As you begin the process of organizing your household, you may ask yourself what the best way is to motivate your family members to become and stay actively involved in the process. Each family member is unique and so is their method for organizing and prioritizing. But if you approach it from a coaching standpoint, it is possible to motivate your family to get on the organizational bandwagon.
First of all, remember that your family will get involved in the process for their own reasons, not necessarily just to please you. Help each family member pinpoint their own motivations for wanting to get organized.
Each of us has a strong suit when it comes to being organized. Find that about each family member and emphasize it. Take the opportunity to share your organizational strengths and tips, and ask them to do the same. Offer praise, not criticism.
Organizing isn’t about getting rid of things at all. It is about identifying what’s important to you and giving those things a reliable, consistent home. Don’t try to force your family member to get rid of their things, but to prioritize which things holds the most importance and to focus their organizational goals around that.
Finally, being organized is about being responsible. If your child or family member has worked hard to get organized and stay organized, recognize this feat and reward it. Perhaps you can come up with a family reward such as a new croquet set for the backyard that everyone can play, or purchasing three or four new board games the family can play together. And remember, the best teacher for your family is you, so lead by example. Maintain your personal organization systems and consistently strive to improve and find new ways to keep on top of the clutter so chaos doesn’t overrun your life. They’ll learn by your example.
Time Management Notes: Organizing for a Fresh Start
Think back to your elementary school era, to your first day in a new school year. Regardless of what happened the semester before, you had a chance for a fresh start. There were no time management issues following you. You were dressed in your best clothes, with new supplies, and you walked into a well-laid-out, neat classroom, ready to have a productive year. A desk was assigned where you carefully placed your supplies. Books were passed out, and you added those to the desk contents. You were in control, with no distracting clutter anywhere.
Now jump two months into the school year. Take a look at some of those desks again. Which one most closely resembled yours?
Were you the one whose desk still had all the books stacked inside, large textbooks on the bottom, smaller ones on the top, pencils right at the edge inside of the desk for easy access?
Were you the one who appeared to own more books and papers than anyone else in the class because your desk was overflowing? There were books falling on the floor all the time, wrinkled papers sticking out, no pencil or crayons to be found without a major overhaul.
Move ahead a few years to present day. When you walk into your office in the morning, what is your first reaction? Is it excitement about the prospects for the day or dread at having to cope with all the daily demands while operating in disorganization?
Unfortunately you do not often have the opportunity to make a fresh start each year as children do. Instead you tend to keep on accumulating more and more year after year without the chance to clear out your space at the end of a term.
You might begin to resemble the child with the overflowing desk. As he pulls out a book, several other items crash to the floor. Now the class has to wait while he gets his things together. He is using up valuable time, and he is also causing others to lose valuable time.
A similar scenario occurs in everyday work situations. Are you being as effective as you can, or are you bogged down because of all the clutter around you? Have you ever held up a project because you misplaced information or overlooked a deadline?
The first point of entry into your workday is usually the desk. You will never be an efficient time manager if you do not have control of the paper and clutter surrounding you.
Even if your personal area is organized, you are directly affected by the disorganization of colleagues. When they do not have appropriate systems, they end up interrupting you to ask for a report or to question a date. They might show up late for meetings or not follow through on an important project. Their lack of organization leads to numerous inefficiencies, and then to stress and subsequent illnesses. All of these can have a direct impact on you and those around you.
Consider setting aside time once or twice a year to stop, catch up or reorganize, and give yourself a fresh start. Your attitude on entering a clear, well-laid-out space will add a positive slant to each day and more hours of productive output. It is also a great lesson for children.
Here are a couple of closet organizing systems that can drastically help you with your closet organizing needs. Having an organized closet just makes sense. An organized closet saves time (no wasting time searching for this or that), it reduces stress (no freaking out at the last minute trying to find things), it’s obviously much neater (everything has a place), and you will just be plain proud of how awesome and organized your closet is!
The Deluxe closet system brings you closet organization that is built for durability and visual appeal. This closet system features closet shelves made from beautiful 100% wood. Available in maple and mahogany finishes, the closet organization system is elegant and refined while providing you with durable closet organization. All shelves measure 16″ deep and the system includes multiple components to organize your bedroom closet. HANGERS NOT INCLUDED. #106577 & #106578 Closet Shelf System:
Three 16″ x 24″ shelves
One 16″ x 48″ shelf
Two 16″ x 72″ shelves
72″ Vertical Tower
Six Angle Brackets
Three Metal Wardrobe Bars
Six Metal J-Hooks #107677 & #107678 Additional Shelves
Kit includes two additional adjustable shelves for use with tower portion of the Closet Shelf System. Eight shelf pins included. #107679 & #107680 Door Kit
Door kit includes two doors to be used on the tower portion of the Closet Shelf System. The doors have glass doors and decorative beveled edging. Four hinges and all fasteners included. #107681 & #107682 6″H Drawer Kit
6″H Drawer kit includes one short drawer to be used on the tower. All hardware and fasteners included. #107683 & #107684 8″H Drawer Kit
8″H Drawer kit includes one short drawer to be used on the tower. All hardware and fasteners included. #137141 & #137142 10″H Drawer Kit 10″H Drawer kit includes one drawer to be used on the tower. All hardware and fasteners included. #137145 & #137146 Stand Alone Tower (Wall Mounted) This 16″ deep tower can be used alone anywhere in the house or as an additional tower to the deluxe closet kit. Add drawers, shelves and doors as needed to customize your shelf in the closet, laundry room or pantry. Wall Mountable Only. Wire Baskets: Wire baskets are sold individually, and can either be side mounted within a tower or under mounted beneath a shelf. Full extension ball bearing drawer glides offer smooth slide and simple installation. These baskets work with the Deluxe Closet System only. Side Load Pant Rack for Deluxe Closet System
Make the most of your storage space with the pull out pants rack. Ball bearing glides offer a smooth and easy extension. Designed to be under shelf mounted, the rack arms eliminate bunching found in hangers. Designed for use with the Deluxe Closet System only. Pull Out Valet Rod for Deluxe Closet System This maximum extension rod allows for temporary placement of items when dressing or for storage.
The Premier closet organizer system brings you closet organization that is built for durability and visual appeal. This closet shelving system features closet shelves made from beautiful 100% wood. Available in maple and mahogany finishes, the wood closet shelving unit is elegant and refined while providing you with durable closet organization to last a lifetime. All shelves measure 12″ deep and the system includes multiple components to organize your bedroom closet.
#118453 & #118452 Closet Shelf System:
Three 12″ x 24″ shelves
One 12″ x 48″ shelf
Two 12″ x 72″ shelves
72″ Vertical Tower
Six Angle Brackets
Three Metal Wardrobe Bars
Six Metal J-Hooks Red Pine
#118454 Additional Shelves:
Kit includes two additional adjustable shelves for use with tower portion of the Closet Shelf System. Eight shelf pins included. SHELF KIT IN MAPLE ONLY. This item ships directly from the manufacturer. Product usually arrives in 2-8 business days, depending on destination, including order processing and shipping.
Organize any pantry in just minutes with this highly durable and easy-to-install shelving system. This side mounted pull-out pantry system mounts easily in any pantry and quickly brings a fresh organized look to any kitchen. Constructed with heavy gauge, chrome plated, steel baskets; this pull-out basket fully extends on a ball bearing slide.
This pull-out kitchen basket is 22.5″ in height and 18.875″ deep, and comes in either 6″, 10″, or 14″ width baskets to better fit your pantry. See Other Info tab for installation instructions. This item ships directly from the manufacturer. Product usually arrives in 8-15 business days, depending on destination, including order processing and shipping.
Thousands of professional organizers have been trained by Marla Dee, Founder of Clear & Simple. Now you can bring this seasoned expert”s skills into your home for less than the cost of a consultation! Restore freedom, order, and clarity to your home, your office, and your life. Follow the unique Clear & Simple solution and find that organizing can be fun and easy: – The art of letting go…leave clutter behind – See it, Map it, Do it…organizing systems for success – S.T.A.C.K.S…Guidelines to getting it done – Paper systems…freedom from the piles – Reclaim your home…create beauty, order, and serenity – Stake your claim…create an office that empowers you – Bring your car in from the cold…organize your garage, attic, and other storage areas – Freedom from guilt…time strategies that work – Simplify your life…finding peace amidst the chaos.
