9 Steps To Become Organized If You’re Disorganized

Some people believe that you’re either born organized or born disorganized. Nothing could be further from the truth. If you’re currently unorganized, it’s not your fault. It’s just that you don’t organize effectively, yet. Even if you have a condition like attention deficit disorder, you can become more organized with just a little help.

Use the following suggestions to get started or get you back on the right track.

1- Eliminate Stuff You Don’t Use – Much of disorganization is unused clutter, just in the way of your neat environment. Sell or donate anything you’ve not used for an entire year. Start by looking in your own closet, if you haven’t worn it in the past year, or even worse, donate all clothes you know you will never really be that size again. That can be one of the hardest things to do, let go of clothes in a size that is just too hard to get back into.

2- Create Zone of Action – When you set up your environment, set it up based on how you want to use the space. For example, if it’s work-based, you’ll want a different setup than if it’s based on relaxing. Set up your bedroom for sleeping, set up your kitchen for cooking, and set up your life for success by creating action zones within your home and workspace. Try to not watch TV in your bedroom, or eat in front of it.

3- Put Like with Like – When you organize things, group things that are alike. For example, your eating utensils should be in one location, while your cooking utensils are in a nearby location. Do the same with your clothes, books, hobby supplies, and so forth. This will help you in the long run, because you will know right where to look for something, instead of hunting all over the house looking for it. Keys hanging by the door, you go out, coats in the closet etc.

4- Buy The Right Tools – Don’t try to keep using substandard tools. You can find used tools to help you with organization, as well as low-cost tools. For example, have a dresser in your bedroom for your underclothes. You also want to have a comfortable bed that is conducive to sleeping soundly. By the same token, devote a kitchen cabinet to your plates and dishes and yet another cabinet for cooking supplies. But keep your junk drawer, you still need one drawer for all the odds and ends that don’t fit in one place. Things like timers, scissors, can opener etc.

5- Write Everything Down – You’re not going to remember everything, so don’t even try. Instead, start writing Everything down that you want to remember or do. This habit will make you more organized than almost anything else. It really helps if you are working on a project that is very involved. By writing down everything you need to do, saves you on time as well.

6- Eliminate, Delegate, or Automate – In each area of your life, eliminate items you don’t use or need to do. That will clear up more time for you to do the things that only you can do. If it’s not required, and you don’t want to do it, you can eliminate it without a thought. If it’s important, you can delegate or automate things like paying bills and bookkeeping.

7- Compartmentalize Your Life – Don’t try to multitask. Instead, spend your time doing one thing at a time. For example, if you’re cooking dinner, don’t try to work on a project. It’s easier to stay organized when stay focused on one task at a time. No matter what you hear, multitasking doesn’t really get more done!

8- Give Yourself Enough Time – The other factor involved in organizing effectively is the problem of rushing around. If your keys do not have a place where you put them each night, you’re going to lose time trying to find them. Everything you use frequently should have a home where you keep them when you aren’t using them. If it means getting an hour earlier in the morning to help give you more time to get ready, then do it.

9- Make It Easy – Don’t try to be something you’re not. For example, if you like doing your hobby in the living room, set up your living room to easily accommodate your hobby. Buy the proper storage containers, trash cans, and other tools that make it easy for you to maintain organization. For example, get a wicker basket in each room that you can use to collect things that belong in other rooms, such as clothing that needs to be folded and put away.

Most disorganization comes from avoiding setting up your environment efficiently. If one method doesn’t work, don’t give up. Try something else. If you need help getting organized, you may want to consider hiring an organization coach, who specializes in the type of organizing and systemizing you need, whether it’s at home or work.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio