To save time, remove items that are used frequently, from their boxes, and toss the box. For example, take small appliances, like hand-mixers, blenders, and mini choppers out of their boxes and store them directly in a kitchen cupboard or on a pantry shelf. Also remove smaller items from their packaging and store them in containers without lids, for example batteries, paper plates, q-tips. This eliminates the step of opening and closing the box or packaging each time the item is used, and makes it easier to get things out and put them away.
https://helpfulorganizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Mixer-in-box.jpg300400Janine Cavanaugh, CPO®https://helpfulorganizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/15-Years-LOGO.jpgJanine Cavanaugh, CPO®2016-12-01 01:09:332017-08-07 15:25:54Toss the Box
One of the reasons we hold onto paper is because we need or want to reference the information (on the paper) in the future. However, what happens when we can’t put our hands on a piece of paper quickly and easily? We waste time hunting and searching for that paper, or we attempt to find the information from another source. Is there really any need to save paper that we can’t find quickly and easily? No! So, what will help us find specific papers when we need them?
An organized paper storage system will help us locate what we want, when we need it, and help us remember where paper is stored. Creating an organized system can be quite an undertaking. The initial step in this undertaking is to have a paper storage container (ie. file cabinet) that holds alphabetical files that are labeled with file names. It is essential to customize the file names to reflect our specific, personal retention needs. The best way to do this is to create file names that uniquely describe what information is stored inside the file. This is much more efficient than using generic or standardized names. For example I use the file name “Kia Soul” instead of Auto, Car, or Vehicle.
Another example of a customized file that I have is my “Fashion File”. It holds all the girly things that I want to reference, look into, check out, or use. It contains 5 separate categories, hair, jewelry, nails, skincare, and wardrobe. The types of papers that I store in each category are as follows:
Hair – contact information for my current stylist, pictures of hair styles that I like, products I want to try
Jewelry – receipts of jewelry purchases, business cards for jewelry consultants, jewelry catalogs
Nail – business cards for local nail salons with times and directions
Skincare – business cards for skincare consultants, products I want to try, lists of chemical free products, skincare catalogs
Wardrobe – contact information for image consultants, tips for my body type, fashion styles I like
By establishing and using this unique file name, and other personalized file names, I have created an organized system that helps me remember where my papers belong and where I can find them when I need them. This approach could work for you. If you do use it please share with me what file names you use.
If you’re like me, you like decorating for the holidays. It gets me in the holiday spirit, and I enjoy adding sparkle and cheer to my home. However, taking those decorations down, packing them up, and storing them until next year is an entirely different story. That part of the process always seems like such an unwelcoming chore. So, I’ve done my best to simplify the process and make it as painless as possible.
The first suggestion is to have a designated location in your basement, attic, garage, or other storage area, for the holiday decorations to live undisturbed until next year. This prevents them from just being shoved anywhere, everywhere, or wherever they’ll fit. My designated location is on plastic storage shelves in my basement.
The second suggestion is to use clear bins and large easy to read labels. This allows you to easily spot what is stored inside and where it belongs. I print large color coded labels, and tape them to the inside of the clear bin. This allows me to easily read the label because of the large size, and to easily recognize the holiday because of the label color. It also prevents the label from falling off, fading, curling, or becoming illegible. I place two labels in the bin on opposite sides, so that no matter how the bin is placed on the shelf, I can view the label.
The third suggestion is to store holiday decorations in layers with bubble wrap in between each layer. This is much faster than wrapping each individual decoration. It works best if you put decorations that are similar in width in the same layer. Also, place plush and soft decorations in between wooden and breakable decorations, and only store fragile or collectible decorations in their original boxes.
The fourth suggestion is to store holiday decorations based on where they are placed inside or outside the house. For example I have bins of Christmas decorations for each room in my house. This way I can easily decorate one room at a time, and pack up one room at a time. It helps me streamline the processes.
The fifth suggestion is to keep all decoration accessories in the perspective holiday bins. I keep the extension cord, the light timer, extra light bulbs, tree ornament hooks, and the tree skirt in the same bin as the tree ornaments. This way I’m not searching for these items when it’s time to decorate each year.
I understand that putting away holiday decorations can be a drag, but I hope these suggestions will help prevent procrastination.
Do you feel that being organized could save time? When I ask this question in the classes I teach on organizing, everyone says, “yes”. They go on to say that one of the major time saving benefits of being organized is being able to find what they want when they need it. They feel that being organized would mean that they would spend less time hunting for things, less time putting things away, less time stressing over misplaced items. This is true. In fact it’s been proven that organized people save themselves time every day.
So, how can you make this happen for you? You can make it happen by following a two step process. Step one is to have or create a designated home for things, and step two is to consistently return things to their designated home. For example, if I have a designated home for my keys (mine are on a hook by my back door), I know where they belong, and can put them in their designated home quickly and easily. This encourages me to put them away, instead of just tossing them on the counter or burying them in my pocketbook. Also, if I consistently return my keys to their designated home, I know where to find them when I need them, and there is less chance of me misplacing them or loosing them. This 2 step process works with everyday items like groceries, eye glasses, and receipts, as well as one-of-kind items like your passport, camera, and title to your car.
Although being organized can save you time, getting and staying organized requires time. Unfortunately, it doesn’t just happen all by itself, but if you practice the two step process of creating a designated home for things, and consistently returning things to their designated home, it might feel that way. What I mean is that once an action becomes habitual, less effort and brain power is required to preform the action. So, it seems as though it is happening all by itself. I’d recommend starting with just one items and one action, and see how long it takes for you to save time every day.
To save time, remove items that are used frequently, from their boxes, and toss the box. For example, take small appliances, like hand-mixers, blenders, and mini choppers out of their boxes and store them directly in a kitchen cupboard or on a pantry shelf. Also remove smaller items from their packaging and store them in containers without lids, for example batteries, paper plates, q-tips. This eliminates the step of opening and closing the box or packaging each time the item is used, and makes it easier to get things out and put them away.
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