Creating an Organizing System

There are literally hundreds of different systems that can be used to help organize ones life, and you can spend thousands of dollars on those same systems. There really is no need to do that. You can become more organized without spending money learning how. There is a simple three step rule that can have you being organized at home. Just follow these simple rules, and you will be able to have created an organizing system that really works.

Convenience.

It is always easier to put things away when it is convenient. This will allow you to save time, money and energy. You save time simply because you will not be looking all over the house for a particular item. What happens when you can't find that item? You end up having to go to the store to buy that item and end up loosing both money and energy. Think about where you usually use that item. Maybe its scissors that you are looking for, where do you usually use that item, is it in the bathroom, in where you wrap gifts, or is it where you clip your coupons. You may find that you are using the same item in several different parts of the home, then think about having duplicate items purchased and placed in the various parts of the house that you use them in. Don't forget to label them, that way you will know at a quick glance whether the scissors belong with the gift wrap, or in the kitchen by the coupons.

Consider storing things where it is convenient (this is usually where we use the item) and where it is convenient to use. Take a moment and think about the concept of a one-motion task. For instance if the lid is off the clothes hamper children are more prone to throw their dirty clothes into the hamper, but if it requires two or more motions the chance of it being done is pretty close to it not happening. Now how many steps it will require the child to put away his or her clothes if the lid is on:

• The child puts the clothes on the floor
• Removes the lid
• Picks up the clothes
• Throws the clothes into the basket
• The child puts the lid back onto the hamper

A simple one-motion task has now become five steps.

Divide and multiply.

Drawer dividers are wonderful, and can be used throughout the entire house. By using dividers you can multiply the available storage space. This also helps to keep small items in a well defined space. Loose drawer dividers are better than built-in space dividers, since as the needs change so can the dividers. Drawer dividers can be used in any room of the house.

Label.

One of the biggest helps in being organized is labeling, so label everything. Labeling is just as important as finding the right space for the right item. If the item is labeled and the place where it goes is labeled, then any doubts that you have as to where it goes are eliminated. Containers should be labeled with what the contents inside are. This way you can quickly check to see if the item that you are looking for is in the container. If you have small children in the home that can't read then put a picture by the label.