The One-Minute Organizer Plain & Simple

1. Declutter First, Then Organize: Start Small and Build Momentum

"You don't have to stop everything to get organized; you just have to START."

Start with small tasks. Begin your organizing journey by tackling manageable areas, such as a single drawer or countertop. This approach helps build confidence and momentum, making larger projects feel less daunting. Set aside 5-15 minutes daily for organizing tasks, focusing on one area at a time.

Visualize success. Before starting each organizing session, take a moment to close your eyes and imagine the space without clutter. This mental exercise can boost motivation and clarify your goals. Remember that progress, no matter how small, is better than no progress at all. As you build momentum, gradually increase the scope of your organizing projects.

2. Create Homes for Everything: Simplify Daily Organization

"Before you set something down, ask yourself, 'Is this where it belongs?' If not, take an extra minute or two to put it in its place."

Designate specific locations. Assign a "home" for every item in your living space. This practice simplifies daily organization and reduces clutter accumulation. Consider the frequency of use when determining where to store items, keeping frequently used objects easily accessible.

Implement storage solutions. Utilize organizing tools such as labeled bins, drawer dividers, and hanging organizers to maximize space and keep items sorted. Create "clutter collectors" in high-traffic areas to contain items that tend to accumulate, such as keys, mail, and loose change. By having designated spaces for everything, you'll spend less time searching for misplaced items and maintain a more organized environment overall.

3. Tackle Paper Clutter: Establish Efficient Systems

"Question everything you file. Do you really need to save the cable television statement after paying the bill? Why save paper that you will never look at again? Shred it."

Implement a filing system. Create a simple, logical filing system for important documents. Use broad categories and subcategories to organize papers, making them easy to locate when needed. Regularly purge unnecessary documents to prevent file buildup.

• Essential categories: Insurance, Financial, Property, Taxes, Medical records
• Use color-coding for quick identification
• Digitize documents when possible to reduce physical clutter

Manage incoming paper. Establish a routine for handling incoming mail and documents. Sort items immediately into action categories such as "To Pay," "To File," or "To Read." Use a designated inbox for pending items and process it regularly. Be ruthless in discarding junk mail and unnecessary papers to prevent accumulation.

4. Implement Daily Organizing Routines: Maintain Order Consistently

"It's a lot easier to keep up than to catch up."

Establish daily habits. Incorporate short organizing tasks into your daily routine to maintain order consistently. Examples include:

• Making your bed every morning
• Doing a quick 5-minute pickup before bed
• Sorting mail as it arrives
• Putting items away immediately after use

Clean as you go. Address small messes and clutter throughout the day rather than letting them accumulate. This approach prevents overwhelming cleanup sessions and maintains a consistently tidy environment. Encourage family members to adopt this habit by setting a good example and creating easy-to-follow systems for putting things away.

5. Involve the Whole Family: Make Organization a Team Effort

"Establish the household rule: Whoever makes a mess is responsible for cleaning it up—now, not later."

Assign responsibilities. Create a system of shared household chores and organizing tasks. Involve children in age-appropriate activities to teach valuable life skills and foster a sense of responsibility. Use tools like chore charts or a job jar to distribute tasks fairly.

Incentivize participation. Offer rewards or recognition for maintaining organized spaces and completing assigned tasks. This can include:

• Allowance tied to chore completion
• Special privileges for consistently organized areas
• Family celebrations for achieving collective organizing goals

By making organization a team effort, you'll not only maintain a tidier home but also instill important habits in family members that will serve them well throughout their lives.

6. Optimize Your Time Management: Prioritize and Schedule Effectively

"Organize your schedule around your priorities. The more control you exert over your schedule, the more control you will have over the direction of your life."

Use a unified calendar system. Maintain a single calendar for both personal and professional commitments. This provides a clear overview of your time allocation and helps prevent overbooking. Use color-coding to distinguish between different types of activities.

Block time strategically. Schedule your day in 15- or 30-minute increments, allocating time for specific tasks and projects. Include buffer time between activities to account for unexpected delays. Prioritize your most challenging or important tasks during your peak energy hours. Don't forget to schedule time for long-term planning, administrative tasks, and self-care.

• Daily: Block 1 hour for long-range planning or goal-related tasks
• Weekly: Dedicate a morning or afternoon for administrative work
• Regularly: Schedule time for routine errands and household maintenance

7. Let Go of Unnecessary Possessions: Embrace Minimalism

"Having less means being able to ENJOY what you have more."

Adopt the one in/one out rule. For every new item you bring into your home, commit to removing one existing item. This practice helps maintain equilibrium in your possessions and prevents clutter accumulation. Before making new purchases, consider whether you truly need the item and what you'll let go of to make room for it.

Regular purging sessions. Schedule bi-annual or quarterly decluttering sessions to reassess your belongings. During these sessions:

• Evaluate items based on current use and relevance
• Donate or sell items in good condition that you no longer need
• Dispose of broken or unusable items responsibly

Remember that letting go of unnecessary possessions frees up not just physical space, but also mental and emotional energy. Cultivate a mindset of gratitude for what you have, rather than constantly seeking to acquire more.

8. Leverage Technology: Streamline Tasks and Information Management

"Use available technology to speed routine tasks."

Automate recurring tasks. Utilize technology to simplify repetitive tasks and reduce mental clutter. Examples include:

• Setting up automatic bill payments
• Using password managers for secure login information
• Employing auto-fill programs for online forms

Digital organization. Implement digital systems for managing information and documents:

• Use cloud storage for important files and photos
• Organize digital documents with a logical folder structure
• Employ note-taking apps for capturing ideas and information on-the-go

By leveraging technology effectively, you can reduce paper clutter, streamline routine tasks, and access important information more easily. Just remember to maintain good digital organization habits and regularly back up your data.

9. Master Your To-Do List: Focus on High-Priority Items

"Only 20 percent of the things on your to-do list are priority items. If you have 20 things on your master to-do list, identify which four (20 percent) are the most important, and focus all of your energy on getting those things done."

Prioritize ruthlessly. Apply the 80/20 principle to your task list, focusing on the 20% of tasks that will yield 80% of your results. Create a master list of all tasks, then identify the most crucial items to tackle each day. Limit your daily to-do list to three high-priority items to ensure focus and completion.

Review and revise regularly. End each workday by creating a to-do list for the following day. This practice helps you hit the ground running and reduces decision fatigue. Regularly evaluate your master list, moving less critical tasks to a separate "would be nice to do" list. By concentrating on your most important tasks, you'll make significant progress on your goals and feel a greater sense of accomplishment.

10. Cultivate Organized Thinking: Change Habits and Mindset

"If you begin to doubt your ABILITY to organize, remember this: You can do anything you set your mind to do."

Challenge limiting beliefs. Recognize and reframe negative self-talk about your organizing abilities. Instead of thinking, "I'm such a slob," tell yourself, "I'm getting more organized every day." Understand that organizing is a learned skill that improves with practice and persistence.

Embrace gradual change. Accept that developing new organizing habits takes time and may involve some setbacks. Focus on consistency rather than perfection. Celebrate small victories and use them as motivation to continue your organizing journey. Remember that organizing is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. By cultivating a positive mindset and committing to continuous improvement, you'll develop lasting organizing skills that enhance all areas of your life.

Last updated: November 19, 2024