Here are the ideas behind how I stay organized:
- Start fresh. If you want to organize one area in your home or office, unless it is just tidying up, start by removing everything from the area and starting fresh. Normally it doesn't work well to try to create order out of chaos by trying to impose order onto it--it is much more efficient to clear the space and begin anew. This also includes actually cleaning the space as well.
- Keep it visible. Clear bins, baskets, containers, etc., are the best options--it you can see what's in them you will probably use what's in them.
- Label. Unless you use something every day or it is obvious, such as a calendar, then you should take the time to label things. General to specific is a good guideline. For files: one large file for credit card statements and then if you'd like, inside that file have separate files for each company. For semi-translucent bins for holiday decor just need a holiday name on them unless you have a lot of stuff form some reason, first eliminate then label with the holiday and what it is, like lights.
- Throw it away if it is broken or almost dead (markers). Give it away if it is the wrong color or the wrong size.
- Put like and related items together. Put what you use most in the front or on top. Related items don't necessarily have to make sense to anyone one but you. I keep a spray bottle in my paint supplies because I use it when I paint.
- Create processes that work in your life. If you have a problem with mail building up start a system around it. It could look like putting a :file later" basket, a "add to the calendar" basket, a shredder and a recycle container near where you open mail. Then there are no excuses. Do things that make sense to how you work and live. If you work in a green house your daily needs will be different than those working at a computer all day. If you like something but it adds clutter, unless it has sentimental or motivating factors, do yourself a favor and clear it away. Clutter is the enemy of organization. It creates confusion and makes it hard to focus.
- Define your style. Define your color palette. It sounds funny but it is helpful. Maybe you really appreciate Victorian clothing, that doesn't mean you will wear a gown to work. Therefore, there is really no need to purchase or keep a Victorian ball gown.
- Define your space constraints. Give yourself a space limit and stick to it. This is especially helpful for books, decorations and clothing.
- Be a clutter Nazi. If you spot a problem area (shoes at the door, magazine subscriptions, collections) picture what you would like to see happening there. Most of the time daily issues like these just require a little creativity. With things like shoes, often it is the lack of storage creating the issue so put a bin or rack near the area. With items like magazines, it often comes down to the desire to maintain some piece of information in it--just tear that page out and toss the rest. Which leads me to my next point.
- Identify what is really going on with a constant source of clutter. Do you collect something that no one else see the value in? Do you hang onto everything that came from someone else? Beginning to understanding that appreciating something does not need to include owning it can free you up--people invest a lot of time maintaining collections, finding pieces and spending money on pieces; having a handful of really nice things that can be displayed is wonderful and shows your interest and pride much better than having hundreds of items you can't take care of. Likewise, items from relatives or friends are not those people, it those items do not reflect your taste move them into a better home--ask relatives if they'd like them first but otherwise, take a picture and sell it or give it away.
- Recognize what's a memory and what's scrapbook worthy. If something is worth keeping is should be worth taking care of. Come up with a system to set important scrapbook worthy things aside. A nice ornate box or a separated file folder would work well. Pictures that are blurry are of no use to anyone, toss them unless they are 100 years old and the only picture of Great Great Grandpa Earl there is no point in keeping a blurry soccer picture from 1980 when your niece played 18 games that year. A ticket stub from your first concert, however, may be something you want to keep ... then keep it and take care of it, make some notes, and file it for a time when you can put that scrapbook together.
- If you haven't used it ... consider what year you bought it in. I've heard some say if you haven't used it in a year you should toss it, whatever it is. Mostly this is an okay guideline but I find it a little too vague. For salad dressing--definitely! For dress shoes--maybe not. Here are a couple of things to consider: Are you keeping it just because it's nice? Then get rid of it. Are you keeping it because you want to fit into it again? Then look at the style--is it outdated or was it trendy 5 years ago? Then get rid of it. Do you like this better than the nicer version you have of the same thing? Then get rid of the nicer one. Do you keep it because you don't feel like going through it? Ask someone you trust for help and just get it done. Are you afraid you will not have enough if you get rid of things? God has a way of providing when there is room in our hearts and lives for Him to do so. Are you afraid you may need that piece of information? Scan it or take a picture and get rid of it.
- Practice makes perfect. This is more about self-discipline than anything else. Make up your mind that once you have put an area of your world in order, it will stay in order. If you fail to do so a few times in a row, no worries, just take a Saturday and re-institute the plan. If you fail for weeks in a row, your system is not working. Try something else.
