Did you think she was? Do you insist on having everything in perfect order at all times, just in case she drops by?
Today's world no longer requires that, says Bredenberg, known in some circles as the "Guru of Dirt," and most recently the author of "How to Cheat at Organizing: Quick, Clutter-Clobbering Ways to Simplify Your Life" (The Taunton Press, $14.95).
When it comes to organizing, he said in a telephone interview from his home near Philadelphia, the all-or-nothing, top-to-bottom philosophy is antiquated and unnecessary. What you need is a pared-down, organized-just-enough lifestyle. What you need to do is create enough order that you will be happy with it — but take shortcuts every chance you get. In other words, he said, what you need to do is cheat at organizing.
• Keep it simple. Don't make an organizational system any more complex than absolutely necessary. If you have to dive into minutiae every time you use the new system, you're going to dread using it, and things will drift back into disorder.
• Keep it going. Organization is an ongoing process, not a finite project. Every time you bring order to a part of your home, don't just stand back and admire — envision how you're going to keep it that way.
• Memorize the S's. The S4 technique is a strategy that will be used again and again: strip, scrap, sort and store.
• Consider proximity. Store things in your home close to the spot where they are used. This way, objects are more likely to be put away after they have been used.
• Celebrate letting go. Celebrate getting rid of stuff instead of acquiring. The fewer possessions you have, the easier it is to create order. When you stuff more and more things into your house, keeping them organized becomes impossible.
• Embrace innovation. You shouldn't spend willy-nilly on every new gizmo that comes along, but if the added expense is worth the convenience you gain, it should be purchased.
Know when to pick up the phone. Everyone has limits, and when you're accomplishing tasks around the house, send up a red flag when you're about to surpass those limits. Hire people who know what they're doing to handle the task — whether it's changing a light switch or debugging the home computer. Use the HIRE criteria: If a task is Hard, Important, Rarely done and Elaborate, pay a professional to do it.
• Keep memories not objects. If you're a collector, seriously re-evaluate what you're doing every year. Don't let sentimentality turn your home into a mess. Life situations and personal priorities change, so have the courage to dispose of or seriously reduce a collection that is no longer relevant.
• Buy the good stuff. Invest money in quality, not quantity. One exquisite, versatile suit is far better than three cheap ones. A professional-grade screwdriver will last longer than five bargain-bin tools.
• Buy duplicates. Be willing to store identical products at multiple "stations." For example, keep toothpaste and deodorant not only in the bathroom but also in your gym bag and in your travel kit. This way, you won't have to remember to grab those items every time you hit the road.
• Eliminate distractions. Don't passively submit to annoying or distracting elements that impose on your life. Ask your colleague to take you off his circulation list for chain e-mails he just has to share with 150 of his best friends. Remind telemarketers you are on the national "do not call" list — and if you're not, get on it.
click for more organizing tips
see also 'lazy organizer' link
1 comment:
Jen, this is so timely for me...thanks. I just got a call the other day from a client that wants me to help organize their home. I think I can do it and especially like to read the tips available on the Internet. It definitely crosses over into my field because you have to be organized before your home can be beautiful. It is a basic first step.
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