Take Control Organizing

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!

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!