Take a moment to think about that. What does your mind begin to visualize? What exactly do you see? An orderly house; closets with clothes arranged for the season, shoes and purses fitting perfectly on shelves; food for dinner prepared in the fridge; laundry all folded and put away; and kids’ toys corralled in tubs? Or, as you think about the organized life, perhaps you see yourself celebrating the early completion of a big project at work with dinner out (on a weeknight, no less) with your husband or best friend. Maybe in the organized life, you see yourself with time to spend in your craft room or garden after a full day of work or simply sitting with a cup of hot tea and your favorite magazine. Maybe your husband is sitting right beside you reading as well, and the kids are quietly finishing their homework at the kitchen table before you all gather for dinner. Your vision of the organized life is full of images that bring you peace and also some confident hope that tomorrow will be somewhat of a repeat of the picture just described, right?
So, let me ask you this question: Do you feel that way generally— a little peaceful and hopeful about your organized life? My informal surveys say probably not. My informal surveys say there are parts of your life that are absolutely not organized, not peaceful, and appear to be hopeless. You might have piles of laundry heaped in a hamper and overflowing onto the floor. You have a basket of magazines dated two years ago that you have not touched. The kids’ toys might be scattered throughout the house, and your children are yelling at one another about changing the channel on the TV. Your mail tray is stacked high, and you cannot pay all the bills on time this month because you over- spent last month. Your car is making funny noises, and you know it is overdue for an oil change. You missed picking up the dry cleaning because you were dealing with an employee problem at work. Your husband is working late again and will not be home in time to cut the grass again.
None of us ever has the desire to live the overwhelmed life. But here you are, and yes, that is you to some degree. Chances are your neighbor, colleague, best friend, sister-in-law, or just about anyone you know is living that same life. It is not just you and yours who are experiencing the clutter and chaos that comes with a disorganized life. Our days are filled with the busyness of managing lives. Taking control of the busyness and managing it well is the challenge so many, including you, are facing.
You have tried to get things together; I know you have. The problem is in not knowing how to do that in a way that sticks. You need a system that can get you started and keep you on the path to organizing your life. The notebook meeting process is that system. I’m glad you’ve joined the community.
If you recognize yourself as I described the unorganized life above, it really is time to start the notebook meeting process. Sometimes, just taking the first step is the hardest part of starting something new. Consider contacting a friend and agreeing to read the book together. Schedule a date to meet in a coffee shop or your favorite cafe for lunch. Discussing the steps of The Notebook Meeting with a friend you trust can be just the right inspiration to get you both excited about the possibilities that the notebook meetings will bring. Enjoy the journey!
