Organising your home can seem like a huge task if there is clutter everywhere and you have no idea about where to even start. Create a plan on how to tackle organising your home and use some of the tips I've listed below...
Step One: Analyse The Clutter
Begin by looking and assessing each room - one at a time. This can be daunting if you are surrounded by clutter, but persevere. It can help if you can understand the reasons *why* you are experiencing a clutter problem. This can be due to many factors such as family, time, over shopping, the list is endless - you need to see where the problems are and work on fixing them.
To start this exercise, use a notebook and write down the problem areas in each room. For instance, if your wardrobe and clothes drawers are overflowing - perhaps you need to reassess your wardrobe all together; you have magazines piled high under the coffee table - why are you holding onto these?. While you are doing this exercise, it is important not to forget areas such as the garage, the dreaded junk drawer, and any areas that are out of sight.
Step Two: Create A Plan
Once you have discovered where the main areas are that so cluttered, it is time to find solutions for each area. Address each area separately and create a plan that will help you tackle sorting through the clutter (what to keep and what should go), cleaning the space, what tools or storage items you will need, reorganising the space and most importantly - how to keep that space clean and organised. Solutions are easy - you can donate unwanted items to charity, sell them on ebay or dispose and you can purchase additional perhaps more efficient storage solutions.
Plan how you are going to store things - do you need containers, hooks, shelves, labels? Most importantly - are these storage systems going to be practical. If you are finding this difficult - a Professional Organiser can always assist you.
Find the best solution to the clutter/organising problems that annoy you the most. Research on the internet, ask friends about their suggestions - the most important system to implement however, is a system that is going to work for you and the people who use it.
Step Three: Put your plan into action!
Unless you have a very large amount of time spare, de-cluttering and reorganising is going to take time! The best way to tackle this is to perhaps allocate a few hours a day if you can spare it, or even a week to work on getting rid of the clutter and reorganising your spaces.
You might even like to plan a weekend where you can enlist the help of your family - more hands, less work.
With any big task however, it is advisable to break that task into smaller chunks - you will get through it quicker and retain your motivation.
Step Four: Maintenance
Once you have de-cluttered and reorganised your home - allocate an amount of time per day/week to maintain it. Taking five or ten minutes a day to put things away, quickly dust, wipe down surfaces will leave you more time on the weekend to enjoy your life instead of being bogged down with household chores. Now is the time to develop good habits when it comes to clutter - be ruthless.
You may find that certain systems/storage ideas don't in fact work - now is a fantastic time to change this to something that does work.
Good luck!
We would love to hear from you - share your experiences with de-cluttering, what worked for you and what didn't...
It really is essential to keep a clean and clutter free desk - whether at home or work. Let's start afresh in 2011 and get your desk in order!
Here are some helpful tips to help you get your desk under control and work smarter, not harder:
Making Your Desk Functional
You must be able to find what you need quickly - planning your space well will save you time and ultimately money.
Have a place for everything - which will enable you to access items at a moments notice - not go hunting through piles of clutter to find something.
If you use something every day - it needs to be more accessible than something you only use once or twice a week.
Organise your files by labellilng them clearly - and in a system which allows you to find papers easily. I use alphabetical order - just easier that way for me. Always make a point to file your papers as soon as you have finished with them - handling paperwork only once will help save you time!
Computer equipment takes a lot of room on our desk - printers, cords, modems, etc... Keep your cords bundled together with velco strips and label them so you know what you are unplugging.
Creating Better Desk Habits
Piles are paper are one of the biggest problems I've come across as a professional organiser. The biggest piece of advice that I can offer you is to process each piece of paper as it comes to hand. Handle that piece of paper only once. Maintaining a clutter free desk will help keep you working productively.
A regular desk organisation routine can help save you loads of time. A planner or diary is a better place to make notes rather that random scraps of paper. Any time you are looking for information - it will be in the one place.
Tidy your desk at the end of each day - and it will give you a clean and fresh start the next morning.
Some Basic Tips to Help You Declutter And Reorganise Your Desk
You'll need to have a rubbish bin, a pen, files/folders,labels and a few good hours of your time.
Clear your desk completely - the top of the desk, the drawers, etc. Sort through each item and categorize it --- either put it away or get rid of it.
Get rid of things that you don't need - pens and pencils for example - if you're not going to use it - it's CLUTTER!
Have a place for everything - which will enable you to access items at a moments notice.
Setting up A Paper Managing System
- Set up an inbox with a stackable tray where all items can be put that need attention.
- You can have other trays - but less is more. Personally, I have three: Inbox, Bills to Pay and Projects - this suits me, but may not suit you.
- Remember to file,shred or recycle that piece of paper once you have processed it.
Brash and Sassy specialise in organising - if you have a desk or office out of control - we can help! Contact Us here and work smarter in 2011.
Are you ready for Christmas?
Well, we only have around four weeks left until Christmas to go now.... Don't be one of those people who leaves everything to the last minute - plan now for a stress free holiday! If you haven't already - make a list, check it twice - don't be worrying about who has been naughty or nice... Below is a checklist that I personally use every year in order to plan for Christmas...
October...
- Book hairdressing appointment for December - you would be surprised how busy they get around the festive season.
- List the friends, family and others that you need to purchase gifts for.
- Purchase your Christmas cards - don't forget that you may have spare cards left over from last year --- save yourself some money!
- Make a list of people you will be sending Christmas cards to.
November...
- Order your ham and turkey and/or seafood - you do not want to be dissapointed.
- Write out your Christmas Cards.
- Send out international cards to ensure they receive them in time. The postal services are extremely busy in the month of December - get in early.
- Shop for new Christmas decorations - if you need new ones. They get heavily reduced after Christmas (the best time to stock up on them).
- Check Christmas light bulbs - and purchase new ones if neccessary.
- Purchase your christmas gifts (refer to your list)
December...
- Post Christmas Cards - always keep spare cards on hand (just in case).
- Put up the Christmas tree and decorate your house.
- Plan your food and drink shopping early.
- Purchase your gift wrapping items - don't forget to check what you have left over from the previous year.
- Wrap presents - make sure you have everyone covered.
- Ensure you have the batteries required for any toys that may be given as presents on Christmas day.
- Purchase any last minute gifts
- Clean your fridge and oven
- Purchase drinks and perishable foods a day or two prior to Christmas day.
- Make a time-plan for Christmas day - to avoid panic.
- Check cameras for batteries.
Christmas Eve...
- Prepare any salads and food that you can for the big day ahead.
- Set and decorate the table (if possible).
- Wrap any last minute presents.
- Ensure that you have checked your list twice and you have everything you need.
Christmas Day...
- Get up nice and early - Christmas day isn't just for the kids you know.
- Put the Christmas turkey onto cook.
- Make the last minite preparations such as vegetables, desserts, etc.
- And most importantly of all - enjoy your Christmas day - stress free - with your family and friends...
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