8 Tried and True Organizing Rules
Maria Gracia, Get Organized Now! Newsletter
FROM:
Get Organized Now! Newsletter - By Maria Gracia
February 27-March 5, 2011
http://www.getorganizednow.com
1. Touch it once. This is a time management skill that will allow you to save time. For example, when returning a cup to the kitchen, instead of placing it on the counter and waiting until later to place it in the dishwasher, place it directly in the dishwasher now. Touching the cup only once will save you time and it will keep your counters clear.
2. Keep like items together. When like items are grouped near each other, it makes finding items much simpler for yourself and others within your household. There are many examples that could be provided for this concept. A few examples include grouping all your spices together in the kitchen, keeping all your casual shoes on one shelf, or storing the tape, scissors, and stapler in one drawer.
3. Keep items where you use them. Store your printer paper near your printer or blankets and sheets in or near the bedrooms. Why would you want to store your printer paper downstairs in the closet if your computer is upstairs in a spare bedroom? Items should be stored near where they will be used, in order to save time. It will be much easier to locate items.
4. Store according to use. Frequently used items should be kept easily accessible. For example, in the kitchen, place the everyday plates and cups in cupboards that you are not reaching for or bending down for. In contrast, seldom used items such as down comforters should be kept on a higher and harder to access shelf if it's something that will not be used daily.
5. One in, one out. For every new item you bring in the house, one must leave. This will help keep the volume of items you own the same. For example, if you buy a new T- shirt, an old T-shirt gets tossed or donated.
6. Pick a number. How many of a specific item does one person need to own? For example do you need 5 spatulas or 20 sweaters? Every person needs to determine their own `magic' number and they must also take into account their space and the amount of storage within their home.
7. Use hangers to determine clothes usage. When you seasonally change your clothing, place all your hangers in the closet hanging in one direction. After you wear an item and hang it back in the closet, place the hanger in the opposite direction. At the end of the season any hangers still hanging in the original direction indicates clothing that was not worn and therefore, should be donated, tossed, or repaired.
8. Don't pile it. File it. Rather than building up papers to be filed in a To File tray, just file each sheet of paper as you get it. You'll never have to schedule a mass filing session again.
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