The Life-Changing Magic of Searching

In our seemingly endless quest to get more done in less time, organization has become one of our collective obsessions. There are tv shows, apps, stores, systems, and Instagram pages all dedicated to the idea of organizing things and information.

We organize because it feels good. Sorting and organizing have been tied to the dopamine reward center in our brains. This means that when we catalog information our brain releases chemicals that make us feel euphoric and motivated. We also categorize things because it helps us process information.

“Productivity and efficiency depend on systems that help us organize through categorization.  The drive to categorize developed in the prehistoric wiring of our brains… Fundamentally, categorization reduces mental effort and streamlines the flow of information." - Dr. Daniel Levitin. The Organized Mind

Given the benefits of organization, it’s no wonder most of us are frustrated by the same organizational problem – electronic content.

I don’t know about…