Tag Archives: Organizing Rules/Myths

“The One Year Rule”

Posted on December 6, 2010 by in Getting Started, Home Organizing

 

Recently within a 24 hour period of time, I was asked by two different people, “How long should you keep an unused item”?

The “Organizing Standard or Rule” is One Year.

This is a logical rule because if you have not used the item within the 4 seasons of a year, the chances of you using it in the next 4 seasons is very unlikely.  This is especially true with clothing.  We tend to hold onto to clothes because we think we may wear them again.   The reality is if you choose not to wear something this winter, you most likely will not wear it next winter.

Of course there are always exceptions to every “rule”.  But this one year standard really does give you a great guideline of where to start when you are sorting and making decisions on what items are staying and going in your home!

So the next time you are organizing and going through a closet, clothes or not, think about this rule and challenge yourself to get rid of the “stuff “you no longer need!

When you have less to organize, you stay organized more often!

Happy Organizing!

Reduce For The Holidays!

Posted on December 1, 2010 by in Getting Started, Holiday Organizing, Home Organizing

The Holiday Season is a busy one, there is always something to do, someone to see, places to go!  This season is also a great time to Reduce! Of course as a Professional Organizing Coach, I think anytime is a great time to reduce, but the Holidays do provide a great opportunity! There are a lot of items coming into the home that need places to live!  One of the best things you can do to make room is to reduce what you already have!

Honestly, when was the last time you went through your closets, kitchen cupboards, etc? Well if it’s been awhile, now is the time!  The best part of this exercise, it doesn’t have to take long… In a just few minutes you can quickly sort through what you no longer need.  I say quickly, because this is not the time where you are setting up new systems or even necessarily organizing the space, (unless of course you want to and have the time!)  This exercise is just about doing a quick sort and getting rid of items, you no longer need or want.

Here are some key questions to ask yourself when going reducing:

  • Have you used it in the last year?
  • Do you really have any intentions in using the item soon?
  • Do you like the item?
  • What benefit are you getting from keeping it?
  • Could someone use the item more than you?
  • Could something else that is being used, take the space this item is currently occupying?

These are just a few questions to get you started.  My challenge for you is to start today! Go through a closet or drawer and make those quick decisions and start reducing!

Take Back Your Space!

Happy Organizing!

One Step at a Time!

Posted on November 10, 2010 by in Getting Started

If you are on the journey to organizing your life… which hey, we all are in some form or another..

One of the best and most productive tips I can share with you is to STOP MULTI-TASKING!

We are taught very early that multi-tasking is a great to skill to have, and if you are parent, there are definite times when you have to multi-task, you have no other choice when you have little people depending on you!  But have you ever noticed when juggling more than one thing at a time, that it can actually be more stressful and less productive?

In organizing your time and especially your space, I highly recommend you take it slow and only focus on one project at a time! Do not Multi-Task! It does not make you more efficient, in fact it can do more damage than good!  

For example; if you would like to organize your kitchen, start with one section of the kitchen like the cupboards, make sure everything is sorted and placed where you want it go, and then move onto the next space, which could be the countertops.  What you want to avoid is going back and forth between each space and you definitely want to avoid moving to a new room all together.

Make sure your project is complete before moving on! By doing this, you will see faster results, which will give you the motivation to keep moving forward to other areas in your home and in your life!

Happy Organizing!

Simple Organizing!

Posted on November 8, 2010 by in Getting Started, Home Organizing, Staying Organized

Simplicity!

One of the biggest mistakes I see when people try to “get organized” is they make their systems too complicated!

There are many reasons for this, mainly because they think “organization” should look a certain way. Everything should be in nice labeled box, neatly displayed on a shelf or counter. This helps, but it doesn’t always work! You may still find yourself misplacing items and then when you need them, you can not find them!

Organizing can actually be very simple!

For example: My son has very sensitive skin and when we he goes to bed at night, we can almost guarantee he will come out once or twice, complaining of some part of his body being itchy.  We bought anti-itching cream and we placed it downstairs in the living room inside a decorative container which is located on a table.  So anytime he comes down, he knows right where to go and we can help him, or at least talk to you him and make him feel more at ease.

This is a very simple organizing system! The lotion is not located in the “typical” place you may think it would or should be.  But it works for us.  It works for him.  He always knows where to go to find it.  That is true organization.  Knowing where your “stuff” is when you need it!

Keep it simple, keep it organized!

Happy Organizing!

Remember Your Priorities!

Posted on October 27, 2010 by in Getting Started, Productivity

Are you making a change in your life? Maybe it’s to get organized or to eat a more healthy diet.  Maybe it’s to be more available for your children.  We all want to improve our lives and the ones we love!  We want to do better, we want to be better.

However, what happens if you start to lose your motivation?  You begin to doubt yourself, you get tired.  You have to remember!

What are you going to remember you ask? Your priorities! Remember your motivation in making the change.  Why are you here and what got you here in the first place!

Here are a few simple ideas in reminding you of the “why”:

  • Keep a list of everything that is important to you, write down every reason why you want to make a change. Display this list, where you can see it everyday!
  • Share your reasons with someone you love and trust, and refer back to that person if you need to talk.  Talk openly about your successes and reach out when you are disappointed.
  • Take pictures of your priorities, display these and remember everyday of the why.  Include a picture of yourself.  Make yourself a priority!
  • Have a visual reminder of your dreams, what you expect your end result would look like. Clip out photos of what freedom looks like to you, maybe it’s a photo of the beach, or your favorite inspirational quote.  Place them together in a binder to refer back too or place a favorite photo on your bathroom mirror.

The point is to remember!

Happy Organizing!