Aside from setting resolutions that are related to health, fitness, and our career many of us set intentions to get more organized. But when it comes down to it, many people feel overwhelmed and don't know where to begin--so they just give up. Since organization can be crucial to implementing and succeeding with other goals and resolutions, arguably it may be the most important.
Getting things organized. does not have to be a task that take hours on end. You can accomplish a lot in little bit of time. Here is a quick outline of some tips to get you more organized and reduce clutter in just 5 minutes.
- Grab your supplies. You will need a timer, a folder and three bags/boxes. The folder is for any important documents and or receipts that need to be saved and or scanned. One box is for giveaways, one is for recycling, one is for those items you just cannot part with (yet) but know you are not using, and the last one is for items that need to be transported to another room.
- Set your timer. Block everything else out for the next 5 minutes and focus solely on your work. This is easy, since you know you will only be working on this for 5 minutes. When you know you will be spending hours doing something, it is often much harder to focus.
- GO! Begin sorting items into the receptive folder/boxes/bags.
- Stop. Once the timer beeps, stop and reassess. If necessary, go for one more 5 minute round (or two if you have a big mess!).
- Take action. Sit down with your boxes and take the next step. If the giveaway box is full, tape it up and walk it out to your car to drop-ff at Goodwill or another charity. If the giveaway box still has room, save it to use when you clean another room/area. Take the recycling box to the appropriate bin/area. The box containing items you know you don't need but cannot yet part with, seal with tape and set aside in a closet or attic for 30 days. Put an expiration date on the outside of the box and calendar that date. If you don't open that box within that 30 day time period to retrieve something (assuming it is not just a keepsake), then recycle, giveaway or throw away the items in the box at the end of the 30 day deadline.
- File it. Put away any documents that are in your "to file" folder. Bonus points if you scan any receipts or documents that you do not need to keep the original. If you do not yet have storage space for scanned documents, consider a Gmail account or use Dropbox. Either way make sure you either have a third party account or be sure to back-up the documents on your computer, in case of a crash.
- Prevent. The best way to reduce clutter is to prevent it in the first place. Try to only handle something once, meaning if you retrieve your mail, don't just stack it on your desk and let it pile up, take action! Quickly sort through the items, scan what you need to keep, shred any junk mail containing personal information, and set your bills in your "to pay" stack. Anything remaining can go straight to the recycling bin. By dealing with the mail immediately, you are preventing a need to declutter in the future.
- Check-in weekly. Rather than waiting to Spring Clean,, why not check in every week. Are there books you know longer use hanging out on the bookshelf? Turn them in a a used bookstore and get something new to read. Are there clothes hanging in your closet that no longer fit you or you don't feel put together when you wear them? Put them in the box to go to Goodwill or consign them for some new-to-you outfits.
By taking small actions you can make a BIG impact in achieve goals in the New Year. How do you plan to organize your life this year? What item is on the top of your list?
