Organized Tips for Organizing Anything

NJ Expert Helps Organize Your Organizing

Very often we can't start an organizing or de-cluttering project because we physically can't "have at it." Big bulky stuff is shoved in the back and little things fall into the "in-between" spaces. We can't even get to the shelves.

In 9th grade I had a fabulous social studies teacher, Mr. John J. O'Rourke, to whom I owe so much. He taught us how to outline chapters. (Does anyone remember how to outline?) Outlining is organizing a chapter, from the Roman Numerals (I, II, III) with the A,B,C explanatory notes, down to the subsequent details of (1), (2), and (3) (a), (b),(c).

Outlining helps you organize anything: shopping list, (by aisle, by category,) to do list, (Calls to make, purpose of the call), anything at all. Like anything else, it's an acquired ability but it can be taught and learned. Thank you, Mr. O'Rourke.

Here are the organized" organizing steps" to get started...and get finished!

I. Get an overview...set up a long table, or two, to hold the items stockpiled on the floor. The ideal would be to empty the garage, or at least, one whole section at a time.

2. Separate the items according to purpose, but don't look into the boxes. Just make the distinctions.

Winter equipment
Tools
File Boxes
Sports Equipment
I don't know what this is for.

3. Segregate anything that can be hung up on the walls, (come equipped with hammer, nails, etc...they're in that pile of tools) , anything that will clear floor space. Get these items out of the way.

Garden tools
Sleds
Bikeclubss
Hockey Sticks
Golf bags (There are great units that stand golf clubs and other sports items in one organized space.)
Walkers
Crutches

4. Make a Discard pile and start tossing, now that you can see everything clearly.

5. Make a "Give away" and/or a Sell/Donate pile and start segregating there.

6. NOW sweep the garage floor and wipe down the shelves.

7. At this point you are ready to put items back on the shelves and hang up the wall items.

Find containers for miscellaneous items that you will want to deal with later. (See above, "I don't know what this is for").
Put those more frequently used items closest to the garage door to the house.
Label your containers so that you know what's inside each storage box.
If you want, you can make a master list of what's in each box and where it is, and keep the list tacked inside a kitchen cabinet or on the back of the garage door.

Whether you are undertaking a huge task or a small one, the process is the same. Think wide to narrow. Set up your overview, the framework, divide into categories and sections and keep modifying.

Contact me for any project. Doing one together will help you do others by yourself!