Take the EasyPeasy Good Habits Challenge!
It's almost that time of year again when we renew our resolve to overcome our challenges to living a full and rewarding life. If getting and staying more organized is near the top of your list for 2017, I have great news! It's easier than you think. DO NOT GO OUT AND BUY BINS! I have a better (and cheaper) way for you to get started and it shouldn't cost you a dime. All you have to do is adopt a new habit each month and stick with it all year long.
I've often said that 90% of being organized is about maintaining good habits. If you're like most people I know, you may argue that you don't have time in your hectic schedule for developing new habits. I'm going to prove you wrong. After all, if you have time to brush your teeth every day or check your Facebook feed, you have time to do the 12 things on this list. Each one takes only a few minutes each day or week but will save you much more time and aggravation over the long run. We're going to start off easy. All you have to do is incorporate one new habit each month into your hectic lifestyle, which allows plenty of time for it to become automatic before adding another one. I'll even send you an email reminder each month with free advice for getting started on your next habit and making it as easy peasy as possible to incorporate it into your day. So are you ready to take the EasyPeasy Good Habits Challenge? (Yes, you are.)
First a few tips for success (I'll also include these in each of my monthly emails in case you forget them):
- Create reminders for yourself until the new habit becomes automatic. This can take the form of posted signs in strategic locations, reminders on your calendar or To-Do list, electronic alerts using your favorite device, or tying the new task to an already-established habit such as taking your medication or feeding the cat. Better still, use a combination of them all!
- Plan your strategy. When in your day will you complete the task? How much time should you allow? Do you need to do anything beforehand in order to implement this, such as hanging hooks for your keys or buying a new calendar?
- Get other members of the household on board. Although none of these new habits are difficult or time consuming, they will be far more effective if everyone in your home is adopting them. It is never too early (or too late) to teach your kids the skills they need to become organized adults. Bribe them, if necessary, to get started. Hopefully everyone will realize the benefits and want to keep going.
- Stay committed but don't beat yourself up if you miss a day. Just get back on track as soon as you can. Imperfect progress is still progress.
Here's our calendar:
January - Put away keys, phone, purse/backpack, and coat in the same spot each time you come in the door.
Why?: Saves you time and frustration the next time you leave the house and establishes a sense of confidence and control.
February - Make your bed as soon as you get up.
Why?: Establishes order and a sense of accomplishment at the start of your day.
March - Maintain a calendar and a system for storing contacts.
Why?: Ensures you don't overbook yourself or miss appointments and enables you to plan ahead with confidence. Also facilitates easier communication whenever, wherever and with whomever it is needed.
April - Clean up the kitchen after each use.
Why?: Saves you time and effort the next time you want to use it, which ultimately saves you money because you won't be as likely to eat out. It's also healthier.
May - Set up donation bins or bags in strategic locations around the house and add items you no longer need/use/want as you encounter them.
Why?: Helps eliminate clutter and saves space in your closets and cabinets. Also makes it easier to donate the next time you get that call from a local charity.
June - Put away clean laundry within 24 hours.
Why?: Saves time and aggravation having to search for clean clothes and prevents clean laundry from getting soiled, wrinkled or mixed in with dirty laundry by mistake.
July - Create shopping lists
Why?: Helps you remember what you need, which ultimately saves you time and money and ensures that you have what you need when you need it.
August - Create a weekly menu plan
Why?: Eliminates stress over what to make for dinner and helps ensure you have everything you need at mealtime. Also encourages healthier eating and saves you money.
September - Empty your car after each trip.
Why?: Prevents misplacing, forgetting or wasting belongings and purchases. Also ensures you have more room for transporting people and things when needed and establishes a sense of order and visual peace for your journey.
October - Open and put away mail and important papers.
Why?: Prevents losing important and time-sensitive documents and thus reduces stress and ensures action items are completed on time. Also reduces clutter and visual noise.
November - Establish designated "homes" for each new purchase as soon as you return home with them.
Why?: Reduces clutter, prevents new purchases from being forgotten or lost, maintains organization and discourages unnecessary purchases if you make it a rule that you have to know where it's going before you buy it.
December - Tidy up common areas before leaving the home and going to bed.
Why?: Maintains organization, reduces clutter, and ensures a sense of order and control upon waking and returning home.
Take the challenge and by this time next year, you will be well on your way to a more orderly existence. With a few good habits and a little daily discipline, staying organized can be easy peasy!
