Setting Goals for Getting Organized

Goals. We all have them. We need to have them.

Do you know the goals for your living space? Is it convenient for you and your family to live there? Could your house be “company” ready within a 1/2 hour notice? Are things routinely put way; laundry, clean dishes, or table clutter?

Well, if you can’t answer yes to several of these questions you need to set some goals.

The Messies Manual written by Sandra Felton suggests that you should write the goals down on paper.

“The hardest part is keeping one’s goals in view when the going gets rough and the end is not in sight. That’s why it is so important to write it down. If it is written, you have made a stronger commitment”.

My personal goal (which I wrote in the margin of the book as suggested) is: I wish my home to be free of clutter, well organized and clean. I wish to keep only what I need to be comfortable, what I require for my soul and what I need to access for information or posterity.

The book also suggests reaching your goals by incorporating the three Cs into your plan. The three Cs are change, commitment and control.

Change can be difficult. It involves exploring uncharted territory.

Trying new approaches to old routines is one way to start. If your stored dishes are on the other side of the kitchen, far from the dishwasher, it is time to move them. Commitment means you consider these goals part of your daily activities. The goal is as important each day as getting up and getting dressed. Lastly, control is vital. If your goals are to be met, then whatever is standing in your way has to be prioritized.

Ms. Felton says, “You have only a limited amount of time and energy. Spend it where it will help accomplish your goals”.

The Shiny Sink

www.flylady.net talks about the “shiny sink.” The plan is to keep your kitchen sink shiny for one month. Miss a day, start again the next day.

The shiny sink is a reflection of your smiling face in the morning. A great way to start your day. Go to her site and watch the video.

The Messies Manual

The first book I read when I wanted to get myself motivated was The Messies Manual by Sandra Felton. It is a light-hearted, funny and logical approach to organization and decluttering. I have read it for tips many times and highly recommend it as a starter primer. She has written several books, so follow the series.

Closet Decluttering

The Oprah episode of April 27, 2009 talked about closet decluttering. Peter Walsh was on. He said in these stress filled times decluttering
helps your mind. “It gives a better quality of life”. Also on that episode Peter said that selling things online brings a 4-5 times greater
return than yard sales. He recommended www.craigslist.com. I’ve used craigslist many times, you save shipping because you advertise locally.

You have the option to meet someone somewhere to exchange the sale or they can pick-up the item at your home. Follow the cash only rule.

Peter Walsh on Oprah

Peter Walsh had a great tip about a kitchen drawer clean-out. He said take everything out of a drawer and put it in a box. Set a time limit of one
month. As you use an item, when it is clean it can be returned to the drawer. Everything left at the end of the one month limit – give it away.
To see 60 second video go to http://www.oprah.com/contributor/home/peterwalsh.