tips to get organized

If you're in the process of getting organized, here are a few organizing golden nuggets to inspire you to create change!

clarify your organizing goals.

The first step in the simplify 101 organizing process is to clarify your goals. This is a really important step and one that may defy your natural instinct when you get the bug to get organized and create change. (For those of you who've ever had a baby and have "nested" ... you know what I mean: the urge hits and instinctively you want to jump into action.) Taking a few minutes (or days) to sit back and really get clear about why you're making change, what you want to accomplish, and how it will look, feel and function when you're done is a critical part of the success of any project - organizing or otherwise.

Not convinced? Follow this link to my blog for a story about a former coaching client and how this planning phase helped her to create an organized and inspired creative studio. Click on the Renee Pearson link to read her blog about her journey as she creates an organized and inspiring creative studio.

keep what you love!

I went through my pantry a few weeks ago and did some routine organizing maintenance. I have a bin full of picnic supplies, that included some packets of ketchup, salt, pepper, etc. They were in a small plastic cup that used to hold similar items when I worked in the corporate world. When I saw that cup, instantly I thought about the "yuckiness" of those days. I have no idea why the cup was so strongly associated with the un-pleasantries of corporate America ... but it was. Bottom line. When I saw the cup, I felt bad. (Don't get me wrong ... the cup didn't make me cry or any other weird emotional reaction ... but my reaction wasn't positive or neutral, it was clearly negative.) Now the cup worked fine. But the cup made me feel bad. So into the trash can it went. I replaced the cup with a plastic drinking cup ... to which I have no emotional response.

Long story (and a bit odd but hopefully memorable) but here's the point. Keep what you LOVE. If an item doesn't make you feel good, and you don't need it, purge, purge, purge. Don't give it a second thought. Your goal when you're purging (and buying new things for your space) is simple: surround yourself only with things you love — those that make you feel good. Pitch the negative stuff ... even if it's something as silly as a plastic cup.

reward yourself for a job well done.

If you're in the midst of an organizing project (or any other long term project for that matter) decide now how you'll reward yourself when you're finished. Perhaps you'll indulge in a pedicure, a new outfit, or a massage. An added incentive will help keep you motivated during the project and will give closure to the project when it's done.

don't READ self improvement books; DO self improvement books.

Simply reading a self improvement book is like watching a home improvement TV show. At the end of the show your home doesn't look any better, does it? When reading self improvement books, organizing books, goals books, time management books, or any other book designed to make your life better, reading the words alone isn't going to change your life. Participate in the book. Take notes. Decide on one specific action to take, and then DO IT!

change your relationship with stuff.

If you're going through the process of getting more organized and “letting-go” of personal belongings, your relationship with “stuff” will likely change, especially if you experience regret over spending money on things you’ve never used or, in your mind, didn’t use “enough.” Use this new relationship with possessions to change how you shop. Remember, every single thing you bring into your home must be dealt with. The less stuff you bring into your home, the less time you spend dealing with your stuff --- leaving you with more time for fun.

try before you buy.

Here’s a simple solution I use with clients when we’re trying a new organizing idea or system in their home. Instead of buying a storage solution and then discovering it doesn't work well or they don’t like it, we try it out first. With one client, we set up a comings and goings area in her sunroom using shoe boxes and other small boxes (which handily she had on hand due to a recent move.) We used Dixie cups to store rubber bands, paper clips and other small office supplies. We used a box to simulate a file basket. We labeled everything with post-it notes. After living with (and loving!) the solutions for a few weeks, my client invested in storage baskets, glass votives and a wicker basket to replace our make-shift solution. If you have an abundance of tried-it-but-it-didn’t-work storage containers around your home --- give the “try before you buy” idea a go next time!

should it stay or should it go?

Here's a wonderful question to ask as you're going through your belongings during an organizing session: "does this item enhance my life?" this question is courtesy of industry guru Don Aslett who was featured on Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood. Aslett went on to say that it's doesn't matter how long you've had something, who gave it to you (pause and realize I'm talking about gifts ... yes, you don't have to keep a gift forever just because it's a gift), or how much it cost ... if it doesn't enhance your life it's clutter. Clutter should go.

practice makes progress.

Give up the need for "perfect" and instead strive for progress. Make a little bit of progress each and every day and you'll be amazed at what you will achieve.

don’t reinvent the wheel, repurpose it!

If you’re creative, you likely approach problems — organizational or otherwise — with fresh enthusiasm, throwing all your creative energy and talents at the latest and greatest challenge! (And who could blame you? It’s fun to create new things, isn’t it?)

Often times though, organizational solutions are right within reach, in another area of your home or life. Instead of reinventing the wheel, repurpose it. First, identify an organizational problem you’re currently facing. Then, go on a scavenger hunt in your home or office and look for solutions you’re using elsewhere that work great for you. See if you can adapt, or repurpose, the working solution to solve your newest challenge.

Here’s an example. Many of you are using (and loving!) the simplify 101 command central binder to manage your household paperwork. But your home office is filled with stacks of papers you want to keep out and in sight so you remember to do something with them. You could repurpose the command central binder concept for your office and create an office reference binder to keep track of paper and materials you refer to regularly while at work.

Let your imagination go wild. You may have already solved your organizational challenge but simply need to repurpose the solution!

fill your home with inspiration and it will undoubtedly return the favor.

I recently saw an ad from Armstrong Flooring that said "fill your kitchen with inspiration and it will undoubtedly return the favor." I thought "how true" but not just about kitchens but homes in general. How much more productive and happy would you be if the things in your home and office truly inspired you? Think about this as you're purging belongings next time you're organizing and every time you shop for new things to bring into your home. Do you love it? Does it *inspire* you?

fix your refrigerator door.

OK, maybe not literally. Unlike mine was, your refrigerator door is likely working just fine. Mine on the other hand, since the day I moved into my house, would close all by itself ... instantly. I literally had to hold it open to do anything. So what, right? True, it probably doesn't seem like such a big deal, but let me tell you, having a door slammed in your face several times a day grows old very quickly. I would do all sorts of things subconsciously to avoid my refrigerator, things like eating meals out and avoiding the produce drawer, leading to a lot of wasted food and money. My family and I lived with this for years until my wonderful husband fixed it for me last month. Boy what a difference. I have since reorganized my refrigerator. I can find things. I enjoy planning meals again. What an improvement. And to think, the fix took about ten minutes! I lived with a door slamming in my face for seven years and in ten minutes it was fixed.

So what does my little tale of whoa have to do with you? This month, I encourage you to find your "refrigerator door". What is that one little thing that's been driving you nuts but you've been too busy to do anything about? The one thing that when you fix it you'll reap huge rewards instantly? Sometimes we look for the big bang - a major overhaul of our basement or the big garage clean up. And while these bigger projects are tremendous for creating more calm and order in your home, sometimes we can get even greater reward with a simple little fix to your refrigerator door. What's your refrigerator door?

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