Last weekend, I had a routine visit to my dentist for a procedure. As the chair reclined, my gaze shifted to the ceiling-mounted TV. To make the experience more pleasant, he asked what I’d like to watch, and I chose The Big Bang Theory—a show that never fails to entertain and is perfect for short distractions.

A few minutes into the episode, a scene unfolded that made me laugh so hard my dentist had to pause the procedure:

Sheldon (enters Penny’s messy apartment, gasps): Were you robbed?
Penny: No.
Sheldon (puzzled): How can you be sure?

🤣😂 You can watch the clip here.

While hilarious, this scene highlights an important lesson about organization. Benjamin Franklin once said:
“For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned.”

Understanding what it means to be organized isn’t complicated. At its core, it’s about having the ability to retrieve whatever you need, instantly, whenever you need it. To achieve this, plan and create designated spaces for everything—whether it’s digital files, work documents, or daily tasks. Look at the visual on what I mean by organized spaces.

Once everything has its place, follow the DRIFT (Do It Right the First Time) principle: Whenever you receive something—an email, a document,  a physical item, or even a task —place it in its designated spot (physical or digital) immediately. That’s all it takes to stay organized!

When we fail to stay organized, the consequences add up quickly:

Wasted Time – Instead of getting work done, we spend time searching for things.
Missed Opportunities – Important tasks slip through the cracks.
Increased Stress – Bottlenecks and last-minute crises create unnecessary pressure.
Missed Deadlines – Not having the required information on hand can derail our plans.

Being disorganized isn’t just about a cluttered desk—it’s about lost time, missed opportunities, and added stress.

Start Today: The Two-Step Formula

1️⃣ Create Organized Spaces – Assign a specific place for everything you use regularly.
2️⃣ Follow DRIFT (Do it Right the First Time) – Always place things where they belong immediately.

Small changes today can save you hours tomorrow. Start now, and take control of your time and sanity!

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(Originally published in Times of India on March 14, 2025)