Simple Organizing Tips

"Only Handle It Once" (OHIO)

- Deal with finding a home for objects as soon as they come into the house.

- Do not store items you plan on making a decision about later.

- While organizing make a decision about an object once and stick with it.
 
 - Do not retrieve items from the trash or donation pile when you begin to second guess yourself.
 
 Simplify decision making
 
 - Limit choices (Keep, Sell, Donate, Trash)
 
 - Make clear decision rules for each choice. (keep 10 hole-free plastic bags, throw away dirty bags, recycle remaining bags)

- Use broad categories for these rules instead of many specific ones, ("gift wrap items" instead of paper, lace ribbons, small, medium & large bows).
 
 Organize and file systematically
 
 - Place like things together in a designated place. (grain products in one cabinet, bottled and canned goods in another)
 
 - Use broad label headings when filing. (house, cars, medical, insurance, job, education).
 
 - File only important papers.
 
 Buy and keep "just enough"
 
 - Desired items will be on sale again.
 
 - If you run out, it is not a disaster.
 
 - Discard items you do not use anymore.

- Do not fill space because you have it.

 Focus on functionality
 
 - Select a manageable target area to organize that you can complete in one day.
 
 - "Excavate" the target area by sorting into your broad categories.

- Organize the objects that remain systematically.
 
 - Use the area only for its intended purpose.

- Maintain the clear area.