How to Get More Done Every Day: 8 Tips for Busy Moms

October 14

Inside: If you struggle with getting things done each day or wish there were more hours in a day, then this post is for you. Learn how to manage your time and how to get more done every day.

If you’re a busy mom, you know that there never seems to be enough hours in the day to get everything done. You’re always running around, trying to juggle work, family, and social obligations, and it can be tough to stay on top of everything.

The reality is, we all have the same 24 hours in a day, but some just seem to get more done than others. If you’re feeling like you can’t keep up, I have some simple things you could do to start getting more done every day.

Here are 8 tips to help you get more done every day

1. Make a list of everything you need to do.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s actually the first and most important step in correctly prioritizing your time. You can’t prioritize if you don’t know what needs to be done. So sit down at the beginning of each day or week, make a list of everything that’s on your plate, no matter how big or small, and map out what needs to be done.

2. Break down big tasks into smaller ones.

Big projects can seem daunting, but they’ll be much easier to handle if you break them down into smaller tasks. I call them tiny tasks and they should take 30 minutes or less. This will help you stay focused and avoid getting overwhelmed by the project as a whole.

3. Categorize your tasks by importance.

Once you have your list, it’s time to start categorizing your tasks by importance. To do this, ask yourself the following questions for each task:

Is this task time-sensitive? Does it need to be done by a certain date or time?
Is this task related to my long-term goals?
Is this task going to take a lot of time or energy?
Can this task be delegated to someone else?

Tasks that are time-sensitive and/or related to your long-term goals should be at the top of your list. These are the most important tasks and should be given priority over everything else. Tasks that are going to take a lot of time or energy should also be given priority as they can easily derail your entire day if left unchecked. Lastly, tasks that can be delegated to someone else can be lower on your list as they don’t necessarily need to be done by you specifically.

4. Work on one task at a time.

Once you’ve prioritized your tasks, it’s important to work on one task at a time. Single tasking has been shown to improve productivity and focus. When you commit to working on one task at a time, you’re able to give that task your full attention. As a result, you’re likely to complete it more quickly and with fewer mistakes.

5. Set a timer.

It’s helpful to set a time limit for each task. Just set a timer and commit to working on just one task for a set period of time (Try using the Pomodoro Technique of working in 25-minute bursts). Then, turn off all distractions—that means no email notifications, no social media scrolling, no checking your phone every five minutes—and give your full attention to the task at hand.

You might also want to let people know that you’ll be unavailable for a certain period of time so they won’t interrupt you; this is especially important if you work from home with young children.

When you’re trying to juggle multiple tasks at once, it’s easy to lose track of what needs to be done and when. So take a deep breath, pick one task, and work on it for at least 25 minutes.

6. Delegate when possible.

If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, delegate! Ask your spouse or other family members for help with certain tasks so you don’t have as much on your plate. This will free up some of your time so you can focus on other things that need your attention.

7. Take breaks throughout the day.

Taking breaks is essential when you’re trying to be productive! Breaks give your mind a chance to rest and rejuvenate so you can come back to your work refreshed and ready to tackle anything that comes your way. Be sure to take at least a few minutes every couple of hours to step away from your work and take a break.

8. Set realistic goals for yourself.

Last but not least, set realistic goals for yourself! If you try to do too much, you’ll only end up feeling stressed and frustrated. Start small and gradually increase your goals as you start checking things off of your list left and right! You’ll be surprised at how much you can accomplish when you set realistic goals for yourself and make an effort to stick with them.

Start being more productive with your time

By making a to-do list, prioritizing, and single tasking with a timer you’ll be well on your way to getting more done every day—in less time! Delegating, taking breaks, and having realistic goals will help you sustain your energy so that you can focus and rejuvenate. Just remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither is a well-oiled machine; give yourself some grace and implement these changes into your life. With a little practice, these tips will soon become second nature—and before long, they’ll help you transform into a more productive version of yourself! So what are you waiting for? Start putting these tips into practice today and see how much more productive you can be!

Declutter Without Regrets: How to Decide What to Get Rid of When Decluttering

September 25

Inside: If you’re looking for tips for decluttering, this post will help you. If you’ve ever wondered “how do you know what to get rid of when decluttering?” This post will give you 7 questions to ask yourself so that you can declutter without regrets.

We’ve all been there. You open up a closet or a drawer, and you’re faced with a pile of stuff. Clothes you haven’t worn in years, knick-knacks that are just collecting dust, old magazines… the list goes on.

It’s no secret that many of us have way too much stuff. And, when you have too much stuff, it can be really tough to make decisions about what to keep and what to get rid of. After all, every item in your home has a story attached to it.

You think to yourself, “I need to declutter.” But then you realize that you have no idea where to start. You don’t know what to keep and what to get rid of. That’s when it starts to feel like an insurmountable task.

But it doesn’t have to be!

Where to Start Decluttering

Knowing where to start is the first step in making decluttering progress. Before you jump in, consider the difficulty involved in making decisions about your stuff.

Start Decluttering Your Easy Areas First

You want to start with the easy stuff—the stuff that requires little to no emotional energy to make decisions about. This might include things like expired food in your pantry or outdated clothes in your closet.

There are always exceptions to the rule, but generally, the following categories are easier to make decisions on including food, kitchen items, toiletries, old magazines, technology, or electronics.

Declutter Your More Difficult Stuff Later

Once you’ve tackled the easy stuff, you’ll feel more motivated and confident to tackle the harder stuff. Anything that is sentimental and requires a lot of emotional energy is generally a more difficult decision.

This might include things like heirlooms or pieces of furniture that are no longer used but are too big or heavy to get rid of easily. Sentimental items like photos, books, mementos, or memories from the kids (artwork, baby clothes etc.) are harder items to make decisions.

Don’t try to tackle everything at once—take it one step at a time and trust that you’ll get there eventually.

How to Decide What you Should Get Rid of When Decluttering

After you’ve decided the area or category to declutter, it’s helpful to have criteria or questions to help you decide whether to keep or toss your items. Here are a few questions to ask yourself that should help make the process a little bit easier.

Decluttering Question 1: How Frequently Is The Item Used?

One of the best ways to make a decision about whether or not to keep an item is to think about how often you use it. If you haven’t used something in over a year, chances are you don’t really need it. We tend to hang on to things “just in case” we might need them someday but, more often than not, that day never comes. So, if you’re really struggling to let go of something, ask yourself how long it’s been since you’ve used it.

Decluttering Question 2: What Condition Is It In?

The condition an item is in is also a great indicator of whether or not you should keep it. If something is tattered, torn, or otherwise in bad shape, it might be time to say goodbye. Of course, there are always exceptions to this rule (like with sentimental items) but, generally speaking, if something isn’t in good condition anymore, it’s probably not worth hanging on to.

Decluttering Question 3: Does It Bring You Joy?

This is a question that Marie Kondo popularized in her book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up but it’s truly a great litmus test for deciding what to keep and what to get rid of. When you look at an item in your home, does it bring you joy? If the answer is no—or even maybe—then chances are good that you don’t need it.

Decluttering Question 4: Do You Have Other Alternatives?

Another question that can be helpful when making decluttering decisions is whether or not you have other alternatives for the item in question. For example, do you have more than one pair of black jeans? Or more than one slow cooker? If so, do you really need both pairs of jeans or both slow cookers? Sometimes we hang on to things because we think we might need them someday but the truth is that we usually have other alternatives that would work just as well (if not better).

Decluttering Question 5: How Attached Are You To The Item?

It’s also important to think about how attached you are to the item in question. We often hold on to things because they remind us of certain people or times in our lives but, if we’re honest with ourselves, those items usually just take up space and gathering dust. If you’re struggling with getting rid of something because it’s sentimental, try taking a photo of the item and then getting rid of the physical object. That way, you can keep the memory without hanging on to the material goods.

Decluttering Question 6: How Obligated Do You Feel To Keep This Item?

Oftentimes we feel like we have to keep certain items because they were given to us by someone special or because they’re family heirlooms. But the truth is that YOU are the only person who gets to decide what goes into YOUR home so don’t feel obligated to keep something just because someone else wants you to. At the end of the day, it’s your decision—so make the choice that feels right for YOU.

Decluttering Question 7: Do You Have Space In Your Home For The Item?

Last but not least, another great question to ask yourself when making decluttering decisions is whether or not you actually have space for the item in your home. We often hold on to things “just in case” we need them someday but if there’s no place for them in our homes then chances are good that we’ll never actually use them anyway. So rather than hanging on to something “just in case,” get rid of it and free up some much-needed space instead!

These are just a few questions to ask yourself if you’ve been wondering how to decide what you should get rid of when decluttering. They’ll give you a starting point for tackling your own overwhelming piles of stuff!

And remember – once you’ve decluttered your home, maintain the decluttered state by getting into the habit of putting things away as soon as you’re done using them! A little bit of effort each day will go a long way toward keeping your home clean, organized, and clutter-free! What other questions would you add to this list? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

How to Finish Every Decluttering Project You Ever Start

September 10

Inside: If you’re tired of being overwhelmed or never finishing decluttering projects, check out this list of 7 tips that will help know exactly how to finish your decluttering project every time!

It was a cold day in the mountains and all the campers have just left. We had a few hours before the new campers arrived. As part of the volunteer Summer work crew, one of my jobs was to change the sheets on the bunk beds throughout the camp.

This was a necessary but unglamorous job. At times the immature high-schooler in me did not want to do the job with excellence. Thankfully, I was paired with an older girl who had more wisdom than me. She said something that has stuck with me to this day. She said, “Anyone can start job well it’s how you finish it that matters.”

Many years later, I’ve taken that advice with me when I’ve ended professional jobs, moved to new to cities, or volunteered for organizations.

Despite my commitment to finishing jobs for others, it’s easy to let myself off the hook when it comes to personal matters.

Are you a serial starter? How many times have you started decluttering only to get stalled in your tracks? Maybe you started a home organization project and got derailed. How many times have you started a diet and gave it up on Friday pizza night? Or maybe you set New Year’s resolutions only to abandon them before the end of January.

If I’m being candid, I’ve done ALL OF THESE!

I can so relate with my readers that share their struggle with finishing decluttering projects. Recently, I have challenged myself to keep the commitments I make to me just as I would to others.

Let’s look at how you can keep your commitment to yourself by finishing what you started. We’re going to dive into 7 tips to help you finish every decluttering project you ever start! (spoiler alert, you can apply these tips to more than just decluttering!)

1. Write down your goal

The first thing you should do is write down your goal. You may not typically think about writing down a goal for decluttering, but writing things down has tremendous benefits! Here are 7 to consider:

It makes you more committed
Helps clear your mind
Clarifies your goals and priorities
It makes you more efficient
Helps keep you motivated
Encourages consistent progress
Gives you a sense of achievement

2. Set timeframes and make commitments

In addition to writing down your goal be sure to include timeframes for finishing your decluttering project. You need to break the projects down into smaller tasks. For example, instead of saying I want to de-clutter the kitchen, break it into smaller steps like clean out the junk drawer, declutter under the sink, and organize the cleaning products. Once you break the project into smaller steps assign dates to each step. These dates are your commitment to the timeframe.

3. Prioritize

When you’ve broken your decluttering project into smaller steps you can then prioritize the steps even further. Think about what motivates you. Maybe there’s an eyesore that bothers you every time you walk by. Put that project first on your list and imagine the satisfaction you’ll feel once it’s completed. Or maybe you’re having a hard time getting started… identify the smallest and easiest steps to help build your momentum. Prioritizing your action steps will help you finish your decluttering project every time.

4. Use time-blocking

Alright, let’s admit you’re guilty of multitasking. Multitasking has been proven to actually make you less productive! Gasp! How many times do you check your phone for text messages, emails, or Facebook updates? I’m guilty too! Time blocking is a simple tool you can use to help you focus your energy for a predetermined amount of time.

What’s great about time blocking is you can make it work with almost any schedule. I know a woman who started a new business in the midst of running another business and having two young children. She decided she could work on the new business in 25-minute bursts of time. She listed her activities and then blocked off 25 minutes intervals at different points in the day. Now she has a thriving new business that is significantly more successful than the previous.

To start using time blocking to help you finish your decluttering project, determine the amount that time you can dedicate on a daily or weekly basis. Block out the time on your calendar to commit to your decluttering project.

5. Identify the tradeoffs

Another helpful tip to finish your decluttering project is to recognize the trade-off in advance.

Recently a friend of mine decided to remove the carpet and tile and replace their flooring. The husband had a 4-day weekend and this was their window of time to do it. They watched a couple of YouTube videos but had no prior experience. Four days later the entire family was still working on the demolition. Their house was a wreck and in total disorder and now they needed to go back to work so the project wouldn’t be finished until the next weekend.

In this case, identifying the tradeoffs would have looked something like this:

All 7 family members will need to be involved in this project which means they won’t be able to do other activities for these 4 days
The entire house is going to be in disarray, but it will look great when it’s finished
It may cost more money than you expect, so be sure to put aside some extra
In the end, it will all be worth it

Identify trade-offs before you start a project and you’ll be better prepared and more committed when things arise.

6. Practice achieving your goals

This is a real confidence booster. Do you know how many times you set yourself up for failure? You make a commitment to a goal so big that it’s highly unlikely you’d ever achieve it.

But big goals are not the only way to get things done. In fact, you’ll be more committed if you experience success if you take things on a little at a time.

Like I mentioned earlier, write down your goal. Make sure it’s a doable and achievable goal. In other words, make sure it’s realistic. If you’ve been burned by not completing projects in the past set out this time to start AND FINISH a small decluttering project.

The more you see yourself being able to complete the decluttering project the more willing you’ll be to start and finish every decluttering project.

So how do you start small?… One drawer at the time, one shelf at a time, one small space at a time, or projects like cleaning out the bathroom drawer or the kid’s clothing drawer. Write down your goal (commitment), spend an hour or less to get it done, and see yourself achieve the goal. This will build momentum and help you to finish every decluttering project you ever start!

7. Manage your energy

There are natural points in the day when you have more energy. Yes, it’s also true right after you have a cup of coffee that you’ll have more energy. But you also have a natural circadian rhythm. We have high energy points and low energy points in our day. For most adults, between 1-3 p.m. is a low energy point. THIS WOULD NOT BE THE TIME to start your decluttering project.

Maybe you’re an early bird or perhaps you like to stay up late to crank work out. Think about when you have your burst of energy and schedule your decluttering project in that window of time.

You can also increase your energy by tapping into your internal motivation. Remind yourself why this decluttering project is important to you. How will it feel with you’ve completed it? What benefits will you gain from it? Will you save time, have less frustration, or just enjoy living in a decluttered space?

If you’re tired of getting stalled on your decluttering project and wondering how to finish every decluttering project you ever start, use these tips! By writing down your goals, setting dates, and prioritizing your work, you’ll be more committed to the project. Identifying trade-offs, practicing achieving your goals, and managing your energy will also help you cross the finish line.

So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to get started (AND FINISH) your decluttering project!

Pin me for later!

Tips for Decluttering Motivation

Decluttering: 100+ Things You Can Get Rid of (and never miss)

Common Decluttering Barriers and Solutions

10 Easy Decluttering Projects to do When You’re Stuck At Home

15 Minute Decluttering Tasks That Don’t Overwhelm

How To Deal With Decluttering Guilt

10 Ironclad Tips to Help You Get Started Decluttering

The Best Home Management Tips that are Actually Easy

August 15

Inside: Tired of always feeling tired, stretched too thin, and stressed out as you try to manage your home? These 7 powerhouse home management tips will help you create a custom home management system that eliminates stress and leaves you with a cleaner, more organized home!

Managing a home is a full-time job all by itself. Between cleaning, organizing, cooking, paying bills, running errands, and completing small repairs, all the tasks that are necessary for home management can easily consume the entire day.

And if you don’t have any systems in place, you’re probably overwhelmed with all of it. I would know because that’s exactly how I felt. Managing our house and raising our kids was much more difficult than my corporate job because I didn’t have the tools I needed to get the job done.

Why You Should Use a Home Management System

In my corporate life, I know how to help teams of people prepare for their future. But, when I started to focus on raising our family, I didn’t know how to manage my own house. I was frustrated, stressed, and overwhelmed, to say the least.

That’s because I didn’t have a home management system. I simply didn’t have a way to make sure that I was staying on track, instead of dropping all the balls.

7 Top Home Management Tips That Are Actually Easy and Effective

While my home management skills were less than ideal at first, I was determined to come up with systems to make it extremely manageable. After years of fine-tuning those systems, I am now sharing my top tips with you to help you hone yours!

1. Use To-Do Lists

One of the things I discovered early on when I began managing our home was I couldn’t make it work without to-do lists. There are just so many things that come up and need to be addressed but also get forgotten in the busyness of life.

Life happens. The washing machine needs to be repaired. The grass gets long and full of weeds. The heat won’t turn on. Your son needs his baseball uniform washed pronto.

When it comes to managing a household, let’s face it: the to-do list is extensive. That’s why it helps to get all the tasks out of your brain and on paper so that they aren’t using up precious memory space or energy just to remember them.

Make your to-do list a part of a home management binder so it’s always ready when you need it.

2. Cleaning Routine Checklist

Certain cleaning tasks must be done daily, while others need to be done regularly but less frequently (weekly, monthly, etc). Staying on top of these tasks is the difference between feeling overwhelmed and feeling like you’ve got everything under control. Make a list of chores and split them into what needs to be done daily, weekly, or monthly.

Daily Chores

Here are a few examples of chores that need to be done daily in order to help you stay on top of them:

Make beds
Wiping down the kitchen after use
Sorting through the mail or papers from school that come home
A load of laundry
Put shoes and clothes away each day
Sweep the floors
Wash dishes

This was just a list of examples. If you have other daily chores, add them to the list!

Check out my 10 Minute Speed Cleaning Tasks to help you tackle those daily chores quickly so your house always feels clean.

Weekly Chores

This list might include things like:

Vacuuming
Mopping
Dusting
Cleaning the bathrooms
Changing bedsheets

Again, feel free to modify this list based on how often you want certain chores done.

Monthly Chores

Some ideas of monthly chores (or tasks) might include:

Do a monthly clean cycle for your washing machine
Run a monthly clean cycle for your dishwasher
Change your furnace filter
Clean bedrooms
Dust blinds and ceiling fans

In other words, if you want to keep your home clean without spending all weekend long cleaning it, do a little at a time – consistently. The effort goes a long way and reduces those feelings of overwhelm that engulf you when you look around at a filthy house.

3. Calendar

Do you remember when your next dentist appointment is scheduled? How about when the A/C repair guy is coming? Your daughter’s orthodontist appointment? Or your husband’s work party?

Life flows at a breakneck speed these days, which means that you are often hearing about (or scheduling) events that your brain doesn’t retain as it’s also trying to remember 9,738 other things.

Keep a calendar handy. Whether you use a trusty paper version or a calendar on your smartphone, having an updated calendar always at your fingertips is huge for helping you keep track of all. the. things.

Tip: If you use a calendar in your smartphone, take advantage of the feature that allows you to set alerts. I always set alerts for my events. In fact, I sometimes set multiple alerts if I think I might forget about an event so that I am not too distracted and forget where I need to be!

4. Meal Plan & Prep

Meal planning is one of the easiest and most impactful home management tasks you can do. Really, it’s your secret weapon.

It literally shaves hours of work off your week and eliminates the daily frantic struggle to come up with a dinner plan (and get it made in time while also running soccer carpool and helping your daughter with her homework).

Here are some other benefits to meal planning:

It limits the number of trips (and time spent) going to the grocery store.
It saves money by eliminating aimless grocery shopping.
It’s healthier (and cheaper) for your family because you spend less on unplanned take out or drive through meals.

Learn how to do easy weekly meal planning and save yourself the headaches and stress of figuring out what’s for dinner each night. If not, I highly recommend you check out some of these menu planning services if that fits better into your schedule and lifestyle.

The next time you hear the question that used to spark dread in your heart, you can answer what’s for dinner without any hesitation (or scrambling)!

5. Get Finances in Order

Part of managing a home is keeping track of finances and paying the bills. Having a clear picture of the money that comes into the household and where it flows is crucial for a smooth-running home.

Get your finances in order by setting a budget and sticking to it. You can find everything you need to get started by setting a budget and paying bills on time in my Home Management Binder.

6. Develop A System For Organization

If being organized doesn’t come naturally to you, that’s ok. There are certain things you can do to make your home more organized in a way that fits your personality.

If you take a look at organizational systems that professional home organizers use, you can adapt them to your own home so that they work for you.

Here are a couple of gems to help you get started:

Designate a “home” for everything. When everything has a place where it belongs and is in that spot, there is no clutter. “A place for everything and everything in its place” as the saying goes.
Use baskets, bins, and other storage containers to create organized (and designated) places for everything. Label them to keep them organized.

7. Create Routines

People naturally crave routines, so build routines that fit your personality and help you stay on track. When you have a backbone for your day, it’s easier to stay on task and be productive than when you’re moving aimlessly from task to task.

Use your daily tasks, your frequent appointments, and other commitments to establish a daily routine that helps you.

Home Management: Final Thoughts

Adopting these 7 home management tips will help you implement a home management system that helps you stay organized and stress-free.

Need a little extra help? My Home Management Binder will help provide the structure you need. No more missed appointments or dinnertime frustrations!

3 Steps To Organize Your Home

May 20

Inside: Ready to organize your home? Learn 3 easy-to-remember steps to an organized space. It can be used to organize your entire home from the junk drawer to the garage.

Have you ever thought “I need help organizing my house?” Maybe you’ve watched an organizing show like Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. Or perhaps you’ve considered hiring a professional organizer to organize your home.

Having an organized space doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. In fact, using my simple Organized Home Equation I’ve been able to transform my home with small doable projects.

What is the Organized Home Equation

The Organized Home Equation is an easy-to-remember formula you can use to organize every space in your home. The steps in this equation will help you love your home even more. They will help you take your home from chaotic to calm.

This simple equation will help you remember the 3 things you need to have in place for an organized home. It’s not uncommon for people to overcomplicate home organization and decluttering by looking for unique steps to apply to various areas of their house. This formula be used in any room in your home, there’s nothing complicated about it.

Step 1 – How to organize your home with the “Right Stuff”

The first step in the Organized Home Equation is to make sure you’re organizing the right stuff. Right Stuff means only keeping the things you like, need, and or use.

No one wants to waste time on things they no longer want, like, or need. Having extra things will cost you time and space, and if you never or rarely use them, it’s a big drain on your energy.

In Step 1 of the Organized Home Equation, you want to be ruthless and get rid of as much stuff as possible before moving on to Step 2, Right Place.

Some organizing experts will say that you have decluttered your entire home at once or even an entire bedroom. Others will challenge you to declutter in a weekend. While these approaches can be effective for some, they can be overwhelming for others. They may not be practical for your life situation.

Where to Start When Organizing Spaces

When it comes to decluttering your stuff, I recommend starting with something small that will give you a quick win and help increase your motivation to continue.

You can start organizing spaces as small as a Junk Drawer, bathroom drawer, or even a single bin/shelf in your pantry.

Getting Rid of Unwanted Items

Be sure to quickly get your discarded items out of your house…specifically aim for one week.

You have several options for discarding things. Sell them if they are in reasonably good condition, recycle them if they are unusable, or donate to a charity or family that might be in need. Finally, if there are no other options, you can put them in the garbage. The key is to get rid of the items quickly and by quickly I mean within one week. Otherwise, they just become a clutter trap for the future.

Decluttering and getting rid of things is an important first step to an organized home. Keep the things you like, need, or use, and get rid of the rest.

Step 2 – Organize Your Home by Storing Items in the “Right Place”

Once you have the right stuff, you can move on to step 2 of the Organized Home Equation…Right Place. Right Place means your items are stored in a location that makes sense for you and your family in a way that makes the most of your space. This is important because you need to have both form and function in your home.

Professional organizers will work with you to understand how your home flows and ultimately store things in close proximity to where they are used most.

Home Organization Tips

Let’s look at specific things you can do right now to help organize your home.

Make sure everything in your home has an assigned home. If there’s nothing defined, it will surely become cluttered and disorganized.
Store things where you use them. You want to keep things close to where you use them.
Don’t buy containers until after you’ve edited, sorted, and measured the space. Determining the right container is both a personal and a functional preference.

Making sure every item has an assigned home helps prevent clutter. Storing things in the right place help your home function properly. Creating zones helps you find things when you need them and keeps an area organized.

Step 3 – Keep Your Home Organized with the “Right Method”

Once you have the right stuff in the right place you can move on to part 3 of the Organized Home Equation…Right Method. Once you make sure you have the right stuff in the right place, the right method will help you [and your family] maintain your space and keep it in order.

After you’ve organized your house, it’s easy to think “I’ve decluttered, why isn’t my house staying tidy!?!” The main thing you need to do is put systems and routines in place to maintain your organized home.

Home Organization Systems and Routines

A system is your process for HOW you get things done. Let’s take paperwork for example. Do you keep hard copies and put it in a file cabinet, make it electronic, shred it or put it in the recycle bin?

The routine looks at WHO and WHEN you deal with your paperwork.

System = how paperwork is dealt with within your home

Routine = your process for who and when the paperwork is dealt with.

You could have a system in place, but if you don’t have a routine to support it, the system will fall to the wayside.

You want to create home organization systems for the things that expire, we outgrow, or have a due date. Paper, clothing, and food are the most common things coming into our homes and being shuffled around our homes. These are things you should create systems for.

Example systems include labeling baskets or shelves of where items go so that you know where to find or where to return them.

Routines will stem from the systems you put in place. A few common routines are:

An end of the day pick up
Clearing off counters and tables
Mail sorting
Cleaning out expired food

After investing time to declutter and organize, these small steps will protect the hard work you’ve done!

Take Steps To Organize Your House

It’s time for you to take action. Here is an easy way to start. Write down your answers to these questions and commit to taking action within the next 30 days.

Right Stuff: What are the 1-3 small areas that you could declutter to get a quick win?
Right Place: What are the things that frequently end up in piles around your home. Assign them a permanent home.
Right Method: What is 1 system you’ll put in place to maintain and optimize your space?