Welcome to day one! Today you'll actually get two-for-one. My first tip will apply to organization . . . but it will also apply to so much more! That tip is this: It is not enough just to learn something. An extraordinary important step in realizing success in anything is to determine to implement what you have learned. There is an abundance of knowledge waiting for you (here and all around you)! You need to commit to taking action on those tips that resonate with you. If you are like most women that I know, there are areas that you excel in and there are areas that you . . well, don't excel in. ;-) If you read something that you just know in your heart is a tip that, if implemented, would make a really big change in your life - well, commit to implement that change. I realize that it may feel very unnatural for awhile, but planning and not doing changes nothing. Commit to take action.
On to Tip#1: Create an Organizing Goals Worksheet.
Going through your space. I'm going to talk about creating this list in your home but it could easily apply to your office, or your garage, or what ever other space that needs to be put in order. Create a list of all those little things that need doing. You are less likely to achieve your goals and objectives if you have cluttered areas and uncompleted tasks in your home, office, car, etc.
So How?
First you will need to have the right tools, which are simply paper and pencil. Go through your home room by room without missing any space. In order to ensure that you don’t miss a single space in your home, try starting at the front door and work around your home clockwise.
In every room start at the door into the room and work clockwise around the room, making sure to take note of each drawer, closet, shelf, counter, etc. Don't just cover what’s disorganized, cluttered, or simply out of place, but since you are taking the time to walk around your home assessing things, you may as well also take notes to all those tasks that you (or your husband, or your children) haven't gotten around to fixing, or replacing, or finishing. You are looking for places without a purpose (or without a clear purpose. For example: I have too many "junk drawers" which is really just another name for drawers without a clear purpose). You are also taking note of the things that do not have a designated place to store them.
Now, you will definitely come across things that do have a "home" but aren’t in that place. Don't get distracted by these items. Your objective is to create a list. An inventory of sorts. This is not the time to clean or straighten up. (IF, however, you want to have your husband and/or children going around the house with you, they could do your 'running' and putting things away).
Take the time to acknowledge the well-organized spaces in your home. Perhaps your bedroom drawers hold everything except clothes, but your pantry is in such good order that Martha Stewart herself would be impressed! Make sure to pat yourself on the back for these areas that you do well. Recall these successes when you begin to feel overwhelmed by the growing list of things that do need your attention.
Once you have this list created, you are almost done with today's tip. There is still one thing that you need to do. Decide what you’re going to get done off the list and when. Look over your calendar and carve out time that you will dedicate to just focusing on making headway on bringing order to your home. If you commit some time to this goal, I can assure you that you will start to notice that the house is a calmer, more peaceful place.
See you back here tomorrow for the next tip? Send your friends by too!
Countdown: 100 days remaining in 2011 - how are you spending those days?
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