Empower 22: Being Systematic - Saving Time, Resources, Space and Irritation

What happens when you need an envelope or a red pen or a sharpener and you do not get them at the right time?

You want a photocopy of your identity card and you do not get it,

You have to upload the scanned copy of your pan card and you do not know where you kept it.

You are cooking a dish for your guests and you spilled the oil in taking a spoon.

You called a meeting and you have not written down the agenda.

The electrician has come but you do not know where you kept the new switch to be fixed.

You changed the password and you forgot to write it in place because there was no pen handy.

You wanted your tie and you forgot where in the cupboard

You wanted the cupboard key and do not remember last where you kept

Most of us face the above situation quite often than not. All it takes to avoid the mishaps is to make a habit of being systematic.

What does ‘being systematic’ mean in the first place?

1.   Keeping things required—documents, photocopies, small tools, note books, stationary

2.   Arranging them in the right places

3.   Arranging them such that they are easy to retrieve

4.   Keeping them in right quantity

5.   Procuring them whenever there is a shortage or are about to be over

6.   Re-arranging them at the right places once taken for use

These may be on the study table, bed, bed side, kitchen shelves and slabs, washrooms, cupboard, utility rooms, workstations, briefcases, fridge, key hanger, hanger- hooks and so on.

How can one be systematic?

Make a list of stationary required. Scan each space and use them judiciously. Learn to fold things. Learn to throw unwanted papers and things. Learn to discard broken things. Avoid dampness. Avoid pushing things in between books, copies, clothes etc. Taking time off to arrange things saves time later. Do it when you have nothing to do or you have to wait in between some activity.

Once you have done so, you will be compelled to repeat as the benefits will make it a habit.

What are the benefits of being systematic?

a.   Able to retrieve the need items easily –screwdrivers, gum, scissors….

b.   Save time of searching for them--- photographs, id-cards within books, piles of files

c.   Save time on using them---- paste the envelope quickly…  

d.   Putting those in use immediately--- tighten the screw of a lid ….

e.   Do not duplicate by buying them repeatedly—just go and buy again and again

f.    Save resources in term of money, unnecessary contraptions as substitute,

g.   Make things neatly --- fix neatly

h.   Keep things hygienically --- clean whenever something is to be retrieved, clean the hand after use….

i.     Preserve things for longer period---- hang a broom, hand a wiper, keep the chimney clean, avoid grime and hence ability to open..

j.     Save spaces --- not stack, not crowd them, throw unwanted things and papers, learn to fold things, ….

k.   Keep important documents ever ready

Be systematic it is empowering!!

Dr. Srk