Let’s talk about the link between organization and success.
I was contacted by Webucator, an online learning company, to participate in their Most Marketable Skill Campaign in honor of the class of 2014. The campaign is all about bloggers sharing what they think is essential for success in the job market today.
So, I thought about what skill I believe is important in achieving success. I thought a long time, really, because I don’t consider myself some “success pro” out there in the job world. What I do know is that I’ve had experiences in college and life that have led me to consider (and use!) skills that are important for success.
I was thinking about things like education, passion, flexibility, and a positive attitude. They’re all great skills, but I think organization is a huge part of all of those (and many other) skills. I think it’s vital for success. Say you have a great education, loads of passion, a positive attitude, and flexibility. That’s awesome, but if you’re not organized in actually applying those skills, I don’t think you’re going to get very far.
In honor of choosing organization as the skill I think is essential for success, I want to share two organizational tips that have helped me immensely in school, work, and life in general!
Two Key Organization Tips
1. Make lists. This is one of my favorite things to do. I have lists for the grocery store, house projects, blogging, cleaning, and even gift ideas. I also like to make daily, weekly, and monthly lists to further organize my life. I even make a yearly list of goals in January. Categorizing lists and breaking them down into time frames helps me keep everything straight!
As for how and what you make your lists on, do what’s best for you. Some people keep their lists on a piece of paper or in a notebook because really, how good does it feel to physically cross something off of a list?! No? Maybe it’s just me, haha. I know my dad likes to make lists on his phone because it’s always with him. I do a combination of both. I keep my daily to-do list on a piece of paper that sits on my kitchen table, and most of my other lists are held in the “Reminders” app on my iPhone.
2. Use a calendar or planner. Having a calender or planner handy is immensely helpful to me. I have a planner that has a weekly and monthly calendar in it, and it keeps me on track to meet deadlines, remember appointments, and not forget any birthdays ;). Again, use what works for you. I know some people love digital calendars, while others prefer planners that can fit in their purse or backpack. You’re going to be the most successful in being organized if you use what meshes well with your personality and lifestyle.
If you’re looking for more inspiration, check out these other blog posts for the Most Marketable Skills Campaign:
Preparing for the Workforce: Why Learning to Write Well is Worth Your While
Stubbornness is Essential to Success
From Anxiety to Empowered Job Hunt: Skills and Strategies
The Importance of Being Adaptable
Also, here’s a link to a free Microsoft course from Webucator!
Living My Full Life 
This is a great post Allie and I 100% agree. For me, I need to stay organized to stay successful. I like to make a lot of different lists and keep a planner which keeps me pretty planned.
Thanks, Hollie!! Organization is huge for me too. I feel out of sorts when I’m not organized, haha! Yay for planners 🙂
I’m right there with ya on the lists and the planner! Both are key tools for keeping myself organized.
I don’t know what I would do with out lists and a planner!!
I use both of these! I even keep the lists in my planner, haha!
That’s such a smart idea!! Do you have a special planner brand you use?! Mine doesn’t have room for lists… but I know some do. Or I could just make room, haha!
One of the most important things I’ve implemented in being successful in consumer and customer relations is to make people feel comfortable. They will be more likely to work with you, return to you and have a good experience doing it. Everyone wins!
I love this! That’s such an important thing. I know when I go somewhere, I am definitely likely to return if I feel comfortable. It’s just an all around enjoyable experience when that happens! Thanks for the tip, Ellie 🙂
oh my gosh, lists are my jam! i love crossing things on my list, so just having something written on my TO-DO gives me all kinds of incentives to get it done 🙂
I know exactly what you mean! Crossing something off almost feels better than actually completing the task, haha!!
I am the queen of making lists!! I LOVE the feeling of checking things off when they are done 🙂
YES! It’s the best feeling 🙂
Organization doesn’t come naturally, but I work hard at it and stay on top of things. Making lists is probably my number one tool!
How awesome that you really work hard at organization, even though it’s not natural to you! Not many people can say that!!
It’s like you’re looking at my office right now. LOL! I need to do a better job on staying on task and lists always help. I love crossing stuff off. 🙂
Yeah.. I’m a creeper ;). Haha, just kidding!! Crossing stuff off of a list = the best!
Clean work spaces, clean EVERYTHING is key to my success. I need to be clean and organized or I go crazy.
Ohh, that’s something I should have mentioned! Clean = so important!
I use my planner, but also make lists on random post-its and scratch paper just so I don’t feel overwhelmed, haha 😛
That’s the way to do it! Variety is the spice of life 🙂
I don’t do either of these things.. but I want to! List People seem so organized and like they know what’s going on, haha 🙂 a planner would be so helpful to plan out my busy schedule!
Really?! I would have totally pegged you for a planner gal! Maybe you’ll get one for the new school year?!