Organized Chaos

Here's a unique list of management qualifications:

• Effectively planning every stage of a project and adjusting plans as needed



• Making tough decisions when things go wrong



• Correctly estimating how long tasks will take



• Delegating and following up with people



• Paying attention to and remembering where you set things down



• Being able to say no in order to stay on schedule and keep your sanity



• Prioritizing daily tasks



• Being ready to go when it's time



• Neatness and filing/storage



• Deciding the best place for things and keeping them there when not in use



• Remembering what you and other people agree to



• Throwing out what is not necessary



• Using foolproof reminder systems



• Handling interruptions and quickly getting back on task



• Using the phone, email and other tools to save time and money



• Staying focused on the task in front of you

This list is not easy! Every one of us can find weak spots here. But, if I were going to train you to be a supervisor, or a manager, I think I might use this list. To me, it reprents big picture thinking. It represents a secret of leadership.

This year, Vicki and I are working hard to organize various areas of the Mission. We are sorting and labelling. I asked her why it took us 7 years to get to this project. We pondered this as though it were the 8th wonder of the world.

She made a couple of interesting points. Up until now, we haven't had enough staff to take time out of our day to get the job done. Also, up until now, we haven't been able to afford sorting bins such as dozens of laundry hampers and filing boxes.

It feels very good and it's our stress relief! For 20 minutes a day we take our labelling gun, clipboard and notepad. We make lists and labels. Then we hand it off to the weekend staff. It's so great and it feels so good once it's done!

Yesterday we labelled all the freezers and we are really looking forward to the work group this weekend who is going to do the "great food shuffle."

“The secret of all victory lies in the organization of the non-obvious.”

-Marcus Aurelius (Roman emperor, best known for his Meditations on Stoic
philosophy, AD 121-180)