It takes 21 days to form a new habit (and 1 day to kick it-
so be careful!)
In 21 days, you can make being organized a habit. Step back and take a look at your day to day operations. How do you function and what keeps you from being organized as much as you’d like to be?
Is it time? Effort? Kids? Too Busy?
Choose a game plan that will make the next 21 days
successful for you.
If you are a night owl- do it when the kids are in bed. If
you are exhausted by 5:00 pm, do your organizing in the morning.
Commit to 10 minutes a day and time it. Choose one day that will get 60 minutes.
If you feel like you can do more, then go for it- but don't skip a day!
Step 3- PLAN
Sit down and make a plan of what you’re going to do each week-
one room a week?
One type of project a week?
Choose the best method for you-
electronic, writing etc.
Step 4- SET UP A
SUPPORT SYSTEM
Find a girlfriend, a spouse, a child, a parent- that will
keep you on track. Someone to report to.
Kitchen-
·
Buy only same sized things.
·
Toss out “specialty” tools unless you use them-
you can do most anything with a knife.
·
Toss what you don’t need in the fridge
regularly.
·
Hang things for more drawer space- potholders,
measuring cups and spoons, saran wrap, pots and pans etc.
·
Store things together in ‘like’ zones
·
If things need to be on the counter- keep them corralled
·
Start the dishwasher every night before bed and
empty it every morning.
Living Space-
·
Have a spot for everything- blankets, books etc
·
Do a 5 minute sweep of the space before bed each
night
Bedrooms-
·
Keep linens in a pillowcase in the closet of
each room
·
Make your bed every morning
Closets-
·
Containers, containers, containers!!!!
·
Don’t keep what you don’t wear
Decluttering-
·
Pick up each item, look at it fast and
think:
1) Do I use this?
2) Do I need this?
3) Do I like this?
4) What is the worse thing that can happen if I don’t have this?
Don’t spend more than about 5-10 sec. on each item, otherwise memories start popping in and you “personalize” that item. You want to keep it “depersonalized”, otherwise it can be too hard to get rid of.
1) Do I use this?
2) Do I need this?
3) Do I like this?
4) What is the worse thing that can happen if I don’t have this?
Don’t spend more than about 5-10 sec. on each item, otherwise memories start popping in and you “personalize” that item. You want to keep it “depersonalized”, otherwise it can be too hard to get rid of.
·
5 piles:
Keep it- love! Use it! Want it!
Store it- Seasonal, can’t give it up, can’t
use it now
Donate- won’t use it, don’t like it, doesn’t
fit
Move it- wrong room
Toss- broken, torn, can’t donate
