By Linda Goldman – Altogether Organized
There’s no time like the beginning of a new year to start fresh and get organized. An organized and clutter-free space can give you a newfound sense of well-being, make you more productive, help you stay focused on your priorities, and even help alleviate stress.
Step 1 - Prioritize
Make a list of all the areas in your home or office that you want to organize and prioritize your list. One way to prioritize is to identify what is bothering you the most and start there. For example, does your desk drawer refuse to shut because it is too full? Or, do you do battle with the bikes in your garage when ever you try to open your car door? If so, these may be good places to start. Be sure to finish one organizing project before moving to the next.
Step 2- Schedule The Time
Make an appointment with yourself to carry out your organizing project and keep it! Why? Because if it isn't scheduled, it probably won’t get done. There’s almost always something more pressing to do than your organizing project.
Step 3- Take Everything Out
If possible, remove all the items from the area you are working on and pull them into an adjacent space. If you are working on an area with a lot of items in it then just start with one section at a time.
Step 4- Eliminate Unnecessary Items
The goal is to keep only what you need and/or what you like. The more “things” you have, the harder it is to stay organized. Unwanted gifts, purchases you made that were a mistake, broken items that you haven’t fixed in the last two years are some examples of things to eliminate.
Step 5 - Sort Items Into Categories
Pull all of the like items together. So, for example, in a garage your categories may be tools, gardening supplies, painting supplies, sports equipment and car care products.
Step 6- Find a Place For The Items
Place each category of items near where they are used and place the items you need frequently in the most accessible spots. Also, group together all the items that are needed for an activity.
Step 7- Determine What Containers or Storage Systems May Be Needed
Storage systems can help you make the most out of your available space and containers can help to separate items and keep them from spilling into another category of items. Shop for containers only after you know what you need the container for, where it will be and the size and shape it should be. Don’t forget to measure.
Our clients tell us that they feel an immediate sense of relief and peace of mind when their space is organized. Hopefully, 2009 will be a good and “organized” year for you.
