Schedule time on your calendar to organize. Treat it like an appointment that you can’t reschedule without a large rescheduling fee. Then pick just one target area to work on, and tackle one flat surface in that area. For example, if you’re working in the kitchen, start with items on the counter. If you’re working in your closet, start with items on the floor. If you’re working in your home-office, start with items on the desk.
Keep boxes at least until you’ve opened the items, used them, and established that they work to your satisfaction. Then get rid of the box. If you’re not ready to do so, break the box down and store it flat for 6 months, then after 6 months get rid of the box.
In preparation for visiting a new doctor last week, I realized that my medical papers were not organized in a manner that was suitable to my needs. They were mostly organized in chronological order of doctor visits, and I wanted them organized by subject, and then, in chronological order of doctor visits. So, I gave myself the project of organizing my medical papers.
The tools I used were a hanging file, a file folder, 8 sheets of paper, 8 tabs, a highlighter, and a black marker. I first sorted all my medical papers into subject categories. I choose 8 different categories that made sense to me as I was sorting my papers. The 8 subject categories I used were general information, yearly physicals, mammograms, doctor visits, eyes, and 3 categories for specific ailments I have. Your medical categories may be slightly or completely different. That is understandable. Personalization is encouraged.
Here is a list of the types of papers I have in each subject category:
General information – primary care doctor contact information, office hours and locations, medical insurance documents
Yearly physicals – medical history records, physical exam results, lab results, appointment reminders
Mammograms – test results, appointment reminders, literature on subject
Doctor visits – test results, appointment receipts, insurance explanation of benefits
Eyes – appointment receipts, exam results, prescriptions, eye glass receipts
Specific ailments – test results, appointment receipts, diagnoses, prescriptions, literature on subject
I used the highlighter to mark the date and subject on specific papers. I used the tabs and paper to create dividers for each of my 8 subjects. I used the marker to write the subjects on the tabs. I placed all the tabs on the upper left hand side of the paper (horizontal) so they would fit into the file folder and be easier to read. It’s much easier to scan one area for the subject tab, then have to scan staggered tabs, especially since we read from left to right. I reduced as many papers as I could before reassembling my medical file. I shreded 56 papers that I felt comfortable discarding.
The project took me about an hour to complete. Since all of my papers were in one file folder and in a semi organized state, I was able to complete the project in a relativity short amount of time, but if you’re going to organize your medial papers and they’re in disarray you will need to give yourself more time to complete your project. You will also realize as you sort your medical papers that your subject categories will be specific to you. That is ideal. Each and everyone of us needs to find a way of organizing that is personally suitable to our individual needs.
© December 2014 Janine Cavanaugh, Certified Professional Organizer All rights reserved
Proud member of NAPO
Practice mindful de-cluttering.
Angry de-cluttering is done without thought, when we’ve reached a point of being overwhelmed and just start pitching stuff. Mindful de-cluttering is an orderly, systematic approach to making decisions about our belongings. We allow ourselves the time necessary to make mindful decisions based on our current needs and lifestyle.
Have you ever heard the term clutter aerobics? Sounds interesting, doesn’t it? For some, I’m sure the term evokes two of their least favorite things, clutter and aerobics. For me, it evokes a desire to crank Katy Perry on iTunes and take action. Clutter aerobics is when you set the timer for 20 minutes and zoom around and de-clutter. This is an inventive way to get two benefits from one activity. As you de-clutter, you’re also getting an aerobic workout by zooming around. The idea is to work quickly and without interruption for 20 minutes daily or at least 3 times a week. This schedule will allow you to keep the clutter at bay and get your heart pumping, to Katy Perry, if you so choose.
Your de-clutter activities may include, putting items back where they belong, picking up items from the floor, shredding and recycling as many papers as you can, taking care of dirty and clean dishes, removing items from the kitchen counter and finding a home for them, taking care of dirty and clean clothes, picking up items from the front and back entryway, clearing off the desk, finding a place for everything that has collected on the bathroom counter tops, and clearing the kitchen and dining room tables.
One way to really make progress is to schedule your clutter aerobics on your weekly calendar. Make a list of the de-cluttering activities you’ll work on each day or week. The more clutter aerobics you do, the more progress you’ll make, the less cluttered your home will be. Isn’t that worth pursuing? Another way to really make progress is to get the whole family involved. You may have to change your music choice to One Direction, but that’s not so bad.
© November 2014 Janine Cavanaugh, Certified Professional Organizer® All Rights Reserved
Proud member of NAPO
Follow Me