101 Ways to Get Organized Continued Let Good Order Reign!

Let Good Order Reign!

Even the most organized person can struggle with being orderly. In fact, it is often the
most organized who have the most difficulty keeping on top of organization.
What makes the Difference?

As your workload continues to increase, your environment can suffer unless you take
some time to take care of administrative and organizational tasks. It does not take long
for every day mail to pile up if it is not being put away in its place as you finish with it.
That "place" might be a temporary home, but at least the letters are put away instead of
sitting out on the desk somewhere.

Remember that whatever is not put in its place will only pile to make clutter.
Because your busy lifestyle warrants continuous maintenance to keep an orderly
environment, a key to being clutter-free is to put things away when you are done with
them. It really only takes a moment but, if you do not, it can take hours to sort out when it
gets out of control.

Remember that time is money.
Your new behavior usually has to be developed, like a routine. Developing a good routine
takes time. The act of putting something away right away may sound easy for some, yet,
on the other hand, is not part of some individual’s basic nature. We are often too busy to
be bothered with doing that, right? On the other hand, maybe you just haven’t designated
a "home" for the item yet, yes? Whatever your attitude is, the best thing you can do for
yourself now is change it (the attitude.)

If you were to look around your home right now, it would be a good "drill" to spot what
does not have a place.

A new home for magazines could be a magazine basket or holder. For audio and
videotapes, a home could be special holders, containers, or even a drawer, or designated
shelf. Mail should have a basket to go into. Projects or papers could go in folders. Folders
could go in a folder rack, holder, basket, or filing cabinet. It just makes good sense,
otherwise, all your items will only lie around and collect dust and this is the first step to
amassing clutter. Office supplies can go in a cabinet, a drawer, or containers. Items such
as keys and glasses can be placed on hooks or in a designated dish. Now you get the idea!
Once everything has been assigned a place or go to temporarily, the area will be tidy and
organized. Suddenly you will think and breathe freely and you will have an increased
sense of well being.

It is a good habit to work on just one project at a time and, before moving on to the next
activity, put it away.

If you want to be clutter-free, have all of your projects in order. As you finish one, put it
away before you begin on the next. This way your work area will remain free, clear, and
tidy. You will be able to apply yourself best to your projects in this way. You are
developing good habits and you will be more creative. To end you work day, clear off
your desk. This will make way for more work to come later. There is nothing more tiring
than having to clear the way from the day before when you want to start anew.

Let's get Organized!

This section is for members who want to get organized and stay organized.

Let’s Get Organized!
Easy and Simple Strategies to
Getting (and Staying) Organized

Introduction
“You can find pictures anywhere. It is simply a matter of noticing things and organizing them. You just have to care about what is around you and have aconcern with humanity and the human comedy.”
-Elliott Erwitt

How we spend out time says a lot about who we are. 
If you are simply too tired or do not have adequate time to do anything in the evenings, then your daily routine is out of balance and you need to make adjustments. Your work can be too difficult or unsuitable, or you may not be making full use of your hours during your day or evening. A good balance of your time is needed for work, goals,
recreation, and relaxation. Take a close look at your daily routine, examine your findings
and come up with a plan. Be prepared to follow your plan and with this, you can become
better organized.

Why be better organized? 
Being busy will keep your mind off worry because you will not be thinking of two different things at one time. You can make good use of your time away from work to increase your knowledge of things and life, to work at a hobby or project, and then to relax and be content. This is good balance and when you are better balanced your are better organized.

Perhaps you are a single parent and in a bit of a time crunch each day. Make a point to sit
and relax each day and plan. If you are careful you should be able to find just a few hours
each day to apply yourself to being better organized. "I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor." - Henry Thoreau (1817-1862) Most of us use only a small amount of our true capabilities and we can all do so much
more. You can learn new things. This will give you new purpose in life and a feeling of
achievement. Read nonfiction books to increase your knowledge of everyday things in
5 life and to learn new skills or to improve on existing ones. All of this will help you to be
better organized.

The more organized you are the more time you will have for yourself. As you become better organized, take on a new after hours project. Start with something small and work your way up to devoting more and more time to your project. Perhaps you can take on a new woodworking project, for example. Once you complete it, you will feel good about yourself and how you are spending your new, organized time.

With a place for everything and everything in its place, you are freed up in body and mind to take on new endeavors.

If you are under a lot of stress, a more passive and relaxing undertaking might be just what you need, at least to start with. For just one day a week, or a few hours on certain days, set aside time for your own unique enjoyment. When you do this, staying organized will not feel as much of a chore. You will naturally wish to remain organized so that you will have more time for yourself.

Take a walk in the park, listen to lovely music, read an interesting novel, leisurely work in the yard, or watch a bit of TV, these are all of the perks in time from staying organized. "When I go into my garden with a spade, and dig a bed, I feel such an exhilaration and health that I discover that I have been defrauding myself all this time in letting others do for me what I should have done with my own
hands." - Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)