Organize for YOU

Many people think they are organized. Some simply say they don't know how to organize. But the vast majority replicate what others do. While this may be a good start, it will likely need some fine tuning.

When people set out to tackle a disorganized space in their home they overlook two very important things: examining their own behaviours and circumstances. Being aware of these is as important as sorting and editing your belongings.

When we moved into our house, all cleaning supplies were put into the laundry room, in the basement. Our house doesn't have a utility closet in the kitchen, like some. No problem. Like items were grouped together and put in a designated spot. We had observed the first two rules of organizing.

Then we had a baby. Then our baby began to eat solid food. Then our baby started throwing food all over the dining room. Upstairs. Instead of retrieving the broom from the basement once a day or every couple of days, we were running up and down the stairs every few hours. Not fun. So we started using a lot of paper towel to wipe up the floor and save ourselves the trip to the basement.

Stop. Circumstances had changed. Behaviours had changed. The storage location for the broom had to change.

The broom now resides on a single hook, in the linen closet, on the main floor -- a few feet from the dining room. An unconventional location by some accounts, I'm sure. I don't know anyone else who keeps a broom in their linen closet. But it works for our family. We can easily get to the broom when needed and just as easily put it away.

Successful organizing is not about tidying up a messy room, or doing what everyone else does. It's about everything having a designated place and you being able to access your things easily. You can't remove yourself from the equation. This is about you planning for you. Always keep in mind what you need to achieve -- and be selfish: if you don't plan according to your daily time constraints, preferences and abilities you'll be no further ahead than before you started.