WELCOME TO ORGANIZING 101 How to Organize Your

WELCOME TO ORGANIZING 101 How to Organize Your Space, Your Time, and Your Life National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) New England Chapter

Overview • • Why do I want to get organized? What does it mean to be organized? How can I start to get organized? How can I organize my space? How can I organize my information? How can I organize my time? How can I organize my life?

Why Do I Want to Get Organized? • The statistics – – 95% of all information is still in paper form 50, 000 pieces of mail over our lifetimes At least 1/3 of mail is junk mail The 80/20 rule applies to our things and paper • The impact – One year of life is lost in searching for stuff – Being disorganized causes stress – Stress lowers productivity and causes illness

What Does It Mean to Be Organized? • You can focus on what is important to you • You can find what you want when you need it • You can keep track of important information • You can complete your tasks on time • You can arrive at your destination when you choose to

What Does It Mean to Be Organized? • Organizing IS – A process – A skill – A series of habits learned by repetition • Organizing is NOT – Achievable only by those with innate talent – Being perfect – One size fits all

How Can I Start to Get Organized? • • • Commit to change List your issues Set priorities Apply S P A C E* Stay focused and engaged *From Organizing from the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern

How Can I Start to Get Organized? • • • Commit to change List your issues Set priorities Apply S P A C E* Stay focused and engaged *From Organizing from the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern

How Can I Start to Get Organized? • • • Commit to change List your issues Set priorities Apply S P A C E* Stay focused and engaged *From Organizing from the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern

How Can I Organize My Space? • Pick a target space • Apply S P A C E* • Sort – Love it/Need it, Don’t Love it/Don’t Need It, Maybe • Purge – discard or donate • Assign a home for things • Containerize – store things properly • Equalize – keep on top of it *From Organizing from the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern

How Can I Organize My Space? • Pick a target space • Apply S P A C E* • Sort – Love it/Need it, Don’t Love it/Don’t Need It, Maybe • Purge – discard or donate • Assign a home for things • Containerize – store things properly • Equalize – keep on top of it *From Organizing from the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern

How Can I Organize My Information? • We are drowning in information – particularly in paper form • Attack those stacks! – – – Sort – group related papers Purge – immediately discard the junk Assign a home – set up your files Containerize – use meaningful labels and order Equalize – stay on top of it! • Process is the same for electronic information

How Can I Organize My Information? • We are drowning in information – particularly in paper form • Attack those stacks! – – – Sort – group related papers Purge – immediately discard the junk Assign a home – set up your files Containerize – use meaningful labels and order Equalize – stay on top of it! • Process is the same for electronic information

How Can I Organize My Time? • Organizing time is similar to organizing space • Sort tasks by category • Purge tasks from the list - say NO or delegate • Assign a home in your planner • Containerize - 3 steps • Equalize - check your schedule regularly

How Can I Organize My Time? • Organizing time is similar to organizing space • Sort tasks by category • Purge tasks from the list - say NO or delegate • Assign a home in your planner • Containerize - 3 steps • Equalize - check your schedule regularly

How Can I Organize My Time? • Organizing time is similar to organizing space • Sort tasks by category • Purge tasks from the list - say NO or delegate • Assign a home in your planner • Containerize - 3 steps • Equalize - check your schedule regularly

How Can I Organize My Time? • Organizing time is similar to organizing space • Sort tasks by category • Purge tasks from the list - say NO or delegate • Assign a home in your planner • Containerize - 3 steps • Equalize - check your schedule regularly

How Can I Organize My Life? • Clearing clutter from your space and schedule will help you to – Clear your mind – Look at the big picture – Focus on what is important to you – Live in a way that is consistent with your values

Where Can I Go for More? • For more information – Books on organizing topics – Organizing websites • For organizing products – Home improvement stores – Office supply stores – Other specialty stores and catalogs • For hands-on assistance – Professional organizers through NAPO-New England (www. napo-newengland. com)