Artistic Organization

I’ll admit that I was trolling for PixieTip ideas on Better Homes and Gardens when I was shown — in passing — a sideshow slide for organization tailored to my personality type. Whoa. What? Has a major media corporation finally gotten hip to our Pixie Crusade? Well, yes and no. I was surprised at how accurate and eerily familiar some of the personality descriptions were, but then again disappointed (and then again not, since I was worried they had stolen our idea!) because as usual, they have missed the mark by not understanding the nuances of personality type and why until PixieTypes, “tailored” organization solutions have always fallen short. Here’s our take on their organization personality types, how they synch up to ours, and why they fall short.

The first type they described — after you are forced to take a quiz, and are not allowed to see the other types unless you take the quiz as them, very annoying — is “The Artist.” That would be me, an Organic Freedom (NFP), after I took the test as myself. And I have to admit, it’s a very good description of an Organic Freedom:

Visual in thinking and learning
Very loyal to friends
Sometimes late to appointments
A pack rat

That’s Organic Freedoms (NFP) and Organic Structures (NFJ) to a tee. First off, what Organic (NF) wouldn’t respond to the photo they use, or to the following description? I was a bit blown away frankly:

Are you a creative spirit who responds to visual cues but finds it hard to get motivated to stay organized? …. Traditional clutter-cutting solutions might not work for you if out of sight means out of mind. Instead break down tasks into achievable 30-minute projects, use attractive out-in-the-open filing systems, and employ easy-to-maintain solutions for cabinets, drawers, and closets.

Yes! But these solutions don’t actually apply to all Organics, because Organic Structures intuitively know to break tasks down into manageable size. They’re very good at structuring their time, and are uncomfortable until they have done so, but like Organic Freedoms, they need “attractive out-in-the-open filing systems.”  And if you get rid of the “artistic” label, and the pack rat thing, you’ve also got a great description of a Smart Freedom and their best solutions. That’s the trouble with breaking personality type down into only four categories. Organics are usually going to identify with being an “Artist” or a “creative spirit” but Smarts won’t. Meanwhile, the Artist or Creative solutions work best for both Organic Freedoms and Smart Freedoms.

Better Homes and Gardens has 20 “creative” organization solutions that you can check out here and be the judge. Some of them will really work well, but frankly it’s as hit or miss as any article on organization. But if you are Organic Freedom or Smart Freedom, always look for visual, attractive solutions, and take their 30 minute advice if you’re stretched thin. Pixies still believe, however, that the best way for Organic Freedoms or Smart Freedoms to get organizational projects done is to schedule time with a friend or someone you’re paying who will show up and force you to concentrate. After they’re gone, you’ll find you are still in inspiration mode and will keep going until you’re happy!