Organizing Strategies that Don’t Work and Do Work

 

Are you going about organizing in a way that DOESN’T WORK for you?

Here are some tips on getting organized that DON’T WORK that well:

1. Thinking it will be quick and easy to clean out a room full of clutter.

If over the years you have been collecting lots of clutter, don’t expect that it will take you 30 minutes to get it organized. Be realistic.

2. Giving up after 10 minutes.

Know that accomplishing such a big task will take time. Don’t give up. If you are feeling overwhelmed and anxious, take a deep breath, a short break and begin again.

3. Not asking for help.

Facing this organizing task can be daunting and certainly not fun when you attempt it by yourself. Ask a friend (one who is the organized sort) to help you. Or hire a professional organizer if the task is too big.

4. Overdoing it

If you are not good at organizing, or it’s been quite a while since you last did so, don’t take on this big task in too small of a time period. It could exhaust you.

5. Keeping things in not-so-obvious locations.

If you keep your home cleaning supplies in the basement, it can be inconvenient for you. Keeping them in a more accessible location makes more sense. This goes for everything you organize. Store it in a more obvious place.

6. Not putting things away.

Take a moment and put things back when you’re done with them. If you live with other people, set an example for the others by doing so.

7. Expecting others to know your organizing system.

Let others know where you like to keep things and how you like them stored, so you don’t have to bug them to put things away.

Here are ways to organize that DO WORK well!

1. Have realistic expectations.

If you stay on track with your clutter, it will be quicker and easier to get organized.

2. Look differently at things.

Ask yourself when the last time you used or wore something. Why are you keeping it? Are you really going to use it during the next year? If not, donate it to a good cause so someone else can benefit from it.

3. Ask someone to help you.

It’s OK to ask for help getting organized. Ask a friend to help you or hire a professional organizer. If you feel overwhelmed or ashamed, talk to someone you trust about your feelings.

4. Do one task at a time.

If you have ADD or just have a hard time getting organized, focus on one small area at a time for a short period of time.

5. Label items and keep them in an obvious location.

You don’t need to label everything, just everyday things. Put items where everyone can find them easily.

6. Train yourself to put things away daily.

Practice, practice, practice, and you will remember to put things in their place. Daily maintenance will become easier.

7. Teach everyone in your household your organizing system.

Do you think that your organizing methods DO or DON’T work? What is your plan to improve your organizing skills if they are not working for you?

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