In a revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord told us to "Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God." (D&C 88:119) ("Organize Yourselves," Ensign, Nov. 1980). To me this scripture from The Doctrine and Covenants states the essential purpose of every homemaker. As homemakers we are to "establish a house." Our house should have prayer, fasting, faith, learning, glory, order and God as the foundation. The word establish is defined as: "To set up; found. To bring about; generate. To place or settle in a secure position or condition; install. To make firm or secure."
In my opinion, being disorganized is simply a matter of having developed bad habits. I believe being organized can be developed just as any "gift." Organization begins with the heads of the household. We must honestly evaluate whether or not we're truly ready for the challenge of being an "organized person." Just like any gift, the gift of organization requires consistent effort. Prayer, research, and study are necessary.
Hide not your talents, they for use were made. What's a sun-dial in the shade? ~Benjamin Franklin
When I entered the Young Women program at age twelve, I was given a beautiful Personal Progress book. It was white, full-sized, with a picture of the ideal Latter-day Saint Young Woman on the cover. Inside were six values and homemaking was one of them, as well as my favorite. We were given excellent step-by-step instruction on how to plan goals. By following these simple steps, becoming more organized as a goal can be successfully accomplished.
First Evaluate: What do I want to have happen in my life now and in the future? Then make a Plan by setting a date for the goal to be accomplished and how this goal will be accomplished. By having a Target Date, the goal becomes more real. The plan needs to be broken down into small steps. It helps to have someone to Report to. This can be Heavenly Father if the goal is very personal, or it can be to a family member, friend or recorded in a journal. Last, begin the process again. The ultimate goal of an organized household can be broken into smaller, achievable goals.
The noblest search is the search for excellence. ~Lyndon B. Johnson
Gordon B. Hinkley, former president of the LDS church said, "We will not become perfect in a day or a month or a year. We will not accomplish it in a lifetime, but we can keep trying, starting with our more obvious weaknesses and gradually converting them to strengths as we go forward with our lives."
(The Quest for Excellence," Ensign Sep. 1999)
Becoming organized is a process as well. It can be fun and even addictive (but in a good way). You may find yourself organizing where ever you go. Following the goal-setting process outlined in the old Young Women Manuals helped me to earn my Young Women Medallion twice! And I have been pretty darn organized ever since. This has brought me much joy. I've also taught my own children this process and it has helped them to be successful students and earn their own recognitions at church, school and scouting.
Sometimes we can plan to have a goal accomplished by a certain time and devote a particular time to complete the goal (like cleaning out the shed), but it's also true that the best time to organize is when you catch the mood. For quite some time I may research the best way to organize the shed, and make an inventory of what needs to be in the shed and what to donate, etc. before I actually feel like doing it. Don't be upset if you have to change the target date. When I'm "in the mood" to organize, I do a much better job.
80% of success is showing up. ~Woody Allen
Here are some handouts from a previous class I taught on a similar subject:
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