The best-selling book Wild and it’s subsequent movie version tells a powerful story about risk-taking, perseverance, personal growth and healing.  There are also some important lessons about getting organized for life and the journeys it takes us on.  Here are a few that stand out for us.

• Planning matters.  Although the author Cheryl Strayed spent time learning about the trail and researching equipment, she didn’t spend any time considering the logistics of carrying her supplies.  She was unable to start her hike at first because she couldn’t pick up her pack.  Don’t let your plans derail due to poor planning and last minute preparation.
• Extra stuff weighs us down.  Sure most of us are not living from a multi-day pack on a regular basis, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t stuff in our homes, offices and cars weighing us down with their superfluousness.  These extra or useless things weigh us down with the visual, emotional or spatial clutter they create.  What can you do to lighten your load?
• Systems help get things done.  Over the course of her trip Strayed develops organized systems and routines for setting up and breaking camp.  These systems help her get things done by reducing the amount of thought or decision-making allowing her to focus on more important issues.  Systems and routines can help you get more done by streamlining your efforts and allowing you to focus on other things.

While Wild portrays an extraordinary journey, there are many aspects of the backpacker’s life that we can apply to our day-to-day lives to improve our personal organization and effectiveness.