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.
Batchtown Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareQuestions come my way all the time regarding my God-given... Read More
Sometimes the task of keeping a clean, tidy house just... Read More
A daily journal will save you time, reduce stress and... Read More
Are you feeling overwhelmed? Have a to-do list a mile... Read More
Often we are in overwhelm because we are holding too... Read More
* Cupboards and drawers should contain items that are grouped... Read More
Life with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) can be a constant... Read More
I've noticed that in the two years since the major... Read More
Some people would say I'm the last person in the... Read More
One of my mother-in-law's many oft-quoted and wise declarations was... Read More
We previously noted that papers must be sorted before they... Read More
"The real question is, why do you want it? What... Read More
What do you do with those special items that have... Read More
Obviously, productivity involves producing. Producing widgets, events, reports, sales. The... Read More
From time to time I hear this question from an... Read More
Cleaning out can seem overwhelming -- especially if it's been... Read More
Light, Work, and YouWinter is here-and with it, short days,... Read More
We are bombarded with so many factors that perpetuate disorganization.... Read More
(This is the third in a series of three articles... Read More
1. All or nothing thinking/taking on too much." I'm going... Read More
? Do you feel overwhelmed by all the "stuff" in... Read More
To make room for new things to come into you... Read More
Collections are the outward manifestation of a deeply-felt principle or... Read More
"Organize" is a familiar word heard on many of today's... Read More
I followed my boss to a co-worker's cubicle where my... Read More
shuttle from Midway Munster are ..There is nothing worse then spending ten minutes looking for... 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
In your quest to get 'up and running' so to... Read More
You really can have a successful business and a great... Read More
I recently conducted a survey to look at the relationship... Read More
* Cupboards and drawers should contain items that are grouped... Read More
Much of my time as a Professional Organizer is spent... Read More
? Are you embarrassed when you walk into your home... Read More
I recently had a conversation with a friend about clutter.... Read More
What do you gain if you SIMPLIFY?Dictionary* says:to reduce to... Read More
After more than 20 years as an entrepreneur and a... Read More
I have a huge white board in my home office,... Read More
For some reason, Americans think they have something to prove... Read More
Often we are in overwhelm because we are holding too... Read More
The Mexican VillagerThe American investment banker was at the pier... Read More
I know I have a problem when I have to... Read More
Do you feel like you just get too much e-mail?... Read More
Light, Work, and YouWinter is here-and with it, short days,... Read More
3-Step Clean Sweep Program 1 -... Read More
From time to time I hear this question from an... Read More
Decide When And Where To StartDecide when and where to... Read More
In part 1, we discussed a system you could use... Read More
Life is about maintaining a balance of all aspects. At... Read More
Getting and staying organized is critical to achieving your goals.... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |