Wardrobe swap
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Piles Happen
While having lunch with a friend, she proclaimed “piles happen”. I readily agreed, and shared that the best way to combat piles is to store paper vertically, not horizontally. For example, instead of setting the mail down on the counter, and letting it pile up, sort it into a divided vertical container. Another example is to put newspapers, magazines, catalogs, and in a container that holds them upright.
Organizing Work Areas
Workbenches, craft corners, sewing rooms, scrapbook areas, and the like, are all potential hotbeds of mess. These locations are filled with tools and supplies that get used and reused often. They are also locations that house potential, ongoing, and almost finished projects. So, organizing them, and keeping them organized can be challenging.
I’ve been itching to help my husband organize his workbench for years. I understand that it’s his domain, (just like my scrapbooking area is my domain) and that’s why I didn’t take over and just do it myself. We tackled the project together. It took us 3.5 hours to work through the organizing process, but when we were finished his tools and supplies were organized, he had a list of all his works-in-progress, and he had plenty of space to actually work on his workbench.
We both were pleased with the results and considered the project a success. Here are some helpful tips that can assist you in successfully organizing your work area (whatever area that may be):
- When sorting tools and supplies into categories use general terms and label each category. We had 13 different categories; power tools, hand tools, tape & glue, hardware, clamps, painting, plumbing, sanding, measuring, trash, recycle, give away, and belongs elsewhere.
- While working, keep a running list of tasks that you have to address. This helps prevent you from getting sidetracked and wanting to addressing these tasks right away. A few tasks on our list are to ask our brother-on-law if he wants the propane torches we never use, and to research how to refill or recycle a fire extinguisher.
- When setting up your work area leave plenty of room to actually work on projects, and have an designated area to store works-in-progress.
- Clearly label the containers that store your tools and supplies. Although my husband knows what all his tools are, I do not. So now, when he asks me for a socket wrench, I’ll know at least where to look.
- Use containers that are easy to reach into, sturdy, and are a good size for the items they will be containing. These tools and supplies get used and reused often. So, make it easy to get at them and put them away.
- Give yourself a break. A good time to take a break is after the sorting step. We took a lunch break after we had cleared the workbench.
- At the end of the organizing project give yourself time to address the trash, recycle, give away, and belongs elsewhere pile. It may take additional time to address these categories. For example we have a box of electronic recycle items that we will bring to the Indie Cycle drop off point in three weeks.
- When you reach the finish line, reward your success.
©September 2015 Janine Cavanaugh, Certified Professional Organizer® All rights reserved.
Proud member of NAPO
Organizing Ongoing Projects
Keeping projects on the table, counter, desk, or tool bench, because you worry that once they are out of sight, they are out of mind, is a common concern. This two step process will help you organize ongoing projects and get them done. It has been successful for me. Step 1 – Keep an ongoing project list on the fridge, and put the projects away. Step 2 – Block out time on your calendar to work on your projects. Schedule increments of time that allow you to have the project completed when you wish it to be done.
Reclaiming Order
While looking for a list of skincare products that I wanted to share with a friend, I realized that it was time to reclaim order in my Fashion File. I knew I had tucked the list into my file somewhere, but when I went to look for it, I couldn’t find it. I quickly deduced that the main reason for this was that there was a surplus of irrelevant information in the file. It held current and relevant information, but also held some outdated information that was no longer of interest to me.
Therefore, I allowed myself 15 minutes to reclaim order. I did this by pruning each category of the Fashion File and making decisions on what information was worth keeping, and what was to be discarded. Here is a list of what I discarded: 8 outdated or duplicate business cards, 1 outdated jewelry catalog, 12 magazine clippings on products, tips, and ideas (I’m a bit embarrassed to admit I clip from magazines, but in my opinion, it’s better than keeping the whole magazine.), 1 outdated skincare catalog, 5 old purchase receipts (shred them), and 8 notes of websites to look at or items to try. At the end of a very productive 15 minutes I had located the list of skincare products that I wanted to share with my friend, and reclaimed order in my Fashion File.
By taking the time, at that moment, to reclaim order, I stopped the accumulation of paper, and prevented my Fashion File from turning into a huge, inefficient mess. This is what I call preserving the natural flow of the organizing process. The natural flow of the organizing process looks like this:
One very important factor to keep in mind when preserving the natural flow of the organizing process is to keep the duration between creating order and reclaiming order short enough, so that the act of reclaiming order doesn’t take too long, and isn’t an overwhelming task. If we wait too long, or allow too much build up, the act of reclaiming order becomes overwhelming, stressful and frustrating. If you reach this point, reclaiming order may no longer be a do-it-yourself task. Just remember, it’s okay to ask for HELP!
© August 2015 Janine Cavanaugh, Certified Professional Organizer® All Rights Reserved
Proud member of NAPO
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