Small Steps to Organizing Success
Take care of bite-size projects, and your home's big picture will be an organized dream before you know it
Even though I'm not a teacher in the traditional sense, I love assigning clients homework — tasks I'm confident they can do without me present — during the organizing process. I do this for a few reasons, but my main objective is to process as many items as I can with clients during a session. Homework gives us a better chance of smooth sailing without distractions. Read on to see what items you might set aside as homework the next time you're organizing a room.
Disks, Cables and Paperwork
Leave the following tasks for when you're in front of your computer: burning music CDs to iTunes and checking the content of unlabeled CDs. These are easy background tasks while you're surfing the Web.
Perform triage on cables and wires when you want to feel instant gratification. In my book there's nothing as satisfying as untangling a bag full of cords and figuring out which cord belongs to which piece of equipment.
Scanning photos and paperwork is a separate project for a later time. Include it on the to-do list and keep moving.
Expert tip: Hold off on shredding individual documents, as this chore goes best with prime-time TV.
Leave the following tasks for when you're in front of your computer: burning music CDs to iTunes and checking the content of unlabeled CDs. These are easy background tasks while you're surfing the Web.
Perform triage on cables and wires when you want to feel instant gratification. In my book there's nothing as satisfying as untangling a bag full of cords and figuring out which cord belongs to which piece of equipment.
Scanning photos and paperwork is a separate project for a later time. Include it on the to-do list and keep moving.
Expert tip: Hold off on shredding individual documents, as this chore goes best with prime-time TV.
Sorting Discards
Resist the temptation to post unwanted items on Craigslist and eBay as soon as you come across them. Once you're done organizing for the day, place them in a spot where they're out of the way and make a note to tackle this task later.
Expert tip: Wait to return items to their homes until after you're finished organizing. Returning individual items to various rooms can become a time-consuming distraction.
Resist the temptation to post unwanted items on Craigslist and eBay as soon as you come across them. Once you're done organizing for the day, place them in a spot where they're out of the way and make a note to tackle this task later.
Expert tip: Wait to return items to their homes until after you're finished organizing. Returning individual items to various rooms can become a time-consuming distraction.
Organizing Recipes
You've been collecting magazine tear sheets of recipes for years — the only problem is, they're strewn all over the house. As you organize, you're bound to uncover recipes and cooking magazines. Gather them as you go, but save organizing and filing them for a rainy day.
Expert tip: Use a binder and clear sheet protectors with tabs to keep your custom collection searchable.
You've been collecting magazine tear sheets of recipes for years — the only problem is, they're strewn all over the house. As you organize, you're bound to uncover recipes and cooking magazines. Gather them as you go, but save organizing and filing them for a rainy day.
Expert tip: Use a binder and clear sheet protectors with tabs to keep your custom collection searchable.
Sorting Through Old Journals and Photos
No matter how tempting it is to go down memory lane, set these aside and savor them slowly as reading material instead of devouring them as you find them.
Expert tip: Turn off the phone while you're organizing so you're not distracted by texts, email and calls.
No matter how tempting it is to go down memory lane, set these aside and savor them slowly as reading material instead of devouring them as you find them.
Expert tip: Turn off the phone while you're organizing so you're not distracted by texts, email and calls.
Bottom line: If the organizing process daunts you, try assigning yourself homework so that you are able to get more accomplished — which may just inspire you to finish.
Tell us: What's on your organizing homework list? Share below!
Tell us: What's on your organizing homework list? Share below!
Organizing an entire room or closet might take more time than you bargained for. To break the project up, set aside tasks that can be tackled while you're watching TV or listening to music.
Trying on clothes. It's tough to keep focus if you alternate between sorting piles by category and trying on clothes for size. Set aside clothing you need to try on and deal with it later, which could mean today or next week.
Untangling necklaces and bracelets. This is best done with a needle under good lighting.
Testing out batteries. Even though you may think it will only take a second, this activity is a minefield of unforeseen distractions. You'll probably need time to hunt down your rarely used battery charger to check levels.
Expert tip: Keep your to-do list close by so that you can jot down all the items that will need attention at a later time.