A note from Jessa: Today, author Jamie Brazil wonders why I have so much trouble with organization. I’m tempted to drag her into my office to show her! At least I don’t have a pink flamingo on my desk!
GET ORGANIZED advice from:
Jamie Brazil
Author of Lost and Found, Virgo Edition
A long time ago, I had my birth date examined by a professional astrologer. Her computer software revealed that I had nine planets in Virgo, and my true calling in life was hotel management. Nothing about writing or publishing. Get thee to a Best Western! Decades later, my experience in the overnight hospitality sector is staying in hotels… not running them. (Though the ongoing training of dogs that sniff out bed bugs in hotels fascinates me, Bloodhound fanatic that I am.)
I digress. The subject at hand is organization. Mine. Apparently, all the Virgo influence in my chart equals superior organizational skills.
It also translates to being completely anal.
When it comes to putting things back where they belong I can be a little obsessive, but the reality behind that personality quirk (a.k.a. control issues) has a lot more to do with moving 18 times as a child than astrology. I don’t like not knowing where thing are. And it pisses me off when stuff gets lost.
Fast forward a couple decades. I married the love of my life in 2004. He’s a sentimental pack rat who doesn’t put his toys away, and seems to have hundreds of note-strewn scraps of paper orbiting his person most days. As much as I’d like to think that my vows to him included the phrase, to love, honor and organize, they didn’t.
I truly do not understand how he can work at a desk that is pure chaos. If I look at it too long I start to twitch. He claims his desk reflects the nature of the Universe and Buddhism, but all I see is a jumble of notes and clutter seeking order. Still, I don’t touch his desk… much. I confess, there are times I just can’t help myself.
My resolution for 2013 is to leave my husband’s creative chaos alone. I’ll look the other way. Organize the garage, or the garden shed. Maybe even get out of the house for a bit… I hear the Best Western down the road is hiring.
Let’s connect on Goodreads and Facebook!
Another Jessa note: “desk reflects the nature of the Universe and Buddhism” Ha-ha! I’m so using this line from now on: “My desk is a study in entropic decay. Deal with it.” Today I’m posting with Linda Mercury on her resolution to live a creative life.
Stops on the “Resolve 2013” tour: January 1-9, 2013
Maggie Jaimeson – Take a Vacation
Jessa Slade – Get Organized
Paty Jager – Volunteerism
Linda Mercury – Creating a Literary (or Creative) Life
Jenna Bayley-Burke – Eat Healthier
Cassiel Knight – No More Procrastination
Cathryn Cade – Take Time for those OTHER Creative Passions
Su Lute – Reduce Stress: Find and Follow Your Bliss
Jamie Brazil – Shrink My Closet
Jessa Slade 
Jamie, I’m in between you and your husband which is “normal” ;0) I’m surprised you two are managing so well. I think organization is something each person works out for themselves. Great post.
Other than the occasional threat to LoJack some of my office supplies that my husband “borrows”, we get along well. I’m glad you are “normal” … it’s a good place to be.
Thanks for hosting me, Jessa. I like your notes 🙂
Because I can’t just let other people talk on my blog, I gotta always have the last word 😉
Now I know why I’m in love with your husband. Wait, don’t tell my husband that. 🙂 This was a great post. I admire your skills, Jamie. And on my twice a year organizational binge I’m definitely inviting you over.
I’m so there, Maggie! I’d love to help you organize 🙂
An organizer who loves to share her talents? Hellllloo, Ms. Brazil!
Sharing… therapy… it all works for me.
I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone who really LIKED organizing. You must be a little crazy, Jamie Brazil. Just kidding. Actually I can see how it would be helpful. I’m mostly organized. Like my books are all in alphabetical order by author. That’s because if I don’t do it that way sometimes I by the same book twice. Of course since I got my Kobo reader that doesn’t happen anymore because it’s easy for me to tell I already have it. Of course when I get too many books on it I’m not sure. I think someone told me that Kobo reminds you if you already bought it. I hope so. By the way Jamie Brazil I liked your book about matchmaking. It was cute and funny. Are you going to write a sequel? Even though I’m not rich, I would like one of those men that is trained just right. LOL.
Evie, thanks for your comment. Maybe it is a little crazy. In recent years, two major events have reshaped my perspective. One of them was taking care of a friend dying of brain cancer. The last months of his battle really made me reconsider some of my views. So, organizing… pffftt… I can knock that one out of the ballpark. Love it. And it makes me feel like I have more control even when life is, largely, uncontrollable. But not being organized is a completely valid choice, too. My husband seems fuelled by his creative chaos (like Jessa?).
Thanks for the kind words on my novel. Yes on the sequels!
And there are lots of good guys out there… sometimes they are just waiting to be discovered.
I am fascinated with this astrologer. Ever gone back? Asked for a refund? 🙂