Teaching 2nd Graders Organizing Skills

As you may know, January is GO (Get Organized) Month. To promote awareness of what professional organizers do, I brought NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers) in the Schools, an organizing program, to Salem Grade School in Salem, WI. I visited five classrooms and talked with second and third graders about the challenges a student faces when he/she is disorganized. Students were amazingly attentive. They brainstormed ideas on how to get more organized. They recognized that being organized will help school performance and allow more time for play. Smart students!!!

To learn more about the NAPO in the Schools program go to http://www.napo.net/who/involvement/naposchools.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

I enjoyed presenting the program, teachers appreciated the message, and the students seemed to love it. What a fun way to start the year!

Setting Goals for GO Month

January is not only the time to make resolutions; it's also "GO (Get Organized) Month". Both of these events are about setting goals. How can these goals become new habits?

Create SMART Goals:

• Specific: answer who, what, when, where, and why.
  
• Measurable: quantify the goal.
  
• Achievable: Is my goal possible? How much time do I need? Do I need help?
  
• Relevant: I cannot control what the people around me do. Is my goal something within my control?
  
• Time-Bound: note specific dates & times for small steps to be completed.
  

Here's an example of a SMART Goal: "I will organize my linen closet on this Saturday, beginning at 10:00 AM. Upon completion of this project, I will be able to locate belongings in this closet in less than 5 seconds."

Temptation is to jump in and get started on the project. Take the time to clarify your goal. By reminding yourself of your ultimate goal throughout the project, chances are more likely that you will indeed persevere to complete the project and reach your goal!

Three Common Resolutions

Getting More Organized is an extremely popular New Year's resolution. Organizing space, being on time, and using time more efficiently are common New Year's Resolutions.

Organize office/home: People resolve to improve their space so they are able to locate belongings easily when needed.

Be punctual: People whom are often late get frustrated with their habitual tardiness. They resolve to go to bed earlier and wake up earlier in an effort to be punctual.

Improve time management skills: People want to get more out of their day and life. They resolve to spend more time with family, exercise, spend time enjoying a hobby, and excel in their professions.

adapted from http://www.newyearfestival.com