7 Habits of Highly Organized People

People tell me I am organized but the truth is that I have to try to be in order to deal with my adult ADD (lol, no seriously).  My world quickly becomes messy and chaotic and unfocused.  I struggle every day to achieve a sense of organization and I have 3 little boys that like to undo that sense of achievement daily.

I am curious to know what someone else would consider 7 habits to be, but I had to consider why it is important to me to stay organized...

1.  I hate looking for things I know I have.

2.  I don't like stepping over, in or around messes.

3.  I don't like the feeling that I forgot something.

Then I thought to myself, I realize that everyone has their own methods so I thought I'd share with you 7 things.  What are your 7 things?  Grab the first image above and write your own post. 

Spread the sanity!

1.  Find a planner you like and keep it on you at all times.

When I don't have my planner with me, I don't write things down and then that is when the doctors office calls to tell me I missed an appointment.  I made my own planner cover awhile back that I'm proud to carry and it also has space to stick notes and reciepts so that I can file them or follow up on them later.  So, I write down everything in my planner and I keep post-it tabs to mark important places as well as clips to hold my place in my calendar.  Can't forget that I keep a pen or pencil ready as well.

2.  File everything that is important and throw away the rest.  

A few months ago I reorganized our filing cabinet and used these fabulous labels from BHG.  I keep the extra labels in their own file so that if I need to make new files...I have the labels ready to use.  I have learned that if I keep important papers in important places that they are always ready when I need them.  I purge before I file.  Do I file constantly...NO!  I keep a small letter tray on top of my cabinet and after a week or so I then file.  Be realistic, we don't have time to sort our mail and file daily.  Once a week is good and once every two weeks is good enough.  Just make sure you do it at least every two weeks.  

3.  Everything has a place...everything needs to be in its place.

 

I almost roll laughing because while I believe this is true...this is where I struggle.  We all have junk drawers, baskets full of "stuff" and corners with piles in them that need to be organized.  Seriously though, this morning I organized my first aid kits (yes, both of them) and this time I hung them inside the pantry door.  That makes me feel much better about having a place for first aid that everyone will be aware of ...daily.  I have made a list of areas in my home that need to be organized or a place needs to be made for items.  For example...my own tools.  I can never find the right drill bit, screw driver, hammer or screws.  It's time for a place.  So, it is true that everything needs it's own place and probably if you can't find a place...ditch it!

4.  Take the time to clear off all counter tops and tables...ALL of them!

Clutter is a persons worse enemy with ADD.  It doesn't mean shove it all in drawers and cabinets.  Just looking at these surfaces makes me happy and it feels clean and I know that the "stuff" that would normally be on there is organized.  As I type, I feel this urge to go make sure my counters are clear.  I do have a few things that I keep out for "decoration" or are necessary to keep "handy" but everything else is to put away... no jewelry, no papers from school, no half burned candles, no empty wrappers...you get the picture.

5.  De-Clutter every weekend.

This is something I don't do often enough.  Every weekend is my goal and if I can do one closet or one cabinet, that helps me stay organized.  This simple, bag or box things you don't need or haven't used in 6 months.  If it's seasonal for more than 6 months then box it and store it somewhere else...attic, garage, moms house. ; )  Stay in control of this as well.  When my husband starts to put away items and it looks cluttered...it's time to purge again.   Donate or sell the items.  I tend do donate because if I think I'll sell it, I'll keep it and sell it at a once a year garage sale and who needs to hold on to stuff that long...no one.  Either sell it within a month or donate it to a good cause.

5.  If you walk by it...pick it up and put it away. 

The general rule is that if you walk by it, it should be picked up and put in it's proper place.  I love this rule!  Now if I can teach it to the 4 men that live in this house.  Even the littlest man could do this.

6. Clean your sinks.

 

When the sink sparkles, it tends to make the rest of the room sparkle too.  Bathroom, kitchen or laundry room... it's like the clean spills over onto the counter tops, the toilets, the tubs and showers.  The clean is contagious when it comes from your sink.  You may even find that you have organized under your bathroom cabinet or drawers after a simple swipe of the sink...don't forget the mirrors while you're at it.  Yes, window cleaner is the trick for shine on counters, sinks and mirrors.

7.  Label, label, label

This is the most important part of organizing.  Label as much as you can so there is no mistaking of an items place.  Use attractive, clean labels.  Confusion is the nemesis of organization.  Labels are the key to organization and if all areas of organization are labeled.  

These are my 7!  Which are basically the top 7 things on most peoples list as well.  There is commonality among us.  What are your 7?  Grab the top image and share with everyone your 7 habits.