When someone makes a mistake around here, we jokingly fire one another. When Inspired Spouse forgets to take out the garbage, she’s fired. When the cats scratch my office chair or jump on the counter, they’re fired. “You’re fired, Pepper!” It’s a silly way to protest something without offending anyone. Humor lightens things that could otherwise be taken personally. Now you’re in on the in-joke.

Unfortunately, I’ve gotten fired for the same thing two weeks in a row. That thing is my failure to check the voice mail which allows an unfortunate number of messages to add up (5 one week and 7 the next). Inspired Spouse didn’t think it was so funny the second time.

Honestly, I hate voice mail. I am tactile — and voice mail isn’t something you can touch. I am visual — and I can’t see it either. Back in the 90′s when I had an old tape-playing answering machine, I was pretty good about it because I could touch the buttons and see the blinking red light. Remember those itty bitty cassettes? I loved my answering machine!

Fast forward 15 years, and now my phone company gives me super-slick digital voice mail at no extra charge. It would be a great deal except sometimes I go a whole week without checking my voice mail. I can hear the little “boop-boop-boop” dial tone thing when I pick up the phone, but I ignore it. Auditory processing is not my strong suit.

It’s not me. It’s not you, either.

Is there something wrong with me because I don’t use this handy tool? Of course not. Is it frustrating and unprofessional? Yes to both.

When people ask about the most effective software programs, gadgets, and apps, it’s a similar scenario. There’s nothing wrong with technology, but you have to first discern whether a particular tool is a good fit for you.

What’s the difference between tools that are truly helpful and those that are a frustrating failure?

The organizing truth: The best tools work the same way your brain naturally does. When you use a tool that’s outside of your natural skill set, it’s less likely to work for you. It will create more frustration.

How can you tell? If you procrastinate using something or dread it or it takes forever, that’s usually an indication that the tool isn’t a good fit for you. If it’s easy and fun, keep doing it. You’re on the right path.

It’s partly the tool, but it’s also…

When you’re thinking about adding a tool (like software, a gadget, or something low-tech like a file folder system), think about what your intention is. Think about how others will benefit when you use this item. For example, I use voice mail because it’s my intention to provide clients multiple ways to connect with me and, in turn, to respond to them promptly, professionally, and compassionately.

At the moment, my intention isn’t matching the reality if I only check voice mail once a week. But I can think of other options that could work better for me and still match my intention.

Thinking about your intention connects you with the bigger picture, freeing you up to see other options besides the tool that’s causing your problems.

Thinking it over

Something really astonishing happened last night when I decided to broach the subject of my firing with Inspired Spouse — and brainstorm a better solution. Since I’m visual and tactile, I shared that the best scenario for me would involve receiving paper messages, placed on my computer keyboard (in a perfect, and probably unrealistic world, I thought). I hesitated to tell her this because I didn’t want her to be my secretary (it is MY business after all!), but I shared anyway.

Here’s what she said, “Do you realize I’ve offered to do that for you at least 3 times in the last year?” Huh! You know, come to think of it, she had - and I had dismissed it! So if you happen to leave a voice mail for me, you now have a new message-taker. And I’ll reply SO much faster now.

If you’re struggling with technology or organizing, think about what would work best for you and those with whom you’re in contact. Talk it out with someone if you get stuck. Try things out — and remember that organizing isn’t a destination; it’s a process of discovering what you need over time and using your creativity to address those needs. You’re worth it!

Today, I’m inviting smARTists and regular readers to share:

What’s one tweak you’d like to experiment with that would help you feel more focused or organized?

And if you’re in the smARTist program this week, you’re also welcome to share something from my presentation that you’re planning to try out.

Why are you asking this?

It is so powerful to state an intention out loud and to have respectful, encouraging witnesses. By creating a place to witness your tweaky intention, you have a better chance of making it happen.