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The Proven Process for Organizing Everything |
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The difference, I think, between innately organized people and those who struggle with organization is this: naturally organized people have an intuitive comprehension of the organization process. They just get it. No one had to teach it to them. They just know.
It's unfortunate that not everyone possesses this instinctual understanding of organization. However, there is good news. The process can be learned.
You may be amazed to discover just how simple the process is and also how versatile. Once you grasp the basic steps of the organization process, you can apply it to almost any organization project.
It's unfortunate that not everyone possesses this instinctual understanding of organization. However, there is good news. The process can be learned.
You may be amazed to discover just how simple the process is and also how versatile. Once you grasp the basic steps of the organization process, you can apply it to almost any organization project.
The Organization Process
Are you skeptical of the notion that organizing can be easy? Read on, and I will attempt to alleviate your doubts.
Step 1: Prepare
The first step in any organization project is to prepare. This starts by blocking out a chunk of time in which to work. Depending on the project, it may mean blocking out chunks of time over a period of days or weeks.
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Organization Takes Time |
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While there are certainly many types of organization projects that can be completed in an hour or two, one mistake novice organizers make is underestimating the amount of time a project will require.
Organization takes time. To do it right, you need to be prepared to dedicate days or even weeks to larger projects. In part, this is because organization often requires a lot of mental and emotional energy.
I generally work in three hour increments with clients, and I recommend a similar approach for anyone tackling a hefty organization project. Three hours is enough time to make good progress, but not so much time that you come away from the experience feeling mentally and emotionally drained. If you push yourself too hard, you are likely to procrastinate continuing with the project. Whereas, if you work in short but effective bursts, you will be motivated by your steady progress to keep going. You may even look forward to your next organizing session!
Organization takes time. To do it right, you need to be prepared to dedicate days or even weeks to larger projects. In part, this is because organization often requires a lot of mental and emotional energy.
I generally work in three hour increments with clients, and I recommend a similar approach for anyone tackling a hefty organization project. Three hours is enough time to make good progress, but not so much time that you come away from the experience feeling mentally and emotionally drained. If you push yourself too hard, you are likely to procrastinate continuing with the project. Whereas, if you work in short but effective bursts, you will be motivated by your steady progress to keep going. You may even look forward to your next organizing session!
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Eliminating distractions is part of setting aside time to organize. Treat your organizing time as sacred. Turn off your phone. Let others know not to disturb you for a few hours. Set yourself up for success by creating an environment wherein you can focus on the task at hand. If you can get into a mental groove during your organizing session, you'll be amazed what you can accomplish!
Something that will help you get into a groove and avoid distractions is preparing the area in advance, so that you don't have to stop to collect supplies or arrange the space. Gather trash bags, boxes, baskets, or some other type of container for sorting items. You'll need one for trash, one for items that belong in another area of the house, and one or more for items you wish to donate. It's useful to have labeling supplies on hand. I also recommend setting up a staging area where you can place items you intend to keep. This will make more sense in a minute. |
Step 2: Purge
Often in order to organize a space you need to empty it or at least dismantle it in sections. If you're organizing a pantry, for instance, it helps to remove everything. Place expired items in the trash and items you no longer want in a donation box. Sort the items you wish to keep into groups according to type (pastas, snacks, seasoning packets, etc.). This process of purging and sorting works effectively for pretty much any space you might be organizing - home office, file cabinet, closet, play room, garage...even a shed or recreational vehicle.
Step 3: Replace
Once you've purged and sorted, you're ready to put things back where they belong. With the pantry, closet, dresser, cabinet, or whatever other space you're working on empty, it's like starting with a clean slate. Take a moment to think through the most logical and efficient way to arrange the space before placing things where they belong.
It's also a good idea at this stage to plan out systems for keeping the space organized. A system is really just a way of doing things. In many cases it's enough just to have a designated place for everything. In other cases it's helpful to establish a process. Mail is a good example of this. It's not enough just to have a place where you put the mail after bringing it into the house, you need a process for dealing with it. Otherwise it will just pile up and become clutter.
It's also a good idea at this stage to plan out systems for keeping the space organized. A system is really just a way of doing things. In many cases it's enough just to have a designated place for everything. In other cases it's helpful to establish a process. Mail is a good example of this. It's not enough just to have a place where you put the mail after bringing it into the house, you need a process for dealing with it. Otherwise it will just pile up and become clutter.
Step 4: Remove
The final step in the organization process is to remove the things you no longer want or need. If you've got items to donate, do it now. Don't wait. It can be tempting to collapse and relax after an organizing session, but the longer you wait to remove unwanted items, the more likely it is that those items will sit in a pile by the door indefinitely, adding to your clutter rather than eliminating it.
There you have it: the proven process for organizing everything. That's all there is to it. This is the process I use with my clients, and it works. No matter how big or how small the project, it works. Give it a try. Start with something simple like the junk drawer or the bathroom medicine cabinet. Enjoy the success and let it fuel your motivation to tackle other projects. Then please, come back and share your achievement with me and my readers. Leave a comment at the bottom of the page and tell us what you accomplished!
