Leslie’s 10 No Fail Organizing Principles 

These  are my most oft-repeated organizing principles. Take them and make them yours to bring about positive changes in your life.    

Everything needs a home.   This is my first answer to almost every organizing question. Whether you feel like you’re organizing all day yet getting nowhere, or you don’t know where or how to start, these four words are likely at the root. If things don’t have a home, a designated spot, you’re much more apt to just let them sit where they land. That’s why everything needs a home!   

Use a timer.   It’s one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to stay on track. Setting aside a predetermined amount of time to work can fuel focus and motivation during that specified time period. Using a timer that actually shows time moving (I love the Time Timer) will provide a helpful cue for visual thinkers. But any timer will help, including the one on your phone.    This Time Timer is one of our favorites - and they aren’t just for students!

Break larger projects into small, achievable tasks.   I can’t stress this point enough. Breaking down a big task into manageable parts makes working toward the big goal less overwhelming. It also provides multiple opportunities to realize success, because with the completion of each part comes a sense of accomplishment. That feeling of “I can do it!” can keep you going.    

Make getting started simple.   Overwhelmed? Start with a task that is so small and so easy that success is virtually guaranteed. Choose one decision to make, one email to write, one piece of clothing to put away, one drawer to declutter. You get the idea. Chances are good that once you start, you’ll keep going.    

Hang analog clocks.   A good old-fashioned analog clock with hands lets you see time move and where you stand in relation to the rest of the day. Analogs also help you understand how long it takes to complete a task and how much time you have before you need to do the next thing.    CLICK HERE for a great basic analog clock.

Time your tasks.   In order to succeed at time management, you first need to know how long it takes you to get things done. Put another way, in order to have a good idea of where your time goes and be able to plan accordingly, you need to know how long tasks take. Time-specific tasks to get a real sense of how long each one takes and keep notes.   

Curate playlists.   Music is a fantastic way to cue the brain as to what it needs to do next. I advise students to create a playlist of familiar music to listen to while they work. The consistency of hearing the same songs over and over will help train the brain to activate and stay focused.   

Purge, purge, purge  BEFORE  you shop for organizing products.   Sort, streamline and toss first. When you know what you’re keeping AND where it will have a home (see #1!), THEN buy any needed bins, baskets or other appropriate containers. Don’t forget to measure your spaces and shop with a tape measure.   

Forgive yourself.   We get super angry with ourselves when we procrastinate over and over again. Research shows that all that negativity is making the problem worse! So instead of getting on your case, forgive yourself. You’ll be better off for it.   

BONUS Principle! Use my Triple S System to set daily goals: They should be SHORT, SIMPLE and SPECIFIC. ‘Nuff said. 

DISCLOSURE:

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