Thoughts from Farid.

Thoughts from Farid:

Here’s the last part to help Organize Your Life. Since it’s the beginning of a new
year, you will start on a fresh page if you take time to organize, de-clutter, and take
charge of your life. Good Luck and Happy New Year!

TEN STEPS TO GET THE JOB DONE:

1. Empty the Space - If it's a drawer or a cabinet, dump everything into a container or box. Give this space a good cleaning. Empty and clean the corner of the room or garage. Now you will begin using your 5 boxes as you decide if it’s to put away/return, pass on, keep, fix, or throw away.

2. Use It or Lose It - Handle each item only once. Think to yourself: a) When is the last time I used this? How often do I use it? Could I borrow or improvise the few times I use it? Is it a duplicate? Is it out of date? What impact would it have on my life if I didn't have this? Do I value this item? Can it be fixed? Would I feel guilty if I gave it away? How
easily could I get another one if I really needed it? Can someone use it more than I can? Think of how this space could be used if this item weren't there.

3. Get Rid Of It Now - Take the trash out of the house now. Return all borrowed
items now. Bag up all items for charity now. The important thing is to get it out of your sight and life. Put them in your car and take care of them the next time you do errands. Ship handed down things to the designated person who will want them if they don't live close by.

4. Group Like Things Together - At this point you only have your Keep Box
and your Fix-It Box. Now you can sort. Store like things together (now will be the time to set up additional storage containers, files, drawer dividers. The best way to group things for one task would be in one container or location (i.e. gift wrap, shoe polish items, baking items, painting supplies, tools, etc.). Remember, our goal is to put them away where they will be living permanently when you're done.

5. Consolidate and Compress - Putting things that were once scattered in several places into one compact container means they take up less space. You will eliminate clutter, unusable space, and wasted time. If it's broken and you are not going to fix it, give it to organizations like Goodwill Industries who have people who can repair and then sell the items. Clothing - Get rid of duplicates, outdated, ill-fitting or unused items. Storage items - Downsize storage items such as boxes, caddies, racks, etc. Can you use a smaller container for the items? Closets - Remove all empty hangers and empty shoeboxes.

6. Go For Quality, Not Quantity - Keep only the best. Examine the true cost of buying an inferior item. It might be actually cheaper in the long run to buy the best, which will last longer and be more efficient. As for decorations, choose your favorites and display them rather than have knick-knacks scattered everywhere.


7. Think Multipurpose - Look for appliances and tools that can handle many jobs, not just one. They take up less space and cost less in the long run.

8. Alphabetize - It will be much easier to find things back if you label the storage boxes alphabetically whenever feasible. Even items used daily - Spices, Books, Videos, Files.

9. Label It - i.e. Kitchen - Write on a recipe card which items are on each bottom shelf or seldom used corner cupboards. List each item on each Storage Box (or on a card that will be taped to the outside of each box). Some organizers label each box A-Z, and keep the recipe cards in a separate recipe card box. You can retrieve items and then return them correctly when you are finished. Find a "record" system that works best for you. If you chose to keep these items, you want to access them quickly and effortlessly.

10. Put It Away - This needs to become a habit, or you will end up in the same situation as before. Ask yourself, where does this belong? Don't allow yourself (or anyone else in your household) to think they can put it away later. Everything needs to have it's own "home".