Okay, so a few weeks ago I asked for some cleaning advice and got an overwhelming amount of support and help! Thanks again to anyone who posted! I really, really, really appreciated it. As an update I have started using several of your ideas and have realized that tidying up and cleaning are two different things. I am way more patient and less frustrated as let Jackson join in and "help" or dump a bucket of toys on the ground. So thank you again.
Well, so here's my next question for all of you. I need help getting organized! I know that being organized is not just being neat. Organized means being able to find things when you need them...not three weeks later. I know that being organized is not just GETTING organized, but BEING organized. I have had my Mom tell me, on several occasions, that being organized is a way of life, so I am hear to tell you I am READY FOR THAT LIFE!
My lovely "piles" are falling over, my important papers and not to be found, and I want to not have to REMEMBER everything, I want to write it down.
So, here is what usually happens.... I determine to be organized, and to be honest with cleaning and getting most things organized around the house, I do alright, but it is my planning system that fails me (I guess I fail it, its doesn't usually do anything wrong). I start using a planner or some sort of calender system and end up frustrated a week or so later when I have all together quit using it. Not necessarily on purpose, mostly I just forget about it. I get going and I don't think to look at it or write things down. I seemed to manage when it was just me and my schedule, but now that I have appointments for Jackson or deadlines for dental school things, or my apron orders etc. I just can't keep up.
So, tell me how do you get organized? Do you have a planner? Do you just have a running list? When do you check it and write in it? Is it something you always have with you? Do you have a favorite brand of planners, organizers, or calenders? Do you write down everything in your life...ie. prayer, scripture study, clean, etc. or just the big events...ie. doctor appointments etc? This is a bit of a loaded question, but I sure could use some help and insight. I wish I could be as organized as my Mom. She writes everything down, she keeps track of gift ideas for people, her daily events, birthdays, menu ideas, quick meal ideas etc. So do you guys do that too? And if you do, how? How do you organize it all?
Also, if you had ideas on how you keep "piles" from forming or other organization tips for the house tell me about those too! What do you do with bills or important paper that you'll need within the month, but not right at the moment. What do you do with papers or information that you need to call or check on, but that's just it...it doesn't have a time frame, so where do you put those things?
Hopefully this makes sense. If you think you can help me in ANY WAY to get organized PLEASE POST! I sure could use the help!
6 comments:
I am no pro but here is what I have found that works for me. I have a small filing box (i got at target) where I have organized everything from bills to birth certificates, etc. I have like 30 tabs or so. I also have a misc. tab and a "things to keep" tab. As I get bills during the month I set them on top of the box and then I have a set day to pay bills. Other mail or documents I get I file them right when I get them. I save all documents for 3-5years but about every 6 months I go through it and check my files to see if anything can be thrown out.
As for the planner thing I don't use one since it feels like just another thing to carry around or in my case forget to carry around. I have a big dry erase calendar in my kitchen where I mark important things like birthdays, appts, etc. All the other things I need to do that week such as clean, scripture study etc. I make a weeks list and post it somewhere I can see it everyday first thing in the morning. I include my goals, dinner plan, and other misc things. This has seemed to work for me since I look at it several times a day. Every morning I check it and make a mental plan on what part of dinner I can prepare before hand, how long it will take, how long I need for cleaning, what time I work, etc. I am a big fan of LISTS. I also like the feeling of crossing off things as I accomplish them :-) I write out EVERYTHING and file it if I need it later or throw it away when I'm done with it. I like to have everything filed in one place in case of a fire or something so I know I can grab it quickly. I also have a filing box (walmart) where I file photos and tab them to the month and date and activity. This helps a ton when I go to scrapbook them. Anyways. Hope this helps. I'm one to make things simpler and not more complicated so I will throw away everything I don't need just so there is less to have around the house. Also about once a month or two I will pick a room in the house and organize drawers, clothes, etc and box Peytons "too small" clothes, DI clothes that Tyler and I won't where anymore, etc. etc. This helps me to feel a little cleaner and organized in those areas. Good luck and if you find any wonderful ideas send them my way. :-)
I love these posts of yours because I can get all of the good advice, too. One thing that I do is that I have a box-sized filing thing (I know that's really vague, but you can use anything that will hold haning file folders) on my counter. There are files for Bills to be Paid, Papers to be Filed (in our big filing cabinet), Coupons, Receipts, Joe Misc, Ashley Misc, etc. Then when you need to pay bills you can just get that file out and do them all (I organize them by date they are due). Anyway, I am not always so good at making sure all the papers are put in there right away but when they are it makes my counter look a lot less cluttered.
HI Michelle--I'm reorganizing myself this time of year too! I don't know what it is after Christmas that makes us want to do this. But one thing I do is keep a binder that sits right next to my computer on my desk and it has all of my important reference things in it: ward list, Lydia's class list, an envelope for bills to pay, a divider for different hobbies/interests I have, so when I find something I stick it in there, and a little section each for Lydia and Clayton where I keep information for their classes, school calendars and things. It's mostly reference, but I find myself pulling it out constantly, and I'm never looking for directories, calendars, lists of Christmas gifts or anything because I keep it in my binder. I don't know if that makes any sense, but it's working well for me! It may also help you with your apron business. I also have a hanging file box like someone mentioned above for longer term filing and things.
Michelle--
I stay organized with a calendar. I have found that just a small one at like Walmart does the job best for me. That way I can throw it in the diaper bag and I have it handy when I am at the dr office scheduling apts, etc. I have made it a habit to use it--or else I forget everything! But lately, I still have been forgetting things written down in it, so we also have a calendar hanging in our kitchen that lists all the apts, etc on it--this is so good because Matt sees what is going on as well, so he can help remind me :)
A lot of times before I go to bed at night I take out my calendar and see what I've got going the next day and also write a list of things I want to accomplish--goals, projects I am working on...that way if I get some spare time, I know what I want to do and the time isn't wasted.
And honestly, on those overwhelming days, I do write the simple things like--shower, read scriptures...it makes me feel like I accomplished something!
As far as organizing papers, we have a lot of baskets that I put them in. I go through it twice a month adn pay the bills and file away the things that need to be filed. So, the basket helps with the mess and makes it look nicer.
If there are pressing things that I receive in the mail that need to be taken care of the next day, I put those papers with my planner and so that it's right there to do the next day!
ANyways, I hope that helps. I really am not the expert on this, but these are a few things that have helped me.
Ya i'm not one for perfect organizational skills but I have found some good ideas along the way. I have always, even back in junior high, written on my calender wall, like anything going on or anything that has happened. LIke milestones, I write on the calender on the day it happens, so I can look back. I also put appointments on there for anything. Joe and I have a "family planning meeting" on Sundays usually and talk about what's going on that week or month. It could be appointments or tests he's taking. Anything. Then we write them on the calender and then it hangs in the kitchen so it's visible to everyone. I was able to find a big desktop calender at Target for $1 that we use. There's a spot for goals on the side so we've put our daily/weekly goals on them. And I have a problem with meal planning so i've started to write down what we eat for dinner each night on the calender. That way, I can look back at the past month, see what we've eaten and use those recipes for later dates. For the kids, there's a great system that I've found for their info. Insteada of explaining it, i'll send you a picture of it. It's really nice for all of their stuff and pictures. And it chronologically organizes them so it's nice for scrapping too. And i've organized my whole life in the same way. For bills, most of them are on line and I have them on auto-pay so I don't have to worry about it. But stuff for like rent, I write on the calender when they are due or even a few days before they are actually due so I get them done for sure. And I just throw away anything I don't need all the time, to lessen the crap factor in my house. I love throwing things away! And I too love lists and do them all the time, usually daily for things I need to get done.
OH and also for food, I have a magnetic paper pad on the fridge. Whenever something runs out and I find that we need more of something, I immediately write it on the pad. That becomes my grocery list. It comes in handy because I was finding that I would find things that I needed to get but then later, I'd forget :) So that really helps! Ok so i'll send you a picture of that box and also of the calender I have on my wall, so you get a better visual :)
Hey, I found you! I just did a post on organization on my blog (it's too specific to answer this particular questions, but anyway...) Any news on the dental school choice? We're excited to hear. I'm thinking it must be LA since you never called to ask about SF. Let us know!
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