Everything in Its Place Saves Time
By Cyndy Ratcliffe
We’ve all heard the phrase "a place for everything and everything in its place." It’s logical that as long as things are where they should be we can locate what we need right away and not waste all that time in search of items like our keys, important paperwork or that matching sock. Here's how you can get started finding a place for everything:
Phase 1: Deciding what we really need a home for to begin with
Decide to keep only what you need, use, love. Every item you currently own or bring into your life in one way or another requires energy from you. You have to dust it, repair it, read it, move it, fill it out, use it, water it, shuffle it around, make it, sort it, drive it somewhere, clean it, find space for it or store it. You get the idea. All of this zaps your time and energy, so think carefully and be ruthless in deciding what will take away your precious time! The more you can set free, the less clutter to get lost in!
Phase 2: Determining where the items we keep should be housed
Keep the thinking simple. House items in the location that they are most often used. Everyday items should be housed within easy reach of all family members and should be easy to put away and retrieve. If items are not used often -- say, vases -- then they can be housed in a less accessible location, such as a top shelf in the garage or laundry room. Items that are used in many areas of the house -- say, scissors -- can be housed in those numerous locations.
Also, be sure that you’re housing location -- for instance, for mail -- is in the path that an individual would take naturally coming into the house. If you set the expectations that mail will be housed immediately upstairs you are only setting yourself up for disappointment. Work with the flow. Do not try to change where your spouse will drop his/her receipts at the end of the day. You know where the purse or pocket gets emptied, so create the location there for receipts.
Phase 3: Deciding what containers you want to house your items in
Again, keep it simple. Stop to determine how difficult it will be to put away or retrieve the items you are housing.The fewer steps an individual has to make to put something away or retrieve it, the more likely the "home" will prove successful. A dog leash on a hook is a prime example. The hook allows for one movement to put away or retrieve the leash. Putting it in a drawer requires three movements: open the drawer, put the leash in, close the drawer. I know this sounds exaggerated, but try it in your home or office and watch how it works. In addition, clear boxes, bins or drawer dividers are recommended
for quicker recognition of items.
So, now you have sorted and established locations for your items. You have purchased the needed containers. You are motivated and enthusiastic for your systems to work this time. The other members of your office or home, however, might not be as enthusiastic because now you have moved their "stuff." Phases 4 and 5 are essential in making your plan a successful with the team.
Phase 4: Label, label, label!
It is essential to label your containers, shelves and drawers so that everyone understands where things go in the newly organized space. Work with children to set up their own "place for everything." Like adults, when children are involved in the process of creating a home for their belongings the potential for upkeep is more likely. Be sure each container for toys or clothing is labeled in a way that your child can understand it. I recommend that your child create the label. If your child is too young to read words, let her draw a picture of the contents in the container.
Phase 5: Get everyone on board
Let your family or co-workers in on the newly organized space. Explain where things are located and what their part is in working this new system.
One word of caution: After you have a home for items, watch out for the "for now" syndrome. This is the reason organized areas fall back into their original condition over time. Subconsciously or not, we put things in a temporary location telling ourselves that we will put it away later. I call this the "for now" syndrome. "I’ll just put this piece of paper here (for now) and put it away later, when I get the time." You know the rest of that story.
It is important to be aware that new habits need to be acquired for placing the items back in their new homes. Be patient with yourself and others that you are trying to get on board with the newly organized space. Old habits die hard. Just pick back up and try again. The time and energy you get back is well worth it!
Learn more about Cyndy Ratcliffe at www.organizingsolutions.biz.
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