Organizational skills are needed in your home, workplace, church, clubs, and any other organizations in order to function effectively and efficiently. Organizational skills are the ability to use your time, energy, resources, etc. effectively to achieve all the things you want to accomplish. It requires consistency and self-discipline.

If you have ever had to come behind someone else in the attempt to locate a paper, report or document you need you are acutely aware of the value of being organized. Physical and mental organization, time management are both essential for success. Recognizing the benefits in your strategic planning is the first step. Time is money and the use of organizational skills directly affects a company’s bottom line.  Poor organizational skills frustrate workers, customers and business owners. Good skills help to maintain an orderly home, office, work space, etc. Computers have helped us to become better organized even though the best use of your PC, notebook, smart phone and other devices require organizational skills, too.

There are several steps that can be taken to start developing organizational skills.

1. Start small by cleaning out and organizing your desk drawer or — at home — your dresser drawer.

2. Organize your files and your filing systems.

3. Straighten up and clean your work space or desk top.

4. Become proactive. Take charge of your life.

5. Make a list of things to do and check off when completed.

6. Use your calendar, either paper or online, and schedule not only meetings but also other things to be done.

7. Start your day off early. (This may require time to change if you are not an early bird.)

8. Minimize interruptions in your day.

9. Learn to delegate.

10. Make the most of the prime time in your day when you are most productive.

11. Plan and prepare in advance.

12. Stop procrastinating. Avoid “paralysis of analysis.”

13. Include others in a team effort.

14. De-clutter rather than acquiring more storage boxes or additional files.

15. Throw out something when you bring something in.

16. Simplify your life, at work, at home and at school.

17. Avoid printing emails or making copies of documents.

18. Learn to rely on computer files in place of paper.

19. Do not handle the same piece of paper repeatedly. Try placing a mark on the paper every time you handle it and at the end of the day review the number of times you touched it.

There are training and tools available to assist you in your efforts to become more organized. Take advantage of them and any other help you can find. Track your time and evaluate your performance. Stick with it.

It takes time to learn and make changes to master personal organizational skills but it is worth the effort. You will soon be able to form new habits, develop a blueprint for each day, accomplish more and be more productive in your personal and professional life. You will enjoy the payback in greater efficiency and effectiveness for the rest of your life.

Becky Vaughn-Furlow retired from Trustmark Bank as executive vice president and human resources director. She can be contacted by emailing bvaughnfurlow@gmail.com.