Beyond Organized: Exactly What it Takes to Feel Satisfied, Productive, and Brilliant at the End of the Day

Today is one of those rare and extraordinary days when, now that it’s over, I don’t feel I owe the universe any more work. I have earned myself some hearty and delicious comfort and relaxation. I could watch TV for hours eating food to my heart’s content, but I’m not doing that. I’m fired up, intellectually turned-on, physically relaxed, smiling, and writing this blog instead. Why? Check out these 4 reasons:

Reason #1: My agenda for tomorrow is clear. While I may feel complete in this moment, the work is not done. The work is never done! Yet my schedule for tomorrow makes sense. I know exactly what needs to be done, and I know I have enough time to do it all. This is made so clear in my calendar that I don’t even need to think about it until I finish my breakfast tomorrow morning and sit down at my desk to get started.

Reason #2: I pushed myself today. I confronted resistance and fear and I won. In this case it was my first ever Bikram yoga class. I was terrified, having heard other people describe their Bikram experience as ‘thinking they were going to die for the last half hour’. So I pushed myself, overcame fear, and then I pushed myself more, finishing the class with a sense that I had rocked it! Laying on the floor I felt completely connected to my exhausted sweaty self as my heart pounded almost out of control.

Reason #3: I helped someone. I get to help people for a living. In this case it was administrative assistance for a busy client going through a major life event. Today, I listened, I made phone calls, I pulled data from huge stacks of papers. By the end of the session, there were answers and just a little bit of resolution. Tomorrow it may take a completely different form, but I will help someone again.

Reason #4: First I showed up, and then I stayed present. Everywhere I went today, everyone I met with, every time I walked my dog, and every time I parked my car, I was fully present. This is the most mysterious of all the phenomena that merged today to make me feel blissfully successful. Why is it that I was able to be so present today when other days I fail miserably to be where I am? This time I chalk it up to rest and resolution, and perhaps a little good fortune.

On a day like today, being organized is just a small piece of the puzzle. What does it take for you to have your most productive, successful, and inspiring day ever? Don’t hold back. Your comments and insights might bring someone just a little bit closer to brilliance tomorrow!