Ten EASY Steps to Getting Organized

1.

Look at the all-over picture of your home or hire a professional organizer.
Go through every room and decide what you want to do with that room and write it down.

2.

See if you can find any hidden storage areas in each room.
Decide if you want to add another shelf in the closet, use the storage space on the inside of a door, or perhaps store items under the bed.

3.

Choose organizing products you like.
Do you want to use Rubbermaid, or are the items in a hidden area where a cardboard box will do. Using things that you like (color, size, color etc.) will give you a better feeling of a job-well-done.

4.

Consider daily activities and routines in your home.
Place items where they will do you the most good. Something you use on a daily basis should not be on a high shelf. The vacuum cleaner should be kept in or near the room you use it most.

5.

Know why you want to get organized.
Are you doing this for yourself and to make your life easier and save time, or are you doing it because someone told you to or your neighbor is doing it?

To do the job well, your heart must be in it. Otherwise you will become stressed, frustrated, and not develop an effective time saving solution to your problem.

6.

Set long-term and short-term goals.
What will you be happy with for now? What would you like it to look like by the end of the year? Sometimes doing things a little at a time in order to achieve the higher goal is better.

7.

Develop a system for paper, files and bills.
By keeping on top of the paper filing, paying bills and keeping notes you will eliminate 20% of your stress in keeping up a household.

8.

Keep your organizing simple.
Always remember to WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER, find the simplest possible approach. This is usually the most effective and efficient way to accomplish a task.

9.

Learn how to throw things away or donate them.
Haven't used it in a year? Get rid of it! Doesn't fit or haven't worn it? Get rid of it! Has needed mending for over 6 months? Fix it or get rid of it! Get the
idea??

10.

Plan ahead and learn to save time.
If you know that you will need supplies and you already plan on getting them, make a list before you start your project and get everything you will need. The job will go much faster because you will be so excited to see what it will look like.