7 steps to start the year right!
Another year, another resolution. This year let’s make it happen!
Follow these 7 steps and you’ll be off to a great start!
1) Know your “why”
With any new habit or change you want to make in your life, it is important to understand why you want to make the change. I know it sounds simple, but many times we give up on what we are striving for because we forget why we wanted it in the first place. So, take a moment and think to yourself, why do I want to get organized this year? Maybe you want your home to be less stressful and more calm? Or perhaps you want to set a better example for your children? It could be as a simple as you sick & tired of wasting time trying to find things? Whatever it is, define your “why”.
Then say it to yourself, “I will get organized this year because… “
Write it down, stick it to your mirror or refrigerator. Make it visible. Get fired up about it. Make it your goal that you will continue to strive for everyday!
Then repeat it. Every time you see the visual, pause and say your why to yourself or even outloud! When you hit a point where you don’t want to put in the work, remind yourself of your why. Staying motivated is important to keep working when you want to give up.
2) Put away new gifts or purchases
The first step to organizing is getting rid of what you don’t want or need. Given the holiday season has just passed, you and your family likely have several new items (clothes, toys, electronics, or even kitchen gadgets), take time to put away these items where they belong.
As you are finding a place for the new items, select one item for each new item to be donated. One new toy means one old toy needs to be donated. One new pair of shoes means one old pair must go. If you really need to declutter, take away 2 or 3 items for each new item. Also, it’s ok if the new gift is something you don’t want to keep either. Add it to the donate pile!
3) Implement a shopping pause for non-essentials
With all the new items in the house, it should be easy put yourself on shopping pause for a few weeks to start your resolution off right! If you need to make a purchase (emphasize NEED), first take the time to look around your house to make sure you don’t already have this item or a good substitute. Use what you have before you buy more.
4) Tackle the Hot Spots of your home. You likely have a few areas of your home where things collect. Kitchen countertop, area by front or back door, kitchen table, chair or the beloved treadmill. Make a new habit that each day you will clear these areas and put items that have collected in their correct place. Here are the most common items and suggestion for handling them.
- Bills. Place in a folder or basket so easy to carry to where you pay bills.
- Clothes & shoes go to the correct closet or bedroom.
- Junk Mail to trash/recycle. Promos without financial details can be torn up and placed in trash. Credit card applications or other items that could include financial details should be shredded.
- School papers. Create a folder or basket for each child for non-urgent papers. Review this folder regularly to remove items that can be trashed/recycled.
- Need respones. Create an ACTION folder for any mail or school papers that need response. Keep in a highly visible place (like the kitchen counter) so you can review daily and respond as needed.
5) Laundry. If you are behind on laundry, start a habit of completing at least one load per day until you are caught up. In doing so, your goal is to wash, dry, fold and put away all items in the load. As you are folding items, examine them to see if they should be donated or tossed if completely worn out.
6) Get the family to help. This is a big one, but you must have everyone in the family working together toward an organized home. Otherwise all your efforts will be destroyed within minutes!
7) Do small tasks every day. Even with 5 minutes a day, you can make a difference. Use this quick guide to help know what to tackle!
