Getting Started:
1. Look at the all-over picture of your home or hire a professional organizer
Go through every room and decide what it is that you want to do with that
room and write it down.
2. See if you can find any hidden storage areas in your room
Decide if you want to add another shelf in the closet, use the storage space
on the inside of a door, maybe use under the bed storage.
3. Choose organizing products you like and that make you feel good
Do you want to use Rubbermaid or are the items in a hidden area where a
cardboard box will do. Using things that you like (color, size, clear vs.color) will
give you a better feeling of a job-well-done.
4. Consider daily activities and routines in your home
Place items where they are going to do you the most good. Something that
you use on a daily basis should not be on a high shelf. The vacuum cleaner
should be kept in or near the room you use it the most
5. Know why you want to get organized
Are you doing this for yourself and to make your life easier and time saving,
on the other hand, are you doing it because someone told you to or your neighbor is doing it?
In order to do a job 100% to your liking you need to do the job right or not at
all. By not having your heart into it, you will be stressed, frustrated, waste
money and not have a useable time saving solution to your problem.
6. Set long-term and short-term goals
What will you be happy with for now? What would you like it to look like by the
end of the year? In this hurry up world, sometimes doing things a little at a
time in order to achieve the higher goal is better.
7. Develop a system for paper, files and bills
By keeping on top of the paper filing, paying bills and keeping notes you will
eliminate 20% of your stress in keeping up a household.
8. Keep your organizing simple
Always remember to WORK SMARTER-NOT HARDER, take things down to
the most simplistic form, it is usually the best way, easiest way and less
expensive.
9. Learn how to throw things away or donate them
Haven’t used it in a year? Get rid of it! Doesn’t fit or haven’t worn it? Get rid of
it! Has needed mending for over 6 months? Fix it or Get rid of it! Get the
idea??
10. Plan ahead and learn to save time
If you know that you will need supplies and you already plan on getting them,
make a list before you start your project and go and get everything that you
will need. The job will go much faster because you will be so excited to see
what it will look like.
Jan Hayner is a Professional Organizer, mom of 4 and grandma of eight that gives tips and hints on home organizing and housecleaning solutions. Get her checklists, guides and pamphlets at http://Organizingandcleaning.com to help you to take control of your life and have time for the fun things.
