How to Become More Organized for Messy People

Make the bed each morning as soon as you wake up.

Naturally messy people can become organized by sticking to a cleaning schedule, getting rid of clutter and putting things where they belong on a routine basis. A key factor in going from messy to organized focuses on putting items in their place. Sticking to a cleaning routine helps because things get put away in the process, but that will not resolve the problem entirely.

Things You'll Need

• Calendar
• Notebook
• Index cards

Instructions

1. 

   Record holiday celebrations on your calendar.

   Record all appointments in a single calendar. Use either a large wall calendar, a day planner or an electronic calendar compatible with your personal computer or handheld device. Later, you will write in clutter-busting sessions and chores that need to be done annually or quarterly.

2. 

   An inexpensive notebook is fine for list-making.

   Make three lists in your notebook. One list contains daily chores, another list contains the weekly household tasks and the third list contains sporadic household activities like turning the mattresses or vacuuming under the refrigerator. Examples of daily activities are sweeping the kitchen floor, throwing out the trash and wiping down bathroom sinks. Weekly chores include changing the linen and overhauling the bathroom. Create copies of the daily and weekly lists on index cards. Tack them up on the refrigerator or have the lists laminated and keep them with you. Less frequent chores should be written on the calendar.

3. Create a routine by selecting essential tasks. Basic tasks are second nature for the organized, but mundane tasks go undone for messy people. Writing a daily schedule helps create an organized home and hone time management skills. Include personal health and beauty routines such as showering and putting on makeup. Listing self-care rituals provides awareness of time leaks and adds control. In her book "The Art of Extreme Self Care," life coach Cheryl Richardson emphasizes the healing nature of rhythm and repetition. The daily schedule is at the heart of the organized life.

4. Pick up things and put them in their place. Do this every evening without fail. Choose a time limit--say 15 minutes--and put scattered items where they belong. Putting things away on a routine basis will result in a neater home.

5. Get rid of possessions you no longer need. To pare down messy closets or drawers, start small. In "31 Words to Create an Organized Life," Marcia Zina Mager recommends choosing a minor task--such as cleaning out a junk drawer or medicine cabinet--and scheduling the time to do it on your calendar. Mager suggests scheduling three similar sessions during the week.

6. 

   Schedule time to relax.

   Take a break after your chores are done. Organizing your life can be exciting, but beware of perfectionism. Clutter Diet founder Lorie Marrero told Dallas Morning News reporter Kathleen Green that even her home is not clutter-free. Relax and enjoy your new pleasant surroundings.

Tips & Warnings

• Get up an hour earlier to clean before you start your day.

• Use a kitchen timer when you engage in the daily pick-up routine.

• Do not go overboard when decluttering. You will not want to regret tossing a meaningful item.

References

• "31 Words to Create an Organized Life." Marcia Zina Mager; 2006.
• "The Art of Extreme Self Care," Cheryl Richardson; 2009.
• "Dallas Morning News."; Highland Village mom learns ABCDs of getting organized with Clutter Diet; Kathleen Green; August 7, 2010.

Resources

• Organized Home.
• Messies Anonymous
• Quiz: How organized are you?