It’s the time of the year when vast numbers of Blues (except those who have found their Blue/Gold balance) and most ever Orange have “get more organized” on their new years resolution list. But don’t worry, another week or so and that’ll be “over with.”
In order to make that resolution come true, the pain level of what they are currently doing (or not doing) has to be high enough – and it isn’t. Sure, there’s an occasional frustration when they lose something, can’t find this or that, or have to go back and take care of the odd missing detail. But that’s considered more of a temporary inconvenience rather than the impetus to make some major lifestyle changes.
Nope – most Blues and Oranges don’t fit the Gold definition of everything neat and tidy, lists here and there, everything in its place, and even an organized junk drawer. But somehow Blues and Oranges still manage to make it through life without that. Who knew? Their people-first skills are way more valuable to their team, friends and family. That means something has to give – and that’s often the totally organized part of their daily life. That’s a choice – and they’re fine with it – most of the time – in most situations.
Can this or that part of their world get better organized? You bet. And you can bet they’ll do it. It just isn’t likely to be a new years resolution. It’s more likely to be a one-off change when and if it matters in one or two things.
A Blue buddy once confessed that her new position was a LOT of paperwork. Her previous job was 90% paperless and this one – not so much. She admitted that she needed to get more organized and embrace the paperwork – but without much conviction in her voice.
But maybe she (and most Blues and Oranges) don’t need to learn to “enjoy” paperwork. Maybe they just need to get mad enough to want to do it only once and get it off their desk forever! With that attitude it’s just a matter of slowing down so they can speed up. In other words, do it right the first time, notice all the little details, get the initials and signatures in the right spots, look it over before the client leaves, and be done with it forever. It’s always a choice: One and done or over and over…It only took my buddy a few weeks to embrace that “get organized resolution” in that one area.