Organize - Schmorganize! Who Needs It? | Moving and Relocating

By TheAffordableStorageGuy
Total views: 52
Word Count: 786

My father used to say that there were two kinds of people in the world - those that are organized and those that aren't. Maybe that was true years ago, but I see it differently. I view organization in two ways: effective or ineffective. If what you are happy with your type of organization - why change?

I think we spend too much time thinking about what other people think of our ability to organize. We can be very judgmental. Have you ever made assumptions about someone whose organizational style is different than your own?

What matters most is that you are happy with your organizational skills. Whether you fold and color code your socks and underwear or alphabetize soup cans, or drop everything (clean clothes, dirty clothes, magazines, uneaten food, etc.) into a big pile on the floor; you need to give yourself permission to be who you are and not let the opinion of others' upset you. However, if you wish you were more effective. Keep reading!

Anyway, that's a topic for another article. What I wanted to do today is to offer a simple plan for organizing yourself in two basic 'zones': time and things. Feel free to modify these ideas to suit yourself. To be honest, a lot of it is just common sense.

Organize Your Things Using Three Boxes

First, get three boxes. In large letters label the boxes:

Box 1, the first box is the 'THROW AWAY' box. Box 2, the second box is the 'GIVE AWAY' box. Box 3, the third box is the 'PUT AWAY' box.

Sort through a cluttered area and ask yourself three questions to decide which box an item goes into:

1. Have I used this item in the past year? a. Yes? - Put it away if you will continue to use it. b. No? - Throw or give away 2. Does the item have sentimental or monetary value? a. Yes? - Is it something you want to keep or is it time to pass it on to someone else who would appreciate it? b. No? - Throw or give away. If you want less clutter in your space, you will absolutely need to let go of some stuff! 3. Do I know someone who could use this? a. Yes? - Great! Give it to them. If you think you might need it sometime, just ask them if you would be able to borrow it if you ever need it. b. No? - You can always donate items to the Salvation Army or another charitable society.

WARNING - Beware of the phrase 'You never know when this will come in handy.' You'll never be able to throw or give anything away because it's too easy to convince yourself that you are being prudent by keeping everything.

Organize Your Time By Creating A To Do List

When you think about it, we are all given the same 24 hours in a day. I'm always amazed at the choices - and consequences - that people experience. I wonder how many of us would make different choices if 'had to do it all over again'?

One simple thing you can do to get a better control of your time is to create a daily to do list. It doesn't matter what you write the list on - as long as you keep it with you. The idea is that you write down all the things you need to get done as they pop up throughout the day including appointments, errands, grocery list items, etc.

In the quiet of the morning - or before you go to bed - review your appointments and commitments for the day and pick two or three other things that you want to get done. If something keeps getting shuffled to the bottom of the list - that's okay. There will be days when you have nothing to do - except now you do :-)

Is anything on your list that you can ask someone else to do? Sometimes we think we have to do everything ourselves; which is usually not the only solution. But it does keep us stressed out and overly busy!

Organization Can Become A Habit

Whatever you are used to doing is a habit - and it will take a concentrated effort on your part to change. It has been said that it takes 21 days to replace a habit. Why do most New Year's Resolutions fade? Because we don't focus on them long enough to become a new habit.

Do It Again, and Again, and Again!

So, in your journey to become more effective with your time and/or space be aware that it takes about a month of constant, conscious repetition to make a lasting personal change.

About the Author

The Affordable Storage Guy enjoys sharing information that people find helpful. Affordable Storage has provided Edmonton storage for over two decades. Drop in to either of our locations Sherwood Park Storage or St. Albert Trail, Edmonton Storage and ask for our helpful packing tips giving helpful suggestions and packing tips. The coffee is always on. We look forward to meeting you!

You are here Articles > Home > Moving and Relocating