Anyone Can Learn to be Organised
When trying to build a side hustle the ability to plan and organise effectively can make all the difference. Yet, for so many people, the idea of being organised or having an ability to plan seems like a personality trait that some are born with and others will never achieve .
Does that sound like you? Are you the person who is always late, can never find their car keys, regularly dashes to the corner shop as you’ve run out of milk? Has been disorganised become part of your personality? So much a part that you’re worried people will laugh at you if they see you trying to change that? Perhaps you’ve already tried and given up because so often you’ve been told that you’ll never change and you’ve come to believe it.
What if I told you that planning and organisation are not innate abilities but rather learned skills? In this blog post we'll look at how Carol Dweck's research detailed in her book "Mindset" sheds light on the concept that with the right mindset and approach, anyone can cultivate these essential skills, including you.
Carol Dweck’s research looked at the idea of fixed versus growth mindsets. Individuals with a fixed mindset believe that their abilities and talents are predetermined and unchangeable. On the other hand, those with a growth mindset understand that their abilities can be developed through dedication, effort, and learning. This concept forms the basis of Dweck's exploration into how people approach challenges, setbacks, and personal development.
I was reminded of this recently when I mentioned to a colleague that I had been doing some gardening over the Easter weekend. She replied that she had never been ‘naturally green-fingered’ and therefore needed to pay someone to do her garden for her. Everything I have heard and read in my studies of the principles of life coaching made me want to tell her that what she told me was just a thought and not a fact. The reason she didn’t know how to garden was because her parents had never taught her and she had not learnt it at school or she had never taken the time to learn. She could learn to garden if she wanted to, but I don’t think that response would have gone down well.
Anyway I digress. Let’s get back to the topic of planning and organisation and what we can learn from Carol Dweck’s book about finding time for your side hustle. She suggests that if someone believes that they are inherently disorganised or incapable of planning effectively, they are more likely to accept this as a fixed trait and not invest the effort needed to improve. However, individuals with a growth mindset approach organisation as a skill that can be honed over time with practice and persistence.
Think about it like learning to play a musical instrument or mastering a new language. Initially, it may feel daunting, and progress might be slow, but with consistent practice and a belief in your ability to improve, significant strides can be made. The same principle applies to planning and organisation.
One of the key takeaways from Dweck's work is the importance of embracing challenges and viewing failures as opportunities for growth. When it comes to becoming more organised, setbacks are inevitable. There will be days when plans go awry, deadlines are missed, and to-do lists seem never-ending. However, instead of viewing these moments as proof of inherent disorganisation, individuals with a growth mindset see them as valuable learning experiences.
Moreover, Carol Dweck emphasises the power of yet – the idea that adding this simple word to the end of a statement ("I'm not organised yet") can shift your perspective from fixed to growth-oriented. By reframing the narrative in this way, you open yourself up to the possibility of improvement and you are more likely to persevere in your efforts to become better organised.
In conclusion, planning and organisation are not inherent traits, but rather learned skills that can be developed with the right mindset and approach. Carol Dweck's insights from "Mindset" remind us that adopting a growth mindset, embracing challenges, and practising mindfulness are key ingredients in the journey towards becoming more organised. So, the next time you hear your inner critic telling you that you’re just not a planned and organisation person, reply with ‘I’m not a planned and organised person - YET, but I’m working on it’. Remember that with dedication and a belief in your ability to improve, you can cultivate the planning and organisational skills needed to find time for your side hustle.
If you don’t know where to start when it comes to finding time for your side hustle start with my free guide ‘How to Find Time For a Side Hustle When You Really Don’t Think that You Can’. It contains 30 tips and techniques for getting your life organised. Click here to get it delivered to your inbox.