Turn Leaf Organizing

Unique Solutions for an Organized You
Home
Background
Services
Testimonials
Tips
Resources
Useful Links
Contact Turn Leaf
Tips & Tools
 
Rules to Live By...

1. Schedule time for organizing each week. Whether you can handle 5 minutes or 50 minutes at a time, schedule time into your week and make it a routine. Schedule a reward too, so there is motivation to complete the tasks at hand.

2. Organize one step (or room...or pile) at a time. Don't let yourself wander off-course when organizing. Identify your top priority (ex: bedroom) and don't let yourself change course, even if you discover an area nearby (such as your bathroom) that also needs work. It is easy to start in one area and get side-tracked working in another. Keep a basket in your target space and use it to contain items that need to be taken out of the room. This way, you only make one trip at the end to place these items where they belong, and you don't run the risk of being taken off-course during multiple trips in and out of your target area.

3. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Just because you ask for help with organizing, it doesn't mean you are admitting to being an "unorganized" person. Consider it an opportunity to be educated on new and different ways to organize.

Organizing @Home

1. Cleaning and organizing are two different & discrete tasks. Cleaning is usually maintenance of your current space. Organizing is typically change to a space or routine.

2. Get the family involved. If everyone is involved in the process from the start, you will have a better chance at maintaining the organization in your home. Make it fun for kids (maybe a challenge between siblings? A weekly reward for helping?) and be sure your partner is on-board by giving specific examples of how it will make family & individual time more productive and enjoyable.

3. Start small. It may be wise to start one room at a time, one person at a time, or one area at a time. Trying to get everyone & every space organized at one time is a goal that is too big and likely unmanageable. Prioritize and set time lines. For example: winter- organize playroom; spring-organize garage; summer:-organize closets; fall:-organize kids rooms and school materials.
 
Organizing the Car

1.  For Baby: keep a "car supply bag" with you, for those spur-of-the-moment events. Keep it stocked with miniature bottles & essential items: sunscreen, hat, empty sippy-cup, bag of crackers, a few spare diapers & wipes. Restock once a week so you don't get caught empty-handed.

2.  For Toddlers: Designate one medium-sized bag for "car toys". Use this to set the limit for what comes along for the ride and what stays home. Allow your child(ren) the opportunity to empty and re-stock the bag every week or so. This gives them choices and independence, but also establishes the rules for what is allowed in the car.

3.  For Teens: Keep 1-2 collapsible bins in the car or trunk. Designate these for sports supplies, backpacks, etc... Make it a rule that the bins get filled before the kids' seats become "occupied". Establish this routine and the kids will learn a valuable lesson; everything needs to have a "home" in the car, and they are responsible for making that happen.

4.  For Work: Invest in a front-seat organizer/container. For $20-$40, you can purchase a system to keep everything organized (cell phone, files, PDA, laptop, etc..) as you travel and work from within the confines of your car. It will be an expense that pays for itself, and beyond....