Strategies for Success

[Joshua Zerkel, CPO]

Do you have some organizing tips that others could use? How about some strategies you've found helpful?

[Alexandra]

Do what the pros do - make three designated areas before you start any organizing (keep, donate, toss).

Tackle small amount of stuff at a time; it's easy to become overwhelmed. You could be exhausted in a matter of hours and end up with a giant mess, not an organized room.

See how much stuff you have and how much space you have BEFORE you go out and buy tons of organization gear, like boxes and baskets. You don't want to need more - or less (leading to more clutter) - than you need.

Use IKEA! They have tons of budget-friendly and modern-looking stuff to make any organizational guru swoon.

[Stacey]

Let's face it parents work hard and so do kids! Who wants to spend their days off doing laundry and cleaning? Not me....not my family! Seven weeks ago I tried a new strategy (believe me I've tried many) to tackle the thousands of things that a busy family must get through in a week...my four children still living at home were and still are on board. It's called "Job of the Day". I laminated household chores (ie. vacum family room and stairs, clean bathroom sinks, counter, mirrors, organize recycling and load in van, etc.) on small cards and each child picks one job out of a glove my youngest son decorated one mother's day that I just couldn't part with. From Monday to Friday they pick one job per day to do and when completed they put it in a clear plastic pouch with their name on it so they get credit for it. They all must do the job plus once a week they are on dishes and we have bedroom inspection(they pick the day). If homework is done and coats and backpacks away they are free for the rest of the day plus weekends there is no cleaning and there's more time for family or friend fun! The jobs are general pertaining to all areas that the whole family shares and everyone is responsible for all of their personal stuff no matter where it lands in the house. The weekly room inspection helps keep rooms from getting out of control. We still don't live in an immaculate house like I used to dream of, BUT it is so much better and everyone pitchs in more willingly because they know they get more free time this way and so do mom and dad (We don't have to pick our job of the day because we do many daily, just not as many as we used to)!! That itself is a huge reward for everyone.....and as a little incentive for the kids they'll receive their summer fun/activity fund which let's face it comes from the hardworking parents. It's true.....many hands make light the work!! As for that immaculate house.....later....we're too busy living!! My daughter will be returning from college in one week for the summer and that means an extra pair of hands and five more jobs a week!!! Of course that's not the only reason we're excited for her return.....it's all that fun and free time we're enjoying!