AM I ORGANIZED?

W HAT IS AN ORGANIZED PERSON LIKE ?

An ORGANIZED person has his or her LIFE in ORDER from schedules to chores, closets and paper work. THIS IS NOT AN ORGANIZED PERSON

W HILE IT SEEMS LIKE WORK, IT BECOMES A WAY OF LIFE AND THERE ARE MANY BENEFITS ! W HAT DO YOU THINK SOME MIGHT BE ?

1. You have more time-not spent looking for things – get things done faster 2. You save money – don’t have to buy things to replace those lost & not taken care of BENEFITS: (The Great 8)

3. You have balance – more time on the big not the little things 4. You and your family are healthier – less stress, time for exercise & to plan healthy meals BENEFITS: (The Great 8)

BENEFITS: (T HE G REAT 8) 5. Your studies/ career improves – you make a good impression, you are confident, achieve more 6. You reduce clutter – which makes you slower and more stressed – you get a sense of freedom

BENEFITS: (T HE G REAT 8) 7. More energy – take better care of themselves inside and out – planned time + more rest 8. You can set and achieve your goals – you are organized enough to map them out, plan and follow through

H OW DO WE BECOME ORGANIZED ? Being organized is a very big goal. But like all of our other goals, we need to take them one step at a time. Start with the smaller, quicker and easier things to jump start your quest for organization.

H ERE ARE 6 BASIC AND SIMPLE STEPS THAT BE CAN APPLIED TO ANY SMALL OR BIG SPACE THAT NEEDS ORGANIZATION :

#1 EMPTY IT Take everything out of the space to be organized (locker, backpack, folder, closet, cabinet)

#2 SORT IT Put the like things together and make sure to create a pile of things that belong elsewhere, things that can be donated & have a garbage bag close by for “GARBAGE” KEY:: Ask yourself … “DO I REALLY NEED this item?” “Have I USED it?” “Would I BUY this item again?”

#3 IDENTIFY FUNCTION OF SPACE What is the purpose of using this space Based on the purpose, take the piles of items you are keeping in the space and separate the piles into one of 2 catagories: 1. Used ALL THE TIME 2. Used SOME TIMES

#4 CHOOSE STORAGE SUPPLIES Figure out what types of storage materials might help you keep piles separated and organized You might choose Bins, baskets, boxes, clear boxes, dividers, etc. Have LABELING materials ready also

#5 FIND A “HOME” FOR EVERYTHING Put everything back in the space using your plan of function :things that you use more frequently out in the front & more accessible, things that you don’t need all the time stored in the back, or places that are off to the side.

#6 LABEL EVERYTHING Label everything that you feel needs a label ESPECIALLY label those things that are not so visible or are in boxes that are not clear.

CELEBRATE & ENJOY YOUR WORK!