Home Organizing | Take Control Organizing

It’s All or Nothing!

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Nikki in ADD / ADHD, Blog, Home Organizing, Productivity

Do it right or don’t do it all!

This is a very dangerous statement and can actually set you up for major disappointment. This is not the most effective way to approach accomplishing your goals. In fact it’s often the reason people don’t complete what they start out to do. In the middle of the process, they become frustrated and because they are not where they expected, many will just give up.

The more we are aware of this part of our personalities, the better. Awareness creates change. And change is what we are looking for when we are organizing our lives.

Perfection is this idea that something has to be done the “right” way. My question is who made up the “right” way anyway.. There are many ways to organize and just because something doesn’t work, it doesn’t mean, nothing will work!

Here are a few tips in fighting perfection:

1) Stop comparing yourself to others – We are our worst critics by far. And it’s so easy to fall into the trap, that our neighbors and friends seem to be able to do it all. Then you feel guilty that you can’t. I ask you to stop comparing yourself to others. You have no idea what it’s like to live in their homes and I am willing to bet it’s not as perfect as it seems! Figure out what’s good enough for you and work towards those goals. Focus on you and your family and eliminate the stress of what others are doing. This can be a very freeing and liberating thing to do, let go of what others think and just focus on what’s best for you.

2) Consider this organizing journey as a work in progress – You will try organizing systems and some of them will fail. Even with the best intentions. Try again or do something different. Let go of the thought process of, ” I just can’t get organized, I have tried everything, it just doesn’t work.” Move towards, “I tried this paper system and it didn’t work, I am going to change the first two steps and try again.” You want to continue to move forward and towards your goal of living an organized life. To do that, you have to be flexible and willing to try new strategies. You may find some systems work very well at the beginning and then suddenly they stop. It’s always a work in progress. Knowing this is half the battle, you don’t clean your house once, you can’t expect to only organize once.

3) Understand your priorities – Many times we just have too much going on. Too many projects and too many commitments. My suggestion is to really look at what your priorities are right now and let the rest go. You will be much more effective if you are focusing on one project at a time rather than many and not doing any of them very well. Figure out what are in your home is bothering you the most and only focus on that one area. Looking at the big picture is overwhelming and this is a terrific way to break it down. If you are not able to get what you need done, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Delegating projects that you are not as good at or enjoy is not a bad thing, it’s a tool to use when you want to be more productive.

“Some of us (perfectionists, especially) fuss so much over making the ‘right’ choice, but in life, all that’s really needed is to make any’ good’ choice, believe in it, go through with it, and accept the consequences.”
- Unknown

I am not sure who wrote the above quote, but it is so true. Free yourself from perfection and you will continue to move forward.

Happy Organizing!

Keep Organizing Simple!

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Nikki in ADD / ADHD, Blog, Home Organizing, Staying Organized

Keep Organizing Simple!

Words that I live by when I am working with clients! Organization is not about perfection or pretty labeled bins and baskets, it’s about function.. Finding what you need, when you need it.

To stay organized…. Keep it simple!

Here are a few suggestions on keeping your organizing systems simple and easy:

1) Sort Regularly - The less you have the less you have to keep organized! Get into a routine that makes sense to and that you will remember. I recommend you do this at the beginning of every season, however there is no right or wrong time. The point is you do it. The more times you get into this routine the easier each time will be, because you will have less and less to go through as time goes on. This is the time to sort and take inventory of your belongings. Walk from room to room with your bag and donate what you no longer need. To remember this new habit, make an appointment with yourself and put into your calendar. This is a great reminder, so you don’t forget it’s time. Now that you see the reminder, take the time to do it.

2) Set Clutter Rules - Setting clutter rules can help you contain your clutter. The following are a few suggestions: 1) In/Out Rule - If you buy something new, something old has to go. This is the only way to control the clutter and your space. If you don’t let go, it will just continue to accumulate. 2) Purchase with Purchase - Think twice before you buy and if you are going to buy, think about where the item is going to live in your home. For everything, there is place, even for new stuff! 3) Recognize Red Flags- We know some clutter might build up but what is your limit? For example, if you have a mail basket for all of your incoming mail, once the basket is full, this is a clear sign you need to go through the mail. This is a clutter red flag.

3) Organize by Convenience - Throw away the should’s of organization and organize your belongings the way you use them. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t make sense to anyone but you. Don’t waste a lot of time organizing items you rarely use. Spend your time figuring out the easiest, most simplistic way to organize those items you use all the time. Remember it’s not about perfection, it’s about being organized enough for you to eliminate the excess stress in your life. With this said, it’s not to neglect those other items, I just recommend you don’t spend too much time agonizing the best way to arrange and sort. Pick a home, place them, and move on to what matters most.

Happy Organizing!

Building New Habits

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Nikki in ADD / ADHD, Blog, Home Organizing, Staying Organized

Getting your home or life organized is a process! It’s more than just about your stuff and clearing the clutter. There is a lot that goes into getting organized. There are many decisions to be made and systems to make up. There is time and energy that has to be committed to the process. And when it’s all said and done, it becomes a lifestyle. A lifestyle that you must maintain.

I have said this before, you can’t expect to clean your home once and be done with it. The same goes for organizing, you can’t just do it once, and then expect it to stay that way forever.

Building new habits is not easy and staying organized is all about your habits.

Here are a few suggestions on how to start building those new habits:

Start Small – If you try to change too many habits at one time, you may fail. It becomes too overwhelming. Start with one action or routine first. For example, just concentrate on placing your mail in the same spot everyday or placing your keys in the same spot every night. Once these actions become habit, when it takes less energy and thinking power, because you have just done it, then you can move on to your next habit.

Be Flexible – What starts out to be a great idea, doesn’t always end up that way. If you find that an action or routine is not sticking, re-evaluate it. It may not be the best system. With this said, do make sure you have given it enough time and you can honestly say you tried the new action with all 100% of your effort. If this is true, then tweak the system.

Practice – Even the best athletes still practice their sport. You have to continue to practice organizing. Especially if this has been a struggle for you most of your life. Practice and keep practicing. Living an organized life is always a work in progress. So even if you something gets unorganized, which it will, you continue to organize.

Daily Action – Pick at least one action step you can take everyday to help you with your organizing efforts. Choose something simple and easy that can be done everyday. For example, loading the dishwasher before you go bed, straightening the living room furniture, putting the remote controls in their designated spot everyday. It doesn’t matter what it is, just do it everyday. This gives you the confidence in knowing that everyday you are doing something to move you closer to your goals.

Focus on the Positive – It’s easy to get frustrated and want to give up… Change is not easy and it takes time. Be patient with yourself and focus on the positive. Focus on the what you have done so far, the accomplishments being made and the benefits you’ve received. Think about all of the things you are grateful for and start again tomorrow. It’s OK to take a break when you need too. Tomorrow is a new day to do something different.

Happy Organizing!

Nightstand Makeover!

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Nikki in Blog, Home Organizing

Nightstand Makeover!

Does your nightstand look like a tornado came through it? Unorganized… no real purpose for being there other than just collecting stuff! It can become a clutter hot spot in no time!

The first step in getting your nightstand under control is by conducting a needs assessment on the space!

What is the real purpose of your nightstand?

How are you using it right now?

For everything that is not suppose to be on it, where should these items go?

Now that you know the purpose of the nightstand, it’s time to figure out what you really need for the table. Figure out your essentials – for some it may just be a lamp and a clock, others may need the lamp, the clock, a glass of water, tissue, and their current book.

As with any space in your home, the less you have on your nightstand the easier it will be to keep it in order.

There are ways to keep to your nightstand in order by adding a couple of organizing products:

1) If your nightstand has a drawer, consider a drawer organizer, where everything is compartmentalized. This will keep the pens and pads of paper separated and organized.

2) If you read in your bed, consider a basket to hold your magazines and books, this will keep them contained without getting stacked or being too spread out.

Having a cluttered space near your bed is forcing you to go to sleep with the clutter and wake up to the clutter. This is not the best way to wake up each morning.

Clear the clutter, clear your mind!

Happy Organizing!

Back to the Basics: Using a Whiteboard

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Nikki in ADD / ADHD, Blog, Home Organizing, Office Organizing, Productivity

In today’s world of smart technology, there is an app for everything! There are many apps on organizing your to do list and how to be more productive during the day. I use some of these apps, there is a time and a place for everything. However, sometimes I find it’s better going back to the basics! Using an old school way of organizing your information…. A Classic Whiteboard!

Yes, a classic whiteboard, that you can get at any home or office store. I recommend this tool for my ADHD clients, especially if the smart phone apps just don’t work. Many of these apps are just too complicated and not easy to keep up. The little phone becomes a rabbit hole and you never see your information again. For many, we need to see it front and center, in big writing, right in front of us. The whiteboard fits this need.

The whiteboard can be used in a variety of different ways. It can be used in your office to help manage your projects and capture your important tasks for the day. It can outline your schedule, hold important phone numbers and reminders. It can be a place where you brainstorm ideas and thoughts. You could place your favorite quote on your whiteboard for inspiration.

You can use a whiteboard at home to help with family communication. You can write notes back and forth from each other, it can contain your shopping lists and your to do list. It can include the families schedule for the week or day with important reminders. It can include meal plans and important phone numbers. There are so many options.

The most important thing about using a whiteboard effectively is making sure the old stuff gets erased and it is only being used for current information. If old content stays on the board then you may not trust it as a reliable resource and this is when your effectiveness of the system will start to break down. Actively use it everyday, by constantly adding and deleting information. To do this be sure to place the whiteboard in a convenient place, where you can see it and get to it easily.

Sometimes going back to the basics is good enough!

Happy Organizing!