You may reprint the above article with this info intact:
Article penned by Mary Wilkey, publisher of 'elf Expressions Ezine:
http://elfexpressionsezine.com
To subscribe, email sub@elfexpressionsezine.com?subject=subscribe
Ideally, I would like to be the kind of person where everything in my life is in apple pie order. Unfortunately, there is no way this is going to happen in the foreseeable future!
But at this point I'm becoming more comfortable with this state of affairs.
I've read somewhere along the line that being messy actually can be good for you, and that many successful people are messy.
The main premise of the article was that creativity many times arises from the rubble!
I remember an episode from the "Roseanne" series where her family surprised her with a little office of her own from which she could be creative and write to her heart's content, something she'd always wanted. But once she was alone in her new little quarters, she spent all her time tidying up and organizing and never did get around to writing.
Then there was the attorney I worked with years ago who had to have everything just so, right down to the placement of his pens and deskpad. Conversely, the attorney in the office next to him was quite the opposite, and he seemed to accomplish a lot more, because he actually had more time. Why? Because he didn't fritter his time away on needless pickiness. (On the other hand, he did spend extra time looking for things! :-)
Plus, if you're too organized, it's too hard to be flexible and open to change, which also stifles creativity.
Then, too, I believe that people who appear to be too "perfect," with never a hair out of place, tend to make others uncomfortable. They seem almost superhuman, so that the rest of us feel that we could never measure up.
Finally, I believe that a little messiness allows us to relax and enjoy life more, instead of spending precious time trying to be picture perfect. In the majority of cases, it just ain't gonna happen! So let's be reasonably neat, but at the same time not go overboard.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A




The Importance of Time Management in Our Lives
By: Sylvia Behnish | 14/11/2009In our busy lives, time management skills have become necessarily important but there are many who don't know how to manage their time. There is an oft repeated saying, 'If you want to make sure that something gets done, give it to someone who is busy.' There is a reason for this belief.
How To Fully Understand The Time Management
By: ali | 14/11/2009So, if you also want to get the good output of all you tasks, then try to manage your time in an effective way. Don’t waste your time in unnecessary things and try to prioritize different tasks, in order to get them all quite well on time.
What time management system will you use in the new year?
By: Diane Konrath | 14/11/2009They say time flys when your having fun. Time sure does fly but it may not always be fun. Are you accomplishing all the important things you'd like to? What you need is strategic time management. This is the perfect time for you to review your time management system and decide what you'd like to use in the new year to be more productive. Do you need a new type of planner? Do you need to take a workshop on time management?
TIME TIME TIME
By: david | 13/11/2009time and life reality of life
The Salaried Employee: Coping With The Times
By: Jessica Lang | 11/11/2009An employment office was checking on an applicant’s list of references. “How long did this man work for you?” a former boss was asked. “About five hours,” was the swift retort. “Well! He reported to us that he’s been with your company for a long time!” exclaimed the surprised caller. “Oh, yeah,” replied the ex-employer, “he’s been here all right, for two years.”
Tackling the Dreaded To Do List
By: Janet Nusbaum | 09/11/2009Trying to get things done around the house, but feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending list of things-to-do? This time-management system will help keep you focused and productive.
Notes Based Time Management
By: Gerry Gold | 08/11/2009A short article on a new time management method
Bringing Up Healthy Children in Today's Flawed Food World
By: Mary Wilkey | 06/09/2007 | Diseases & ConditionsTells how today's processed foods are making us sick and killing us
How to Get your Ads Read
By: Mary Wilkey | 06/09/2007 | MarketingTells how to increase the likelihood that your ad copy will be read and responded to
The Ugly American
By: Mary Wilkey | 06/09/2007 | FreeHow we come across to others while travelling abroad
Some More of our Freedoms Being Chipped Away
By: Mary Wilkey | 18/08/2007 | News & SocietyTells how increasingly more of our freedoms are being taken from us by our own government
Why We Don't Pray
By: Mary Wilkey | 18/08/2007 | ReligionTells that we don't pray, because we don't really believe we'll get the answer we're seeking
Are you Messy? Don't Worry About It!
By: Mary Wilkey | 18/08/2007 | Time ManagementTaking off some of the pressure to be neat and finding a positive in messiness
Guard your Thoughts . . . and your Words!
By: Mary Wilkey | 18/08/2007 | Self ImprovementDeveloping a new habit of guarding and changing your thoughts and words to have a better life
Are you Tripping Over your Tongue?
By: Mary Wilkey | 18/08/2007 | Self ImprovementGetting control of what you think and speak