--- title: Are you spending too much time getting organized? Or no time at all? Here is how to optimize! description: It seems that many of the people we talk to fall in one of these two categories Either they spend too much time on organizing these are the persisten image: https://www.people-onthego.com/hs-fs/file-15468257-jpg/images/organization_curve.jpg --- - [Home](https://www.people-onthego.com/) - [Contact Us](https://www.people-onthego.com/company/) - [Blog](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/) [![pog_logo_on_white_tall](https://www.people-onthego.com/hs-fs/file-2213160099-jpg/people-onthego/pog_logo_on_white_tall.jpg)](https://www.people-onthego.com/) ![Less Is More Blog Productivity Tips](https://www.people-onthego.com/hs-fs/file-15411125-jpg/Top%20pictures/pog_top_5.jpg) ### Join us at the Webinars **[![2021_Webinars_Schedule_People-OnTheGo](https://www.people-onthego.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2021_Webinars_Schedule_People-OnTheGo.jpg?width=163&name=2021_Webinars_Schedule_People-OnTheGo.jpg)](https://www.people-onthego.com/webinars)** **[Click for our Webinars Schedule.](https://www.people-onthego.com/webinars)** ### The Perfect 15-Minute Day Method is here! [![Promotiona_Video_Thumbnail_Rev2.jpg](https://www.people-onthego.com/hs-fs/hubfs/The_Perfect_15-Minute_Day/Promotiona_Video_Thumbnail_Rev2.jpg?width=204&height=138&name=Promotiona_Video_Thumbnail_Rev2.jpg "Promotiona_Video_Thumbnail_Rev2.jpg")](https://youtu.be/zSgfyTYgLa8) Order the [book](http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-15-Minute-Day-Managing-Thoughts/dp/1532783817/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1465191234&sr=8-1&keywords=the+perfect+15-minute+day)[,](http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-15-Minute-Day-Managing-Thoughts/dp/1532783817/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1465191234&sr=8-1&keywords=the+perfect+15-minute+day) [eBook](https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-15-Minute-Day-Managing-Thoughts-ebook/dp/B01GNFWKNU?ie=UTF8&keywords=the%20perfect%2015-minute%20day&qid=1465191346&ref_=sr_1_3&sr=8-3), [journal](http://www.lulu.com/shop/pierre-khawand/the-perfect-15-minute-day-journal-managing-your-time-your-thoughts-and-your-emotions/paperback/product-22734416.html), or [eCourse](https://app.ruzuku.com/courses/15268/about) to get started right away and inject a healthy dose of accomplishments and happiness in your workday and beyond! **[Learn more!](https://www.people-onthego.com/theperfect15minuteday-details)** ### Get Our Free eBook *The Results Curve™: How to Manage Focused and Collaborative Time* [![](https://www.people-onthego.com/hs-fs/file-15436133-jpg/images/ebookcoverpagesmall.jpg?width=135&name=ebookcoverpagesmall.jpg)](https://www.people-onthego.com/focused-versus-collaborative-time-free-eBook/) [**Click to download.**](https://www.people-onthego.com/focused-versus-collaborative-time-free-eBook/) ### Buy Accomplishing More With Less at Amazon [![AMLWorkbookCoverFinishedSmall](https://www.people-onthego.com/hs-fs/file-15420951-jpg/images/AMLWorkbookCoverFinishedSmall.jpg)](http://www.amazon.com/Accomplishing-More-With-Less-Workbook/dp/1448675553) [**Available in paperback.**](http://www.amazon.com/Accomplishing-More-With-Less-Workbook/dp/1448675553) **[And Kindle Edition for Kindle and iPhone users.](http://www.amazon.com/Accomplishing-More-Less-Workbook-ebook/dp/B002Y26Y9I/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2)** [![describe the image](https://www.people-onthego.com/hs-fs/file-15439972-jpg/images/freewebinars_ppl.jpg?width=186&name=freewebinars_ppl.jpg)](https://www.people-onthego.com/free-webinars-lunch-and-learn/)[**Learn more about our free Lunch & Learn Webinars.**](https://www.people-onthego.com/free-webinars-lunch-and-learn) # Less-Is-More Blog by Pierre Khawand ## [Are you spending too much time getting organized? Or no time at all? Here is how to optimize!](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/bid/25965/Are-you-spending-too-much-time-getting-organized-Or-no-time-at-all-Here-is-how-to-optimize) Posted by [Pierre Khawand](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/author/pierre-khawand) on Mon, Nov 16, 2009 @ 10:51 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) It seems that many of the people we talk to fall in one of these two categories. Either they spend too much time on organizing (these are the persistent few) or they have largely given up on organization (the more common scenario) and they feel out of control most of the time. Is there however an optimum amount of organization that would be feasible for most of us and yet give us the best return? This graph, which resembles to some degree the [Results Curve(tm)](http://people-onthego1.web7.hubspot.com/focused-versus-collaborative-time-free-eBook/) graph that I have been teaching in our [Accomplishing More With Less workshop](http://people-onthego1.web7.hubspot.com/time-management-e-mail-outlook-excel-word-powerpoint-sharepoint/accomplishing-more-with-less-time-management/) and workbook, describes the returns that we get from the time spent on organization, and below are some related note: ![Getting Organized](https://www.people-onthego.com/hs-fs/file-15468257-jpg/images/organization_curve.jpg)  - There is a minimum amount of organization that we all need, and without it, our lives are likely to be chaotic, stressful, and unfulfilled.    - The minimum amount of organization is a lot less than what you might think, and if done strategically, it is likely to bring big returns.    - There is an optimum amount of organization that if we go beyond it, we would be doing so at the expense of more important activities and therefore incur a very high opportunity cost.   - Both lack of organization as well as organizing beyond the optimum point are equally disadvantageous. While Eric Abrahamson and David H. Freedman, authors of A Perfect Mess, suggest that disorder is far more advantageous than order (and that most organizational systems are a waste of time), I wouldn't go that far. I promote an optimum level or organization which I also believe is different for each person. #### Your to-do's 1. Reflect on where you are on the organizational curve above and find out where you are on this scale.    2. If you think you are under-organized, identify an area where some additional organization would give you high returns and act on it.    3. If you think you are over-organized at the expense of more important initiative and activities, identify an area where you can reduce your effort and make room for more strategic things.    4. Keep an eye on organizational tips and see what might work for you. Subscribe to this blog and to similar ones and contribute your comments and get engaged! Topics: [time management tips](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/time-management-tips), [getting organized](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/getting-organized) ### Subscribe by Email [![Need an employee training solution that's flexible and affordable? Find out about our webinars & onsite training programs.](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/74033/b2ec9b00-f03b-48d4-b679-0d2e0c48ea7d.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/74033/b2ec9b00-f03b-48d4-b679-0d2e0c48ea7d) ### Write Your Comments ![](https://www.people-onthego.com/hs-fs/file-2236603855-png/images/write_blog_typewriter.png?width=178&name=write_blog_typewriter.png) We want to hear from you! Please write your comments in the blog and let us know what you think. ### Connect with us! ### Browse by Tag - [accomplishment (1)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/accomplishment) - [books (2)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/books) - [business results (42)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/business-results) - [business writing (13)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/business-writing) - [career (20)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/career) - [collaboration (10)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/collaboration) - [corporate training (2)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/corporate-training) - [document collaboration (6)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/document-collaboration) - [effective meetings (3)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/effective-meetings) - [email etiquette (8)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/email-etiquette) - [email management (27)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/email-management) - [emerging technology (10)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/emerging-technology) - [generations in the workplace (4)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/generations-in-the-workplace) - [getting organized (15)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/getting-organized) - [giveaway (3)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/giveaway) - [Gmail (3)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/gmail) - [Google+ (14)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/google) - [guest bloggers (12)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/guest-bloggers) - [happiness (1)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/happiness) - [human resources (5)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/human-resources) - [information overload (4)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/information-overload) - [interruptions (16)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/interruptions) - [leadership (30)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/leadership) - [Lunch & Learn Webinars (21)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/lunch-learn-webinars) - [management (19)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/management) - [managing stress (24)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/managing-stress) - [Microsoft Excel Tutorial (3)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/microsoft-excel-tutorial) - [Microsoft Office 2007 (13)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/microsoft-office-2007) - [Microsoft Office 2010 (1)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/microsoft-office-2010) - [microsoft office 2013 (1)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/microsoft-office-2013) - [Microsoft PowerPoint Training (4)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/microsoft-powerpoint-training) - [Microsoft Project Training (3)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/microsoft-project-training) - [Microsoft SharePoint Training (5)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/microsoft-sharepoint-training) - [Microsoft Word Training (3)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/microsoft-word-training) - [productivity (57)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/productivity) - [produtivity (1)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/produtivity) - [social media (24)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/social-media) - [social media marketing (1)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/social-media-marketing) - [stress management (10)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/stress-management) - [summary-plus-commentary (9)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/summary-plus-commentary) - [survey (3)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/survey) - [team work (9)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/team-work) - [Technology (31)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/technology) - [time management tips (51)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/time-management-tips) - [time on social media (5)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/time-on-social-media) - [tip-of-the-month (8)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/tip-of-the-month) - [to do list (2)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/to-do-list) - [tools and supplies (8)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/tools-and-supplies) - [twitter (6)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/twitter) - [virtual teams (7)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/virtual-teams) - [webinars (13)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/webinars) - [wellness (13)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/wellness) ### Latest Posts - [Home](https://www.people-onthego.com/) | - [eBooks](https://www.people-onthego.com/ebooks/) | - [Books](https://www.people-onthego.com/accomplishing-more-with-less-books/) - [Workshops](https://www.people-onthego.com/time-management-e-mail-outlook-excel-word-powerpoint-sharepoint/) | - [Memberships](https://www.people-onthego.com/memberships/) | - [Specials](https://www.people-onthego.com/specials/) | - [Free Webinars](https://www.people-onthego.com/free-webinars-lunch-and-learn/) | - [Less-Is-More Blog](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/) | - [News & Events](https://www.people-onthego.com/news-events/) | - [Speaker](https://www.people-onthego.com/speaker/) | - [Company](https://www.people-onthego.com/company/) | - [Privacy Policy](https://www.people-onthego.com/privacy-policy) | - [Terms and Conditions](https://www.people-onthego.com/terms-and-conditions) © 2021 www.people-onthego.com