Organize To Maximize!

You’ve probably heard it a thousand times,a place for everything and everything in its place – and you’ve heard it for a reason!nIt’s the cardinal rule of organization – have a home for everything. And if that is the cardinal rule, then the runner up is put “like things” together. Sounds like a snap, doesn’t it? Then why are more and more people finding themselves increasingly unable to see beyond the literal mountain of “stuff” piling up in their homes and offices?nnA brief trip down memory lane may provide thenanswer. The hallmark of the 80’s and 90’s was abundance,nand we Americans seemed to have the act of “acquiringnthings” down to a science. Of course, that’s the root sourcenof the problem, yesteryear’s cute little this and darling little that – those maracas from your vacation in the Bahamas, yournlittle girl’s Barbie clothes (isn’t she in college now?) makenfor the clutter of today. A solution for many, likelynencouraged by the growing number of make-over realitynprograms on television, has been to hire a professionalnorganizer to help sort the trouble, but the problem of “toonmuch stuff” is age-old. People are just starting to realizenthe benefits of living an ordered life and believe me –there is nothing like living an ordered life in an orderednenvironment!nKeeping on top of your space can reduce and prevent anxietynand stress-related health problems. By knowing where tonfind everything you need, you will save the time and moneynfrequently spent on purchasing duplicates and searching fornlost items. Eliminating clutter and excess from your spacencan also save a great deal of money sometimes used fornmaintaining an outside storage solution. Not to mention,ncreating a comfortable and livable environment with routinesnthat makes sense will discourage missed appointments, latenbill payments, and ultimately eliminate the basic frustrationnfelt by loved ones living in and around the chaos.nIf you are one of the scores of people battling your ownnclutter monsters, here are a few basic tips to get you startednand keep you going!nB R E A K I T D O W NnOne of the worst problems people face when tackling annorganizing project is getting started. They look at thenproblem and immediately get overwhelmed, and manyntimes they quickly find a way to avoid the projectnaltogether and procrastinate. I can’t tell you how manyntimes I have heard the plaintive cry, “I don’t know wherento begin!” Beginning is easy if you just focus onnsome-thing SMALL. Instead of tackling the room as anwhole, gather all of the videos, or all of the photos and getnthem into one place and then move on to other things -nbooks, clothes, the top of one single dresser, anythingnsmall enough to accomplish, and then move on to the nextnsmall thing. They add up!nD O N ’ T “ R O U N D T H EnH O U S E ” O R G A N I Z EnI call it “criss-cross” organizing, and it's a can of wormsnyou do not want to open. When you start organizing anroom, stick with it and finish. Whether it takes a week, anmonth, or two (and it can), don’t hop around from room tonroom or you will never get any of them done. Ultimately,ncriss-cross organizing only facilitates your skipping off tonanother room right when a hard decision comes alongnabout throwing something away, or deciding where andnhow to keep it. Stay focused.nC O N T A I N A N D L A B E LnE V E R Y T H I N GnEverything needs a container. Every container needs anlabel. Yes, I will say it again and again! When you arengetting organized, discreet labels, or blaring ones fornADHD sufferers who need the assistance of more obviousnvisual cues, can be your saving grace. It is very difficult tonplace the wrong things into a container that is labeled, andnit is also very difficult to not put things away when anlabeled container is staring you in the face. I cannotnemphasize this enough, use attractive containers that younLIKE to use. If you like to look at it, and it is easy to use,nand I’m stating the obvious here, you will use it. Go figure!nRemember, an organized home is peaceful, relaxing andninviting. Not just for your guests, but for you. Nothing cannreplace the feeling of pride and contentment you will feelnknowing that no room is “off limits” and that there are nonclosets stuffed to the brim ready to tumble down at thentwist of a doorknob. Take the time to make a place forneverything and put everything in its place. You, yournfamily, and your visitors deserve it.n