Even though this post has nothing to do with technology, I felt the urge to share it here anyway.  So, I received my February issue of Real Simple yesterday and the article on pg. 140 titled “The Ultimate in Organizing: 4 Real-Life Systems” by Nicole Sforza just got me thinking… So much so, that I woke up thinking about it again this morning.

The article features lots of pretty images, as you may have guessed, and it highlights  four “brilliantly organized spaces”.  It’s nothing that Real Simple or Nicole said specifically that offends me, it’s just that the message the media sends time and time again about ‘organized = perfection’ that is so bothersome to me.

When I started out as an organizer 6 years ago, I definitely bought into the pretty pictures, colorful bins and perfectly ordered supplies but I knew then (and feel even more strongly now) that living organized is about so much more.

Many of the solutions featured are achievable to some degree, depending on your budget.  But what the article doesn’t highlight is what ‘real-life systems’ are about it.  Living organized is not about having your bookshelves sorted by color;  it’s not about having your system be so pristine that no one else is allowed (or wants) to use it; and it’s certainly not primarily about purchasing a product or hiring a contractor to automagically create the perfect system for you…which is really all you’ll read in magazines & see on TV.

You can create your own definition of what living organized is about! In general, I think you would agree that it should:

• Allow you to find what you need when you need it & have the ability to store it quickly and easily without frustrating you.
• Work for everyone who needs to use it.
• Ease your stress.
• Free up time for the things & people you love.
• Keep things simple…

And, finally, what it doesn’t have to be is PERFECT!

What do you think?

When a friend or colleague emails you a link to an article or website, you routinely move it to your ‘To Read’ folder for reading later (yeah, right!)  Alternatively, you may use bookmarking services like Delicious or Xmarks to save your web reading or maybe you simply leave pages open in your web browser to come back to later.   If you truly want to be more productive with email AND you really do want to read something later, try a different approach for your online reading activities.

Originally, I began using ReadItLaterList and switched over to Instapaper when Google Reader added it to their list of ‘Send To’ options.  InstaPaper is a “simple tool to save web pages for reading later.” It allows you to continue what you’re currently working on but move your reading to another location for addressing at the right time.  I now use it to mark web content and feeds that I may want to blog about, research further, or simply spend more time on.  Plus, they’ve got a neat little ‘bookmarklet’ button that makes it easy to do from whichever web browser I’m using.

And, InstaPaper has been in development overdrive- they provide the option of reading articles without the ad & visual clutter, integration with Google Reader, a version for your Kindle and my favorite, an iPhone/iPodTouch app.  In a future post, I’ll talk more about how this helps you to be on time for appointments.

One final word of advice: If you simply set aside reading to occur ‘later’, it will pile up no matter which tool you’re using.  Scheduling time to read is imperative.  Here’s my criteria for weeding reading:

If it’s important enough to save to read later, it’s important enough to schedule the time for.  If you aren’t making the time, then perhaps it’s just not important.

Are you an InstaPaper fan? Or is there another tool/method you’re using successfully to manage your online reading?

The first thing you should do when you want to get organized is go shopping for containers, right? WRONG!!
If you begin with this step, you are definitely not alone.  However, it is most certainly one of the least effective methods for beginning most organizing projects.

Why?
1.  Most of the time you simply purchase large opaque tubs available in just about any store.  I guess the urge is to be able to dump your stuff into the big bin, throw on the lid and you instantly feel better because you don’t have to look at the clutter anymore.  OK, sounds good in theory.  But it certainly isn’t organized and many people often still FEEL cluttered and chaotic even though the stuff is contained.

2.  Until you know the quantity, volume and actual measurements of the stuff you need to contain you are unlikely to purchase the right size or type of container.

3.  They often compound the challenge because not only did they not solve your problem, now you have to find a place to store them and you will often spend more time digging through them trying to find what you need.

Here is a tip about using large plastic tubs:  They are useful for larger items in places like the basement, garage or attic.  They are great for seasonal supplies and decorations- as long as you separate smaller items in their own smaller container inside.  Make sure to store like with like, dumping lots of stuff is just containing not organizing.  Avoid purchasing opaque containers, clear containers will improve the storage and retrieval process.  And, finally, (I’m sure you are sick of hearing me say this) don’t forget to label clearly!!

Agree or disagree?

I just heard about this great new product from Post-it® called the Post-it® Pocket.

Of course, they have an adhesive back and they are repositionable and tear-resistant. Great for using on vertical spaces like walls and doors, etc. and they come in handy on the inside of binders and folders, too. Post-it® Pockets are available in 3 sizes: 9 in. X 12 in.; 5 1/2 in. X 9 in.; and 4 in. X 9 in. I can’t wait to come up with more creative uses for them…how about inside hanging folders for receipts?

I haven’t seen them in stores yet but their website says you can purchase them at your local Target or Office Depot and online at 3M.com.

I’d love to hear your ideas on creative uses for the Post-it® Pockets, please leave a comment…

Overwhelmingly, paper is at the top of the list of struggles for my clients and readers so I wanted to share a few ‘baby steps’ to help you get started on tackling your paper clutter:

1.  Tackle the mail as soon as you bring it into the house.  This means getting rid of the outer envelopes and inserts that come with bills, any obvious junk mail and sort/file the rest into action and reference categories.  You can check out this previous post for more info on eliminating junk mail.

2.  Set up a ‘bill paying’ center.  Designate an area/container to place your bills once you have opened them. It may also help to designate a bill paying day or days…find something that works for you.  If you feel you only need to pay bills once a month, choose a day and try to stick to it.  You may feel that every 2 weeks works better for you.  Try asking your spouse/significant other to help you remember your designated bill paying day (but only if you feel that would help you remember- not cause you to be resentful )

3.  Be more selective about the paper you keep- Here are some questions you can ask yourself when dealing with the decision, remember it only helps you to keep it if you can retrieve it when you need it!

- Is it expired (or soon to be)?

- Can you reference the information quickly and easily elsewhere?   These days, the internet is a great reference tool. Or more importantly, ARE YOU more likely to reference it elsewhere?  It isn’t really necessary to file the paper if you are more likely to go online to search for the info.

- Can you condense the paper clutter?  If you have collected a brochure or other literature, can you transfer the pertinent information (web address, name, phone #, etc.) to a small notepad dedicated to that purpose and throw out the remaining paper?  I use a Circa journal-sized notebook that I carry in my purse, for small reminders, phone numbers and reference information (like window measurements, etc. I even tape swatches into my notebook so I have them when I am out shopping).

- Do you really need it?  Be realistic and ask yourself – am I really going to read this article/magazine/catalog?  If you decide to keep it, dedicate yourself to following through and then toss the item when you are done.  (This will also help you determine if it is worth your time to keep those papers the next time.)

Of course, these are just some basic steps and there is much more to an effective paper management system.  But it’s a start…Check back soon for more on tackling your paper clutter- especially since tax season is fast approaching!