How Can I Get Organized?

After you've written down the things you want to do, it's time to plan them into your life. Here's a few ideas of where they might fit in:

* Do something big. If you have a room or area that needs a lot of organizing, choose something bigger to do - like paint, recarpet, or even restretch the carpet. When you have something big to do - with a deadline - you can get a big organization done quick. Only put back the stuff you want and you'll have one whole organized room!

* Give organization as a gift. Giving organization as a gift also gives you a deadline, is meaningful, and may really be something the person wants. Some ideas of organization gifts include:
72 hour kits
Car kit
First Aid kit
Everything We Need to Know Sheet
Family Home Evening Chart
Calendars
Exercise Log
The list is endless - look at what area of your life or relationships need organizing and give that gift away!

*Keep your stuff where it goes. Don't do quick clean ups where you throw everything in the closet. If you can't put it in the right place, don't put it away! It's better to have a big mess in the middle of a room than a million messes in all your drawers, cupboards, and closets. If you're in an emergency, and have to have stuff cleaned up fast, throw it all in a laundry basket, and when the emergency is over, dump it back in the middle of the room until you can put it away in the right spot. (You don't want to let those laundry baskets pile up).

* Make decisions. Decide what is important to you. Keep the things that are important to you and get rid of the rest.

* Look for change that will help you stay organized. My sister had a table in her house that was handy right when she walked in the door. Naturally it gathered everything - The mail, stuff to return, stuff to throw out, newspapers - everything. Her kids would get into it sometimes too, and that made it an even bigger mess. Then one day, she decided to move it. It made a huge difference. Since there wasn't a handy place to put stuff, she didn't. Is there a change you can make to help you stay organized?