I saw this on Pinterest.. and LOVED it.. so I added it to my first Organizing class of the year on Tuesday.
I am going to share it with you ( in case you haven't seen it ) and add a little explanation of my own thoughts under each one.
7 Habits of Highly Organized People
1- Write Everything Down
Whether it's your wall calender, ipad..planner or etc.. write down all important dates and facts ASAP, so you don't have to mentally store and remember it.
It's also a good idea to write a small cleaning or organizing project for each day of the month.
Be realistic with your time... and set cleaning and organizing goals that are attainable.
It's better to do something small-- than nothing at all!
2- Keep Flat Surfaces Clear
We all have a place where we "pile" stuff.
If you can try and tackle it every day -- it won't be so problematic.
I try to get the mail.. and sort it before I even get into the house to prevent Pile up.
I try and go through the kids school papers every night.
3- Find a Place for Everything.
I don't buy anything in a store unless I know where I am going to put it.
For all of the little things that I "find" that are a piece of something that has broken off of something.. and I know I will regret if I toss... I have a "lost and found" box.
After one year if I have not needed that part.. it gets tossed.
Life is much more simple for me... when my kids can put anything away where it goes.
Even my 4 year old.
Order is bliss.
4- Never Leave a Room Empty Handed
If you can make a habit of this... it is remarkable at how fast your house can clean up.
When someone is heading downstairs.. I always have them carry things down... and vice versa.
Have your children "help" put away their own things they pulled out.
5- File, Don't Pile
If you REALLY love a handout you received from church.. file it right when you get in the door.
Because paper is THE MOST problematic thing to enter your home.. make sure that if you are filing it.. you REALLY want it.
Find a way to keep Work papers and school work organized.
6- Purge and De clutter Often
Throw out all broken items in the garbage weekly.
Make it a rule of: "One thing in.. and One thing out"
I have a DI ( thrift store ) run almost weekly in my home.
If you can stay on top of things... it makes it less overwhelming throughout the year.
If it's something that is valuable... but you don't need it in your life.. and need some money.. sell it on craigs list, ebay.. or a consignment store.
7- Make a Plan.
With each task...
Consult
Sort
Purge
Clean
Organize
Don't buy storage containers until after you have reached the cleaning stage.
Measure spaces for the accurate bins /baskets
Make sure they are functional
***********************
Functional is my new favorite word in Organizing.
Too many times I see how people are storing things... and it is not Functional.
They are frustrated that it isn't working.. and I feel frustrated for you.
While I adore Pinterest.... just like everything else on the Internet.. be careful what you "pin" to your boards. I have seen many "pins" that are not Functional ways in organizing.. and friends have pinned them to their boards. I want to yell " Nooooo!!! Don't do it! " but.. I am nice.. and don't.
There are also MANY great ideas to use.
When you see ideas.. and are creating storage for your "things".. make sure it will be something that will be easy to put away... and easy to retrieve.
It's that Simple.
Because the whole reason for Organization... is to Simplify our lives.
Today I am Grateful for:
A good nights sleep
Order
Simplifying
Date night tonight
Helping friends in their homes
17 comments:
This was what I needed! I'm starting my new ways today. I think keeping flat surfaces clear would be a huge help for me. I just have to start filing and stop piling all my papers on them. :)
A great post!
Something about the New Year makes me want to purge everything I see.
I so agree with keeping the flat surfaces clean.
Great tips!
I loved this list, it's uncomplicated, simple and to the point...makes sense too!
I'd love to post this, on my blog if it's okay, and link back to you!!!
I've been struggling with clutter and art supplies!
be well,
Lisa
I, sadly, am not a highly organized people.... That said, I do have my own way of doing things, and for the most part, it works. Could I do things better? I'm sure I could, someday ;)
I'm excited to hear how your class went, I'll have to give you a call.
I know I didn't comment on the last post, but you gave me a great idea. We (Derrick... ie ME)need to talk with the boys at scouts about finances. I think we may just be playing LIFE next week and then sending them home with instrutions of the things their parents need to discuss with them?!?! THANK YOU!
I love this post! You and I are organization kindred spirits. I already do a lot of these things but my Achilles heel when it comes to organization is papers--bills, records, etc. I have a big winter project to clean our office and clean out all of the files, and to have a fresh start from there.
I agree that some organization ideas are not good ones. I've seen some products and ideas that I know wouldn't simplify things at all.
Here's to an Organized 2012! :)
Oye. I suck at organizing. Really and truly suck at it. My husband is better at it than I am, just ask him! :), but he only can find where to put things... with NO regard for convenience or utility. Things to be used in one room are always half way across the house at the back of some cupboard/closet where they "fit" better. If I complain that it's too hard to get at, he says "waaaah." everytime. If I try to re-organize it, he comes in and puts it back again how he thinks it should be. Really, you would need to be a professional organizer AND a professional marriage counselor to get my house organized. ;)
OK I love this post. I am feeling pretty good about myself because I do most of this. My BIG problem is #5 - It is something I am tackling this year. I have alot of paper hanging around that either needs to be tossed or filed or scrapbooked or something. Paper is my downfall.
P.S. I would be so interested to know the things you saw on Pinterest that we shouldn't do.
I need you in Georgia right now.
This is helpful and I want so badly to be an organized person. That really is a goal for this year. Thank you!
I remember as a young Mom with 8 kids, wanting to just gut out everything and start over. It was overwhelming!
You have some great ideas for organizing.
I think you're back!!! :)
such great tips Ann. I learned very early in my early mommy life that order was my friend. It seems like I have slipped a little now that the kids are grown, but still do many of the things you have shared in this post. I have to have an uncluttered house or I go crazy nuts!
I've was thinking of you the other day...just wanted you to know.
hugs from here...
Sorry I missed your class, that darn flu totally wiped me out and I had a mild case of it and got to keep my dinner although i didn't eat any dinner.
I organized my food storage and it makes me so happy! Although, I have a far way to go to catch up with yours! Baby steps, right:)
Thank you for the tips. I am not organised at all, I'm afraid.
YUP....I agree with every bit of it. In fact me and hubby just had this discussion with my mom when I was there last week.
She was asking me if Barry picked things up.
NOPE...said I in a "loving voice"
Then mom was telling him how while growing up ORDER was expected in our house.
Barry says now I certainly come by it naturally.
um, I think I'll have him read this post. ha ha
YUP....I agree with every bit of it. In fact me and hubby just had this discussion with my mom when I was there last week.
She was asking me if Barry picked things up.
NOPE...said I in a "loving voice"
Then mom was telling him how while growing up ORDER was expected in our house.
Barry says now I certainly come by it naturally.
um, I think I'll have him read this post. ha ha
Great tips! My {professional organizer} friend says never to lay paper down because then it goes to sleep. File it! Or better yet, throw it out - most stuff is on the internet now anyway! BTW, as a Pixie Dust follower, you are welcome to pop over & enter a giveaway for a beautiful clock. Good luck & thanks for reading!
Warmly, Michelle
You are SO good and worded this so perfectly!! (BTW....if you see something I "pin" and you don't think it will work, please be a dear and let me know!! I won't take offense at all)
Organization, is definitely NOT one of my strongest points. (however, my time is always meticulously organized though). I am like Cherie...PAPER is my worst enemy! In fact, Tracy gets SO mad when I print stuff out, because he knows it will get piled some where until I read it, file it, etc....
I agree about NOT purchasing organizers until you have figured out your space. I am in the process of doing that with my pantry.
Thank goodness I am married to Tracy who is AWESOME with organizing!! My goal for 2012 is to once and for all..."Have a place for everything and everything in its' place"!!
Thanks for such great tips and for such a well put together post!
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