Motivation to Organize
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Clutter Aerobics
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
Storage Options
When trying to find the best storage option for items ask yourself these 3 questions.
1. Where do I use the item? Store it where you use it.
2. How often do I access the item? Store items used frequently in easily accessible containers and locations.
3. What is the best technique for storing the item? Consider whether the item should be stored in a container, and if the container should be open or have a lid.
Organizing is a Skill
I’m often asked, “How come some people are so much better at organizing than others? Is there an organizing gene?” I’m happy to say that there is no organizing gene. Organizing is a skill, and just like other skills, some people are better at learning it than others. For example, typing, speaking a foreign language, and playing golf are all skills. Yet, some people master these skills much faster than other people. It’s the same way with organizing. Some people master it much faster than other people, but everyone can learn the skill of organizing.
The key to learning any skill is practice. Suppose you wanted to learn how to play the piano. What would you do? Would you sign up for piano classes? Would you purchase a practice keyboard? Would you seek instruction from a professional? Would you read up on the subject? Would you practice, practice, practice? Yes, you would most likely do all, or most of these things, so that you could learn and improve.
Just like with other skills you need to practice organizing. You need to devote time and energy into organizing on a regular, preferably daily, basis. I understand that you may not want to practice organizing, because you feel as thought the outcome of your efforts won’t last. Unfortunately, that is the case with any skill. What would happen if you stopped practicing the piano for 3 months? Would the efforts of your previous practice show? What would happen after 6 months, or 12 months? Also, what is the outcome if a beginner stops practicing after 3 months, as apposed to an experienced piano player? The skill level you’ve mastered makes a difference.
So, how can you practice organizing? Listed below are a few tasks you can do daily to practice the skill of organizing. I’d recommend concentrating on mastering one or two of these tasks, and then moving on, after a few weeks, to include one additional task, and so on.
1. Put all dirty clothes in hampers.
2. Put all clean clothes where they belong.
3. Put shoes, coats, and accessories where they belong.
4. Open and process all mail.
5. Clean all dirty dishes.
6. Prepare your outfit for the following day.
7. Prepare breakfast, and lunch for the following day.
8. Make one phone call, or do one task from your to do list.
9. Clear flat surfaces, like tabletops, desktops, counters, dressers, and floors.
10. Have 10 minutes of uninterrupted conversation with your family.
I’d like to hear about your progress. How is your organizing skill developing?
© October 2014 Janine Cavanaugh, CPO® All Rights Reserved
Proud member of NAPO
Back to School Organizing Tips
It’s back to school time. Did you promise yourself that this year would be different? Did you say you were going to come up with a plan to manage all the school papers and homework? Did you have a great idea for organizing school lunches and backpacks? What about homework?
It can be difficult to stay organized with school things when so much happens all at once. However, it is possible with a bit of planning and some family guidelines. Below are 10 back to school organizing tips to help you plan and establish family guidelines that will help you stay organized. Allow yourself time (3 weeks) to transition into these guidelines, but stick to it, and you’ll see results.
Here are 10 back to school organizing tips:
1. Create a defined drop zone for backpacks just inside the back door, and label a location for each pack.
2. Create a vertical inbox for all incoming school papers, and assign time on your daily calendar to look at these papers.
3. Label the vertical inbox with categories that make sense to you. For example: school handbook; schedules; menus; contacts; events.
4. Create a clearly defined homework area for each child, and assign time on your daily calendar to review homework.
5. Create a healthy snack box where kids can grab something good to munch on, to hold them over until dinnertime.
6. Establish one family calendar to post everyone’s schedule.
7. Plan school lunches for the week on Sunday, and assign time on your daily calendar to make them the night before.
8. Pick out school clothes the night before and have them ready to go.
9. Plan breakfast for the week on Sunday and have all menu items on hand .
10. Have each child contribute as much as they can to the family guidelines. Organizing should be a group effort.
Please share any school related family guidelines that have been successful for your family.
©September 2014 Janine Cavanaugh, CPO® All rights reserved
Proud member of NAPO
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