As I travel on vacation to Rio with my family, I’ve called in great colleagues and friends to share their wisdom on how to get organized for the new year and give yourself a “Fresh Start.” I thank you all for this AMAZING year, for your support and friendship!
This week’s post is from professional organizer and great colleague Leslie Josel, principal of Order Out of Chaos, an organizing consulting firm specializing in students and chronic disorganization. In this excellent post, Leslie shares with us how to get organized for the new year. I know you’ll find her tips excellent and usefu,l and it’s my wish that you can use them to make next year, THE year you get organized!
Now, read on!
It’s the beginning of a new year. What better time to get organized? Here are some of my favorite tips to get started on an organized note.
GET ONE, TOSS TWO
Holiday parties, family gatherings, and office gift exchanges. By the end of the holiday season, we are inundated with gifts. As you begin to put them away, take time to make extra room throughout the house to accommodate them. For example, for every new toy or game about to take up residence on the shelves, remove two older ones and add them to the donation bag. And whether you decide to recycle, donate, or sell, if you stick to the “get one-toss two” rule, then each new gift should actually reduce the clutter in your home. That’s a win-win for everyone!
HABIT FORMING
Most survey results taken around this time of year say that cutting clutter and getting organized are at the top of everyone’s New Year’s resolution lists. One way to ensure that you keep yours doable? Create systems that are natural extensions of your habits. For example, if you are used to sorting and storing your mail in the kitchen but it has taken over the counters and table, then instead of relocating the activity to another area in the home (such as a home office), create a mail management system right in your kitchen. You will be more likely to stay organized if your system is in your original go-to area.
PLAN IT – SCHEDULE IT – WRITE IT
School meetings, work obligations, birthdays, exercise class (yes, even that), dates with your spouse. These should all be written down or scheduled on your new calendar. Whether you use a paper calendar, electronic organizer, or a good old-fashioned notebook, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that all those appointments, events, and dates are written down in ONE place. Multiple calendars don’t work. The theory goes that the more places you have to look up something, the more likely you are to miss it. There is no better way to start the New Year feeling stress-free. Bonus? Having it all in one place does make things easier to keep up with.
To get organized for the new year is one of your top priorities.
THE TAX MAN COMETH
Are you dreading tax season? Are your business receipts, charitable donations, and paid bills all in one pile under your desk? Can you even find last year’s returns? Here is a proven system to help you get into shape for the coming year. Buy 13 folders or envelopes and label each beginning with January through December. Label the 13th folder Tax Records. Next, find an easy and accessible area to store them — such as a file cabinet, a portable tote, or whatever works best.
Designate some time each week to gather all loose receipts and paid bills, and place them in the corresponding file folder. In January, when you begin receiving tax statements, W-2s, etc., put them in the Tax Records file. With just a few minutes each week, you will have everything in one place to prepare your taxes. You will be instantly prepared, have everything at your fingertips, and your accountant will thank you!
Know When To Hold Them. Know When to Throw Them
Repeat after me: Do I need this? Do I love this? Do I use this? Now repeat it. Carefully consider every item in your house. If it doesn’t make you happy, look great, or has lost its usefulness, it’s a no. Put it in the donate pile and remove it from the house immediately. Having a hard time getting rid of something sentimental that you no longer have use for? Relegating it to a box in the basement or garage does nothing to celebrate it. Take a picture instead! It will both reduce clutter instantly and respectfully honor the memory.
Let’s chat! Do you have questions for Leslie? Would you like to learn more about how to get organized? Leave your questions to Leslie below!
Leslie Josel is the Principal of Order Out of Chaos, an organizing consulting firm specializing in students and chronic disorganization. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and holds certifications as an ADD and Hoarding Specialist from the Institute for Challenging Disorganization. Leslie is recognized as a respected expert on ADHD and Executive Functioning in students and has been featured in national broadcast and print media on these topics. Leslie is also the creator of the award-winning “Academic Planner: A Tool for Time Management”. Connect with Leslie at www.orderoochaos.com.
