More
In many of the companies I have worked in, there... Read More
Sometimes the task of keeping a clean, tidy house just... Read More
In most homes, paper causes clutter. And it seems to... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |