Getting Organized?

[Sunday21]

Dear Bros and Sisters,

Any advice on getting more organized? Could we exchange our top 3-4 ways of getting organized?

My favorites: 1) I have not found that electronic to-do lists work for me. I use pads of paper. I put a pad of paper with my to-do list in each project folder. Hard to lose! 2) I carry a small notebook that has a ribbon to keep my place, in my purse. I use it for shopping lists, messages to myself etc. 3) I put things in different dollar store plastic baskets. 1 basket for make-up, stored under the counter, another basket for electronics (cords etc.) stored on a bookshelf; 4) I have a tape gun for boxes that I use it plug up the holes in plastic shopping bags so that I can use them for garbage.

Your suggestions gratefully received!

[Vort]

Waiting to read everyone's suggestions...

[Guest mormonmusic]

As many know, we have struggled with this for years. A few years ago I took full responsibility for the organization of my house and my family.

The top princples for personal organization I have come up with

1. WEED. No, I'm not suggesting you smoke before you clean :) -- I'm suggesting that regularly, you go through all the things you have accumulated, and get rid of the things that you don't use. Ask yourself "what's the worst that can happen if I need this in the future"??? If you can live with the answer, then get rid of it.

2. Don't accept other people's junk!!

3. Allot time for organization during your day.

[skippy740]

De-cluttering:

1. If you haven't used it or missed it within the last 6-12 months... you probably don't need it.

2. 'Free' is often too expensive of a price to pay for stuff. Just because something is free, doesn't mean you should take it.

Personal daily organization:

- The "Getting Things Done" philosophies seem to work well for me - particularly having hanging file folders labeled 1-31, Jan-Dec, Next Year & 2 Years. This way, you can simply delegate tasks by putting them in the appropriate folder to take action on that particular day.

- I've also gotten quite a few tips from "How to Master Your Time" by Brian Tracy. The best is that the most productive people "think on paper". I've learned that just because something is 'in the computer' doesn't mean it's actionable or organized. Outlook is a great 'organization' tool, but it doesn't mean that it's easy to review and act on it.

Just my thoughts... and no, I'm not the most organized or action-oriented person... but I try.

[sister_in_faith]

I am definately NOT an expert in this subject, but I remember a wise person once saying that every time you leave a room you should be carrying something. Like something that was out of place, or taking something to the garbage. They said that if you make this a habit then you don't have to clean nearly as much.

I tried it once. Didn't like it. Didn't do it again. That's the best tip I can think of.

[Backroads]

I second the go-through-stuff-regularly this morning. When I moved into this house six months ago, I had a HUGE pile of clothes I donated. Today I got out my winter clothes and started replacing the warm-weather clothes... found a few more items I'm not wearing. It's a healthy thing.

Storage space. An attic, a basement, a storage unit, whatever. If there are things you absolutely cannot get rid of but can't reasonably put anywhere (sentimental family items, for example) find a place to store them so they aren't cluttering up the house. Though this can be a disaster in itself.

Lables and charts. It took me awhile to convince my husband that if he really expects me to put things away according to his liking (I'm disorganized so his liking is as good as any) he should not think my suggestion of him training me with charts and labels is a joke.

[bytebear]

Find a place for everything, and put everything in its place. When you buy stuff make sure you know the place. Put things away and don't leave anything out over night. No messy table tops!!! Don't just move things from room to room, but make sure you have a permanent place for it. And if you can't find a place for it, then get rid of it.

Don't put things in a big box or drawer to sort through later. Sort through it right away. Otherwise you end up with a bunch of boxes that you will never have time to go through. If you have to throw things into boxes, then at least sort them by year and subject (letters, bills, tax documents) see shoe boxes below.

If you have things in storage, get rid of them. I had a $200 table in storage for months, and realized I spent like $400 to store it. what a waste! Sell it on Craigslist, and if no one will buy it, then donate it.

I also have lots of shoe boxes (or storage boxes that are the size of shoe boxes). They are all the same size so makes stacking them easy. And they are labeled so I can put bills and storage items in them for easy access. I found some boxes that hold 8.5x11 papers and I use that for my bills and taxes and I keep 7+ years and then chuck them.

So, really the trick is to chuck the old crap. By the way, I have some old furniture for sell if anyone is interested. :)

Edited December 18, 2011 by bytebear

[Guest mormonmusic]

One lady stored her canned food by color. I thought was interesting, so at least she knew where to find it, which was important when she had a lot of food storage, Also, we put our couches up on risers, made of food storage, with food storage under them. Same with our beds. The food storage can be a major hassle after 30 years!!!

[Guest xforeverxmetalx]

I have what I call my "important things binder". It's leather with a zipper, so nothing falls out. I keep everything important to me in it (as long as it's small enough to fit) - things like my birth certificate, Patriarchal blessing, as well as my German rail pass and the drumstick I caught at a concert and got signed by the band. I have a bunch of those clear paper sheets in it, where I either put things in, or tape things onto, like a scrapbook. But the things in there are things that are really important - like I don't have a collection of birthday cards in there.

Also, about decluttering - that's always a good thing to do. But another suggestion for things that you're not sure about getting rid of is that you can pack all those things away into boxes or trash bags, like you would get rid of them, and then just don't. Put them in the attic or somewhere away from everything. Then when you come across it months later, get rid of everything you didn't use.

[Blocky]

As many know, we have struggled with this for years. A few years ago I took full responsibility for the organization of my house and my family.

The top princples for personal organization I have come up with

1. WEED. No, I'm not suggesting you smoke before you clean :) -- I'm suggesting that regularly, you go through all the things you have accumulated, and get rid of the things that you don't use. Ask yourself "what's the worst that can happen if I need this in the future"??? If you can live with the answer, then get rid of it.

2. Don't accept other people's junk!!

3. Allot time for organization during your day.

This.

I see how fast I can get rid of 30 things. 30 might sound like a lot, but I can do it every time. Shoes that are worn out, notebook that's full, Tupperware that's bent out of shape, etc. Because of this, this morning our house was a disaster zone, but my husband just went up stairs to go to sleep and said 'wow, how did the house get so clean?' The stuff that was out, all had a place to go, none of it was just random junk getting in the way. The less stressed I am about cleaning, the more ready I am to get rid of stuff that doesn't bless our home, the less stressed I am about cleaning. It's glorious.

I have closets that are full to the brim, but it doesn't bother me because I have shelves that hold the boxes in there and each box is for something specific (shoes the kids will fit into soon, holiday decorations, art supplies, etc.)

[pam]

I am a list person. I carry with me at all times 4 smaller spiral notebooks. Each has a separate purpose. I actually need to get some new ones for the new year.

1. My work notebook. As a supervisor I need to keep track of numerous things. It helps me keep a daily task list of what needs to be done. Then for other things like when an employee needs to have something on their payroll time sheet corrected, I write it down to make sure I get it done before payroll freezes. Just a couple of examples.

2. My daily at home list. Things that I need to get done at home. Appointments, directions to places, food shopping lists, etc.

3. My lds.net/askgramps/MGF notebook. My daily list of things I'm required to accomplish each day for my contract.

4. One for my short and long term goals. What I've accomplished and ideas I come up with to help me accomplish or move towards that particular goal.

I'll be starting #5 January 1st. It's my weight loss notebook. This will have my goal and I'll be able to keep track of where I am on a weekly basis. I'll be able to keep track of my exercise program I'm starting. Also any recipes I come across that fit with the program I'll be doing.

May sound like more work with 5 different notebooks, but it helps me tremendously. I feel lost without my notebooks.

One thing I started doing about 5 years ago. A tip I read somewhere which I'm sure many have heard of before. At the beginning of the year I turn all my hangers in my closet backwards. At the end of the year, any clothes on hangars that are still backwards, go to DI. Obviously I don't need them as I didn't wear them in a year.