If You Were Organized or Better Organized
As I was selecting a quote for this month’s newsletter, I decided to use the lyrics of John Lennon’s Song “Imagine” (see lyrics below). I thought it was appropriate given the state of the world at the moment. Wouldn’t it be amazing if his words of wisdom were finally realized? I do hope so and I hope that this senseless war will end SOON. In the meantime, my heart and prayers go out to the people of Ukraine.
For the sake of this newsletter, I must digress and bring it back to offering some of my own words of wisdom when it comes to Organizing.
I often talk to my clients about their goals when we first meet to talk about their organizing project. I ask them to “imagine” what it would feel like to be organized and to describe that to me. This helps us determine what to do so that ultimately, our client is happy with the results.
In this article, I ask you to “imagine” how you would feel if:
1. You could quickly and consistently find something (ie, your keys or wallet) when you want it or more importantly, need it.
2. You knew where to put something (ie, your purse, backpack, briefcase) when you get to your home or office so that if was always in that same spot if and when you need it (instead of just throwing it on the floor or nearest surface).
3. You could have more time in your day (we all have the same 24 hours but we don’t all use them effectively) to do the things you enjoy.
4. You could feel more confident inviting people to your home or office without having to stress out about “getting it together” before your company arrives.
5. You could save money by not having to buy the same thing twice (ya know, when you know you have something in the house but just can’t find it. Maybe its something as simple as glue. Then you have to go out in a hurry to buy it, only to find that item a few weeks or months later when it appears in an unlikely place).
6. Finally, since Tax time is upon us, what if you could pull all of the documents together for your taxes, whether you’re doing them or having a professional do them for you, in an hour instead of it being an all day and dreadful event?
These are just a few of the many things that can and will improve if you are “better” organized.
For those of you who think you are already organized, I have news for you…you can always be “better” organized. I have been organizing since I was 2 years old and professionally for 12 years and I still continue to learn about new and different ways to organize things when working with my colleagues on different jobs. Not to mention that there are a countless number of organizing products on the market that you might not know about. Sometimes, just another set of eyes and another way of doing things can help you get “better” organized.
Oh, and one more thing…it’s always easier and more fun to undertake an organizing project with someone else.
And, if I don’t say so myself, we have an amazing team of Professional Organizers who can help you get organized or “better” organized as the case may be. Check out the “About Us” page on our website (www.organizingconceptsanddesigns.com) to learn more.
We’re ready when you are. Give us a call!
Monthly Archives: April 2022
Spring Cleaning Inspiration
Spring is here! Longer days, better weather, flowers in bloom. It is definitely my favorite season.
For some reason springtime is also synonymous with Spring Cleaning and that, in turn, leads to organizing. It’s the time of year that inspires us to purge and organize. So, let’s get to it!
While it may not sound like or actually be fun, we all need to do some Spring Cleaning from time to time and, IMO, not only in Spring. I think each new season is a good time to purge and tidy up a little. It’s a chance to get rid of things that are ripped, soiled, broken, missing a piece, no longer fits or no longer feels or looks good. A little purging and tidying up can go a long way toward eliminating clutter and the results are well worth the effort.
When it comes to purging and/or de-cluttering you can do it as you go about your life, which will help keep things organized. OR, you can do it later when the piles are high, things are out-of-control or you can’t find what you want or need. But why wait until that happens? Why not just make organizing a part of your daily routine. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time. Just a few minutes each day. Why not just try doing things differently for one month to see how it works out?
As we’ve all heard… “The definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over and expecting a different result”. Why not stop the insanity and try selecting one area, one small area, that needs to be organized? Take a few minutes (since it’s a small area) and organize it.
I suggest that you do whatever you can, when you can. Organizing isn’t just something that happens once. It’s always work in progress. Take a few minutes every day to stay on top of things. Open the mail, clean the dishes or put them in the dishwasher, do a load of laundry and then take the time to fold it and put it away. Whatever you choose, just do something around the house every day so things don’t build up and get out of control.
We all have the same 24 hours in a day. We all have choices about how to spend that time. Spending just a few minutes every day to get something done, anything, will help you get organized and stay organized.
“They” say that clutter is caused by delayed decisions and not having a designated place for something. If it’s not dealt with, it will undoubtedly continue to grow over time and get out-of-control, adding more stress and distraction to our already busy lives.
NOTE: Rule of Thumb: If you take something out, put it away when you’re finished. Put it, whatever “it” is, where it belongs.
Here are some hard and fast rules for organizing just about anything:
• Get your supplies – Bags for trash, bins for laundry, boxes for donations, new hangers so that things look cohesive, labels so you can find things easily
• Take everything out of whatever area you are working on
• Sort things into categories – Put like items with like items
• Get rid of the trash
• Make a pile of donations if applicable
• Decide what to put back
• Put things back so that they are accessible
• Label whenever possible
Even if we get close or succeed in achieving our organizing goal, perfect order is never a finish line. It’s a moving target because life isn’t static. That’s why we have to maintain whatever systems we put into place to sustain them. I can assure you that you will be more inclined to maintain the area you organized because you’ve put in the time and effort. Because it will look good, feel good and will undoubtedly make your life easier.
Come on…Just do it! If you need help, we’re ready! It’s what we do. Call us anytime.