Let’s Get Organized
In the Doctrine and Covenants we read…Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house
of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.
(D&C 88:119)
We often hear people say things like “He’s so organized”, or
“He can’t get his act together”, or “I’m just not an organized person”.
This week two of my sibling sisters and a niece came to
visit for a couple of days. These sisters are successful schoolteachers and one
is now a school principal.
Nancy is my older sister. When I was a young boy she would
protect me from the typical persecutions that come with having an older
brother. I have always been somewhat in awe of the things she has accomplished.
Like many of us she has always had big dreams. The difference is that she
usually accomplishes her dreams. She has earned a doctorate degree, she runs
marathons, she has hiked in the Himalayas, she is an excellent and nutritional
cook, She is active in service projects in far corners of the world, she is a
successful mother and grandmother, and she is an elementary school principal.
To do all this she has had to be well organized.
We all want to do wonderful things in our lives. We all have
certain “high priorities” that we want to accomplish. Since to make the most of
life we need to be organized, let’s take a look at what it means to be an organized person?
The scriptures teach us about organization as it pertains to
the creation. We believe that the world was created from existing matter. In
the beginning it was unorganized matter.
So how did The Father get it organized? 1) First he gained a clear vision of
the task, even roll playing it ahead of time (see Moses 3:5) 2) Next he divided the work up into segments.
(days) 3) Then he gave specific
assignments to accomplish the various parts of His plan. 4) With each step he
got feedback as to how it was going. 5) If
in these feedback sessions there were issues, they were addressed and worked
out during the next step. If an unwanted guest was present, a plan to eliminate
the threat was formulated and carried out. 6) Diligent effort was expended
right up to the end of the project. 7) Then there was a time of joy and
rejoicing at the conclusion.
So in summary, a way to get organized is to follow this
outline.
1 .
Ponder the task and clarify your vision of it.
2 .
Break the plan into smaller parts or “goals”
3 .
Proceed with action accomplishing the desired task, one goal at a
time.
4 .
Evaluate, measure and report along the way (often involves
paperwork)
5 .
Make needed course corrections
6 .
Finish the task, endure to the end
7 .
Feel joy and satisfaction at accomplishment
What
kinds of things do missionaries need to organize?
Preach
My Gospel mentions several things that we should
organize
Organize your study journal “Use your study journal to
record and organize what you are
learning. Frequently review the thoughts you have recorded. Organize your journal so that you can
easily recall what you have learned”,” Your study journal may be a bound
journal, a notebook, or a binder. Record and organize your thoughts and impressions in a way that fits how you
learn. Develop your own system to easily access key information in the future.
Use it often to review, access, and apply what you have learned. Use your study
journal to take notes and record impressions during your personal and companion
study, district meetings, zone conferences, and interviews with the mission
president.”
Organize your lessons
“To prepare to teach the doctrine clearly and with
spiritual power, organize and
summarize what you will teach into a lesson plan.”
Organize study materials
“organize your study materials,
and remain alert.”(for effective studies)
Organize Area Book “The area book is organized
as follows: (see page 140 PMG)”
Organize progress records and baptism calendars “Keep them up to date and
have plenty of copies around to use at key moments”, “Keep a folded current
progress record in your planner as a place marker”, “review and update the
teaching calendar each time you meet with the investigator so that he knows
your purpose and is reminded of his baptismal goal”
Just as an example let’s take the mandate to have an
organized study journal and run through the organizational steps.
1.
Ponder the task and clarify your vision
of it.
Hmm… I need a book with great quotes,
scriptures to use in missionary work and zone conference assignments. It needs
to be set up in a way that I can quickly find the material I need at any given
moment.
2.
Break the plan into smaller parts or
“goals”
-
Find a hardback notebook with numbered
pages and small enough to carry around easily.
-
I’ll need to divide it into separate
sections for Zone Conference notes, Scripture study notes and general quotes so
I will need to get colored pencils and some tape to make tabs
-
Decide if I will use a pen or a pencil
and have some on hand.
-
In case I run out of space I’ll want to
know I can get additional materials that will tie in to my format.
-
Use it often to review, access, and
apply what you have learned.
-
Use your study journal to take notes
and record impressions during your personal and companion study, district
meetings, zone conferences, and interviews with the mission president.
3.
Proceed with action accomplishing the
desired task, one goal at a time.
Start working through the above list.
4.
Evaluate, measure and report along the
way (often involves paperwork)
Every week I will review the study
manual as a part of my personal study to see if the things and method I write
are useable and make the information accessible
5.
Make needed course corrections
Change method if needed
6.
Finish the task, endure to the end
Keep up the journal my entire mission
7.
Feel joy and satisfaction at
accomplishment
This study journal will be a source of joy to me as I
remember the way I learned and felt as a missionary.
You can apply this formula to anything that you want/need to
accomplish. Getting a college degree, going on a trip, teaching a Sunday School
lesson, learning a sport etc., etc., etc.
Tip: Don’t label yourself as “unorganized” but think of yourself
as “organized”. Either way, if you think you are, you probably will be.
Tip: A TO DO LIST is not in and of itself getting organized;
to be organized you need to ponder and assign a priority to each item. Then
create a step-by-step plan of HOW and WHEN you will accomplish the items on
your list. You need to keep track and review the list to see if you are
procrastinating an urgent/important task.
Tip: Being organized is not being a perfectionist in every
realm. Some things are just fine “happening as they happen” Over programming
and being constantly stressed is not the best way of being organized.
Tip: Be careful not to become a mechanically driven by your
plans. Be willing to stop what you are doing when the Spirit dictates to reach
out to another in need.
Some say that the natural state of things is unorganized
chaos. To rise to your potential and overcome the “natural man” you will need
to master these simple guidelines of organization.
We are not left alone to strive to be organized. Heavenly
Father loves us and wants to bless us. As we go through the steps of organizing
a task we can pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual guidance can
help us gain an eternal perspective, which can be a strong motivation to remain
organized.
If goals are reflections of the desires
of our hearts, then organizing ourselves to meet goals is how we change
reflections into realities.
May you be successful at learning and
putting into practice good organizational habits.
Have a great week and know that we love
you,
President Brubaker
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