Tag Archive for: simple organizing

paper shopping bags

Stop spending to save

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We’ve all done it. We fall prey to the notice that flashes on the screen telling us that if we spend just $16.00 more, (or some other amount) we’ll save 20%, or get free shipping, or a free promo gift. But do we only spend the required amount or do we spend more? We spend more than originally planned because the vendor encourages us to spend more to save money? Is it worth it?

Do you really want more at this time?

Are these extra items necessary?

Is this a want or a need?

Do you have room for more?

Remember, the more we have the more we have to organize and maintain.

 

Getting better at organizing takes practice

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If you wanted to learn to play the guitar, what would you do? Would you look into taking lessons? How often would you practice? Would you expect to get better with only a few attempts? My guess is that you’d tell yourself to practice, practice, practice. Well, organizing is a skill, just like playing the guitar. You’ll make progress and get better at it with practice. I’d recommend practicing organizing for at least 10 minutes every day.

For some ideas on how to practice and improve your organizing skills look at these articles:

Daily habits

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Mirror daily behaviors to create better daily habits.

  • Where do dirty clothes land? Put a hamper with an open lid right in that spot.
  • Where does your purse land? Put a hook close by so you can hang it up.
  • Where does the mail land? Put a vertical bin there to corral it.

Delete and Delegate

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It’s easy to get stuck thinking we have to take care of things ourselves. What would happen if we shifted our mindset? What if we asked yourselves, “Where can we delete and delegate?” Are there tasks that we can delete from our to-do-list? Are there responsibilities we can delegate? Try it and see what happens?

Examples:

  • Have someone else get stamps at the post office, return packages, or pick up prescriptions.
  • Delete product review request and surveys that have been in your inbox for months.
  • Have others wash, dry, and fold laundry.
  • Toss pledges and money solicitations that you’re not going to donate to within the next 3 months.
  • Use my list of 20 Organizing Projects Kids Can Do.
small bags on finger

Be a choosy consumer

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Buy what you need and use what you buy. This leads to less material possessions, which means that there is less to organize.