The Organized Zone

Organizing can be extremely overwhelming. – that's why I organize by zones!

When your house needs an organizing overhaul, here's what to do:

FOCUS: Work in one zone at a time.

PLAN: Spend some time in the room – Ask yourself “How do I want the space to function? What is holding it back? What do I love about the space? What don't I love? What is my budget? What do I have around the house that could work in this room?

SORT:  Look at the stuff in your room.  Start with one drawer or one shelf and get everything out.  As your deciding what to sayve, ask yourself, Does it go with the function of the room? How often do you use it? How will life change without it? If you don’t love it or need it – get rid of it!

GROUP: Group "like" items then find containers that will fit the items and make the space functional. Items you use the most often should be easily accessible. 

YOU CAN DO IT!

Take the "Scatter-Brained" Out of Your Day

I start on the dishes and I see a broken plate,
Go to get the glue, see a pile of towels that needs to go upstairs,
Grab the pile and head upstairs, see a receipt that needs to be recorded.
Head toward the computer, see a smudge on the hanging mirror,
Go to the cleaning closet to get the spray, ...and on it on it goes.
Sound familiar?

Notice NOTHING got accomplished:
Dishes NOT done, Towels NOT put away, Receipt NOT recorded,  Mirror NOT clean.
If we spend our days going from one task to another,
we go to bed frustrated, overwhelmed and still behind!

So what's the answer?  
Make a plan, and stick to it!

Here's what I (strive to) do:
EACH evening I make a plan for the next day using
THIS daily planning card or
THIS weekly planning form

Here are a few additional planning pages from blogworld:
 Simple Mom's Daily Docket:
 Project Girl's Planner
 My Nifty Life's Daily Planner

Today's Challenge: 
Create a PLAN for the day and STICK to it! 
Then then create a habit by continuing daily! 

Keeping Track of It All!

We pack so many things into our brains -
no wonder we lock our keys in the car or forget to pick up our kids from school on early-out day. I usually blame my "brain-freezes" on my four boyz, but I need to take responsibility for my own absent-mindedness.

There IS a way to keep it all together.
By setting up a Household Binder you can unleash all those odds and ends running around your brain onto paper and ease the pressure.

A household notebook is much like a planner for your home and family. It holds schedules, projects, and plans; replacing all those little notes and to-do lists that usually get stuffed into purses or lost under car seats. It can include sections such as to-do lists, menus. grocery lists, finances, goals medical information, and phone numbers.

From cutting clutter, to meal planning; from children's schedules to your daily routine, a household notebook is a must. If you customize your planner and USE it - it will help lighten that brain overload, alleviate stress, and keep you focused on achieving that organized peace you've always wanted in your home.

*Today's Challenge: Find a binder and gather some dividers.

Click HERE for additional posts on Household Binders!
 

Put Down Your Phone! Get off Computer! Turn off TV!

A Wise Man said recently,

“Most of us intuitively understand how important the fundamentals are. It is just that we sometimes get distracted by so many things that seem more enticing.

Printed material, wide-ranging media sources, electronic tools and gadgets—all helpful if used properly—can become hurtful diversions or heartless chambers of isolation"

Let's be honest:  Blog-hopping is WAY more fun than de-cluttering a closet or cleaning a toilet!

But we if we are to truly create Heavenly Homes, we MUST do what it takes.  Even if it means hard work.

So Let's get off our behinds and just DO IT!

Talk to ya Later!

Make Your Mornings Count!

Click HERE for the Oranizing Tip of the Month
regarding getting your groove on in the AM!

Twas the Night Before...

Christmas isn't the only thing that starts "the night before". 
All GOOD things start the night before because everything good comes only with a little planning.  This includes the start of a WONDERFUL day!

What can your family do the night before to help the morning go SMOOTHLY?

Kids:

• Outfits layed out (including socks, shoes, belts...)
• Backpacks Ready and in "launch pad"
• Lunches Made
• In Bed Early

You: (with help from the family of course)

• Dishwasher Started 
• Laundry Load ready to start in the morning.
• Main Areas of the house "quick tidied" 
• List of To-Do's Made
• In Bed Early

Trading in a bit of my nightly TV time for getting a few things done will be WORTH IT!

Time for a New Start!

Happy New Year! 

Yeah for new starts!  This this year I'm thinking this motto works for me -

"Make Home Like Heaven in 2011".

Join me as I work through the kinks in a heavenly home.  What's your motto for the year?