So many times I hear "I've started to get organized but I didn't finish".  "It just makes things worse because there isn't enough time to get it all done, so why bother"? 

Getting through the entire process can be long and tedious.  Getting started is part of the problem.  Buyt once you get started, how do you make sure that you finish?  When it comes to organizing piles of paperwork, the sorting system is general.  You start your categories such as:  car, house, bills, warranty and medical, just to name a few.  It is easy to remove paperwork from the boxes and sort through everything.  What can happen though is that the system easily falls apart because as the sorting becomes more detailed, it becomes more tedious.  And now you have multiple piles of paperwork instead of one box.  The box is looking pretty good right now! 

Taking all of the paperwork and putting it into a system that works is the stressful part - and how big of a space do you need to sort through everything can be deceiving.  In order to manage it all you may need quite a large space.  Last week we had this issue.  We ended up laying out every out on top of a bed.  This quickly became back-breaking work.  Bending over to pick up paperwork and sort through it quickly became discouraging.  So we needed a solution! 

The solution to too sorting through boxes of paperwork is to..... Purchase several vertical file systems - the wire kind that hold file folders work very well.  These are what I use on my desk to keep my most vital paperwork handy.  They take up very little space on your flat surface and will allow you to hold up to 8 files in a very limited space.  Simply drop the paperwork into the files.  An easy way to identify what type of paperwork is in each file is to simply take a colored sticky note and place it on the side of each file folder.  Using a black marker, boldly write the name of the file on the sticky note.  To make it even easier, rotate the sticky notes - alternating the sticky notes on the left and right, some lower on the file folder and some higher on the file folder.  The key is to be able to look at all eight folders and be able to easily see the file name.  To make it even easier, you can alphabetize your stick notes, i.e. auto, bills, house, medical, warranty.

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How would you like to clear your mind from all the little distractions that get in your way? These everyday distractions can wreak havoc on your productivity. Wouldn't you love to have a machine that automatically made your life easier? Well, I have a little secret for you. You already own it! It is that thing in your head that weighs about 3 pounds. Your brain!
Wikipedia defines automatic as "Capable of operating without external control or intervention. Done out of habit or without conscious thought." There are certain things we can't avoid in life. We must wake, sleep, eat, bathe and dress everyday (now don't try and tell me you don't do at least three of these every day). There are also things that must take place on a weekly or monthly basis, like laundry, cleaning your home, personal grooming,


Creating a routine for your regular to do's will not only make your life easier, but will free space in that crazy brain of yours to actually think of more important things. I have so many clients feel they are ADD, regardless of whether they were every diagnosed or not. It is the crazy way we run through the day, feeling like we are spinning our wheels and not getting anything done. We are so distracted by what we have to do that we simply don't focus easily.



Create regular routines for your Home

• Laundry
  
• Changing sheets
  
• Dust
  
• Vacuum
  
• Bathrooms (yes the dreaded bathrooms)
  
• Empty Trash Cans
  

 

For your Errands

 

• Grocery Shopping
  
• Dry cleaning
  
• Bank
  
• Gas
  
• Library
  
• Discount Stores

For your Personal Grooming (whether you are a do it your selfer or you visit a spa/salon)

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It’s spring-cleaning time.

Choose an area to de-clutter, and gather a large garbage and/or recycle container, a box or boxes for donations/garage sale/consignment, and a box for items that go elsewhere -- i.e., don’t belong in the area you are de-cluttering. Sort items into these containers, and then deliver the “goes elsewhere” items to their proper places.

The above organizing tip is taken from my booklet, "36 Home Organizing Ideas for Your Family Around the Year". This 16-page booklet provides month-by-month, timely tips to help you and your family organize your home. My booklet also makes a great gift to friends, family, colleagues, clients, and potential clients. You can even choose to add your company logo and/or information to the booklet. To order one or more copies of my booklet, please go to http://www.thecluttercoach.com/booklet.html.

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Last weekend I participated in a Home Show.  See my previous blog on the topic for the details.  In a nutshell, I was feeling a bit frantic right before the show, and shared some of  my own feelings about dealing with disorganization.  I promised a follow up, so...

I would deem the show a success for my organizing business.  It was great exposure for me, and I met a lot of people who are eager to get organized.  I also learned a few things about home shows - things that can easily be applied to every day life, not just booths at conventions.  So I'll keep my summary more generalized.

Be flexible. Life is good at throwing curve balls.  Often, there isn't much you can do about that.  You'll avoid a lot of stress and frustration if you learn to go with the flow.  If your plans go awry, and you feel like it's the end of the world, ask yourself, "Will any of this matter tomorrow, next week, or next year"?

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