When I’ve run this program in the past, I’ve had a ton of great questions asked by participants. I’ve picked out a few typical questions and put together some answers for you.
Perfectionism
Q: I really like this organize-athon. Wish I could get to everything in my house and have it perfect. For some reason I don’t believe we will get done with it all in 30 days.
A: Hmmm… expecting perfection is a pretty reliable way to undermine your motivation and encourage procrastination. These posts might help:
- Getting Organized Quick Tip: How To Short-Circuit Perfectionism and Procrastination
- Why Self-Improvement is Like Slaying Vampires
- How to Flick the Organizing Switch from Procrastination to Action.
As for getting everything done in 30 days, we won’t! Our aim is to do one 5-minute decluttering or organizing task every day for a month. That’s an awesome outcome!
Getting The Family To Be More Organized
Q: I would like ideas on how to keep it neat, and getting the family to buy into this, not just me. I feel like I am fighting a losing battle on this one.*
A: Motivating your family to keep things tidy is totally challenging!
- With younger kids it’s a good idea to make it very easy for them to be neat – eg installing hooks for hanging bags and coats, and using attractive toy bins and laundry hampers that are located right near where toys are used/clothes are removed.
- With older kids you have the option of making tidiness a condition of their allowance, or perhaps giving them an allowance bonus when they’re tidy.
- If your partner won’t be tidy, try creating a zone where they can be messy. If you can encourage them to head straight for the zone when they get home, at least the mess will be localized.
- If all else fails, create a zone for yourself where you can have order and clarity and preserve your sanity. A spare room is ideal, or a corner of the office or bedroom will work too. Perhaps a screen will help? Make it lovely for yourself.
More ideas are here:
- Organizing Q & A | How To Deal With OPD – Other People’s Disorganization: My Top 3 Tips
- Home Organization: My Very Best Life-Changing Tip For A Clutter-Free Home
- My Partner is a Hoarder. Help!
- How To Organize Your Kids & Their Bedrooms.
*There were a lo-o-hot of questions along these lines!
Time Management And Home Organization
Q: I am loving what you have created Michele – I am just trying to fit all the tasks in with school holidays, work and life… This can be tricky.
A: It’s very tricky! Life doesn’t stop for you to get organized, and it sure doesn’t stay on pause to preserve your organizing efforts.
Here are some ideas for ways to be time effective and still get your home organization tasks done:
- Simplify Your Life – Time
- 5 Home Organization Strategies for Busy People
- Get Organized Fast: 7 Things You Can Do This Weekend
- Get Organized For 2011: 6 Dos And Don’ts For A Calm & Ordered Year
- Live Within Your Home’s Boundaries.
Filing And Record Keeping
Q: I would like to have the finer details on how my ‘filing’ should be done. I would also like to know how long I am supposed to hang on to stuff legally.
A: Ah filing – the bane of so many households. I think this post provides a very simple and practical filing system:
As for how long to keep records, here’s some info from the ATO for Australian individuals:
And from the IRS for US individuals:
Information on business record keeping is also available on both the Australian and US taxation sites.
Got Another Organizing, Decluttering or Productivity Question?
Post it on the Facebook page – and I’ll do my best to give you a simple and helpful answer.