Read Time: 3 minutes

“I’ve decided to get more organized,” she said, “so where do I start?” 

You can see that oasis of calm in your mind: that tidy office or orderly home that looks lovely, where you can easily find everything you need. Motivational gurus call it visualization. There is a lot to be done to get you to the place you are dreaming about. 

The truth is that once you’ve made the decision to change your situation, you need to figure out how to achieve your desired result. This may mean learning new skills, processes, and knowledge, all of which can be gained faster with a professional to teach you. 

The Four-Step Process

One approach I can teach you here is a four-step process that can be applied to many areas: Empty, Plan, Shop and Adopt. Below, I will demonstrate using a small residential goal: the linen closet.

Empty the linen closet
• Review all items
• Purge old towels
• Donate, repair, or dispose of torn, mix-matched, or old sheets
• If you store personal care items like cosmetics, sun protection products, shampoos, etc. in the closet, dispose of expired items
• Group all like items together – towels with towels and king sheets with king sheets, sun protection products, etc.

Plan with storage/organizer ideas
• Think soft-sided containers – IKEA, Canadian Tire, Walmart, etc
• Consider risers or small storage containers and hooks
• Use all vertical space in the closet – including on the door!

Shop for the items you need to put the keepers back
• Take measurements. Check measurements.
• Note how many risers, containers, labels, hooks, etc.

Adopt
• Put all items back into the linen closet
• Check-mark the linen closet as done and do the happy dance.

Top Tip: Folding fitted sheets can be a nuisance and make a tidy linen closet look messy. Download our tip sheet to learn a tried and true method.

Success is Motivating 

Start with something small to allow yourself to see movement toward the change you want in your life. Other household areas might require far more planning and time. Office systems require strategic planning and implementation. 

Other Small Starts 

If not the linen closet, pick an attainable task that you could complete in the next couple of days and apply the same steps. Think about your bathroom, a briefcase, a purse, or a tiny closet in your home, and have some fun clearing the clutter.

TOP TIP: You are more likely to find success with a customized plan that suits your personality and lifestyle. 

Without the right steps in place (the decision, the knowledge, and the plan) overwhelm and disappointment is likely. We’re here to help you develop all three.

Organize. Optimize. Profit.
Read more about Optimizing Workflow and Organizing Personal Spaces
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