6 Steps of Getting Organizing

If you haven’t listened to my PodCast lately, you don’t know that I’m discussing de-cluttering and getting organized. (Subtle hint to go listen)

For this weeks Saturday Six, I’m going to share with you the 6 Steps of Getting Organized. My PodCast shows are more in depth, but the point of this post is 6 – right? This list is the basic steps you need to follow.

1. Plan: create a list of what you want to organize in your home and what you need to organize. Next to each area/room on your list, estimate how much time it will take to do it.
2. Devote Time: again you need to plan your organizing projects, so figure them into your schedule. Whether it’s 15 minutes or 2 hours, make time in your schedule to devote to organizing.
3. Stay Focused: once you start working on an organizing project, do not leave it. Do not leave the room you are working on to go put away the stray items you picked-up while de-cluttering. Just keep them in a box until you are done, then you can put those items away.
4. De-clutter: get rid of all the obvious clutter in the room you want to organize.
5. Sort and Purge: when you pick up an item, you need to decide if you will keep, trash, donate or sell it. Make a decision and stick to it!
6. Group: anything that is staying in your area should be grouped with like items. This make storing easier.

Rinse and repeat.

A couple notes:

• Numbers 5 and 6 can be done at the same time, and you may find that once you do number 6, you’ll do number 5 again!
• Bring your cleaning supplies with you – once you put every thing away and get rid of the items you are not keeping, take the time to dust and vacuum. It should only take a few minutes since you’ve just de-cluttered and organized!
• Reward yourself! After each area/room is completed, take the time to celebrate. This might be going shopping for the organizing bins and gadgets you want or as simple as taking a nap (which is what I did after I organized and cleaned my master bedroom!)