Week One of “20 Tips to Get Organized”
Sharing Tips #1 – 5
These tips will help you start your steps toward getting organized because, “Until something happens, nothing happens.” Talk is cheap and usually doesn’t accomplish a whole lot of anything. To reach your goal of getting organized requires that you take action. This does not mean that you focus totally on reaching a specific goal. Your regular, daily life should not end because you are taking on a new project. Don’t stop your daily living.
So, let’s get started!
Tip #1 – Concentrate on your physical clutter first.
The feeling you will receive when you de-clutter a specific area that is constantly in your view will provide instant gratification – something that we all relate to. It can be something as simple as keeping the kitchen table clear of paperwork or the kitchen counter organized. Don’t think about the entire room — pick one area of the room and concentrate on just that area.
Tip #2 – Give realistic deadlines.
Break the project down into stages and give yourself time to reach each individual goal. Take a look at your calendar and determine a few things: what other obligations do you have during the next week and how much time can you dedicate to working on your project. Schedule time on your own calendar to work on the project. There is a better chance that you will see a project through to completion when you are able to think clearly about what it will take to achieve your goal.
Tip #3 Stop shopping!
Stop bringing items into the house or office that will cause more clutter. Don’t buy anything until you can actually spend time working on your project because it is very likely that you will already have items that you need to complete your project. Another advantage to not shopping is that you will save yourself money! Once you have eliminated items and organized what is left, you can make an educated decision about any items that you may need to complete the project. You will be able to create your own customized and organized space.
Tip #4 – No more garage sales or accepting any hand-me-downs until your space is organized.
This goes along with the “no more shopping” tip.
Tip #5- Along the process, take pictures.
Take pictures of the project before you begin. This will help you have a true picture of what it looked like before. Then, as you go along, take additional pictures. Seeing everything pulled out of your space and the mess that you have created will definitely help you to realize that you don’t want to do this again. It will give you encouragement to keep the space organized on a daily basis. Take an after picture for your files. Post both of these pictures on the inside of a cabinet or somewhere that you will be able to easily find them. A gentle reminder of what “was” is great motivation.
The same space after being organized. Photo by Linda Clevenger.
If you would like help getting organized, reach out to me at [email protected].
Read Linda’s previous columns on Fredericksburg.Today.
Columns on Fredericksburg.Today are recurrent features on specific topics or by regular contributors. Guest writers present their own point-of-view and may not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Fredericksburg.Today.
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