How To Get Organized & Put Your

Life In Order
Brought To You By:
Michael Lee, Self-Help Specialist
Author of How To Be An Expert ersua!er
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Table of Contents

Introduction 5
Remembering to Organize 7
Say Good-bye to Clutter 9
Best Secrets to Getting and Staying Organized 10
!e "motional oll o# C$%"R 1&
urn Clutter into 'armony 1(
)n Orderly $i#e 1*
$et Good Order Reign+ 1,
Getting Rid o# -Stu##. &0
!e )rt o# Organization &&
) /e0 Good Organizing i1s and ric2s &(
3etermining your 'ome-Style &5
Cle4er 'ome and /amily 5anagement &,
'a4e ime on your Side &9
Organize a Bit at a ime 61
Organize your 7un2 dra0er 61
Organize your laundry room 61
Organize your c!ildren 6&
Organize your garage 66
Organize your c!ild8s study !abits 65
Organize your 2itc!en 67
9ut t!e :ord -Organize. Bac2 into your $i#e 69
imesa4ing i1s 69
1& Sim1le :ays to Organize (1
C;O;9;"; (6
Organize your 5o4e ((
Organize your 'ome O##ice (5
Organize your :or2s1ace (,
'ire an Organizer (9
a2e Control o# C!ronic 3isorganization 51
Smart ime 5anagement <ust #or 5oms 56
) /inal 'ome Organizing 5*
!e Bene#its o# Being Organized 5,
Introduction


You can find pictures anywhere. It is simply a matter of noticing things and organizing
them. You just have to care about what is around you and have a concern with
humanity and the human comedy.
-Elliott Erwitt
How we spend out time says a lot about who we are

I# you are sim1ly too tired or do not !a4e ade=uate time to do anyt!ing in t!e e4enings>
t!en your daily routine is out o# balance and you need to ma2e ad7ustments;

?our 0or2 can be too di##icult or unsuitable> or you may not be ma2ing #ull use o# your
!ours during your day or e4ening; ) good balance o# your time is needed #or 0or2>
goals> recreation> and rela@ation; a2e a close loo2 at your daily routine> e@amine your
#indings and come u1 0it! a 1lan; Be 1re1ared to #ollo0 your 1lan and 0it! t!is> you
can become better organized.

Why be better organized?

Being busy 0ill 2ee1 your mind o## 0orry because you 0ill not be t!in2ing o# t0o
di##erent t!ings at one time; ?ou can ma2e good use o# your time a0ay #rom 0or2 to
increase your 2no0ledge o# t!ings and li#e> to 0or2 at a !obby or 1ro7ect> and t!en to
rela@ and be content; !is is good balance and 0!en you are better balanced your are
better organized;

9er!a1s you are a single 1arent and in a bit o# a time crunc! eac! day; 5a2e a 1oint
to sit and rela@ eac! day and 1lan; I# you are care#ul you s!ould be able to #ind 7ust a
#e0 !ours eac! day to a11ly yoursel# to being better organized;

AI 2no0 o# no more encouraging #act t!an t!e un=uestionable ability o# man to ele4ate
!is li#e by conscious endea4or;A - 'enry !oreau B1,17-1,*&C

5ost o# us use only a small amount o# our true ca1abilities and 0e can all do so muc!
more; ?ou can learn ne0 t!ings; !is 0ill gi4e you ne0 1ur1ose in li#e and a #eeling o#
ac!ie4ement; Read non#iction boo2s to increase your 2no0ledge o# e4eryday t!ings in
li#e and to learn ne0 s2ills or to im1ro4e on e@isting ones; )ll o# t!is 0ill !el1 you to be
better organized;

!e more organized you are> t!e more time you 0ill !a4e #or yoursel#; )s you become
better organized> ta2e on a ne0 a#ter !ours 1ro7ect; Start 0it! somet!ing small and
0or2 your 0ay u1 to de4oting more and more time to your 1ro7ect; 9er!a1s you can
ta2e on a ne0 0ood0or2ing 1ro7ect> #or e@am1le; Once you com1lete it> you 0ill #eel
good about yoursel# and !o0 you are s1ending your ne0> organized time;

With a place for everything and everything in its place, you are freed up in body
and mind to take on new endeavors.

I# you are under a lot o# stress> a more 1assi4e and rela@ing underta2ing mig!t be 7ust
0!at you need> at least to start 0it!; /or 7ust one day a 0ee2> or a #e0 !ours on
certain days> set aside time #or your o0n uni=ue en7oyment; :!en you do t!is> staying
organized 0ill not #eel as muc! o# a c!ore; ?ou 0ill naturally 0is! to remain organized
so t!at you 0ill !a4e more time #or yoursel#;

a2e a 0al2 in t!e 1ar2> listen to lo4ely music> read an interesting no4el> leisurely 0or2
in t!e yard> or 0atc! a bit o# D> t!ese are all o# t!e 1er2s in time #rom staying
organized;

!hen I go into my garden with a spade" and dig a bed" I feel such an e#hilaration and
health that I discover that I have been defrauding myself all this time in letting others
do for me what I should have done with my own hands. - $alph !aldo Emerson
%&'()-&''*+
Remembering to Organize


Being 0ell organized ta2es lots o# time and e##ort and t!ere is a lot to remember; Belo0
are good ti1s to !el1 you to remember it allE

&. ,ot it down. :it! t!e many details t!at you !a4e to remember in any gi4en day>
0!y s!ould you try to 2ee1 it all in a memory ban2F )t t!e 4ery moment t!at you
remember somet!ing needs to be done> t!e 4ery best t!ing to do is 0rite it do0n;
!en> 7ust as you need to recall it> it 0ill be t!ere #or you in an instant;

*. -eep it all in one place. Once you !a4e de4elo1ed t!e 2nac2 o# 0riting e4eryt!ing
do0n> your ne@t ste1 0ill be to 2ee1 your 0riting all in one 1lace; ?ou 0ill remember
better t!is 0ay; Ot!er0ise> you are going to s1end 4aluable time searc!ing #or your
notes;

). .tay healthy. ) 2een memory is a 0ell-nouris!ed mind; "at !ealt!yG get 1lenty o#
rest and lots o# good e@ercise; !ese 0ill all see you t!roug! to !a4ing a good
memory> staying alert> and being #ree #rom sic2ness;

/. $ecord your every thought. ?ou mig!t #ind yoursel# dri4ing 0!en a good idea
about organizing comes to you or you mig!t recall somet!ing t!at you really need to
0rite do0n; Ho need to 1ull o4er and start 0riting> record instead+ 9ull o## to t!e side o#
t!e road and use a small !and !eld ta1e recorder; !is is a 0onder#ul tool to carry
around 0it! you> to record your t!oug!ts> or your 1ar2ing s1ace number> or e4en a
memorable tele1!one number you see on a billboard as you dri4e by; %se your !andy
recorder to be your second eyes and ears;

0. 1all ahead. :!en you are at t!e o##ice and you 0ant to do somet!ing 0!en you
arri4e bac2 !ome> call a!ead to your ans0ering mac!ine and lea4e yoursel# a
message; )s soon as you get !ome you can listen to your message and remember
e@actly 0!at you 0anted to do;

2. 3e confident in yourself. I# you 2ee1 saying you !a4e a bad memory> you 0ill
1robably continue to !a4e a bad memory; It is im1ortant to !a4e a moti4ated> I C)H
remember attitude;

4. 5andy email reminders. !ere are many good and #ree e-mail reminder ser4ices
a4ailable; ?ou can ty1e in 0!at you 0ant to remember> suc! as a 0elcome 1arty>
anni4ersary or s1ecial e4ent> and you 0ill recei4e an e-mail reminder 0!en t!e date is
a11roac!ing; !is is a terri#ic 0ay to 7og your memory by Internet;

'. 6se stic7y notes. !ose 0onder#ul> little stic2y notes are t!e ne@t best t!ing to
sliced bread+ !ey are amazing as memory !el1ers; :ant to remember somet!ing
1rior to lea4ing your !omeF <ust mar2 it do0n on a 9ost-It Hote and stic2 it to t!e
inside o# your door; !e brig!t> neon colors 0ill be great to catc! your eye as you are
lea4ing; ?ou 0ill not li2ely miss it+ Heed to ma2e an urgent call #irst t!ing in t!e
morningF $ea4e a 9ost-It Hote on your tele1!one;

8. 6se timers and alarms. a2e ad4antage o# alarm cloc2s and timers t!roug!out
your day; 'a4e to ta2e t!e clot!es out o# t!e dryer by 1& noonF Set your alarm cloc2 to
remind you; :ant to lea4e #or t!e ladies lunc!eon by 7 1;m;F Set your timer to bee1 a
#e0 minutes be#ore it is time to start to get ready;

&(. 9isual memory joggers. Disual reminders 0ill !el1 you remember and stay
#ocused; %se 4isual reminders #or remembering your goals; I# your goal is to ta2e a tri1
to a Ireland in a #e0 years> 2ee1 a magazine 1!otogra1! o# Ireland rig!t on your des2;
I# your goal is to lose 60 lbs; in si@ mont!s> #ind a 1icture or ornament t!at 0ill !el1
remind you o# t!is goal eac! day;

Say Good-bye to Clutter


Ho0 t!at you !a4e a good system to remember your tas2s at !and> t!e ne@t big ste1
0ill be to get rid o# clutter; Clutter diminis!es a smile> dam1ens t!e s1irit> and so
s!ould not be tolerated;

It is 4ery easy to #ind any gi4en room in a cluttered mess> but it ta2es some !ard 0or2
to de-clutter and organize;

5any 1eo1le say t!at one o# t!eir #a4orite t!ings to do 0!en stressed out is to clean+
'ard to imagine> rig!tF :ell> it is true; Cleaning gi4es order and attracts 1ositi4e t!ings
to your li#e> e4en i# only in smaller c!un2s at a time;

:e are not 7ust tal2ing about mo4ing around clutter #rom one s!el# to anot!er; :e are
tal2ing about de-cluttering e4ery room o# your !ome; Say good-bye to t!e dust> say
good-bye to t!e 7un2 I say !ello to room to breat!e and mo4e around+ Ho0> doesn8t
t!at sound delig!t#ulF

Start out by dra0ing u1 a list o# 0!at you absolutely 0ant done; !in2 about t!ose
leaning to0er o# 9isa 1a1ers in t!e den> t!en mo4e slo0ly into t!e #amily room; See
any 1iles o# old 1!otos 7ust crying out to be 1laced in a 1!oto albumF :rite t!at one
do0n; 'o0 about t!ose 1iles o# clot!ing sitting in t!e bottom o# your daug!ters closet
7ust 0aiting #or a mot!er8s touc!; :rite t!at one do0n> too+

By no0> i# you are cle4er> you see a list o# 4ery 0or2able> one-at-a-time c!ores t!at can
be assigned t!roug!out a busy day; !e idea is to get started and 0or2 your 0ay
around; By t!e end o# t!e day> you 0ill !a4e a beauti#ul> uncluttered !ome as your
re0ard+

3o not become discouraged i# your attem1t to enlist your !usband and c!ildren runs a-
muc2; <ust 0rite t!em do0n on your list as t!ose 0!o re=uire an attitude ad7ustment
and t!en sa4e t!at c!ore #or ne@t time; One can !o1e+

I# you are altoget!er #ran2 about it> you really do not 0ant a second 1air o# meddling
!ands any0ayG some c!ores are best le#t to only one 1air o# !ands; !at 0ay you can
be sure t!at t!e c!ores 0ill be done rig!t t!e #irst time;
est Secrets to Getting and Staying Organized


ell yoursel# Band belie4eC t!at some degree o# clutter 0it! a c!ild is going to
!a11en no matter 0!at+
Begin 0it! messes and clutter t!at you see e4ery day; :or2 on organizing your
2itc!en and #amily room be#ore your !all0ay closet;
)ssign e4eryt!ing in your !ouse a 1lace; !is 0ay 0!en your #amily searc!es
#or somet!ing t!ey need> t!ey 0ill 2no0 e@actly 0!ere to #ind it and 0!ere to 1ut
it a0ay;
%se t!is same 1rinci1le to organize your sil4er0are> 0it! clearly de#ined 1laces
#or e4ery #or2 and 2ni#e> or dra0ers #or ties and soc2s or> under0ear; !in2 in
t!is same 0ay #or e4ery as1ect o# your !ome; !is 0ill sa4e many !ours o#
searc!ing #or t!ings; It 0ill dramatically cut do0n on t!e clutter o# items le#t out
A#or no0A or Auntil I #ind a 1lace #or it;A 3e4elo1 a ne0 mantraE e4eryt!ing !as its
1lace and a 1lace #or e4eryt!ing+
"nlist a ne0 ruleE t!ro0 out one old t!ing #or e4ery ne0 1urc!ase t!at enters
your !ome;
:!en using stairs> ne4er go u1 or do0n t!em em1ty-!anded; )l0ays grab
some items t!at belong to u1stairs rooms and =uic2ly 1ut it a0ay 0!ile you are
t!ere;
5a2e a mental note to obser4e 0!at t!ings 1ile u1 in your !ouse and 0!ere
t!ey cluster> and t!en come u1 0it! a 1lace nearby t!at becomes t!e o##icial
!ome 0!ere t!ose t!ings 0ill reside; Introduce bas2ets> s!el4es> and #olders #or
t!is 1ur1ose; !ey 0or2 0ell; Set aside one bas2et #or you and your 1artner #or
incoming mail> bills> and recei1ts and letters;

Create a number o# brig!tly mar2ed #olders #or discount cou1ons> in4itations and
directions> and ot!er time-sensiti4e 1a1ers t!at 7ust clutter your counters;
Jee1 items t!at are used #re=uently in 1laces 0!ere you can reac! t!em 0it!out
stoo1ing or bending> and store t!em close to t!e 1lace t!ey 0ill be needed;
%se dra0er di4iders #or soc2s> under0ear> lingerie> and tiny items> to 2ee1 t!em
se1arated and organized;
'ang !oo2s #or your 2eys and 1urse at t!e entry to your !ome> so eac! time you
0al2 in> you can !ang t!em u1;

"stablis! one de#ined 1lace in your !ouse #or storing library boo2s> and end a
!ouse-0ide !unt 0!en it is time to read or return t!em;
Get rid o# all 7un2 dra0ers> or allo0 yoursel# 7ust one t!at you clear out once a
0ee2 or more; :!en you establis! certain items are being used re1eatedly>
designate a dra0er #or t!ose;

:hings you don;t need any longer<

5agazines you meant to read but !a4e ne4er ta2en t!e time #or
"@1ired medications
Clot!es you no longer 0ear
Sunscreen t!atKs e@1ired or more t!an one year old
"@tra 1a1er or 1lastic grocery bags
5a2eu1 and sam1les you !a4e ne4er 0orn
Coo2boo2s you rarely use; Cut out your #a4orite reci1es only
Organize your cou1ons and t!ro0 out all t!at !a4e e@1ired
Stu## your crum1led 1lastic bags #rom your grocer inside a cardboard roll li2e a
!and to0el roll; Jee1 under your sin2;

Getting rid o# your clutter and organizing your !ome to1 to bottom 0ill #ree your mind
to remember your daily c!ores> and attract good t!ings to come your 0ay; Be 4igilant
about cleaning about once a mont! and you 0ill #ind it muc! easier to 2ee1 u1> 0ee2-
by-0ee2;
The !motional Toll of C"#TT!R


"ac! area o# your !ome 1ro4ides you 0it! a uni=ue #orm o# com#ort; Com#ort and
clutter cannot co-e@ist; Clutter and mess only ser4es to bring unbalance and 0ill
dam1en any good s1irit; It stands to reason t!at> gi4e u1 t!e clutter and bring in t!e
1eace o# mind;

$e-clutter your %itchen
?our 2itc!en is regarded as t!e !eart o# your !ome and #or a good reason; 'ere you
are nouris!ed and 1ro4ided #or> e4en i# you are dining on a #rozen entrLe za11ed in t!e
micro0a4e rat!er t!an a !omemade meal lo4ingly 1resented by 5om; )n untidy and
cluttered 2itc!en ma2es it !ard to nouris! yoursel# and ot!ers> on bot! 1!ysical and
emotional; 'o0 you care #or your 2itc!en is a !ot clue to 0!et!er you are gi4ing
1ro1er attention to your o0n nouris!ment and t!at o# ot!ers; Cleaning u1 and de-
cluttering your 2itc!en 0ill o1en s1ace #or you to recei4e t!e su11ort and com#ort t!at
you need in li#e;

$e-clutter your li&ing and dining room
!ese are s1ecial 1laces 0!ere you socialize 0it! #amily and #riends; 'ere you
engage 0it! t!e 0orld 0!ile being at !ome t!roug! 0atc!ing tele4ision> reading t!e
1a1er or discussing current e4ents 0it! old #riends o4er dinner; Clutter can turn t!ese
ot!er0ise s1ecial and social s1aces into dens o# isolation> es1ecially i# t!e mess is so
bad t!at it !as been a time since you !a4e in4ited 1eo1le o4er; $oo2 care#ully at your
li4ing and dining rooms to see 0!at t!ey say about your relations!i1s; )re t!ey
im1ortant to youF )re you !iding yoursel# #rom ot!ers> by burying yoursel# in nasty
clutterF

$e-clutter your hallways
?ou need clear !all0ays to na4igate t!roug! your !ome; ?our clutter in your !all0ays
1re4ents im1ortant connections bet0een di##erent areas o# your !ome and your li#e;
$oo2 at your !all0ays and see 0!at it says about t!e rest o# your li#e; 3o t!ey contain
good lig!ting and are t!ey easily na4igable> or do t!ey cause con#usion and tri1 you
u1F I# you #eel a disconnection bet0een 0or2 and #amily> sel# and ot!ers> 0!at you
need to be done and your obligations> it may be time to gi4e your !all0ays some good
organizing;

$e-clutter your bathrooms
"ac! day 0e use t!is im1ortant s1ace to meet t!e 0orld; :e begin our days #rom t!is
room; Clutter in t!e bat!room can mean your don8t ta2e 1ride in !o0 you loo2 and #eel;
'o0 can you #eel clean 0!en using a cluttered> dirty bat!roomF ) clean> 0ell-
decorated bat!room is a tran=uil sanctuary #or re7u4enation and sel#-care; Scented
soa1s> attracti4e accessories> and #ragrant candles all ta2e t!eir 1lace !ere; !is is
beauty #or t!e mind and soul; ?ou can beauti#y your li#e by organizing and cleaning t!is
im1ortant room; a2e t!e time to trans#orm your bat!room into a 1lace o# re#uge and
t!is 0ill bring a sense o# t!e sacred into your morning and e4ening 1ersonal-care
rituals;

$e-clutter the bedroom
?our bedroom is #or slee1ing and intimacy> and it #unctions as a 1lace o# rene0al #or
sel# and relations!i1s; Clutter in t!e bedroom is 0orse t!an in any room; It is anyt!ing
but rest#ul and 1eace#ul; I# you are #eeling A0ired and tired>A creating order out o# c!aos
in t!is most 1ersonal s1ace 0ill !el1 you rela@ and to let go o# t!e stresses o# t!e day;
!en you 0ill get a good nig!tKs slee1 or en7oy some s1ecial time 0it! your 1artner;
)nd 0!en you 0a2e u1> youKll be bursting 0it! energy; O# all o# your rooms> t!is one is
t!e most critical #or being organized and 1eace#ul;

$e-clutter your closets
Closets are e4eryt!ing !idden> un2no0n> or unrecognized; :!en 0e #ill our closets
0it! clutter> 0e !arness our ability to be intuiti4e and insig!t#ul; Cluttered closets can
indicate 1roblems t!at you may not e4en be a0are o# but 0!ic! bloc2 your 1rogress
t!roug! li#e> 0or2> and relations!i1s; Jee1ing t!e closet door closed is not an ob4ious
solution; Organizing your closets IS+

$e-clutter your attic and basement
) cluttered attic causes you to #eel under 1ressure; It is not easy to #eel good about t!e
#uture 0!en t!ere is so muc! stu## A!anging about and o4er your !ead;A Organize
t!ose bo@es o# yesteryear and you 0ill #eel ten 1ounds lig!ter> instantly+ !e basement
and ot!er belo0-ground storage areas are t!oug!t to be !olders o# t!e subconscious
mind> so ta2e t!e time and !a4e t!at clutter cleaned u1+

$e-clutter your garage
!in2 o# your car as a symbol o# your agility> inde1endence> and ability to be sel#-
1ro1elled in li#e; I# t!ereKs so muc! 7un2 1iled !ig! in your garage t!at you can barely
li#t t!e garage door> it is time to organize; 3o t!is and be 1re1ared to mo4e #or0ard in
your li#e> as 0ell;

Sto1 t!in2ing o# de-cluttering as a terri#ic> and start t!in2ing o# it as one o# t!e most
e##ecti4e sel#-im1ro4ement e@ercises a4ailable to you; "4ery magazine and 1iece o#
1a1er you 1lace in t!e recycle and e4ery boo2 you gi4e bac2 to t!e library 0ill liberate
you; <ust as gi4ing t!ose older items to c!arity> 0ill; /ree yoursel# no0 o# clutter and
o1en t!e #lood gates o# energy and 7oy into your li#e;
Turn Clutter into Harmony
I# a 1rimary goal is to e@ist in a clutter-#ree en4ironment> t!in2 o# de4ising a system in
0!ic! to o1erate #reely; :it! a smart system> you 0ill !a4e 4aluable #ree time; 'a4ing
more time to s1end your !ours doing 0!at you en7oy most is e4eryone8s goal in li#e;
%sing a system> you 0ill !a4e a met!od o# doing somet!ing t!at mig!t ot!er0ise be a
strain; ?ou 0ill !a4e a ne0 0ay o# sim1li#ying a tas2 or o1eration;

9a1er clutter is a 4ery good e@am1le; :e #ind 1a1ers t!ro0n !ere> t!ere and
e4ery0!ere; $oose 1a1er can be #ound in e4ery area o# your !ome; o trans#orm a
disorderly area into an orderly one> you 0ill 0ant to #irst clean u1 t!e area o# all loose
1a1er and 1ut it a0ay in a designated 1lace or 7ust t!ro0 it a0ay; ?ou can use bas2ets>
dra0ers or s!el4ing s1ace to store a0ay your 1a1er; Once you !a4e a designated
1lace establis!ed> it is easier t!en to remain organized;

!in2 no0 about !o0 your 1a1er became so messy in t!e #irst 1lace; :!at did you do
0it! it once it arri4edF 3id you 1ut t!e #ull bundle into a bas2et> #or e@am1leF I# you
glanced at it and t!en 1ut it do0n in a !a1!azard 1ile at t!e nearest table or des2 near
you> c!ances are t!at is your 1roblem; ?our goal is to designate a said 1lace #or e4ery
item o# 4alue in your entire !ome; !at 0ay you are organized;

The organized way to deal with all paper that crosses your hands and'or des% is
to(
1; 'a4e it 1laced at a designated tray> bas2et> s!el# or dra0er;
&; S1end t!e time you need to loo2 into 0!at t!e 1a1er commands o# you and> 0!en
done 0it! itG
6; 9lace it in eit!er a #ile> 1ut it in a #iling bas2et to be #iled> 1ut it in an out bas2et> or
sim1ly t!ro0 it a0ay;

!is ty1e o# 1a1er #lo0 system 0ill organize you in a !eartbeat and 0ill 1re4ent #inding
assorted 1ieces o# 1a1er e4ery0!ere t!roug!out your !ome; )s soon as you recei4e
t!e 1a1er> you 1ut it in its allotted 1lace; /rom t!is> you 0ill create a 1eace#ul 0or2
area; ?ou 0ill automatically 2no0 0!ere to go to get your 1a1er and 0!ere to #ind
1a1er t!at you need;

!e same system can be a11lied to reorganizing a disordered en4ironment; ?ou can
tac2le a room> a closet> or a dra0er by #irst organizing it and t!en ta2ing a loo2 at !o0
it got t!at 0ay in t!e #irst 1lace; 'ere is 0!ere t!e ne0 system comes into 1lay; ?ou
need to be able to maintain t!e order you !a4e a11lied to it #or later so t!at t!e same
mess does not 7ust de4elo1 all o4er again;

The more time and effort you put into being organized) the less time you will
need to apply to organizing later

?ou 0ill need to ac=uire t!e necessary AtoolsA needed to create good order;

'a4ing good order is t!e building bloc2 to being better organized;

S!o1 t!e discount and s1ecialty stores #or great tools to organize; !ey are
ine@1ensi4e and 0or2 0ell; I# you #ind your bedroom is !ard to 2ee1 organized t!en
loo2 around #or somet!ing to sol4e your 1roblem; !e moment you #ind t!e rig!t tool>
you can begin to 1ut t!ings into t!eir 1ro1er 1lace;

!ere is no easy 0ay around trying to get your li#e in order and be better organized; It
ta2es time and e##ort on your 1art; !e more tools you can a11ly to your disorganized
messes> t!e easier it 0ill be to maintain order; Once you #ind t!e rig!t a11roac!> it 0ill
be easy to 2ee1 t!e same momentum going;

%se a system to organize e4ery area o# your li#e; Go #rom room to room in your !ome
and a11ly tools to sim1li#y messy 1roblems; ?ou 0ill be so glad you did+

*n Orderly "ife

!ere are generally t0o di##erent ty1es o# 1eo1le 0!o e@ist in t!e 0or2 1laceG t!ey are
!e Organized and !e 3isorganized; :!at c!aracteristics set t!em a1art and 0!ic!
do you as1ire to beF

!ere seems to be lac2 o# disci1line 0it! !e 3isorganized; Ot!ers around t!em mig!t
t!in2 !e 3isorganized are actually not e4en a0are o# t!e condition t!ey are in>
because it is a situation t!at a11ears to 1ersist o4er long 1eriods; Sometimes it can be
a ne4er-c!anging 4ie0 o# t!at 1ersonKs surroundings; It is common to conclude t!at
t!is ty1e o# 1erson is o#ten stressed and must go in all directions to get t!ings done> i#
t!ey can get t!ings done at all;

!e Organized> on t!e ot!er !and> are a uni=ue breed; !ey seem to be able to create
!andy 1laces #or t!ings; !ey see to it t!at -e4eryt!ing !as a 1lace and t!at t!ereKs a
1lace #or e4eryt!ing;. !ey are t!e ones you 0ould call on #irst 0!en you need !el1 to
get somet!ing im1ortant done; !ey can generally get more done in a relati4ely s!ort
1eriod; !ey !a4e a real 2nac2 #or tac2ling 0or2 0it! a disci1lined a11roac!;

Ho0 0!ic! 0ould you rat!er beF

Getting 1ro1er instruction and a sense o# guidance> t!e 3isorganized can turn around
on a dime and become organized; It is o#ten 7ust a matter o# 1ro4iding t!em 0it! t!e
e@1ertise and t!en 0or2ing 0it! t!em on t!e disci1line it ta2es to mo4e into t!e ran2s
o# !e Organized;

!e annoyances and incon4eniences o# 0or2ing around !e 3isorganized e4entually
ta2es its toll on t!ose 0!o 2no0 t!em best; I# you 0or2 0it! !e 3isorganized> you
tend to be annoyed by t!em easily; O#ten times> a situation creates itsel# so t!at ot!ers
must 0or2 !arder or by1ass t!e indi4idual to get certain t!ings done; 3oes t!is
scenario sound all too #amiliarF !is !ards!i1 on ot!ers can bring about resentment
and unnecessary !urt #eelings;

!e 3isorganized are basically enemies to t!emsel4es> more t!an anyt!ing> so it is
im1ortant to c!ange ad4erse conditions in order to sur4i4e in !armony in t!e 0or2
1lace; Rat!er t!an 1ic2ing u1 t!e slac2> o##er some guidance and direction; !is 0ill
bring !armony to t!e relations!i1;

One o# t!e c!allenges o# !e Organized is !o0 to bring !armony bet0een t!e t0o
con#licting ty1es; o start 0it!> #ind a 0ay to 1eace#ully get !e 3isorganized to
c!ange t!eir 0ays; 3o t!is and you 0ill teac! !e 3isorganized to #oster ne0 and
better !abits in all t!at t!ey do; It can be done i# done care#ully;

Order to !e Organized> is a critical #actor #or o1timum c!ange; !eir c!oice o#
met!od is to #igure out 0ays to be more e##icient; !ey 0ant e4eryone around t!em to
#igure out !o0 to accom1lis! more 0it! t!e least mount o# e##ort andMor energy; !ey
t!in2 al0ays in systematic terms as a 0ay o# !andling 0or2; !ey t!ri4e on !a4ing
e4eryt!ing done in an orderly #as!ion;

To be or not to be organized---that is the +uestion

!e 3isorganized s!ould ans0er t!at =uestion #or !im or !ersel# and t!en act u1on it;
I# t!ey do not!ing else> t!ey can as2 =uestions; !ey can obser4e and #ollo0 t!e lead;
!e minute !e 3isorganized becomes organized> t!e minute t!ey !a4e more time #or
t!emsel4es; !is in itsel# s!ould be good enoug! incenti4e;

He@t comes t!e !ealing o# relations!i1s> 0!ere e4eryone 0or2s toget!er in one
accord> so in !armony; !is is 0ort! stri4ing #or; I# !e 3isorganized is serious about
c!anging t!eir 0ays> t!ey 0ill mo4e on #rom an attitude o# ne0 a0areness into a ne0
attitude o# action+

"et Good Order Reign,
"4en t!e most organized 1erson can struggle 0it! being orderly; In #act> it is o#ten t!e
most organized 0!o !a4e t!e most di##iculty 2ee1ing on to1 o# organization;

!hat ma7es the =ifference>

)s your 0or2load continues to increase> your en4ironment can su##er unless you ta2e
some time to ta2e care o# administrati4e and organizational tas2s; It does not ta2e long
#or e4ery day mail to 1ile u1 i# it is not being 1ut a0ay in its 1lace as you #inis! 0it! it;
!at A1laceA mig!t be a tem1orary !ome> but at least t!e letters are 1ut a0ay instead
o# sitting out on t!e des2 some0!ere;

Remember t!at 0!ate4er is not 1ut in its 1lace 0ill only 1ile to ma2e clutter;

Because your busy li#estyle 0arrants continuous maintenance to 2ee1 an orderly
en4ironment> a 2ey to being clutter-#ree is to 1ut t!ings a0ay 0!en you are done 0it!
t!em; It really only ta2es a moment but> i# you do not> it can ta2e !ours to sort out
0!en it gets out o# control;

Remember t!at time is money;

?our ne0 be!a4ior usually !as to be de4elo1ed> li2e a routine; 3e4elo1ing a good
routine ta2es time; !e act o# 1utting somet!ing a0ay rig!t a0ay may sound easy #or
some> yet> on t!e ot!er !and> is not 1art o# some indi4idual8s basic nature; :e are
o#ten too busy to be bot!ered 0it! doing t!at> rig!tF On t!e ot!er !and> maybe you
7ust !a4en8t designated a A!omeA #or t!e item yet> yesF :!ate4er your attitude is> t!e
best t!ing you can do #or yoursel# no0 is c!ange it Bt!e attitude;C

I# you 0ere to loo2 around your !ome rig!t no0> it 0ould be a good AdrillA to s1ot 0!at
does not !a4e a 1lace;

) ne0 !ome #or magazines could be a magazine bas2et or !older; /or audio and
4ideota1es> a !ome could be s1ecial !olders> containers> or e4en a dra0er> or
designated s!el#; 5ail s!ould !a4e a bas2et to go into; 9ro7ects or 1a1ers could go in
#olders; /olders could go in a #older rac2> !older> bas2et> or #iling cabinet; It 7ust ma2es
good sense> ot!er0ise> all your items 0ill only lie around and collect dust and t!is is
t!e #irst ste1 to amassing clutter; O##ice su11lies can go in a cabinet> a dra0er> or
containers; Items suc! as 2eys and glasses can be 1laced on !oo2s or in a
designated dis!; Ho0 you get t!e idea+

Once e4eryt!ing !as been assigned a 1lace or go to tem1orarily> t!e area 0ill be tidy
and organized; Suddenly you 0ill t!in2 and breat!e #reely and you 0ill !a4e an
increased sense o# 0ell being;
It is a good !abit to 0or2 on 7ust one 1ro7ect at a time and> be#ore mo4ing on to t!e
ne@t acti4ity> 1ut it a0ay;

I# you 0ant to be clutter-#ree> !a4e all o# your 1ro7ects in order; )s you #inis! one> 1ut it
a0ay be#ore you begin on t!e ne@t; !is 0ay your 0or2 area 0ill remain #ree> clear>
and tidy; ?ou 0ill be able to a11ly yoursel# best to your 1ro7ects in t!is 0ay; ?ou are
de4elo1ing good !abits and you 0ill be more creati4e; o end you 0or2 day> clear o##
your des2; !is 0ill ma2e 0ay #or more 0or2 to come later; !ere is not!ing more tiring
t!an !a4ing to clear t!e 0ay #rom t!e day be#ore 0!en you 0ant to start ane0;

There is simplicity in order and organization

/irst> you decide to c!ange t!e en4ironment to a better one; !en> you c!ange an
attitude; )#ter t!at> ad7ust your !abits> establis! and im1lement your systems> and
lastly> ada1t 1olicy to maintain t!e order 1ut t!ere; It all comes toget!er 4ery nicely;

Getting Rid of -Stuff.


?or the most part" we" who could choose simplicity" choose complication.
@Anne Borrow Cindbergh" in Dift from the .ea

9er!a1s you #eel t!at anyt!ing t!at can be !idden a0ay 0ill not be seen> rig!tF !is
must mean 0!at is !idden a0ay is not in t!e 0ay;

:!ere do you 0e c!oose to stas! a0ay our #orgotten itemsF %sually it is in t!e 1atio>
basement or garage; Sig!t unseen> so t!is must mean 0e do not need to bot!er 0it!
suc! items; !e bottom line is> all 0e are really accom1lis!ing is not!ing> basically;

!e ma7or 1ur1ose o# being organized is to !a4e a 1lace #or e4eryt!ing;

:!ere do 0e need to startF :e need to go t!roug! t!e decision-ma2ing 1rocess; :e
must learn to res1onsibly let go;

1; I# it is an em1ty 7ar you need> sa4e a #e0 in your cabinet and recycle t!e rest;
&; I# it is not 0or2ing and you do not 0is! to re1air it> toss it; ?ou can buy a ne0 one
t!at 0or2s;
6; I# you !a4e not 0orn a clot!ing or 7e0elry item since last season> gi4e it to c!arity;

!ese are some sim1ler e@am1les t!at you can use; ?ou can add to t!em> o# course;

?ou 0ill gain instant res1ect by cleaning u1 your s1ace; By 0aiting> matters 0ill only
0orsen; !ings do not stay t!e same and> because 0e are in a constant condition o#
c!ange> 0e 0ill e4entually be #aced 0it! a total mess i# 0e do not deal 0it! it;
!e best 1art o# being organized is t!e amount o# ne0 s1ace created;

)nyone can a##ord e4en small bursts o# time to get better organized; !e more time
you gi4e yoursel# t!e more you 0ill get done;

) #e0 reasons to get organized

1; ?ou are ready to ma2e a mo4e;
&; ?ou need to rent a room or e@tra storage #acility 7ust to accommodate your t!ings;
6; ?our closet is #ull> but you still #ind t!ereKs not!ing in it to 0ear;
(; ?ou 0ant to earn a 0ad o# cas! !olding a garage sale;
5; ?ou become a0are t!at someone else 0ill end u1 !a4ing to go t!roug! your stu##
a#ter you are gone;

/or some> getting rid o# stu## is easy enoug!; /or ot!ers> it can be a real emotional
underta2ing; 5emories are usually attac!ed to e4eryt!ing 0e o0n and> because o#
t!is> can be di##icult to let go; 'o0e4er> 0it! a moti4ated> ent!usiastic a11roac!> t!e
tas2 is li2e 0i1ing do0n t!at 2itc!en #ridge so it s1ar2les bac2 at you; It 7ust ma2es you
#eel good;


The *rt of Organization
?ou too can be organized

?ou li2e t!e 0ay your !ome loo2s; !e #urniture t!at you sa4ed years #or sits 1roudly;
"4eryt!ing is situated 7ust rig!t> yet itKs cluttered 0it! 1a1er> items belonging to ot!er
1arts o# t!e !ouse> too muc! bric2-a-bract> and tras! 1articles t!at didnKt some!o0
ma2e it to t!e 0aste bas2et;

a2e !eart+ !ere is a de#inite art to a11roac!ing t!e tas2 o# getting organized; /irst>
let us ta2e a loo2 at 0!y you s!ould do it and 0!at t!e clutter about you actually does
to your decorating sc!eme;

?ou !a4e already learned t!at clutter inter#eres 0it! your sense o# tran=uility and
energy #lo0 in your !ome; Ob7ects actually !a4e a #re=uency o# energy> and clutter 0ill
inter#ere 0it! t!e smoot! #lo0 o# energy in any surrounding s1ace; !is contributes to
let!argy and 1rocrastination; ?ou #eel 0eig!ed do0n;

Clutter also ma2es a s1ace seem smaller and diminis!es lig!t; !is can ma2e you>
your #amily and #riends seem de1ressed;

I# you e@1erience stu##y nose> sneezing and coug!ing in your !ome> c!ances are you
are breat!ing in a lot o# accumulated dust; !is 7ust comes along 0it! t!e un0anted
clutter; ?our !ealt! 0ill su##er because o# t!e clutter; By eliminating clutter> you !a4e
more 1o0er to #ree yoursel# #rom diseases;

)not!er 1roblem clutter 0ill cause is t!at it ma2es a 1erson #eel o4er0!elmed; :it!
so muc! disorder and unnecessary items about> you 0ill #ind it is di##icult to be
#ocused; !ere#ore> along 0it! your energy> your s1irit seems to sag; !is is not a
1retty 1icture+

!ese dilemmas are all good indications t!at it is time to dig in; !ese are good
reasons to 1ut your !ouse in order and get your s1ace organized;

* room that has good order to it is a happy place to li&e and en/oy0 It smiles
bac% at you0 1ou ha&e a place of tran+uility and a means from which to focus0
2hen your home is minus the clutter) you ha&e the energy flow you desire0 1ou
feel that you ha&e more &im and &inegar0

:e s!ould all ta2e 1ride in our !ome; Our !ome s!ould be our re#uge a0ay #rom t!e
storms in li#e; Our !ome s!ould be our castle; :e s!ould lo4e to be in our !ome and
0e s!ould 0ant to entertain o#ten;

*s soon as you ha&e a designated space for all of your items) you are better
organized0 This is the first step and the most important step0

!at is t!e art o# getting organized; )#ter you !a4e your entire !ome organized> you
0ill !a4e a 0or2 o# art 0!en you are done; :it! e4eryt!ing 1ut in its assigned 1lace>
t!e area 0ill be an en4ironment t!at smiles bac2 at you 0!en you enter it; ?ou 0ill #eel
1eace and 7oy; ?ou 0ill be 1roud+

a2e t!e organizing 1lunge today; 3o not 1ut it o## #or one more moment in time; ?our
time is 4aluable to you; %se it 0isely;

* 3ew Good Organizing Tips and Tric%s
4ulti-tas%ing

Begin today by combining some acti4ities suc! asE 1C e@ercise and 0atc!ing D> &C
#li11ing t!roug! magazines or catalogs 0!ile tal2ing on t!e tele1!one> 6C #iling your
#inger nails 0!ile 0aiting #or an a11ointment> (C 0atering your #a4orite 1lants 0!ile
clot!es are in t!e dryer;

Organize your %ids

3esign your 2id8s room so t!at t!ey can 2ee1 it u1 t!emsel4es; S!o0 your 2ids !o0 to
maintain t!eir o0n rooms and re0ard t!em on t!eir ac!ie4ement in doing so; Gi4e
t!em t!eir o0n !ouse!old res1onsibilities and c!ores and t!en o##er t!em a #orm o#
allo0ance; !is 0ill teac! t!em to be organized;

Organize your clothes

'ang clot!es in t!e closet by ty1e> arranging similar items toget!er> and by use;
Grou1ing t!em by color 0it!in t!e category 0ill ma2e it easier to mi@ and matc! your
garments; Store out-o#-season clot!es in old suitcases> dra0ers> garment bags or
trun2s; Jee1 only current season8s coats and 7ac2ets in your coat closet; %se closet
organizers and you 0ill create more s1ace in your closet;

Organize your %itchen

'ere are good 0ays to add ne0 s1ace to your 2itc!enE 1C Install smaller 0all s!el4es
to !old canisters and small a11liances; &C Store a0ay Bor gi4e a0ayC a11liances or
2itc!en0are t!at is no longer being used; 6C 9ut s!el# organizers inside cabinets 0it!
!ig! s!el# s1ace; (C 9ut a 1egboard on 0alls to !ang lig!t or smaller items; 5C %se
1lastic dra0er organizers under your 2itc!en sin2 to ma2e better use o# 0asted s1ace;

Organize your bedroom

)dd com#ort to your bedroom+ 5a2e a ni#ty bedside area by 2ee1ing t!ose t!ings you
need close at !and in eit!er a nig!t table or !andy caddy; !is is used to !old items
li2e note1a1er> 1ens> reading glasses and 0!ate4er cra#ts items you li2e to do in t!e
bedroom; 'ang 0all s!el4es on any useable 0all s1ace; !is 0ill create more storage
s1ace #or t!ings t!at decorate t!e room> or t!at ser4e a needed #unction;

!e more you sort t!roug! your 1ersonal belongings and #ind a ne0 !ome #or t!em>
t!e more #ree s1ace you 0ill be o1ening u1 and t!is is t!e !eig!t o# being organized+

$etermining your Home-Style
)s you begin t!e c!ore o# organizing your !ome> it is time to determine t!e style you
0is! your !ome to !a4e; I# 0!at you !ad 1re4iously 0as not 0or2ing #or you> i# you
!ad am1le amounts o# dust and clutter> it is time to begin ane0;

?our !ome s!ould be a 1lace t!at you enter into 0it! bot! com#ort and 7oy; :!en you
are 1ro1erly organized> you #eel 1ride in your !ome; ?our !ome s!ould smile bac2 at
you 0!en you 0al2 in t!e door> and gi4e you a sense o# serenity 0!en you lea4e;

?ou can accom1lis! all o# t!is 0!en you !a4e 1eace and !armony in your !ome; ?our
!ome en4ironment 0ill be tidy and 1ur1ose#ul and you 0ill dra0 strengt! #rom t!is;

?ou 0ill 1ut t!e !armony in your s1ace by ma2ing it loo2 and #unction t!e 0ay t!at
best suits you; :!en you 0al2 into a room> it s!ould loo2 4ibrant and com#ortable;
:!en you 0al2 into a room t!at is dar2 and messy you #eel at a loss; !is is not !o0
you 0is! to #eel entering into your o0n !ome and your #riends and #amily 0ill not 0ant
to 4isit eit!er;

)s you enter into a room> you 0ant to #eel s1ace to mo4e around; ?ou 0ant it to be
#ree o# mess and clutter; Clutter enters your mind and dam1ens your s1irit; It becomes
di##icult to #ocus in any area t!at ma2es you #eel in t!is 0ay; )ll you can see is t!e
mess and you cannot t!in2 straig!t; ?ou #eel annoyed;

* hassle-free lifestyle will not /ust happen) you will ma%e it happen0 1ou ha&e to
create certain procedures and methods in which to generate the %ind of
atmosphere and conditions that you want0 1ou need to determine what you
want) how you want it) and if you are willing to spend the time and energy to
ma%e it happen0

!ere are a number o# im1ortant elements at 1lay in streamlining your acti4ities and
getting organized; ) system can be im1lemented on anyt!ing> 7ust as e4eryt!ing !as a
sort o# -#lo0 c!art. to it; 3oing !ouse!old c!ores !as a met!od to doing t!em; ?ou
must de4ise t!at met!od to be most e##ecti4e; Setting aside time 0it! #amily !as
certain disci1lines t!at 0or2; It is all about !o0 you manage your acti4ity t!at ma2es
t!e di##erence;

I# you learn better time management> #or instance> t!e result is more time to do t!ose
t!ings t!at you 0ant to do; !e 1ay o## is great+

Budgeting your time is li2e budgeting your #inances; ?ou need to allocate a certain
amount o# time to certain t!ings; I t!in2 0e all 2no0 0!at !a11ens 0!en one does not
budget t!eir money; :e end u1 0it!out any money Be4entuallyC> or 0e !a4e to scra1e
u1 money #rom some0!ere else to ma2e ends meet;

!at is 0!at occurs 0!en you do not budget your time; ?ou 0ill end u1 0it!out any
time to do t!e t!ings you 0ant; ?ou run out o# time to accom1lis! t!e t!ings you really
must do> li2e organize;
!&ery element of your life is affected by poor organization s%ills0

ime is not t!e only 1roblem 0e all #ace; !e 0orse enemy o# any li#estyle is mess and
clutter; I# t!ere is clutter> trouble #ollo0s close be!ind; !e e@cuse t!at t!ere is no time
to organize your clutter gi4es a11arent> reasonable 7usti#ication #or not ta2ing care o# it;
'o0e4er> it is one o# t!e causes o# not !a4ing time in t!e #irst 1lace; !ere is no -catc!
&&. situation N one 7ust !as to ma2e time to do it;

Disualize about 0!at you 0ant your area to loo2 li2e; !is is a good start; 9our t!roug!
decorating magazines and cut and 1aste t!e designs you li2e best; !is 0ill ser4e as
ins1iration to get more organized;

$earn about yoursel# and 0!at your re=uirements are; "4ery item in your !ome s!ould
be t!ere because you dearly 0ant it t!ere> not because t!ere is no 1lace else to 1ut it;
3etermine its 4alue and !o0 it !el1s you by being t!ere; 3o you en7oy loo2ing at itF Is
it beauti#ul to youF 3oes it !a4e a #unction in your li#eF 'o0 does it ma2e you #eel
0!en you s1ot itF

oo many 1ersonal belongings 1laced e4ery0!ere around your !ome 0ill not 1ro4ide
a sense o# !armony; It is t!e !armony you are a#ter and not t!e -t!ings;. oo many
t!ings creates an o4er0!elming en4ironment t!at can be stress#ul> not to mention time
consuming in !a4ing to clean t!en time a#ter time; By lessening t!e amount o#
1ersonal t!ings in your s1ace> you 0ill ac!ie4e t!e !armony you need; ?ou 0ill !a4e a
1leasing combination o# elements in a 0!ole;

Creating an organized li#e at !ome 0or2s in t!e same #as!ion at your 1lace o#
em1loyment;

?ou need to be in an area t!at !el1s you to concentrate and #ocus; ?ou need to
o1erate 0it! systems t!at !el1 you to im1ro4e your e##iciency and 1roducti4ity; :!en
t!ese elements are in 1lace> it 2ee1s stress le4els lo0er #or e4eryone in your #amily;

y determining the %ind of en&ironment you want to li&e in) you will achie&e the
first step to ha&ing it that way0

Organizing #or a !armonic li#estyle at !ome re=uires t!at you 1ut t!ings in order t!at
are meaning#ul to you and your #amily; Remember to al0ays 2ee1 it sim1le; ?our !ome
can be a 1lace t!at you truly en7oy; It can be a s!o0case o# 0!ere you li4e your li#e
0it! 1ur1ose and meaning; Ot!ers 0ill ta2e note and 0ill 0ant to come o4er and s!are
your !ome 0it! you; It 0ill be a 1leasant 1lace to 4isit> s!are> and ma2e ne0 #riends;

?our 0ell-organized !ome 1ro4ides a !armonic en4ironment; !e !armony and 1eace
0ill a##ect e4eryt!ing t!at you do; ?ou 0ill rest and 1lay 0it! ne0 meaning and
1ur1ose; ?ou 0ill #eel better about yoursel#;

9ut t!e !armony bac2 into your 1ersonal s1ace by #irst de#ining your !ome-style; He@t>
!a4e e4ery room loo2ing #unctional and orderly 0it! no clutter; 3o t!is and you 0ill #eel
li2e a million dollars+

Cle&er Home and 3amily 4anagement
3or etter Organization

Ha&e you e&er stopped to imagine what your home and family life would be li%e
if you ran it li%e a business5

I# you loo2 at t!e standard o1erating systems t!at are em1loyed at 0or2> you 0ill see
t!at t!ere are certain 1rocedures in carrying out 4arious acti4ities;

a2e u1 met!odical and organized 1rocedures t!at !el1 you run your #amily li2e an
organization; ?our !ouse!old 0ill run smoot!ly i# you also in4ol4e ot!er #amily
members in s!aring res1onsibilities; "ngage e4eryone> in one #acet or anot!er; !is is
2no0n as delegating;

2hat is in&ol&ed in running your family and home li%e a business5

"ac! 7ob assigned must be clearly de#ined; 3e1ending on your c!ild8s age and s2ills>
t!ey 0ill be 1roud to contribute> and t!ey 0ill learn res1onsibility in t!e 1rocess;
C!ildren 0ill e4en begin to ta2e care o# t!eir rooms better 0!en t!ey are in c!arge o#
it; !is may not !a11en o4ernig!t> but it 0ill !a11en in time;

To establish a good wor%ing foundation) set up a home base of operation0

!is 0ill be t!e 1lace 0!ere you administrate 1a1ers> sc!edules> tele1!one numbers>
and ot!er daily details; !is can be located any0!ere> so long as all administrati4e
items are centralized; ?ou 0ill not #ind a success#ul business 0it! some 1a1ers on a
des2> ot!er 1a1ers in a bat!room> and a #e0 scattered t!roug!out t!e lunc!room;

!ere are a number o# organizational solutions to 1ut into e##ect in t!e !ouse!old; I#
t!ere is a 1articular 1roblem area> a system can be ada1ted to sol4e t!e 1roblem; In
ot!er 0ords> i# somet!ing does not 0or2 0ell> #i@ it; Come u1 0it! a met!od or system
t!at 0ill 2ee1 t!e 1roblem #rom reoccurring;

/or e@am1le> i# you 2ee1 running out o# certain bat!room items> 1ut a 1en and 1ad on
t!e to0el rac2 #or you and ot!ers to mar2 do0n items t!at need to be 1urc!ased at t!e
grocery store; I# messages are not relayed> 2ee1 a message 1ad by eac! tele1!one to
insure messages are recorded and 1laced in a certain ran2; I# you can8t 2ee1 trac2 o#
#amily member8s acti4ities and e4ents> 1ost a calendar and !a4e eac! 1erson B0!o is
old enoug!C res1onsible #or adding t!eir ne0 e4ents;

Create organized 1rocedures and met!ods in your !ome and you 0ill become
organized; a2e a loo2 at your needs as a #amily unit no0;

Ha&e Time on your Side


9er!a1s you are li2e me and you are tired o# !earing e4eryone gi4e you ad4ice about
time; !ey 7ust go on and on; $i2e> !o1e you can #ind some time; On t!e ot!er !and>
do not #orget to ma2e yoursel# some time; 'o0 about> do not lose any time;
)lternati4ely> do not 0aste time; In addition> my all time #a4orite is> be sure to use time
0isely; I# I !ear 7ust one more I am sure> I 0ill lose it+

Ho0> t!ey may all be sound ad4ice but 0!at I really 0ant to !ear 7ust once is> !o0
about some 1laytime; !at 2ind o# time I do deser4e;

?ou and I can actually accom1lis! a lot more i# 0e 7ust learn to de4ote time #or
oursel4es; 3oing t!is> t!oug!> is not al0ays so easy;

:e s!ould all 0or2 4ery !ard and 0!en 0e do> 0e are bound to struggle t!roug! t!e
1ressures o# li#e; It 7ust ma2es sense; ?ou are li2ely among t!ose 0!o are o#ten #ound
trying to get a!ead and meet t!e demands o# your 7ob or #amily> rig!tF ?et> i# 0e do not
sto1 and gi4e oursel4es t!e attention 0e need> 0e 0ill all end u1 su##ering to one
degree or anot!er;

Jee1 in mind t!at t!ere is no one rig!t 0ay to manage t!is; "4eryone !as 4ariable
circumstances; :e all !a4e some uni=ue 1roblems in doing or ac!ie4ing t!is aim;
9er!a1s t!e #irst t!ing to realize is t!at you are not managing time to do t!is; ?ou are
managing yoursel#;

* well-managed indi&idual is well organized0

In order to manage yoursel#> establis! your 1riorities; I am not tal2ing about t!ose
Amost im1ortantA t!ings to do; It is 1rioritizing t!ose t!ings t!at are most im1ortant to
you at a 1ersonal le4el; In #ocusing less on t!e tangible and more on t!e #ul#illment o#
t!ings you 4alue> you 0ill t!en ac!ie4e a sense o# balance; ?ou 7ust need to determine
0!at t!ose acti4ities are;

a2e a loo2 at 0!at your leisure desires are; ra4elF ReadingF Bo0lingF 3ancingF
3ining out moreF Disiting 0it! #amily and #riendsF 3eciding 0!at you 0ant to do is t!e
#irst ste1 to #inding t!e time to do it;

?our 1riorities can t!ere#ore encom1assE /riends and #amily relations> 1ersonal
enric!ment> !ealt! and 0ellness> 1ursuing 1ersonal 1assions> and 0or2ing to0ard
long-range goals; $i#e is more #ul#illing 0!en you are doing t!ose t!ings because t!ey
bring you 7oy; ?ou do not need to sacri#ice career> #amily> and 0ell being to ac!ie4e
balance in your li#e; ?ou do not e4en need to c!ange 7obs eit!er; <ust c!ange yoursel#;
!at s!ould be 1riority number one;

?ou can create your o0n brand in li#estyle; It is not somet!ing created #or you> I 2no0
you mig!t t!in2 t!at ot!ers control your li#e> and t!at you are not in control> but t!at 7ust
is not true; ?ou !a4e many di##erent c!oices;

9art o# t!e c!oices t!at you 0ill ma2e !as to do 0it! doing t!ose t!ings t!at align 0it!
your 1ur1ose or s1irit; ?ou can o1t to ta2e any tas2 and turn it into a 1ur1ose#ul one>
gi4ing it im1ortance and meaning; I# you do it any ot!er 0ay> it is 7ust a c!ore; !e 0ay
you 4ie0 your acti4ities !as a great deal o# im1act on !o0 you a11roac! t!em;

ime to gain a 0!ole ne0 1ers1ecti4e

Start by loo2ing at !o0 your acti4ities align 0it! your 4ision and goals; /or e@am1le>
you can 4ie0 t!at boring 7ob as t!e 7ob t!at 1ro4ides #or your #amily; )lternati4ely> you
mig!t 4ie0 t!e c!ore o# e@ercise as a 0ay o# staying !ealt!y #or t!ose 0!o lo4e and
rely on you;

Jee1 t!e #ollo0ing t!ings in mind 0!en recreating t!e structure o# your li#eE
/ocus on en7oying more acti4ities t!at are in accord 0it! your 1ur1ose;
Sc!edule eac! o# your 1riorities and say no to t!ings t!at do not align 0it! your
1ur1ose;
:!en 1lanning your sc!edule> ta2e note o# t!ose acti4ities t!at get you #rom
0!ere you are no0 to 0!ere you 0ant to be;

!e goal is in not ma2ing 0or2 t!e center o# your uni4erse; Ste1 o## t!e A0or2
s1eed0ayA e4en tem1orarily and regain a sense o# balance; Se1arate 0!at is
im1ortant to you in your 1ersonal li#e; !ose are your 1riorities at t!is stage;

ry t!is #or one mont!E 3e4elo1 a 1ersonal agenda t!at includes Ayour timeA #or #amily>
#riends> !ealt!> and your 1assions; )llot 4arious times o# t!e day and 0ee2 #or certain
acti4ities> and stic2 to it as best you can manage; I# you #ind t!at a 0or2 acti4ity !as to
cut into your time> ma2e an ad7ustment> but do not ma2e t!is 1art o# your ne0 !abit or
routine;
Organize a it at a Time
Organize your /un% drawer

It is easy to transform /un% drawers into neatly organized compartments0

!e #irst big ste1 to organizing a dra0er is creating di4iders; !is 0ill be easy;
?ou 0ill need cardboard> scissors and s!el# 1a1er; Start by cutting stri1s o#
cardboard to size and co4er t!em 0it! s!el# 1a1er; $ea4e a 0ee notc! on eac!
o# t!e ends so t!at t!e cardboard di4iders can interloc2;
%se an egg carton #or t!e little items t!at end u1 in a 7un2 dra0er; !is 0ill 2ee1
your items tidy; It also !el1s 2ee1 4isual order in t!e dra0er so t!at you can
instantly see 0!at is in eac! small s1ace;
9urc!ase a 1re-assembled utility bas2et or e4en a utensil !older t!at matc!es
t!e dimensions o# your dra0er to =uic2ly begin to get t!ings in good order;
9lace all similar items toget!er in clear 1lastic bags to allo0 you to see t!em
easily; /ilm canisters can be used to collect small items suc! as c!ange> tac2s
and buttons;
Organize your laundry room

It is a breeze to clean up that messy laundry area, remove some of the clutter,
and save loads of time.

Clear out all o# t!e clutter and remo4e e4eryt!ing but t!e mac!ines and large
#urniture;
$ocate a good sorting area; I# you do not !a4e one> ma2e one+ %se lig!t and
dar2 1illo0cases attac!ed to t!e 0all or side o# a cabinet 0it! a brac2et; %se
curtain cli1s to !old t!e 1illo0case in 1lace; !e 1illo0cases are a smart sorting
met!od 0!en ta2ing laundry to a laundry mat> too;
%se u1 em1ty 0all s1ace o4er t!e mac!ines; Install 0ire s!el4ing; Install a bar
#or !anging clot!es as t!ey come out o# t!e dryer;
Store your necessities in attracti4e canisters and decorati4e 7ars;
9lace t!e ironing board o## t!e #loor; 'ang it closer to your mac!ines #or
con4enience;

:!ere you !a4e e@tra s1ace> 1lace a 0!eeled cart bet0een your mac!ines
B#igure CC #or added storage; o ma2e your o0n> use #our 1 @ *K 1ieces o# lumber>
cut to t!e lengt! o# your mac!ines> some tri1 1ieces> scre0s> 0!eels and a little
1aint; Scre0 t!e #ront and bac2 1anels to t!e bottom and middle s!el4es; He@t>
nail tri1 to t!e sides and around t!e to1; )ttac! 0!eels and 1aint;
Doila+ ?ou !a4e a ne0 laundry room made to order+

1ou can e&en organize your children

)s an adult> and as you are trying to become organized> !a4ing disru1ti4e 2ids can be
a c!allenge; !ese ty1es o# be!a4iors are a #orm o# disorganization in itsel#> ta2ing
time and energy #rom 1arents;

/or many> organizing your 2ids to do c!ores> 1ut t!ings a0ay in 1ro1er designated
1laces> be res1ect#ul and ci4il can be a most daunting tas2; :it! suc! #rustration>
some 1arents may resort to anger> t!reats and e4en name-calling;

)nger mig!t seem to be a11ro1riate at times> but i# a 1arent sin2s into a continuing
1attern o# resentment and negati4ity to0ard a c!ildKs lac2 o# com1liance> it could cause
real damage to t!e c!ildKs sel#-conce1t and 0ell being; Hone o# us 0ants t!at;

Hot!ing breeds un0illingness and a1at!y more t!an being made to #eel accused and
inade=uate; !in2 o# a time 0!en you 0ere made to #eel t!at 0ay; 3id it ma2e you
0ant to im1ro4e at allF O# course> it did not;

Cooperation breeds organization and organization breeds respect0

Create an ent!usiastic atmos1!ere 0it! your c!ildren; 'o0 do you do t!atF 'a4e your
c!ildren e@ited about re0ards t!ey 0ill get i# t!ey clean u1 t!eir rooms> 2ee1 t!e !ouse
tidy and do t!eir c!ores; $et t!em 2no0 t!at t!ey are a11reciated and !o0 a #amily is
a co-o1erati4e unit #or t!e sur4i4al o# e4eryone; Bring t!is across to t!em in a number
o# 0ays; !ey 0ill #eel lo4ed and a 4aluable member o# t!e #amily; eac! t!em to earn
t!eir 1lace by being a contributing 1art o# it;

2hat is the first step5

Bring toget!er a system o# e##ecti4e control using earned re0ards and 1raise 0!ic! is
4ery 1recise and reliable #or all in4ol4ed;

3e4ise a 1oint system t!at adds u1 to an allo0ance t!at lets 2ids s1end t!eir money
t!e 0ay t!ey 0ant to; !ey lo4e t!is+ !is em1o0ers t!em+ I# t!ey 0ant t!at tri1 to t!e
roller rin2 or some ot!er ne0 1ossession t!at is really im1ortant to t!em> t!ey 2no0
getting it 0ill be a direct result o# t!eir e##orts; !is teac!es t!em 4alue #or your e##orts;

Be encouraging; 3o not ma2e t!em #eel 1oorly i# t!ey mess u1> but 0!en t!ey do>
absolutely> ta2e t!e re0ard 1oints a0ay; $et t!em 2no0 t!ere is al0ays ne@t time> and
let t!em 2no0 t!ey can do better> but do not s0ay in your 1osition; It !as to be as real
as i# t!ey 0ere going to a real 7ob and being 1aid #or t!eir 1roduction; !e rules agreed
to !a4e to be 2e1t> no matter 0!at and t!ey !a4e to 2no0 itKs #irm; It !as to directly
a##ect 0!at t!ey consider to be im1ortant to t!em and in !o0 t!ey are directly a##ected
by it;

!ose 0ell-to-do #amilies and t!eir 2ids !a4e so muc! - too muc!+ ItKs all t!ere 0it!out
any e##ort on t!eir 1arts> and t!ey don8t !a4e to earn a t!ing; !ey 7ust ta2e it all #or
granted; 5a2e incenti4es t!at are 1articularly im1ortant to t!em and let t!em learn t!e
lesson t!at 1artici1ation e=uals real re0ard;

as2s to earn re0ards can c!ange> 0ee2 by 0ee2> and 0it! multi1le 2ids t!e !ig!est
1oint 0inner can ta2e t!e 1ic2 o# t!e #a4orite c!ores and t!e lo0est 1oint 0inner gets
t!e ones t!at are le#t o4er; 5a2e it a realistic a11roac! #or eac! c!ild according to age
and ability to !a4e t!eir #air c!ance to 0in;

Consult your child6s interests for best effect0

3o t!ey !a4e t!eir o0n reasons and incenti4e to 2ee1 t!eir bedrooms and t!e 1lay
areas cleanF al2 it o4er 0it! t!emG as2 t!em #or e@am1les o# !o0 it could be more
meaning#ul #or t!em; Gently guide t!em to disco4er #or t!emsel4es 0!at reasons t!e
clean room> etc; 0ould ser4e t!eir best needs;

7ersonalize0 7ersonalize0 7ersonalize0

I# t!ey 0ant to earn e@tra 1oints to gain somet!ing s1ecial or to catc! u1 i# be!ind>
ma2e a4ailable e@tra 7obs abo4e and beyond t!e call o# duty; !is 0ill !el1 t!em do
t!at> suc! as ta2ing o4er one o# t!e 1arentKs tas2s #or a time or doing a s1ecial 1ro7ect
#or t!e !ome and #amily; )s best as 1ossible> ma2e e4eryt!ing 1ersonal to your c!ild;
!ey 0ill #louris! and you 0ill see !o0 4ery organized t!ey 0ill become;

Rearing our c!ildren is a really toug! 7ob; "4en miracles can occur 0it! t!e rig!t
attitude> good communication and good systems+ Bring u1 your c!ild to res1ect you
and to earn t!eir 0ay and you 0ill !a4e a naturally organized !ouse!old;

Organize your garage

So many )merican !omeo0ners li4e 0it! a land#ill attac!ed to t!eir !omes; It 7ust
ta2es a lot o# 0or2 to nudge a car into t!e garage and luc2ier still to emerge #rom t!e
car once it is 1ar2ed; 'omeo0ners continue to 0restle t!roug! t!e 7ungle o#
disorganization on a daily basis;
I# you 0ill consider some basic ob7ecti4es> you can create a 4ision beyond t!e clutter
t!at !as littered garages during t!e last 100 yearsE

:!en in doubt> sim1ly t!ro0 it out
"liminate clutter-buildu1 t!at !as o4erta2en your garage;
Start by !a4ing a garage sale> gi4e to c!arity> ta2e a tri1 to t!e real land#ill> and ta2e a
dee1 breat!;
Get rid o# all t!e e@cess t!at not only bloc2s entry into t!e !ome but t!e clutter t!at
bloc2s energy too;

If it is on the floor) then it is time to store
!e 4ery basic 1remise in garage organizing is to #ree u1 #loor s1ace; 'o0e4er> !o0
does one deal 0it! t!e ine4itable la0n mo0er> 0!eelbarro0> sno0 blo0er> bicycles>
and ot!er large itemsF !ere is so muc! to deal 0it!+
One met!od mig!t be to build an enclosed lean-to s!ed on t!e side o# t!e garage;
%se dimensions o# (K @ ,K; !is addition 0ill #ree u1 4aluable #loor s1ace in t!e garage
in a !eartbeat+
)not!er o1tion 0ill be t!e storage s!ed in t!e bac2yard; 5any subdi4isions are
regulated by co4enants and restrictions; One may be re=uired to obtain arc!itectural
committee a11ro4al be#ore an addition can be built;
!is is 0ell 0ort! loo2ing into+

Organize and &isualize
Once you can see it> you can #ind it; Once o# t!e easiest met!ods is to create a 0all
storage solution;
!ere are many solutions suc! a !oo2s> rac2s> custom-made cabinets> and yes> t!e
lo0ly nail is a solution> but none o##er a #le@ible solution;

3o0n 0it! 9egboard+
%1 0it! 3is1la0allO+ 9ay a 4isit to a retail store t!at dis1lays merc!andise on t!e 0all>
and t!ese same groo4ed 1anels o##er t!e most #le@ible storage solution #or t!e garage
t!at is a4ailable today;

3is1la0allO is manu#actured in (K @ ,K 1anels; 5ade 0it! a durable #inis!> t!is 1roduct
needs no 1ainting or maintenance; 3rill dry0all scre0s into t!e groo4es o# t!e 1anels
into t!e stud0all in t!e garage and t!en install; 'oo2s #it in t!e groo4es nicely> ma2ing
1lacement a sna1; In addition> t!e !oo2s are manu#actured in 4arying lengt!s #rom
one inc! to 1& inc!es> so a 4ariety o# ob7ects can be 1laced any0!ere t!ere is a 0all;
!e loo2> #le@ibility and durability are all su1erior bene#its #rom 3is1la0allO;
Storage re=uirements c!ange; ?ou 0ill a11reciate !a4ing t!e #le@ibility o# li#ting a !oo2
#rom t!e groo4ed 1anel; !is item enables one to c!ange or add items stored on t!e
0all #or 5a@imum Dertical StorageO;
Once a #olding c!air or la0n im1lement can be seen> it is indeed easy to #ind; Once
t!e 3is1la0allO is attac!ed to t!e garage 0all> t!ere are no !oles to drill or nails to
!ammer sim1ly arrange or rearrange t!e !oo2s> as you desire;

Rubbermaid cabinets
!ese cabinets are bot! a##ordable and durable; !ere is not!ing to 1aint and not!ing
to maintain; !ey are great+ )ll t!at you need is a rubber mallet to !ammer t!e
interloc2ing 1ieces toget!er; He@t> scre0 t!e cabinets to t!e 0all; $oad ca1acity is
about 65 1ounds according to t!e manu#acturer; Cabinets 1ermit one to categorize
items to be stored and used routinely; 9lace la0n and garden items suc! as smaller
tools> 1lant #ood> and 1ots in a designated cabinet; !en 1lace automoti4e 1roducts
suc! as motor oil> anti#reeze> and ot!er lubricants in anot!er designated cabinet;

o best organize your garage> 1lan to sim1li#y> and sim1li#y t!e 1lan; !is ta2es time
and e##ort; Once storage needs !a4e been identi#ied> one can create t!e re=uired
s!el4ing> cabinet> and 0all-storage system to best suit your needs;

*s your life becomes more complicated) the need for greater organization and
simplification will occur0

!e conce1ts outlined abo4e are 4ery basic and you 0ill 1ersonalize as it best meets
0it! your 1articular need; It is a good start to being better organized and you can 0or2
t!roug! t!e glitc!es as t!ey !a11en; "it!er 0ay> you are #ar better a!ead o# t!e game
i# you decide today to become better organized; )ll it ta2es is good ingenuity and good
1lanning; ?ou 0ill rea1 t!e re0ards eac! day+

Organize your child6s study habits

I# you #eel t!at you at a loss to !el1 your c!ild 0it! t!eir study !abits> t!ere is good
ne0s; !ere are tried and true met!ods t!at 0ill !el1+

80 Create a +uiet study area; Start by determining 0!ere t!e best 1lace is to
study and do !ome0or2> and t!en set u1 a study en4ironment; Be care#ul about
0!ere you decide your c!ild 0ill study because 0!ate4er t!e designated
location c!osen #or t!e study base is> !o0 a study A!ead=uartersA is set u1
a##ects oneKs ability to stay #ocused; Be sure to include a des2 and accessories>
4arious study aids> materials> a #iling system in 1lace #or class materials> and
good lig!ting;

90 !stablish school supply storage solutions; Storage re1ositories are
necessary to organize 4arious sc!ool materials; !ese can includeE sub7ect
accordion-ty1e #iles or #ile #olders t!at stand in a cardboard bo@ or 1ortable
1lastic #ile containerG cardboard cubby!oles #or 1a1er su11liesG cardboard or
1lastic s!oe bo@es in a dra0er to stas! su11liesG tray bas2ets or bicycle bas2ets
#or 1a1er; %se 0all s!el4es> under t!e bed storage containers> and !anging
s1ace on t!e inside o# cu1board and closet doors to add e@tra storage s1ace;
:0 Remo&e all distractions; Is t!e study area in a !ig!-4olume areaF 'o0
o#ten are t!ere interru1tions #rom 1eo1le mo4ing aboutF Is t!e D onF 'o0
about t!e tele1!oneF ry to be #ree #rom disturbances and outside noise as
best as 1ossible;
;0 Set up a disciplined homewor% routine; 3etermine 0!en is t!e best time
#or studies; :!at is t!e time o# day 0!en t!ey are at 1ea2 1er#ormance
Bmentally most alertCF 9art o# learning to managing time is to create a routine
time o# day #or studying> at t!e same time e4ery day;

7arents with 1ounger <ids(

=0 Create an award chart0 3e4ise a cle4er met!od to gi4e 2ids some incenti4e
to do t!eir sc!ool0or2> by re0arding t!em #or com1leting assignments and
ac!ie4ing good grades;
>0 #se tools to moti&ate and encourage learning0 I# you can a##ord to> get a
com1uter; Researc! !as s!o0n t!at c!ildren 0!o master com1uters 0ill learn
#aster; !ere are many #un learning so#t0are 1rograms t!at 0ill stimulate your
c!ildKs mind to learn;
?0 4a%e reading fun0 Set u1 Areading timeA toget!er to !el1 de4elo1 reading
!abits in your c!ildren; 3o t!is o#ten enoug! and t!is 0ill become a good !abit;

3or the older students(

@; Create a school bulletin board0 3ra0 u1 a 4ertical calendar c!art on a
magnetic and erasable board> 7ust li2e t!e ready-made c!arts #or 1ro#essionals
t!at are a4ailable in a 4ariety o# #ormats; !is board 0ill brea2 do0n
assignments into com1onent 1arts 0it! s1eci#ic tas2s in4ol4ed in t!e sc!ool
1ro7ect; !is met!od 0ill teac! your 2ids to 1lan; Include time to study #or
e@ams on t!e board;
A0 4aintain a daily schedule; "stablis! daily sc!edule #orms to delegate t!e
amount o# time needed #or t!e most im1ortant study 1riorities; )llo0 #or bloc2s
o# time #or study 1eriods Bi;e;> mat! assignment> science 1a1erC; Include
a11ointments> errands> and time o## in eac! o# your days> as 0ell;
8B0 7repare for good study conditions0 3etermine your best settings #or
study; 3o you study best alone or 0it! #riendsF :it! music or =uietlyF ?ou
mig!t #ind it !el1#ul to set u1 a study grou1 to im1ro4e oneKs studies;
880 Ta%e good notes0 Organize #or class by ta2ing care#ul notes and organizing
t!em in noteboo2 binders; Outlining a te@tboo2 or article !el1s distinguis! t!e
most im1ortant #acts and 1oints> !el1ing to build u1 a good understanding o# t!e
sub7ect;
890 !stablish &isuals from reading0 ) !orizontal or 4ertical timeline 0ill !el1
4isualize t!e c!ronology and remember t!e relations!i1 o# essential 0orld
e4ents; Build a conce1t tree to !el1 ma2e notes more memorable and 1resent a
4isual re1resentation o# t!e relations!i1 among se4eral essential #acts;
8:0 uild an indeCing system0 3esign a note card system; !is 0ill cut t!e
time it ta2es to researc! and organize your term 1a1er; "stablis! a list o#
resources by category Bmagazine articles> encyclo1edias> boo2s> ne0s1a1ers>
etc;C
Organize 1our <itchen

!e 2itc!en is t!e !eart o# t!e !ome; It is a gat!ering 1lace> a s1ecial 1lace; /rom your
2itc!en come sig!ts> scents and sounds t!at signal t!e a11etite; It is t!e most
memorable 1lace in your !ome;

?our 2itc!en mig!t come com1lete 0it! 1lenty o# cabinets> cu1boards and dra0ers>
and some may not; :!ate4er your uni=ue situation> itKs !o0 you utilize t!e s1ace you
!a4e and !o0 you disco4er 0ays to add more storage solutions Bas neededC t!at
ma2es a di##erence;

An efficient kitchen

%se t!e cu1boards and dra0ers in t!e 2itc!en to contain items t!at are grou1ed
toget!er;

/or e@am1le> 1lace your dis!es in a cu1board t!at is eit!er near t!e eating table or
near t!e sin2 area; /ood s!ould be gat!ered 0it! li2e-items toget!er> and not s1read
out into di##erent cabinets t!at contain unrelated items Bor !a4ing t!e same ty1e #ood
item 1ut in t0o 1lacesC;

9lace your co##ee mac!ine on a counter-to1 abo4e a cabinet area; 9lace your co##ee
and tea items toget!er near t!e mac!ine; 9ots and 1ans can 1laced near t!e sto4e
area;

o start 0it!> it mig!t be best to em1ty out t!e cabinets> one section at a time> and
rearrange t!e items bac2 into cabinets t!at best suit At!e #lo0A o# !o0 you 0or2 in your
2itc!en; a2e your time #or t!is ta2es some t!oug!t;

:!en you decide you organize you 0ill !a4e a 1lace #or e4eryt!ing and e4eryt!ing in
its 1lace; o accom1lis! t!is you 0ill need organizing AtoolsA in 0!ic! to store items;
?ou can bro0se t!roug! catalogs or de1artment stores #or ideas on 0!at to buy;

Get a0ay #rom cluttering t!e counters 0it! too many a11liances; I# you use t!e
a11liance o#ten enoug!> 2ee1 it out; I# not> 2ee1 it stored a0ay 0!ere it cannot be
seen; Consider building a s!el# abo4e t!e counter to !old a11liances; !is 0ill #ree u1
your counter s1ace to 0or2 on;

"stablis! a 1lace in your 2itc!en to 2ee1 1C a message center andMor 1a1er-related
items> li2e a note 1ad and 1ens near t!e 1!one> &C coo2boo2s and reci1e bo@es> 6C a
mail center;;;

Organize your re#rigerator in t!e same 0ay as you 0ould any ot!er cabinetE grou1 li2e-
items toget!er; ry to a4oid 2ee1ing le#to4er #oods in containers t!at sit in t!e bac2 o#
t!e s!el4es> as t!ey o#ten go bad and smell u1 your #ridge; ItKs a good idea to clean
out t!e re#rigerator 0ee2ly to be rid o# #oods t!at !a4e Ae@1ired;A

a2e ad4antage o# t!ese #e0 ti1s; ?ou 0ill en7oy your 2itc!en t!at muc! more;

7ut the 2ord -Organized. ac% into your "ife,


!ere are all 2inds o# smaller and cle4er 0ays to organize your e@istence; I# you are
t!e ty1e t!at 7ust can ne4er seem to get muc! done> and 0!en you do somet!ing> it
ne4er seems to be good enoug!> t!en you need to be better organized; 'ere is !o0E

3o you sometimes #eel t!at li#e is 7ust 1lain crazyF

ry as you 0ill> you 7ust cannot al0ays seem to get muc! done; 9er!a1s you are
s1eeding along at t!e blin2 o# an eye; ?ou need to slo0 do0n;

:e all mo4e along about ten times #aster t!an 0e s!ould be; :e all must balance
t!ings suc! as 0or2> #amily> and #riends; !is can be demanding; I# you 0ant to !a4e
time to do t!e t!ings you en7oy> organizing yourself is the K!+

'ere are some timesa4ing ti1s to !el1 you get> and stay> organized;

80 #se a day planner0 !ese boo2s used to be used only by t!e big C"OKs> or
t!e sc!ool academic nut; Hot so today+ $oo2 around #or a bit be#ore selecting
one you li2e best; 5a2e sure it suits your e4ery need; ?ou 0ill #ind day 1lanners
in all materials and sizes; ?our 1lanner 0ill !el1 you e##ecti4ely lay out your day
on 1a1er> so you 2no0 0!ere you are going and 0!at you are doing; !ese
days> 1lanners come com1lete 0it! money 1ouc!es> c!ec2boo2 !olders and
com1uter dis2 carriers> so s!o11ing around is de#initely a good idea+
90 #se a family planner0 ?es> buy anot!er 1lanner #or your entire #amily; !is
0ay> e4eryone in t!e #amily 2no0s 0!at e4eryone else is u1 to and 0!en; ?ou
can 1lan muc! better t!is 0ay; Consider buying t!ose dry-erase boards
a4ailable in most o##ice stores; 5om can 1ut !er im1ortant lunc!eons on t!ere>
dad can 1ut !is coac!ing meetings> and t!e 2ids can 1ut t!eir a#ter-sc!ool
e4ents on it; 9lace it u1 in a con4enient location> 0!ic! mig!t be t!e re#rigerator
or some0!ere in a !ig!-tra##ic area;
:0 "earn to /ust say Dno0D ?ou are only one 1erson> a#ter all and you cannot do
it all+ "@ercise your stress management tec!ni=ues by saying AnoA occasionally
0!en you are as2ed to do t!ings t!at are o# little 1riority to you;
;0 Ta%e time to en/oy yourself0 :!at ma2es you t!e !a11iestF S1ending time
0it! your c!ildrenF Going out to t!e mo4iesF Indulging at t!e s1aF )ttending
s1orts or s!o0sF a2e a minute to t!in2 o# 0!at you lo4e to do most and t!en
get out t!ere and do it all+ Sc!edule some Dme timeD in t!at great ne0 1lanner
you !a4e boug!t and treat it li2e an a11ointment 0it! sel#+ )lt!oug! doing
somet!ing suc! as gardening may sound li2e a bit o# a c!ore> i# you #ind it
rela@ing> 1encil it in; "4eryt!ing !as a time o# its o0n so ma2e time #or yoursel#;
=0 Ta%e time to do a good clean up0 :!en 0as t!e last time you organized
t!at 7un2 dra0er> or sorted t!roug! your #ridgeF Is it time to catc! u1F )t t!e
same time buy some ne0 !oo2s and organize your 1urse and 2eys; :!en you
0al2 in t!e door> t!ey s!ould be 1laced rig!t t!ere ready #or ne@t time; C!ances
are> you mig!t be s1ending 4aluable time getting #rustrated o4er missing items;
5a2e sure e4eryt!ing is located easily 0it! a 1lace #or e4eryt!ing; !at 0ay> you
0ill 2no0 0!ere to loo2 ne@t time; 9er!a1s in4est in some organizers; !ey sure
are 0ort! 0!ile 0!en you #ind your li#e 7ust t!at muc! more organized; Sure
beats searc!ing around #or !ours to #ind your 2eys+
>0 !stablish a good routine0 Jee1 0riting in your 1lanner daily and 2ee1
sc!eduling time #or yoursel#; !ro0 in t!e occasional Ano;A and get into a good
routine; Stic2 0it! your ne0 routine and you 0ill #ind you 0ill be !a11ier and 0it!
muc! less stress;
?ou too can li4e an ordered li#e; $i#e really does not !a4e to be a mess; a2e a #e0
ste1s to ensure t!at it is not and you 0ill !a4e time #or t!e t!ings t!at really matter to
you most; ?ou 0ill !a4e all t!e time you 0ant #or #amily> #riends> 0or2 and more> and
best o# all> you 0ill be sane; !e number one bene#it to being better organized is being
sane+

89 Simple 2ays to Organize
)dmit it+ Sometimes you can be o4er0!elmed by seemingly endless streams o#
1a1er0or2 and 0onder i# you 0ill e4er be able to organize it all; "mails or "zines t!at
you 0ant to 2ee1> ideas you #ound on t!e Internet> sc!ool 1a1ers> notes o# ideas t!at
1o11ed into your !ead as you 0aited to !a4e a toot! #illed> ne0s1a1er cli11ings;;; ?ou
7ust #ile and #ile and #ile and t!en #orget 0!ere t!at OH" article 0as t!at you needed to
com1lete t!e 1ro7ect t!at 0as due last 0ee2+ 9!e0+ It is all 4ery tiring;

Being a list 1erson is a great !el1; I# you are busy 7uggling a 9 to 5 0or2 li#e> #amily
time> a !ome-based business and ta2ing care o# your !ouse!old> as 0ell as !a4ing a
number o# !obbies -- 0ell it8s time to start t!in2ing about becoming a list ent!usiast;
ime to sim1li#y your li#e+

W A"" #A$%& '($ )((* WA!# +( ($)A,I- (.$ "I/#.

/or all o# t!e su1er-busy 1eo1le in t!is 0orld> t!ere are a number o# 4ery cle4er and
yet sim1le 0ays to !el1 organize your li#e and 2ee1 your sanity;

1; #se Eotables( Jee1 a small noteboo2 and 1en !andy; a2e it 0!ere4er you go
and t!en 7ust 7ot do0n ideas or a11ointments or t!ings to do instead o# trying to
remember t!em and t!en #orgetting t!em later on;
&; #se Good Telephone HabitsE "stablis! a time limit #or eac! tele1!one call and
ma2e sure you tell your caller; !at 0ay you sa4e yoursel# lots o# stress #rom
trying to end t!e tele1!one call; !is 0ill also aid your caller in condensing t!e
in#ormation t!ey 0ant you to !ear; !is one sounds meticulous but is a ma7or
sa4er;
6; #se 2aiting Time( !e ne@t time you 4isit your dentist> meet 0it! your boss or
0!ile 0aiting #or your dinner to coo2> ta2e t!e time to catc! u1 on reading or
1lanning; :!en t!at is done> use t!e time to sort> tidy or 7ust t!in2;
(; Gi&e Than%s( !e ne@t time someone !el1s you out 0it! somet!ing> be sure to
o##er 1raise; !is can be to a subordinate> co-0or2er or to a member o# t!e
#amily #or any e##ort you !a4e noticed; !ey 0ill be !a11y to !el1 you again> ne@t
time you need t!em;
5; $o it Eow, 3o not allo0 #or t!e lu@ury o# 1rocrastination; I# you do> t!is 0ill only
stress you out 0!en you t!in2 about t!at !ate#ul Ato doA item on your list; ?ou 0ill
end u1 blo0ing your -to do. list rig!t out o# 1ro1ortion and it 0ill become almost
im1ossible to accom1lis!; Start by tac2ling t!e largest or most disli2ed 7ob #irst>
di4iding it u1 into manageable tas2s; )t t!is stage> t!e ot!er 7obs 0ill be a
breeze+
*; *dministrate Chores( 3elegate t!ose tas2s t!at you !a4e no time #or or team
u1 0it! someone 0!o can !el1 you most;
7; 4a%e a Group !ffort( Sa4e time and #oot0or2 by collecting e4eryt!ing to bring
0it! you to com1lete errands or to distribute in eac! room o# t!e !ouse instead
o# ma2ing too many tri1s; 5a2e a #ast list 0!ile 1lanning out your route and be
sure to 1lan eac! sto1 along t!e 0ay so you do not !a4e to bac2trac2 and lose
time;
,; Schedule in Some 3un Time, a2e t!e time 7ust #or ?O%; )llot some time in
your agenda and e4en ma2e an a11ointment #or yoursel# and 2ee1 it> e4en i# itKs
only a leisurely 60 minute bubble bat! or a &0 minute 0al2 in t!e #res! s1ring
air+
9; 4a%e 4ore Space( Go t!roug! your entire #ile system and t!en 0eed out any
old unneeded #iles to #ree u1 s1ace in your #iling system;
10;$eal with it Only Once( 'andle eac! letter and eac! 1iece o# 1a1er only once;
Read it and #ile it> redirect it to some0!ere else> sc!edule it in your day 1lanner
or toss it; 3o not add it to a ne4er-ending 1ile on your des2 in !o1es t!at you 0ill
get to it e4entually; ?ou :I$$ HO+
11;e your own 7ost-4aster( %se t!ose !andy stic2y notes to 0rite errands
needed to be done; Stic2 t!em to your #ront door or your #ridge> to remind you as
you are !eaded out; !ese 0or2 great+
1&;e your own Systems !ngineer( ?ou sim1ly #ind t!ere is too muc! time
0asted e4ery day on searc!ing #or t!ings; /ind a ne0 system t!at 0or2s #or you
and your li#estyle and t!en a11ly it to absolutely e4eryt!ing+ %se it li2e cloc20or2
and you 0ill #ind ne0 time slots you ne4er t!oug!t e@isted+

C0O070!0 with Organizing your "ife


:!ene4er it comes to balancing a #amily> including young c!ildren> a !ome and
1er!a1s a career to boot> you !a4e c!oices; I# you #ind t!at your 0or2load sometimes
seems li2e it is 7ust too muc!> ta2e !eart+

/rom an outside 1ers1ecti4e> I 0ould say t!at t!e secret to success in organizing is
t!e ability to 1rioritize your 4arious commitments> enlist t!e !el1 o# ot!ers> and not
s0eat t!e small stu##;
7R*CTIC! TH! C0O070! 4!THO$

3o you #eel o4er0!elmedF I# you 0ant good time management s2ills> 1ractice t!e
CO9" met!od;

CO7! is an acronym for Capitalize) Organize) 7rioritize) and !nergize0

Capitalize on t!e ability o# e4ery c!ild to !el1 0it! !ouse!old c!ores suc! as
setting t!e table> clearing t!e dis!es and 4acuuming t!e #loor; rain t!em 4ery
early to 1ut a0ay t!eir toys and ma2e t!eir o0n beds; 9ut all o# your
1er#ectionist tendencies aside 0!ile t!e 2ids are gro0ing u1; 3o more 0it! your
c!ildren and less #or your c!ildren; I# you do all o# t!is> you 0ill be blessed;
Organize your !ome to ma2e it easier to locate and store t!ings; $arge s!el4es
or a !uge toy c!est and !angers 1laced 0!ere c!ildren can reac! t!em are
good e@am1les; Jee1 t!ings in see-t!roug! containers> !ang an essential rac2
on t!e 0all> 2ee1 storage bins on casters beneat! t!e beds and t!en centrally
locate a lost and #ound bas2et to stas! items le#t lying around t!e !ouse;
7rioritize eac! o# your tas2s; ?ou cannot do e4eryt!ing but you can do lots; 9ic2
t!e most im1ortant acti4ity and t!en concentrate on getting it done; I# somet!ing
#alls t!roug! t!e crac2s> let it be t!e laundry but not t!e #amily outing; 3o 0!at is
really im1ortant> not sim1ly t!e t!ings t!at need to be done;
!nergize yoursel# by getting 1lenty o# rest> eat all o# t!e rig!t #oods and ad!ere
to an e@ercise 1rogram; Being 1!ysically #it and mentally alert 0ill allo0 you to
!andle t!ose stress#ul situations> 0!ic! al0ays 1o1 u1; 3o not do c!ores at t!e
e@1ense o# slee1 time; $et t!e !ouse colla1se all around you be#ore you do;




ORG*EIF! 1O#R 4OG!


(rganizing your move is much easier than you would think0

5o4ing is a 0onder#ul o11ortunity to get organized+ It is time to un-7am closets or
cu1boards> un-dum1 dra0ers and anyt!ing else t!at is !idden a0ay; "4en t!e most
organized 1erson 0ill occasionally !a4e to return to unused or unseen items to
remember t!ey o0n t!em in t!e #irst 1lace;

5o4ing is t!e time to go t!roug! all o# your Astu##A; Some you 0ill 2ee1> some you 0ill
gi4e a0ay and lots you 0ill tras!+ a2e t!e e@tra time as you are 1ac2ing to re4ie0
0!at you o0n and ma2e sure e4eryt!ing is somet!ing you 0ill #ind necessary and
use#ul in you ne0 li#e; I# it does not cut t!e mustard> it is time to t!ro0 it a0ay;

?ou may e4en #ind you can Alig!ten t!e loadA sa4ing you 1ac2ing time and mo4ing
costs as you #ind t!ings you no longer need;

Jee1 t!e stu## someone else 0ill #ind usable so gi4e to c!arity as you lea4e;

!is can all be a 4ery u1li#ting e@1erience> !onest it can+

Ho0> start 1ac2ing by area; !is 0ill ma2e un1ac2ing muc! easier once you arri4e;
Jee1 your linen closet items toget!er> bat!room items toget!er> tools or garage items
in as many bo@es as is necessary;

It is t!at sim1le+

5o4ing can be traumatic or it can be a ne0 ad4enture #or t!e 0!ole #amily;

!stablish an Organized Home Office


/ollo0 t!e lead o# a 0ell-organized !ome o##ice; %sing t!e c!ec2list belo0> incor1orate
many o# t!e organizing ti1s #ound on t!e list; ?ou 0ill !a4e bot! a 1ro#essional and
e##icient !ome o##ice;

ORG*EIF! 1O#R OO<<!!7IEG

9re1are and send in4oices to clients
"nter mont!ly transactions into boo22ee1ing so#t0are
Reconcile ban2> credit card> and ot!er account statements
Send reminders #or 1aying bills on t!eir due dates
:rite and 1re1are c!ec2s to be signed to 1ay bills

ORG*EIF! 1O#R $*T**S! 4*E*G!4!ET

"nter business card data into a database
Send an introductory letter to ne0 1ros1ect leads
Send sc!eduled mar2eting 1ieces to clients and 1ros1ects
rac2 mar2eting e##orts and summarize t!e results in a re1ort
Send regular #ollo0-u1s> reminders> and communications to clients
Call 1eo1le #or missing contact in#ormation
Send #a@ and email broadcasts

ORG*EIF! 1O#R $!S<TO7 7#"ISHIEG

3esign and 1rint broc!ures and business cards
Create #lyers> 1rice lists> and ot!er mar2eting documents
$ay out> 1rinting> and mailing regular client ne0sletters
9re1are 1ro#essional-loo2ing certi#icates #or seminar 1artici1ants
9rint labels using com1any logos or cli1 art

ORG*EIF! 1O#R IET!RE!T S!RGIC!S

5aintain a ne0sletter subscri1tion database
9ost announcements and ne0sletter issues to t!e list
9er#orm an internet searc! #or an item or 1iece o# in#ormation
"dit or u1load ne0 in#ormation to a 0ebsite

ORG*EIF! 1O#R 4*I" *E$ !4*I" S!RGIC!S

Retrie4e email and mail> sort> and get rid of 1unk
Res1ond to routine email re=uests
/or0ard items o# im1ortance to t!e client #or attention
rac2 and #or0ard urgent issues 0!ile client is out o# to0n
9re1are 1ac2ages and mail out 1roducts as orders arri4e

ORG*EIF! 1O#R 4*R<!TIEG S!RGIC!S

Send out t!e a11ro1riate sales broc!ures #or in=uiries
Create and mail a customer #eedbac2 =uestionnaire
rac2 t!e res1onses to t!is =uestionnaire
Summarize t!e res1onses and suggestions in a re1ort
ORG*EIF! 1O#R 7!RSOEE!" S!RGIC!S

Send reminders #or annual 1er#ormance re4ie0s
9re1are or u1date resumes and introduction letters
Re4ie0 resumes and summarize eac! in a s!ort biogra1!y
Sort resumes #or a 7ob according to 1re-arranged criteria

ORG*EIF! 1O#R 7R!S!ET*TIOES

9re1are 9o0er9oint slides #rom s2etc!es o# diagrams and c!arts
Send =uestionnaires to seminar 1artici1ants be#ore t!e tal2
rac2 com1leted =uestionnaires and call non-res1onders
Summarize t!e =uestionnaire results in a re1ort

ORG*EIF! 1O#R R!S!*RCH
Researc! 1otential locations #or an u1coming seminar
/ind 0!ic! locations !a4e t!e a11ro1riate dates a4ailable
/ind 0!ic! can accommodate t!e size and ty1e o# e4ent
Researc! t!e ser4ices a4ailable Bdecorating> #ood> entertainmentC
Obtain 0ritten =uotes and s1eci#ications #rom eac! location
5onitor 1eriodicals and cli1 articles o# interest
Disit t!e library to co1y s1eci#ic articles

ORG*EIF! 1O#R S!CR!T*RI*" S!RGIC!S

Con#irm u1coming a11ointments
Sc!edule or resc!edule a11ointments
Get directions #or a meeting or a11ointment
Store bac2-u1 com1uter ta1es #or sa#e2ee1ing
rac2 birt!days> anni4ersaries> and ot!er im1ortant dates
Send out t!e a11ro1riate cards or gi#ts #or s1ecial e4ents
5anage lists o# necessary o##ice su11lies and ordering re#ills
Coordinate air tra4el> car rental> and !otel reser4ations


ORG*EIF! 1O#R T!"!7HOE! *E$ 3*H S!RGIC!S

Recei4e tele1!one calls 0!ile a client is out o# to0n
/or0ard im1ortant messages t!at re=uire immediate attention
Retrie4e 4oice messages and res1onding to routine re=uests
Recei4e and !andle #a@es 0!ile a client is out o# to0n

ORG*EIF! 1O#R TR*ESCRI7TIOE S!RGIC!S

y1e letters and memos #rom ta1e or !and0ritten notes
y1e legal transcri1ts #rom cassette ta1e
y1e medical re1orts #rom ta1e or !and0ritten notes

ORG*EIF! 1O#R 2OR$ 7ROC!SSIEG

y1e !and0ritten notes #rom a meeting or seminar
y1e letters> 1rinting on stationery> addressing> and mailing
9roo#read> edit> and c!ec2 s1elling M grammar
$ay out larger documents

Organizing Home Office Tip of the $ay(

2A2$ P ry to 2ee1 1a1er t!at re=uires an action on your 1art stored se1arately #rom
items t!at you are 2ee1ing 7ust #or re#erence 1ur1oses;

Organize your 2or%space


?our 0or2s1ace> li2e your !ome> needs to be 0ell organized; %se t!ese !andy ti1s to
get your startedE

"*1 O#T 1O#R 2OR<S7*C!

%se A$A and A%A s!a1ed des2s #or t!e most e##icient 0or2s1aces
Store your gadgets and e=ui1ment -- tele1!one> com1uter> etc; -- on one A0ingA
$ea4e t!e ot!er 0ing #ree to s1read out 0!ile you 0or2
'a4e e4eryt!ing you need 0it!in armKs reac!
9ut your tele1!one on t!e side o# t!e des2 o11osite your 0riting !and
!is 0ay you can !old t!e tele1!one and ta2e notes at t!e same time
)dd a !utc! #or e@tra storage #or boo2s> su11lies> and e=ui1ment
)4oid cluttering your 0or2s1ace by #iling a0ay 1ersonal items

7#T !RGOEO4ICS TO 2OR< 3OR 1O#

9ay s1ecial attention to your body -- ac!es and 1ains arenKt normal
3o not generally bend> s=uat> or stretc! at your 0or2station
9lace your monitor at eye le4el -- i# not> raise your monitor
9lace your 0rists #lat 0!en ty1ing or using a mouse
I# not> use a 2eyboard tray or 0rist rest 0!en ty1ing
:!en sitting> your t!ig!s need to be 1arallel to t!e #loor
?our cal4es need to be 1er1endicular to t!e #loor 0it! #eet on t!e ground
I# not> ad7ust your c!air or bring in a #ootrest

ORG*EIF! 1O#R S#77"1 STOR*G!

3o not !oard su11lies at your des2
Jee1 only 0!at you need rig!t no0 at your 0or2station
%se a se1arate su11ly area #or storing bul2 amounts
Store a0ay e@tras in labeled containers and grou1 li2e items toget!er
"@E 0riting utensils> cli1s> note1ads> etc;
9lace #lat items B1a1er> s!eet 1rotectors> and #oldersC in stac2ing trays
9lace dra0er di4iders in dra0ers to 2ee1 small items in order
9lace en4elo1es and note cards in a small 4ertical rac2
%se brac2et s!el4es abo4e your des2 #or additional storage





IS IT TI4! TO HIR! *E ORG*EIF!R5


1ou are busy and you feel lost amidst all your mess and clutter0

TH!R! *R! R!*SOES TO HIR! *E ORG*EIF!R

Q Organizing is muc! more t!an 7ust cleaning out
Q I# you do not !onestly understand 0!y you accumulate> it 0ill 7ust come bac2 again
Q 9ro#essional Organizers ser4e as !olistic Aclutter doctorsA to #ree u1 t!e soul
Q "radicate t!e cause o# disorganization> as 0ell its sym1toms and you 0ill be #ree
Q Create a lasting c!ange in your en4ironment and your organizational !abits #or a
li#etime

> R!I#IR!4!ETS 3OR ORG*EIFIEG S#CC!SS

$earn 1ractical> use#ul> concrete in#ormation #or a li#etime
$earn easy-to-understand organizing tec!ni=ues t!at you can im1lement
yoursel#
)c=uire and learn to use t!e a11ro1riate organizing su11lies and sim1li#y your
li#e
Containers> s!el4ing> rac2s> des2 accessories> dra0er di4iders> etc; all 0or2
great
Set u1 1ro4en> e##ecti4e> easy-to-use organizing systems to de-clutter t!e mind
%se standardized met!ods #or !andling 1a1er> 0or2load> and daily acti4ities
: CO44OE ORG*EIFIEG 7RIECI7"!S
1; Reduce all #orms o# clutter
BGet rid o# anyt!ing t!at 0astes time> s1ace> energy> or moneyC
&; Create systems t!at ma2e e4eryday 7obs easier
B3e4elo1 e##ecti4e routines and standardized 1roceduresC
6; Sim1li#y daily res1onsibilities
BReduce t!e amount o# time and energy s1ent on routine acti4itiesC

2H*T $O 7RO3!SSIOE*" ORG*EIF!RS $O5

!ey !el1 you c!ange a disorganized en4ironment
BReorganize storage> !ome or o##ice layout> clean out t!e AclutterAC
!ey !el1 c!ange be!a4iors t!at cause disorganization
B9rocrastinating> #ailing to 1lan a!ead> and accumulating Ae@cess stu##AC
!ey monitor and encourage your ongoing 1rogress
BO##er #ollo0-u1 4isits> 1!one calls> coac!ing> and -!ome0or2A assignmentsC
!ey teac! organizing tec!ni=ues -- also 2ee1 clients moti4ated and #ocused
!ey 0ear many !ats -- educator> resource> coac!> and c!eerleader> 1ro7ect
manager
Ta%e Control of Chronic $isorganization

<erri #elt tra11ed by t!e contents o# !er !ome and des1erate to c!ange a situation t!at
0as 1aralyzing !er li#e; S!e 0as so embarrassed t!at someone mig!t see inside
t!roug! a 0indo0 t!at s!e 2e1t all o# !er blinds closed; !e dimly lit interior 0as
de1ressing on t!e brig!t sunny days o# 5ay; Inside 0as a 0aist-!ig! maze o# dozens
o# bo@es> bags o# em1ty soda bottles> stac2s o# uno1ened mail> and layers o# clot!ing;

<erri con#essed t!at s!e !ad al0ays #ound it im1ossible to be organized; S!e 7ust
could not decide 0!ere t!ings s!ould go; S!e !ad not allo0ed anyone> e4en close
#riends and #amily members> to enter !er !ome #or many years; It !ad ta2en
tremendous courage #or <erri to in4ite someone into !er s1ace> into !er li#e> but t!is
&9-year old e@1lained tear#ully> -It8s o4er0!elming; I 7ust don8t 0ant to li4e li2e t!is
anymore+.

/eeling totally o4er0!elmedE t!at8s t!e mantra most commonly uttered by t!ose 0!o
#ind t!emsel4es in t!e midst o# t!e c!aos o# clutter t!at gro0s 0it! e4ery mail deli4ery>
notice #rom sc!ool> ring o# t!e tele1!one> arri4al !ome #rom a s!o11ing tri1; !e 1iles
gro0 because decisions must be made> and decisions cannot be made because t!e
o1tions seem to be ne4er ending; /rustration and e@!austion soon sets in> and t!e
result is t!e des1airing sense o# being -o4er0!elmed;.

$aily life should not be so hard,

3o you #ind yoursel# an un0illing 1artici1ant e4ery time you need to go some0!ere or
get somet!ing doneF Jeys 7ust seem to elude you; ?our c!ildren come to t!e door>
ready to go by 0it! only one s!oe; !e bills you #inally remembered to 1ay need to be
mailed today in order to a4oid more late #ees> but 0!ere can you #ind t!e stam1sF
Ho0> 0!ere are t!ose en4elo1es to be mailedF ?ou set t!e 2eys do0n to locate t!e
stam1s and no0> 0!ere are t!e 2eysF

Chaos and clutter is a circle) a maddening one,

/or some o# us> t!is is an occasional scenario> but #or ot!ers> t!e constant con#usion
disables an ot!er0ise 1roducti4e li#e;

?ou secretly t!in2 -I# only I could get organizedR. ?ou !a4e a sense o# 0!at you 0ant
to do> need to do but you some!o0 cannot seem to get t!ere; ?our 1lace 7ust does not
e4en resemble t!ose Better 'omes and Gardens abodes e4eryone ra4es about and
you doubt it e4er 0ill; :!at can you doF

?ou !a4e made many e##orts in t!e 1ast> read t!e boo2s> 1urc!ased containers> sorted
and stu##ed and sto0ed> but a s!ort time later it seemed 0orse t!an e4er be#ore; /or
some reason> you did not or could not 2ee1 clutter at arms reac!; ?ou #ear #iling
1a1ers a0ay because you may ne4er again #ind t!em; Could it get any 0orseF

eing Organized does not Just elong to Others,

In #act> -being organized. is not a goal 0ort!y o# your in4estment #or its o0n sa2e> but
-being organized. is o#ten necessary to ma2e ot!er goals manageable; )t t!e 4ery
least you could !ire a 1ro#essional organizer and 1ic2 t!eir brains #or ti1s and !ints
t!at you could ac=uire all on your o0n;

Some organizer-coac!es !a4e #ound t!at coac!ing by tele1!one is an additional
ser4ice t!ey can 1ro4ide to bene#it clients c!allenged by c!ronic disorganization; )n
organizer-coac! !as e@1erience in bot! on-site> !ands-on organizing and in t!e
education> su11ort and clari#ication 1rocess o# coac!ing con4ersations; Coac!ing by
tele1!one !as made t!ese ser4ices a4ailable to t!ose 0!o are in geogra1!ic regions
0it! #e0 1ro#essional organizers; It is also a good ser4ice #or t!ose 0!o are 7ust too
embarrassed to !a4e anyone come into t!eir !ome;

)ccumulating mess> 7un2 and clutter can reac! !uge 1ro1ortions #or some; <erri 0ent
0it! t!e 1ro#essional coac!; Rig!t no0> t!ey are li2ely on some 2ind o# treasure !unt
toget!er; 'er 1ro#essional coac! !as taug!t !er to loo2 #or t!e gems amidst t!e
garbage and mess and t!at includes a gem o# an idea; oget!er> t!ey are bot! coming
u1 0it! 0or2able ideas to !el1 <erri better manage !er o0n disorganization;

!ere are still times 0!en <erri #eels o4er0!elmed> but t!ey are #e0er> and s!e !as a
strategy #or mo4ing beyond it; S!e sc!edules a session 0it! !er organizer-coac! and
2no0s t!at t!e time t!ey s1end toget!er 0ill be bot! #un and #reeing;

In addition> best o# all> today> sunlig!t #ills !er !ome;

Smart Time 4anagement for usy 4oms


:!en 1eo1le com1lain t!at t!ey do not !a4e enoug! time to do somet!ing> 0!at t!ey
are really saying is t!at t!e t!ing is not a 1riority> and 0!at t!ey are doing is c!oosing
anot!er acti4ity in its 1lace;

$et8s #ace it> time cannot be managed but 1eo1le can+

?ou can tell time to last longer but it 7ust 0ill not do it; So instead o# managing it> 0e
must manage oursel4es and use our time 0ell; !e best 0ay to begin t!e discussion
o# time management is to ta2e a loo2 at your busy li#e and t!en de4elo1 a 1lan> a
4ision> or a 1rogram;

:!ate4er you 0ant to call it> it 0ill gi4e your li#e good direction; I# you do not !a4e a
1lan or at least a distant goal> you 0ill not 2no0 0!ic! 1at! is t!e rig!t 1at! to ta2e in
your daily li#e; :!et!er it is going to t!e grocery mart 0it!out a s!o11ing list> or
deciding 0!et!er to 0or2 #ull time> a game 1lan is 0!at is needed most or decisions
are !a1!azard and 7ust 0ill not 0or2 so 0ell;
80 !stablish priorities0
:rite eac! 1riority do0n i# it !el1s Band it usually doesC; !is creates a road ma1 to li#e
and 0ill enable you to easily see !o0 to s1end eac! o# your days; /or e@am1le> i# you
are clear t!at your 1riority is to !a4e an outing as a #amily> t!en you 0ill be able to say
no to acti4ities t!at ta2e 1lace during t!at 1lanned time !our;

I# #ree time is a 1riority> t!en you may c!oose to limit t!e amount o# e@tracurricular
acti4ities a c!ild 1artici1ates in; Set your 1riorities 0it! integrity and t!en stic2 to t!em;
?ou 0ill also be able to see 0!en you are straying #rom any designated 1at!; I# you
are o#ten straying> t!en 1er!a1s it is time to ree4aluate your 1lan and t!en see i# it is
still 0or2ing #or you;
90 $ecide whether you want to be the Chief) Coo% and ottlewasher0
*lternati&ely) perhaps you prefer to be the 4*E*G!R0

) #amily manager 0ears a number o# di##erent !ats> #rom c!e# to accountant to
1ersonal s!o11er to nurse to teac!er; !at does not lea4e muc! time #or ta2ing care o#
yoursel#; !e 0ay to claim more time #or yoursel# is to become a great manager and
train ot!ers in your !ouse!old to do more o# t!e 0or2 in your 1lace; !en Bt!e !ardest
1artC be bra4e enoug! to let t!em do it e4en i# it is not e@actly t!e 0ay you 0ould 0ant
it done;

:0 !liminate Time $rainers0

Be realistic about !o0 you s1end your time; It sometimes !el1s to set a timer 0!en
doing certain acti4ities to 2ee1 trac2 o# 7ust !o0 muc! time you are 1utting into any
acti4ity; ) good 1lan is to 0or2 #or (5 minutes o# any !our> t!en ta2e a brea2 #or some
15 minutes and use t!at time to 0atc! D> sur# t!e 0eb> 0rite e-mails> read
magazines> etc; Gi4e yoursel# a time limit #or time o## and t!en get bac2 to doing
1roducti4e tas2s; ?ou 0ill #eel more re#res!ed t!is 0ay;

;0 $ealing with 7hone Calls and Other Interruptions0

5a2e use o# a sto10atc! 0!en you ma2e non-essential tele1!one calls or 0!en you
are interru1ted by a call; Be stern 0it! yoursel# on t!is and you 0ill sa4e lots o# time;
Gi4e yoursel# a time limit so you can mo4e on to t!e ne@t im1ortant t!ing; Grace#ully
say -I need to ta2e care o# somet!ing. and t!en e@cuse yoursel# #rom t!e
con4ersation;

=0 Shopping Trips

9eo1le 0!o lo4e to s!o1 can lose trac2 o# time and can lose a 0!ole day 0it!out really
noticing; )11roac! s!o11ing as a c!ore and not a !obby and you 0ill #ind time you
ne4er t!oug!t you !ad; S!o1 0it! a list or e4en a timer; Go into t!e store #or t!e t!ings
you need only; I# you are at a s!o1 to ta2e ad4antage o# a sale> set a timer and 0!en
t!e timer goes o##> you are done; Go directly to t!e c!ec2out counter and t!en !ead o##
#or !ome;

>0 Coordinate 1our !rrands

3o your errands 0!en t!e stores are t!e least busy; ?ou 0ill be amazed at !o0 many
essentials you can ta2e care o# at 9E60am and at 9E601m; Ban2s and 1ost o##ices all
!a4e slo0er days t!an ot!ers> too;

)4oid s!o11ing on t!e busiest days and t!e busiest times and your errands 0ill s1eed
along muc! #aster and you 0ill not be so #rustrated;

Grou1 tas2s by ty1e and location; !is means you need to !a4e your list o# errands;

3etermine 0!ere you can do eac!; In addition> go to t!e area 0!ere t!e most tas2s
can be done; Or go to t!e do-it-all-giant-su1er-mega store 0!ere you can do grocery
s!o11ing> !ouse 0ares s!o11ing> get glasses> ta2e 1ictures> and en7oy your dinner;
?ou 0ill sa4e 4aluable time;
?0 *ccumulate 3ree Time

:e usually t!in2 t!ings 0ill 1ass along #aster t!an t!ey actually do; $ea4e #ree time in
your day #or 0!en li#e is un1redictable; )lso> lea4e small 0edges o# time bet0een
a11ointments in case o# tra##ic or ot!er un2no0ns; I# t!ere is no emergency> t!en you
can rela@> read> ma2e calls> listen to t!e radio> or si1 some co##ee or tea;

@0 Refuse the "ast 4inute 4adness

)l0ays 1lan a!ead #or 0!at you 0ill need; 9lanning a!ead does eat u1 some time> but
not nearly as muc! as not 1lanning at all; $i4ing your li#e by accident leads to more o#
t!e same;

$i4e 0it! 1ur1ose and intention and get more done; ?ou 0ill gain a sense o# control
0!en you can =uic2ly lay your !ands on 0!at you need and 2no0 a!ead o# time t!at
you !a4e e4eryt!ing you need;

Create a launc! 1ad area 0!ere you 2ee1 your to do list> returns S recei1ts>
directions> and anyt!ing else you 0ill need #or your day; Jids need t!ese #or
bac21ac2s and sc!ool items; 5a2e grocery lists so you do not !a4e to sto1 and t!in2
on t!e s1ot and a4oid im1ulse buying;

A0 Spell it any way you "i%e E-O Spells EO,

/our-year-olds can say it> so 0!y canKt 0eF Sto1 saying yes to e4ery club> 9)> and
ac=uaintance t!at as2s you to do somet!ing; !ere are still only &( !ours in your day;
5a2e yoursel# a 1riority and say HO to someone today+ Gi4e bac2 to yoursel# #or a
c!ange; ) good rule is ne4er say yes immediately unless you really #eel you 0ant to do
it; ?ou can al0ays call bac2 and say yes later;

:!en you do not say HO you end u1 o4ersc!eduling and t!is ma2es e4eryone a little
nuts; Jee1 t!is in mind #or c!ildren as 0ell; oo many acti4ities may be more
entertaining> but it certainly comes 0it! t!e cost o# stress; "4en i# you are raising t!e
ne@t 0!iz 2id> e4ery c!ild needs time to do !ome0or2> go to sc!ool> slee1> eat> and
!a4e #ree time to engage in creati4e 1lay and t!in2ing 0it!out be o4erboo2ed;
8B0 $elegate that *uthority0

)s soon as your c!ildren are old enoug!> teac! t!em !o0 to ta2e care o#
organizing> cleaning> and ot!er !ouse!old maintenance; eac! your s1ouse as 0ell;
!is 0ill blend !armony into t!e #abric o# your li4es;

* 3inal Home Organizing

:!ere to BeginF

oo%store shel&es are choc%-o-bloc% on organizing the home; !ey o##er ideas
#or maintaining incoming and outgoing 1a1er> #iling systems> reci1es> clot!ing> boo2s>
C3s> toys> 2itc!en gadgets and 0idgets> 7e0elry> coin collections and canned goods>
among ot!er t!ings; Dirtually any !ome can become more orderly 0it! t!e
im1lementation o# 7ust a #e0 easy conce1ts;

?ou can read t!is !andy eboo2 and any good organizing boo2 #rom t!e boo2s!o1 and
still do not!ing; ?ou 7ust t!in2 about 0!at you 0ill do; Im1lementation is t!e 2ey> and in
t!oroug!ly disorganized !omes> getting started is t!e least #a4orite o# any 7ob at !and;

"s1ecially i# t!e !ome !as been disorganized #or a long 1eriod o# time and t!e same
tactics #or 2ee1ing t!e disorder out o# sig!t !a4e been em1loyed #or some time> it is
di##icult #or t!e !omema2er to 2no0 0!ere to begin;

3ollowing are a few basic pointers in ta%ing that first step toward a more orderly
life0

-Organization is not an option) it is a fundamental sur&i&al s%ill and distinct
competiti&e ad&antage. K 7am E0 2oods

3. #tart anywhere in your home, but with 1ust one problem area;

C!oose one single area to 0or2 on at one time; Incoming 1a1er is a big 1roblem #or
some #amilies> #or e@am1le> and by getting t!at under control> a lot o# clutter 0ill be
eliminated straig!t o##; 3ecide 0!ere to start based on t!e ans0er to t!is =uestionE
A!e t!ing t!at bot!ers me most o# all isRA;

4. %hoose an organizational system that you know you will be able to work
with easiest;

Sim1le is generally bestG anyt!ing too com1licated mig!t become o4er0!elming a#ter
a0!ile; Remember t!at i# 1a1er management Bor 0!ate4er area you are trying to
im1ro4eC 0as easy #or you> you 0ould not be in t!is bind in t!e #irst 1lace; Disit your
library and read u1 on t!e system t!at you !a4e c!osen to 0or2 0ell #or you;

5. 2ut together the items needed in order to implement the system;

Organizing 1a1er mig!t re=uire #ile #olders> an in-bo@> a s!el4ing system> etc; $abel
#olders> establis! a #amily mail center> install in-bo@es> and care#ully #ollo0 all ot!er
directions in im1lementing your ne0 system;

6. *ecide on a suitable place for items you have accumulated over the years,
which are waiting to be sorted, filed or acted on.

3o not try to do all your organizing #irst> be#ore im1lementing your ne0 system; Sim1ly
gat!er your collection o# 1a1ers> de1osit t!em in t!e designated 1lace> and 0or2 on
t!em as you can -- e4en 10 or 15 minutes 1er day 0ill 0or2 do0n t!e 1ile in no time;

7. 8egin using your system immediately.

!is 0ill 1re4ent t!e disorganization #rom s1reading into ot!er rooms;

If you find that the system you are using does not address a particular need,
such as what to do with school assignments, for e9ample, make a decision
about this straight away.

I# you sim1ly cannot decide> t!en allocate a single 1lace #or sc!ool 1a1ers and ma2e
sure t!ey all end u1 t!ere; ?ou can c!ange your system at any 1oint and reorganize
t!ings> so do not 0ait #or t!e 1er#ect idea be#ore you try somet!ing ne0;

:. .se the system like clockwork.

5a2e no e@cuses; !at is t!e only 0ay any system 0ill 0or2 0ell #or you;

) disorderly !ome can become 7ust too muc! #or any !omema2er 0!o means 0ell but
does not 2no0 0!ere to begin; !e good ne0s is t!at you can begin rig!t no0> #rom
0!ere4er you are; )ll you !a4e to do is ta2e t!at #irst ste1 and 0it! t!is !andy eboo2>
you !a4e t!e tools you 0ill need;






The benefits of being organized


1ou will feel better about yourself
1ou will feel calmer
1ou will ha&e more energy
1our world will smell and loo% sweeter
1ou will be more amicable
3riends and family will want to drop in
1our spouse and children will wear a brighter smile
1ou will li&e a healthier) stress-free life
1ou will ha&e peaceful dreams
1ou will not stumble around your home
7eople will want to pay you more compliments
1our %itchen will smell more fragrant
1our soul can breathe better

Ha&e a time and place for e&erything) and do e&erything in its time and place)
and you will not only accomplish more) but ha&e far more leisure than those
who are always hurrying LTryon !dwardsL