Graphic: Not putting things away as soon as done using them.
The obvious first mistake that keeps you disorganized is that you don’t put things away.
Instead you put something down, thinking you will take care of it later. That’s the start of a possible pile. Something not in the right place.
Next thing you know, something goes on top of the first piece. – There’s your pile. It starts with just 2 items. And by the end of the day something else is added to it. Now there’s 3 pieces. It’s definitely a pile!
And later something else goes on top of those 3 things until there’s more, and more, and more. Now you’re suddenly inundated with piles. Piles everywhere.
The best way that you can stay organized is to do what my parents taught me:
“Take something out, put it back.”
If you’re done using it, put it away, NOW.
- Not later.
- Not tomorrow.
- Not next week.
- Not next month.
If it’s put away, it’s not going to end up in a pile. No piles means “almost organized.” What did I say – “almost organized?”
The second mistake makes “almost organized” turn into “mostly organized.”
This is the mistake of just putting things away anywhere. Just tossing items into a hall closet or onto the bed or floor in the spare bedroom isn’t organized. When you put something where it doesn’t belong, it might be put away, but it’s not really organized. If you can’t easily find it, it isn’t organized.
Let’s take clothes on a chair in the bedroom. That’s still the start of a pile, or added to a pile. Clothes have a place – either the dresser drawer or the closet. Chances are it’s the closet. Pants go with pants, tops with tops, and skirts with skirts. It’s that simple to organize. Don’t stick a top in the middle of the pants section. It’s not in its right place. It’s not organized.
Think logical, even if you’re a creative.
So don’t just pick any place. Put everything in its place.
Being organized isn’t that hard, it’s more maintaining it after you get organized so you don’t become disorganized again.
