Organizing Your Home with SORT and SUCCEED

1. Adopt the SORT and Succeed system for effortless organizing

"Start with a written goal, Organize into groups, Reduce, release, reset, Tweak and enhance, and then SUCCEED and celebrate."

Five-step process. The SORT and Succeed system provides a structured approach to organizing any space or aspect of your life. By following these steps, you can tackle even the most daunting organizing projects:

1. Start with a written goal: Define a specific, achievable objective for your organizing project.
2. Organize into groups: Sort items into categories to gain a clear overview of what you have.
3. Reduce, release, reset: Decide what to keep, donate, or discard, and put items back in their proper places.
4. Tweak and enhance: Fine-tune your organization system to make it more functional and aesthetically pleasing.
5. Succeed and celebrate: Acknowledge your progress and enjoy the benefits of your newly organized space.

Motivation not required. This system works even when you lack motivation, as it provides a clear roadmap for success. By breaking down the organizing process into manageable steps, you can make progress regardless of your initial emotional state or energy level.

2. Understand the brain science behind clutter and organization

"Roughly speaking, losses hurt about twice as much as gains make you feel good."

Endowment effect. Our brains are wired to value items we already own more highly than those we don't possess. This psychological phenomenon, known as the endowment effect, can make it challenging to part with belongings, even when they no longer serve a purpose or bring joy.

Decision fatigue. As we make multiple decisions throughout the day, our ability to make rational choices diminishes. This explains why organizing can become more difficult as time goes on, and why it's essential to tackle organizing projects when you're well-rested and focused.

Neuroplasticity. The brain's ability to form new neural connections throughout life means that you can develop better organizing habits over time. By consistently practicing good organizational skills, you can rewire your brain to make organizing feel more natural and effortless.

3. Start with small, manageable projects to build momentum

"Plan organizing projects with a beginning, middle and end. By defining the where to start and where to end, you build confidence that your project can be completed in less than four hours."

Four-hour rule. Limit organizing projects to no more than four hours to avoid burnout and maintain focus. This timeframe allows you to see tangible results without becoming overwhelmed or exhausted.

Kitchen first. Begin your home organizing journey with the kitchen, as it often yields the most immediate benefits in terms of daily life improvement and can be broken down into smaller, manageable tasks.

Project prioritization. After the kitchen, focus on:

1. Main storage areas (basement, mudroom, garage)
2. Home office
3. Main living area
4. Master bedroom and bath
5. Kids' rooms and play areas
6. Craft room
7. Secondary storage areas
8. Dining room

4. Overcome common organizing traps and emotional roadblocks

"Honor your past, but don't let it define your today."

Emotional detachment. Recognize that organizing can evoke strong emotions, such as guilt, shame, or nostalgia. Acknowledge these feelings, but don't let them control your decision-making process. Remember that your memories and experiences are separate from the physical items associated with them.

Perfectionism paralysis. Avoid the trap of striving for perfection, as it can lead to procrastination and frustration. Focus on progress rather than achieving a magazine-worthy space.

Common organizing traps to avoid:

• Getting distracted
• Taking the process too seriously
• Drowning in emotions
• Attempting to do too much at once
• Deferring decisions
• Disconnecting from your goals

5. Develop daily organizing habits for lasting change

"Clutter doesn't happen overnight, and yet popular culture has latched onto an idea that a big one-day purge will create organization, and you will be organized henceforth and forevermore."

Consistent small actions. Rather than relying on occasional massive decluttering sessions, focus on developing daily organizing habits. These small, consistent actions will lead to lasting change and prevent clutter from accumulating over time.

Examples of daily organizing habits:

• Put important items in the same place every time
• Don't use the floor for storage
• Close dresser drawers
• Wipe up spills immediately
• Hang coats after use

Holistic approach. Recognize that organizing encompasses four interconnected areas: space/stuff, time, information/paper, and money. Improvements in one area often lead to positive changes in the others.

6. Apply the 80/20 rule to prioritize your organizing efforts

"Don't let the 'trivial many' overwhelm the 'vital few.'"

Pareto Principle. The 80/20 rule suggests that roughly 80% of effects come from 20% of causes. In organizing, this means that about 20% of your possessions are likely responsible for 80% of your use and enjoyment.

Focus on high-impact items. When organizing, prioritize the 20% of items that bring the most value to your life. This approach allows you to make significant improvements with less effort and time investment.

Applications of the 80/20 rule in organizing:

• Clothing: Focus on the 20% of your wardrobe that you wear 80% of the time
• To-do lists: Identify and prioritize the 20% of tasks that will yield 80% of your desired results
• Storage solutions: Optimize storage for the 20% of items you use most frequently

7. Implement strategies to prevent future clutter accumulation

"If you stop clutter before it comes home with you, there is less to declutter later."

24-hour rule. Before making any significant purchase, wait 24 hours to consider whether you truly need or want the item. This simple practice can help curb impulse buying and reduce the influx of unnecessary items into your home.

One in-one out policy. For every new item you bring into your home, remove one existing item. This practice helps maintain balance and prevents the gradual accumulation of clutter over time.

Questions to ask before bringing new items home:

• Do I already own something similar?
• Can I borrow or rent this instead of buying it?
• Do I have a specific place to store it?
• Will it cause physical pain or expense to bring it home?
• Can it be recycled when I'm done using it?
• Can I pay for it with cash?

8. Address the "elephants in the room" for true organizational success

"These elephants are space killers. In some cases, there is just no getting to the outcome you want—an organized home—without moving that elephant out."

Identify space-hogging items. Recognize large, bulky items that dominate your space and hinder your organizing efforts. These "elephants" might include exercise equipment, inherited furniture, or unused musical instruments.

Take action. Once identified, develop a plan to address these items. Options may include:

• Donating to non-profit organizations
• Selling online or at auction
• Freecycling or listing on recycling websites
• Passing on to family members or friends

Create breathing room. By removing or repurposing these space-hogging items, you'll create more room for the things that truly matter and make your organizing efforts more effective and lasting.

Last updated: October 7, 2024