Ordered

I like structure, discipline and to be ordered in the way I think and act. This doesn't mean I'm rigid or unable to be spontaneous or flexible though; it just means I apply logic, think things through and apply a systematic approach which has paid huge dividends in my professional and personal lives - thinking this way means I act this way and those actions have carried me forward towards better results more often.

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One aspect of this is neatness; again, it doesn't mean I don't leave things laying about or have everything in exactly the precise spot and aligned in perfectly straight rows - I simply do not - but it does mean I prefer to create an environment that is neat and tidy, structured and ordered...this means in the physical world and in my thoughts as well.

What does that look like? Here's an example.

I keep my cars clean and tidy inside and out, do not allow items to accumulate (or dust for that matter), and have a place for the items that are in there so that they are accessible when I need them. This is vitally important for my work vehicle which is, a lot of the time, my office when I'm on road trips. Being in an uncluttered, clean and tidy vehicle helps me to think more clearly and that helps me work more effectively. This structure extends to my office at work and my home office as well. I find it easier to work in an environment that is clean and tidy, uncluttered and in which everything I need is conveniently within reach.

This mindset crosses over to my personal life although my partner still chastises me for 'leaving my stuff laying around the house' which is unfair because I don't is fair because I do it all the time. Well, not all the time, just sometimes I suppose.

We like to keep a clean and tidy house though and feel better about being there when it is in that condition. Neither of us obsess over it however actively work towards a more tidy, clean and structured house figuring that a little bit of effort more often trumps a massive amount of effort occasionally - besides, it's just nice to be in a nice environment.

A few days ago I was preparing for a work trip that has taken me many hundreds of kilometres away from home, I'm there now, and along with the paperwork and work-related preparation I also prepared by washing the car, vacuuming and wiping over the interior, cleaning the windows and other such things. It'll end up getting rained on, bug splattered and I'll probably drop crumbs in it as I tend to eat and drive when travelling long distances but that's ok as long as it starts the trip in pristine condition. Ok, I lied, no fucken crumbs will get dropped, but you get my point I guess. Starting the trip off with my vehicle in that condition gives me a mental edge and helps me feel the trip has started off well. It also leaves a good impression to any who may see my vehicle inside or out.

The image above shows the front seats of my truck (not my work vehicle), something I keep in a very neat and ordered manner at all times. I actually did a post on it a while back, basically showing what stuff I keep in there. If you're keen you can see it here.

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We're all different people and have different ways of doing things.

I know people who are so messy and disorganised and yet they get the job done; it'd drive me bonkers but they seem to be ok with their scattered approach. Others are so regimented that they have no capacity for flexibility and often fall to pieces when things aren't perfectly right and some are in the middle somewhere. I guess my approach is to have an ordered approach mostly - certainly for the important things that will be positively affected by structure, discipline and order - but also to understand that flexibility is critical whether it's to pivot professionally or just be a little flexible in one's thinking. In a relationships spontaneity and flexibility is very important so I apply that also so I guess I'm one of those whose in the middle of scattered and regimented somewhere.

What about you? How structured or scattered are you in your professional and personal lives and is there different levels between each? Has being very disciplined worked in your advantage or disadvantage and do you feel better when things are ordered, neat and tidy, or doesn't it matter either way? If you'd like to comment please go ahead.