When starting out on the organising path I think it is really important not to revolutionise your life completely straight away. You have habits and you have them for a reason, it is important to make sure you're not isolated from your comforts and habits when starting out on something new because it can make it easier for you to fail. Most people who start on a revolutionary diet will stick to it for a month or so, then before you know it they've fallen off the bangwagon and gained 10 extra pounds to console themselves.
The same goes for organising or any other life overhaul. Go slow, go easy and make small changes. Once you've made those changes and ironed our some systems which fit into your lifestyle you can slowly take time to concentrate on specific tasks. Here is the starting point for making those small changes.
To be truly successful with organising you need to observe yourself. This sounds inherently bullshitty but honestly, you do. I suggest grabbing a notepad and pen and keeping it with you for the next 24 hours (or at some point between now and Monday) - jot down your behaviour, the things you wouldn't normally notice.
For instance in the bathroom do you take your make up off in front of the mirror but find yourself walking back and forth to the cotton wool pads?
In the kitchen is everything you need for a cup of tea situated in one area or are you turning yourself in circles tying to locate a teabag, cup, spoon, saucer, milk and sugar?
When leaving the house do you run around like a mad hatter packing up your handbag and end up forgetting something.
Before bed are you unable to unplug the television because your plugs are a jumble of badly labled wires?
Before bed are you unable to unplug the television because your plugs are a jumble of badly labled wires?
Take one day to notice your patterns and habits. These small things are the key to organisation and once you have them noted down you can take time out next week to create organised and simple systems.
Recognise your patterns, recognise what is slowing you down.
Read the introductory post - 15 DAYS TO AN ORGANISED NEW YOU.
Catch up -
Day 1 - Why do I want to be organised?
TTFN,
P.S. I really enjoyed reading your 'homework' on my post yesterday.
Even just from reading your examples, I can see I'm a mess - things for tea are in separate rooms even! I love how you are truly trying to help us out here, do it the right way instead of just saying to dump out the junk drawer and throw half away. Those ways never work, so thanks so very much for doing this :)
ReplyDeleteThis is such an incredible idea and will be so helpful to so many. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm just going to untangle my plug sockets...
ReplyDeletehttp://wethingin.blogspot.co.uk
Strange you should mention organizing I have an organizing blog on Onsugar. If you'd like I'll send you the URL.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely loving this series so far Thrifty - been tracking myself since yesterday aft. Was almost ready to go at 7.30 this morning but didn't actually leave the house until 8.00 - no idea where that half hour went!!! Breakfast news on the TV might be a big part of it - I don't sit and gawp at it but do watch for a mo if the weather's on or something interests me. Perhaps time to invest in a digital radio for the mornings. Really useful task! :)
ReplyDeleteHaha I'm good with the tea and coffee but this may just be down to my TINY kitchen! I need to sort my home office. At the moment its main use is sorting and drying laundry LOL.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas there, has already made me realised how I could save some time, especially in the mornings when I usually fly around the room getting ready like a mad hatter! Will keep reading your posts over the next 15 days (and beyond) - looking forward to hearing your next tip!
ReplyDeleteLyndsay
Fizzy Peaches - http://fizzypeaches.blogspot.co.uk
My house needs lot of organization at this point of time ..
ReplyDeletehttp://dailydiaryofabrowngirl.blogspot.ca
Great posts! :) Very useful xxx
ReplyDeletehttp://jeminixlife.blogspot.com
15 DAYS TO AN ORGANISED NEW YOU
ReplyDeleteAfter receiving this email somehow I am managing to get orgainised finally. I do have a little trick though, at univeristy I had a friend who was dyslexic and due to this to help herself she created the most brilliant lists to help get organised for the semester. When she tidied up at home she allocated each room a time limit 30 mins bathroom, 20 minutes living room etc. then using a kitchen timer she gave herself a time limit to complete the task. It works brilliantly it seems to push me to finish the job I'm doing, I can take hours if I'm left to do any chore.