Today I want to share three of the most important things NOT to do when you’re organizing. They’re ones we ALL do from time to time — usually to SAVE time but it ultimately makes the job and less effective. So, let’s get going!
Not Pulling Everything Out
This is one of my BIG ones — when you don’t pull everything out of an area that you’re organizing you can’t:
- CLEAN out the area (seriously, a 30 second dust job makes an area just FEEL better)
- Make an easier choice on what NEEDS to go back (if things aren’t out, it’s just easier to pass them by).
- Really create a new SYSTEM by seeing a blank space.
Confession: I do this ALL the time. I really think “I can do it this one time” and that’s just a lie I tell myself. If I just took the time, it might take 5 minutes longer….
I actually talk about this step a lot in my 5 Word Organization Challenge — it’s free, come join me in there!
Not Having Your 3 Piles
When I organize I try to make sure that I have 3 piles/baskets/bins
- Garbage
- Goodwill
- Goes somewhere else
My daughter does NOT believe in the third pile and then she spends a ton of time putting stuff away when I just have a basket that holes what needs to go elsewhere and I just go through that basket when I’m done and put things away rather than breaking-up my organizing time over and over again putting things away.
Only Take YOU Into Account
Is your space jut for you? Then you can ignore this rule. But, often I’m organizing spaces that need to be used my multiple people.
When I’m organizing our linen closet, I could put the Band-Aids at the very back, but that’s not helpful if I have a Band-Aid obsessed kid who always grabs them. I may want to just put them at the front for them. It will also increase the likelihood they’re put away.
It’s tempting to organize for what’s pretty, or what YOU need — but you have to organize for the people you have. Create systems that work for ALL of you.
The Organized Home is actually the course MADE to help families organize. You really can organize your home with just a few steps! Check out the great monthly or annual pricing here.
I am not here to say that I don’t make these mistakes now and then (or watch my family members make them) but when I avoid them, things just run more smoothly!
Leave a Reply