S-I-M-P-L-E Organization Strategy

I'm posting this because I struggle with staying organized and am always working at it.  I'm sure I'm not the only one out their with problems in this area, so I thought maybe others could benefit from this great article!

S-I-M-P-L-E Organizing Strategies


S - SELECT THE AREA

Select the area you will organize by deciding which space in your home or office causes you the most stress. This is the area you should attack first. Select one space at a time. Breaking goals down makes them easier to accomplish.

I - IMPLEMENT A SORTING STRATEGY

After you select the area, you will need to implement a sorting strategy. Use small multi-colored stickers to sort the items in the area you have selected. Designate one color for the items you are keeping, one for those items you are not sure about, and one for those items you will purge. Do not move the items--just sort.

M - MOVE OBJECTS TO SPECIFIED AREAS

Now that you have sorted all your items, it is time to move them. This step of the SIMPLE process takes the longest. If you attack it in three sections, it is easier. First, move all your purging items to bags/boxes to either throw away OR to donate to charity. Act today. Second, go through the items you are not sure about. Purge as much as possible from this group also. If you decide to keep it, then move it to the keeper group. Do not keep guilt-related family/friend items if you don't use them. The last step is to move all the items you are keeping to assigned spaces. The key to organizational maintenance is everything must have a place. Some of these items will not have assigned spaces yet. Time to go to the next step!

P - PICK AND PLAN THE SPACE

Spaces should be designed based on the needs of the individuals using them. Based on the specific space (garage, kitchen, home office, closets, etc.), there are a number of techniques you should use.

L - LOCATE AND SELECT ORGANIZING CONTAINERS

Containerizing is crucial to the organizing process. Containers come in all shapes and sizes. They help you group and separate your belongings with ease. Retrieval and cleanup are much easier when you use containers. They also limit the amount you can accumulate.

E - EXCAVATE CONTINUOUSLY

Just like archaeologists, you must excavate continuously to unearth your treasures. Time will bury your belongings if you don't get a little dirty at least once a week and throw away all unused items in your home and/or office.

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Article by: Sheri McConnell

Sheri is the CEO of Sheri McConnell Companies, Inc. and the president and founder of two global organizations, the Smart Women's Institute of Entrepreneurial Learning (formerly the National Assn of Women Writers-2001) and the Global Institute of Associations-GIA. You can visit Sheri, access her free article archive, and grab lots of free stuff at http://www.smartwomeninstitute.com
Sheri lives in San Antonio, Texas with her husband, their four children, a weenie dog, and three hermit crabs.