January is Get Organized & Be Productive (GO) Month
and there’s no better time to consult an organizing or productivity
professional.
Clutter and disorganization can drain your energy and
contribute to unwarranted stress, frustration, and anxiety. Ready to start the
new year off right by getting organized and increasing productivity? Here are
our top 7 tips:
●
Start with the area that bothers you the
most!
○
If a stranger took a tour of your home, what would you
be the most embarrassed about? What would you find yourself apologizing for?
What irritates you the most? This is the area you should start with first. If
all of it bothers you, start with the space you see when you open your eyes in
the morning.
●
Go for a quick win!
○
Choose a small area or topic that can be easily
completed. By tackling a small, easy project first, you set yourself up for
success and are further motivated to tackle the areas you struggle with
emotionally.
●
Gather supplies before diving in!
○
Be sure to have trash bags or boxes on hand to sort
items into. Suggested categories: Keep, Sell, Donate, Trash. Use black trash
bags for trash and white trash bags for donate. Use trash bags to donate soft
items and cardboard boxes for heavy, hard, or fragile items. Check the
structural integrity of the boxes prior to filling them and always be sure to
tape the bottom of the box first!
●
Set retention guidelines for specific
categories of items!
○
Similar to keeping tax paperwork for 7 years, set
guidelines for other items you own. For example, any magazines over 1 year old
can be donated or recycled. Clothing in need of repair has a 1-month expiration
date. If they are not repaired in a month, the item can go. If a dish is
chipped, it can be donated or tossed. By deciding ahead of time, you relieve
yourself of decision fatigue and/or emotional attachments.
●
Create a home for temporary items!
○
Create a space to store library books, store returns
and items that belong to someone outside of your household. These items tend to
live on countertops and tables and hinder you from using your space the way you
want to. If you create space for items that will only be in your home for a
little while, you cut down on the piles that interfere with your living spaces.
●
Create positive habits & routines to
maintain organization!
○
Think through the areas you organized and how often you
should touch them up. Think about ways you can be proactive in life, like
packing lunches and setting out clothes the night before. Every day before you
leave the office, clear off your desk and stack notes/papers in an empty
drawer. Each time you get paid, go through your papers, pay bills, and file
items that need to be retained.
●
Get family members involved!
○
Set a timer for 15 minutes before bedtime and play fun
music while everyone tidies the house. Make a game of it - the person who finds
the most items that are out of place and puts them back into their “homes”
wins. You have heard the phrase: “Many hands make light work!” Even children as
young as 2-3 years old can begin to learn how to match socks or put dirty
clothing into the hamper. When the adults’ model good behavior and positive
attitudes around organizing, the kids will pick up on it too.
As a member of the National Association of Productivity
& Organizing Professionals (NAPO), we improve our clients’ lives by
helping them create environments that support productivity, general health, and
well-being. When working with a NAPO member, you can be assured you are working
with a dedicated professional who operates at the highest standards and has a
passion for organizing and productivity.
