We all try to be organized, to create to-do lists, find a filing system that works for us, but in the end, organization is elusive. We categorize people as "organized" or "disorganized" and accept that our name will probably be on the "disorganized" list every time. The good news is that organization skills, while innate in some people, can be learned and, with practice, improve. There are, however, some common beliefs that hold us back from getting our lives in order.

There's too much to...