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Jump start your January and get 2016 off to the best start ever! It’s a brand new year which means a clean slate for turning over a new leaf and getting organized in order to function at optimum speed! I talked with Studio 10 Live host, Stephanie Webb on the first episode of the year about 5 ways to jumpstart your organized year!
Let’s first start with a few rules:
The biggest part of organizing is having things you love and use, getting rid of the rest, and then organizing what’s left.
Two best words: Clutter free. Don’t let clutter weigh you down! Clutter is a constant reminder of how scattered and unorganized you are being. Decluttering your space will lower your level of stress. A tidy space is zen like and can help you and your family relax.
Supplies needed to start!
- Same color file folders
- A label maker
- Sharpies
- Bins
- Notepads
- Garbage bags
- Clorox Wipes
- An “I can do this!” Attitude
5 Ways to Start Getting Organized
1. Get it together. Make a plan.
Write it down. Do you have written goals? Make a vision board! If you are reading this at your desk can you put your finger on them right now? If you answered no to these questions, you are not alone. A total of 90 percent of people do not have written goals. Writing down your goals does a number of things for you:
• It reinforces your commitment to them
• It helps you remember them
• It makes you accountable
• It gives you focus
2. PURGE!
The time is now. I find that I don’t need more space, I really need less stuff. So how do you purge? Simple. Set aside some time. Tackle one small space at a time (before you organize). Make bins or piles for TDRNR (Trash, Donate, Recycle, Not Sure, Return). Ask yourself questions: Do I need this? When did I last use this? Can I borrow or rent? Do I love this? Once complete, remove bibs immediately!
3. Start somewhere!
Anywhere! Do the thing that is most distasteful to you first. Where are you starting!?
Kitchen-
Get that kitchen under control! Reclaim your refrigerator! Wipe it down. Purge all the crazy storage containers. Go through your pantry! Buy one brand of containers so it all fits together. Do you need 15 coffee mugs? Clean out the plastic kid cups. But one per child and that is THEIR cup. Dishes. One set of 8 or 12.
Example shown: Tervis tumblers are our new cups in the house. One per person and the rest are history!
Organizational Flow-
A place for everything and everything in its place. Is your routine ready for action? Have kids? How is your morning flow or after school flow? Routines work! A few routines that I do to keep me organized and zen like:
1. Make me bed everyday. It immediately will declutter your space. In seconds. And can instantly set your mood to get ready to tackle the day.
2. Wipe down my sinks and bathroom each night.
3. Keep the clutter away before I go to bed.
It’s a good reset for the morning and your family will thrive in that balance too.
Clean Your Car-
A really good, deep clean. Stay on top of your car maintenance. My rule for my car is “No garbage left behind.” Every day we clean it out. All of it. I keep my necessary items in the glove box along with a smal box in the back that has jumper cables, my AAA card, my kids medical conditions, insurance, registration.
Office-
New year means new files! Organize by switching over to newly tabbed folders with a brand new color! It makes sorting through the mail piles and organizing super easy when it comes to tracking paper that can easily pile up! Online? Mint for those personal finances.
Schedule Organizing-
Writing it down, adding it in to your main source of organization will have you feeling so organized when new things pop up. Stay one step ahead of the game! Is your afternoon schedule organized? How can you make your morning more efficient?
Kids’ Stuff-
It’s everywhere! But clear bins or properly labeled boxes will help keep a place for everything and everything in its place.
4. Taking time for you!
Have you carved out some time for you? Made any New Years resolutions? Or what about time for you and the spouse to reconnect? Set a date night and remember it. Book a sitter (in advance) or have a plan worked out to kid swap so you and your best friend can get some quality time relaxing! Is there a class you might like to take?
It’s a new year and that can mean a clean slate. Look forward and get excited about what the future holds.
Example shown: FitBook
5. Realize that Rome wasn’t built in a day.
If you have the time to tackle everything at once. It gets overwhelming. And overwhelming can lead to discouragement. Try a weekly house cleaning schedule. Make a list with that ties into bigger fix items and then prioritize! What needs to be done first vs. what can wait.
Printable Shown: Weekly Chore Chart
Thank you to Studio 10 Live for having me on!
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