Set a timer for 30 minutes and see how much you can get done in that time. If sorting it, doing it, trashing it, or listing it on paper seems in itself to be a monumental task- break it up. Sometimes I feel better just from this step alone- what's it's on a list, it is off of my mind! Don't Forget About eMail!Īnd don't forget your email inboxes when battling back the clutter! The same rules apply- do it, delete it, or add it to the to-do list. Now you have a clear picture of what you'd like to get done. Even write down the things that are holding you back from a more organized life such a “re-vamp the kids chore chart” and “set up a family calendar that we can all sync to.”
Once you have tackled the piles on your kitchen counter, take your to-do list and walk through your house, writing down all of those things that you see every day and think “I really should do this”, or “When am I ever going to get this (closet, bookshelf, desk drawer) cleaned up?”. I put that in a folder on my desk and add an appointment on my calendar to deal with it. When I am done going through all of the papers- I should be left with one small pile which requires follow up. If it is school work that I just needed to review, I read it and then toss it (recycling it when possible!), or if it something that is going to take me a little while- such as paying bills, making a lengthy follow-up phone call- then I write it down as a “to-do” item to get to later. If it is something that can be done within a minute or two such as RSVP'ing to a birthday party and then adding it to my calendar, I do it immediately and then file the paper. I pick up each piece of paper once, quickly read it, and then decide what needs to happen next.
So I start on the far left side of my kitchen counter and I begin going through the piles. When the clutter of paperwork, schoolwork, and unopened mail stacked all over the kitchen counter is threatening to bury me, I feel very out of control.
#HOW TO ORGANIZE YOUR LIFE IN ONE WEEK HOW TO#
When it happens ( and it always does!)– this is how to get started on the path to organizing your life again: Step 1 to Organize Your Life: Sort It, Do It, Trash It, or List It! Any thoughts on where a organize misfit would begin to put order in her world so that these important challenges can be lived out? I would be so appreciative for any direction you could provide.” I truly want to help them learn the disciplines of keeping a home, keeping organized and also keeping care of themselves. Cluttered many times due to everyone not following chore times or helping out. “I am writing because there are so many areas that I need to tackle- it is most embarrassing yet at the same time confusing. (I know that it happens to me all of the time!)Īs an example, I received this email from a reader, Renae, who was feeling unorganized and stressed from all that she deals with in her busy life. When you find that things are feeling out of control, that the house is a mess, that you can't get anywhere on time, and that you aren't getting anything done on your to-do list- you start to feel as if you'll never be able to get organized! So when you get to that point where you want to dig in and regain control over your home and family, follow these 6 steps to help you start to organize your life again!Įven if you are someone who considers yourself to be a “fairly organized person” we all have weeks when things just slide right out of our control and chaos reigns supreme.