THOUGHTS from Farid

This month will be devoted to organizing STUFF. There are different methods of getting organized, but the following ideas seem to work the best and be the most popular. The idea is to do a Speed Purge. Decide to Conquer in as little time as possible. This works especially well if you don't have a large block of time, but can spare 10-15 minutes a day. Remember to use your timer so you know when to quit, but no sooner! If you have several hours plus the energy and determination, go for it. However, when you realize you are not making good decisions anymore, STOP. You are defeating your purpose.

GETTING STARTED:
1. Pick one small area to begin. You don't want to get overwhelmed and go back to Square One. Start with a corner of a room, or a drawer (or 2), or a cabinet (or 2) in the kitchen or bathroom. Continue with the same project area the next opportunity you have. Resist doing a little in each room. You won't see /have any progress, and will become discouraged.
2. Do not let yourself get distracted. Don't answer the phone. Inform family members not to bother you. Pick a time when you will be least interrupted. Early morning before everyone gets up? After the kids leave for school?
3. Keep a running, written list of things that come to mind while you're plowing through your stuff that might help you keep organized, such as storage boxes, drawer dividers, file folders. Do NOT go to the store to buy storage crates, etc. until you know what and how much you will put into each one, and how many you will actually need.

TO BEGIN:
You will need 5 Boxes (or garbage bags) which you will use to put in each item that you pick up that will NOT go back where you found it.

1. The Put Away/Return Box - Is for any item that doesn't belong where you found it. They might belong in another room, or need to be returned to someone else (had been borrowed), or to the library, returned to the store for a refund, etc. Empty this box as soon as you can. Put the "return" items in the car to drop off the next time you go out.
2. The Pass On Box - Is for anything you want to hand down to others, give to charity, or sell at a garage sale. The items are too good to throw away, but you don't need to keep. When a box or bag is full, close it up so you won't be tempted to pull them back out.
3. The Keep Box is for things you will need and want to keep, but will not occupy the current space you are organizing. You will also use this box for any items that you can't figure out where to put them. Maybe you don't have a place for it right now (would be a good candidate for a storage crate); or you don't know what it is (but might be an important part of something that is located elsewhere). Keep in mind, this is only a temporary box.
4. The Fix Box - To be used only for items that you really believe are worth fixing. If it's been broken for years, and you've lived without it this long, toss it, give it away, or sell it "as is". Do you have the tools or ability to fix it? Will it cost more to fix it than get a new one? Do you already have one that works? Be realistic. Do you have room for spare parts? If you decide to fix it, give yourself a time limit to get it done. If it isn't done by then, toss it.
5. The Throw Away/Trash Box - This is going to be thrown into the garbage. Includes parts that belong to nothing else, damaged items which can't be fixed, out-dated items (cleaning products, stored food (could be dangerous if eaten now), and items even you don't want anymore. Once items are put into this box, they CANNOT be retrieved. They are gone!
***The remaining items will be put in a permanent place. There are (3) Rules you must follow to keep an item: a) You will use it regularly. b) You like it. c) It has a home (Keep in mind that this space you will be using is equal to Prime Real Estate).
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 and use your box method listed above. Empty the corner of the room or garage and vacuum/sweep/mop it. Now you will begin using your 5 boxes as you pick up each item.
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. giftwrap, 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, out-dated, 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".

TWO Projects for the Month - 1. Decide which area you will organize first. Which area brings you the most frustration or grief? Plan to Start there. Review the "tips and rules" so you have an action plan. 2. Share with us how YOU keep organized. Any additional hints and information will be of great help, and we will print as many as possible in the future.