Last week, we talked about how to turn easily-breakable resolutions into achievable goals for 2015. On Saturday, I shared some tips for Creating a Budget (if that’s one of your goals). Today, let’s tackle another one of the goals that has been mentioned as a big priority: Organization.
I don’t know about you, but I always feel so much better when I have myself organized. That’s not to say that it happens all the time! 🙂 It’s a constant challenge to stem the clutter of paperwork that enters the house via mail, kids’ backpacks, the church bag…you name it. Not to mention keeping the schedules of six busy people straight, managing emails, keeping up with home, work, school, and church responsibilities: it can be pretty daunting. Here are a few tips I’ve come up with over the past few years to keep my head (mostly) above water.
- Set aside planning time: I read a statistic that every minute spent planning saves you up to 10 minutes later. I’m not sure how accurate that really is, but time spent planning is definitely worthwhile. Schedule a little planning time into your weekly timeframe so you know what activities, bills, obligations, meals, and other necessities are on your agenda. When you know what’s coming, you’ll be ready for it.
- Manage clutter: When paperwork comes into the household, start by sorting out the trash right away. Then have a system for other items (bills to pay, school info, church info, work info, coupons/rebates, etc.). My latest method is to have file folders for these items in a readily-accessible place–much better than my “I’ll get to it later” pile that seemed to be my default method for a while! When everything has a “home” or a place to land, the likelihood increases that they’ll find their way to that home.
- “O. H. I. O.” Yes, of course Go Buckeyes! but in this case the acronym means “Only Handle It Once.” So many times I’ll pick something up while I’m tidying, only to lay it down somewhere else where it doesn’t actually belong. I spotted this hint a while back, and it’s a helpful reminder that sometimes it really is easier to just take a few extra steps to put something all the way away, rather than just moving it and needing to deal with it again later. Works with papers, kids’ toys, and the other stuff that tends to pile up in a full house.
- Create a system: Six years ago while our house was being built, we lived for four months in our camper. Two adults and two small kids in a tiny spot for that amount of time really reinforced the value of “a place for everything and everything in it’s place.” Not that everything’s in it’s place in our house now, but at least if everything has a place…theoretically…it might be possible. Right? (I now have 4 kids ages 3-8…we’re definitely a work in progress!)
- Enlist help: Make sure your household knows the system. Most kids are capable of at least a little help when it comes to tidying up. Other adults in the household need to know the plan so they can help too. My husband got motivated over break this year to organize the kids’ toys and a few other areas in the house, and it made such a difference! When everyone helps, everyone can reap the benefits of a more organized home.
- Break it down: The big idea of “Getting Organized” can seem like it’s not do-able. But smaller, more manageable tasks can be the key to success. They focus your energy, and completing something small can give you the motivation to tackle something else. So when I feel like I just can’t get my act together, I break it down and make a list (Right now on my list: make the cupboard under the counter not avalanche; go through the bills; pull outgrown clothes out of the kids’ dressers. I think I can…I think I can…)
- Find ways to make it fun: OK, “fun” might be pushing it, but I’m more likely to work on a to-do list or menu plan when I have access to cute planning printables like these ones that I found on the Sisters Shopping on a Shoestring Pinterest page (nice find, Sara! 🙂 ) You can snag some budget-friendly organizational items on sale or clearance–I love Thirty One’s annual sale, and have found some great deals at dollar stores and clearance at Target. Or treat yourself to the latest episode of Downton Abbey (or whatever floats your boat) while you attack some clutter. Whatever helps!
- Stick with it: Celebrate your small successes when they happen, and do something little to work toward your goal each day. Some organizational tasks feel like drudgery, but keep in mind that it’s helping you develop a calmer, more peaceful lifestyle for yourself and your family. Tasks like meal planning, sorting, cleaning, and working on to-do lists can help you make the most effective use of your time and resources. The end result is worth the time and effort.
This would be a great time to target your organization skills toward your coupon stash. Tons of coupons expired at the end of 2014, and a ton of new coupons came out yesterday. Clear out the old, get ready for the new, then use that motivation as a springboard for other areas that could use a little TLC.
What organization strategies have worked well for you? Do you keep written to-do lists/schedules, or have you gone completely digital? I always love hearing how others handle organization–share in the comments or on Facebook!
