Sort, Straighten and Stock
Be prepared by making organization an everyday affair.
As you clear your mind to focus on the year ahead, be sure to take time out to clear the clutter, too. Having an organized home can put you on the right track to peace of mind and help you save time and money. Say goodbye to frantically searching for your keys in the morning, making a mad dash to the grocery store, or forgetting to call a friend on her birthday. Here are some ideas for how you can establish order in your everyday routine. Because this is your year to stay on top of things.
Where to Begin
Becoming more organized can seem like a daunting task. Take it slow and start small. Here are some suggestions to get you heading in the right direction.
Figure out what works for you. Don’t try to overhaul your entire life. It can be very disruptive, and setting unrealistic organization goals will only lead to frustration. Try two or three new organization methods and see what works.
Begin with the biggest impact. Identify areas in your life that would benefit the most from a little organization and start there. If you have trouble paying bills on time, begin by creating an organized payment system. If you’re a tad forgetful, keep a master calendar that lists all your family’s appointments, birthdays and important events.
Involve the entire family. Every smooth-running operation depends on everyone pulling together to make it happen. Sit down with your family to discuss why being organized is important and work on a game plan together. Assign each family member a specific task.
Pace yourself. If you take on too much all at once, you’ll quickly become overwhelmed. Start by completing smaller jobs — sorting recyclables, organizing the space beneath the kitchen sink, or cleaning out the medicine cabinet. They take hardly any time and will give you a sense of accomplishment.
Organization Tips and Tricks
Now that you’re on your way to a more organized lifestyle, here are some ideas on how to introduce organization to key areas of your life.
Get off to a good start. A hectic morning is a bad way to start your day. Look for things you can do the night before to make the next morning run more smoothly. For example, set the coffee pot to automatically begin brewing, have your kids place backpacks and other school necessities by the front door, or have everyone pick out their clothes for the next day.
Go room by room. Tackle the house room by room. Make a list of everything you’d like to accomplish in that particular room and give yourself a loose deadline for completing the tasks.
Find a home for everything in your home. Whether it’s a shelf in the pantry or a bin labeled “Miscellaneous” in the garage, a designated area for each object lets everyone know where the object can be found and where they should return it. The next time you need those AAA batteries, you’ll find them much faster.
Keep birthday and thank you cards on hand. Make it a habit to send out birthday cards at the first of every month or associate it with another chore, such as paying bills, and you’ll never miss a birthday again. (But if you do, you’ll have a card on hand so you can send it as soon as you remember.)
Divide and conquer the junk drawer. Everyone has one, and they serve their purpose as a catchall for odds and ends. But when you actually need something, it may take a while to fish it out of the seemingly bottomless drawer. Use small plastic containers, votive candleholders or other small dividers to sort some sense into your junk drawer.
Stock up. Buying key items in bulk and having a well-stocked pantry ensure you have plenty of supplies on hand and cuts down on last-minute trips to the store. These tactics can also help save you money.
Organization on the Job
Being organized at work improves your efficiency and productivity, and shows others you care about the work you’re doing. Having all your ducks — or paper clips — in a row will also help reduce stress and lessen the odds of something slipping through the cracks. Here are five things you can do at the end of each workday so you’re buttoned up and prepared to be at your best for the next day.
1. Sort your e-mail. To keep your inbox from overflowing and becoming a bigger burden later on, take time at the end of each day to sift through that day’s e-mail. Answer any that require a response, forward those that need someone else’s attention, file what you need, and delete what you don’t.
2. Check and return all messages. Try to touch base with everyone who has contacted you during the day and needs a reply. If, for some reason, you aren’t able to call back that day, do it first thing the next morning.
3. Tidy up your desk. Take some time at the end of each workday to file paperwork and return office supplies to their proper place. Wipe off your computer and desktop if they need it.
4. Prepare for tomorrow. Make a list of everything you need to accomplish tomorrow, including any meetings you’re scheduled to attend. Your day will get up and running much faster the next morning.
5. Relax and recharge. Spend your evening unwinding or doing something you enjoy so you’re re-energized and ready to go the next day.
