7 Simple Rules for Appearing Totally Organized

Rule #1: Never switch bags when you’re in a rush.

Disorganization is a friction that eats away at life’s pleasure. Where is the joy in meeting a friend when he is frowning that you are 25 minutes late? The thrill of travel is marred if you’re constantly worrying that you’ve forgotten something.

I have always been disorganized, forgetting both things (wallet, keys, umbrellas, bags) and things I was supposed to do (answer questions, return books to the library, laundry).

But in every weakness lies an opportunity. My mental scatteredness has, funnily enough, turned me into a fairly organized person. Here are some tricks that help me function in the modern world:

Rule #2: Carry notecards, envelopes, a checkbook and stamps.

Rule #3: Buy multiple laptop and phone chargers and keep one at your office, one at your home workstation and one that lives in your suitcase.

Rule #4: If you are habitually 5–20 minutes late, try to meet people at their home or office, or ask them to come to your office.

Rule #5: When you must do humdrum stuff (man oh man I hate filing expense reports), playing repetitive sounds, like a chime or even a ticking clock, helps you focus.

Rule #6: When traveling the absolute must-not-forgets are: phone, wallet and identification, prescription medications, eyeglasses/contacts, and chargers.

Rule #7: Same as the first: When rushing, don’t change bags. Or jackets.