Don't you wish you could wave a magic wand and everything in your life was organized? Pinterest would have you believe it's possible! Well, it kinda is...as promised last week, here's a few more easy to use tips to help you with a few more areas to getting and staying organized in your life:
Paperwork
It's so easy to feel like you are drowning in paper. It seems to multiply when you aren't looking, doesn't it? Quick Start: With the exception of bills to be paid and truly important documents, try this: grab all the paperwork you can find into one pile. Plop it in a big box or envelope, seal it, and write today’s date on it. If you haven’t missed any of it two weeks from now, recycle the entire package without opening it. Keep Going: Set up a new, easy filing system starting with paperwork you receive from today forward. Think of broad categories of papers you receive on a frequent basis: bills to pay, people to call, medical, school, etc. Get a desktop filing box, keep it in the kitchen, and file only what you’ll truly need to reference later. Be ruthless in your paper disposal. (Shred sensitive documents.) Review filebox contents weekly. Touch paperwork only once: Open mail, and immediately act on it and recycle the paper, or file it in the appropriate spot.
Time Management
Struggle with being on time? Quick Start: Set your Alexa, or Siri, or whatever virtual reminder you have for 5 minutes before you have to leave to go somewhere. It’s a built in buffer. You’ll have a built-in helper to avoid running late. Keep Going: This works great for getting kids out the door on time in the morning, you can even set a recurring reminder. Don’t schedule appointments too close together, it's a sure fire way to add stress to your time management.
Surface Clutter
Need help De-cluttering the “drop it here” space (we all have them—the space where everyone just drops everything when they walk in the door)? Quick Start: Take 10 minutes to clear it. Keep Going: Any task that can be completed in five minutes or less should be completed right away. Schedule a chunk of time each day to handle quick pick up. .
Errands:
Don’t let errands get the best of you till there are too many. Pace yourself
Quick Start: Create an errand box. Put a crate or basket by the front door. Deposit into it anything needing to go out. You can add items that need to be returned to stores, library books and movies ready for return, and borrowed items that need to find their rightful owners. Keep it going: Take the box with you each morning and see what you can get rid of that day.
Garage/Attic/Basement
Do you get overwhelmed every time you walk in your garage? Start small if you can!
Quick Start: Set a timer for 30 minutes and toss/recycle dried out paint and chemicals, and anything broken, musty, or moldy. Keep it going: Sort the space into zones. Work on one zone at a time. For example, a garage might have areas for sports, tools, gardening, and recycling/garbage. Group like items in those zones. Use appropriate storage containers and label clearly.
Like the old saying goes: "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time." The trick is not just to get organized, it's to help yourself stay there. These quick bites can help you with that process but you will feel so much better about yourself and your space, Which is over half the battle!
