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6 Daily Organizing Concepts

Getting organized is all about applying simple concepts each day on a regular basis. Here are 6 simple organizing concepts you can begin applying today:

1. Big on top of small often results in lost items. 

Never take a large item like a newspaper and place it on top of too small of an item like a set of keys.  Once a big item is over a small item, it's out of sight. You may spend hours searching for it later on.

2. If it doesn't have a home, it's homeless.

Each item in your home or office needs to have a permanent home. This way when you have to retrieve the item, you'll know exactly where it is. You'll also know exactly where to put the item when you're done using it. Homeless items cause clutter. The less homeless things you have, the less clutter you will have.

3. Temporary often becomes permanent.

How many times have you put something down "just for now", and that item was still sitting there a week or even a month later? Temporary places often become permanent places. It's better to put it away now instead of allowing clutter to accumulate in large piles.

4. Miscellaneous equals chaos.

Don't label file folders 'Miscellaneous' or 'stuff.' These types of folders become disorganized, chaotic catch-alls. When setting up your filing system, come up with major categories that are descriptive, such as Financial, or Home or Legal. Then come up with some sub-categories so the main categories don't get stuffed with paper. For instance, in back of a major category like Financial, you might have sub- categories like Bank Accounts, Credit Cards and Mutual Funds. If a paper is important enough for you to keep, it can most definitely be filed under a descriptive category.  If you even think about filing it under Miscellaneous or Stuff, re-think if it's really necessary to keep that sheet of paper.

5. Now is better than later. Later is better than never.

The longer you put something off the less of a chance you're ever going to get to it. Either take care of the task, errand, or project now, or get out your planner and schedule a definite date to handle it. When the date rolls around make a commitment to get the task done.

6. Saying 'no' sometimes is OK. 

You're living in an age in which you're being pulled from so many directions, whether those directions include your kids, your spouse, school, work, social activities, events and so on. You can't be running all the time, or you're bound to run yourself ragged. So many people say 'yes' to every single request out of guilt. But when you keep saying 'yes' to everybody else, you keep saying 'no' to you. Next time you're asked to volunteer for something you really don't have the time or the will to do, graciously say, 'I'm sorry, but my schedule is really booked right now.