To take a step today toward becoming well-enough organized, start small, be consistent, and watch how a little organization can transform your life. Start with one small area, and let that success motivate you to keep going until you are well-enough organized.
The Story of Sarah and the Tale of Tom
Sarah wakes up every morning to a clean, well-enough organized home. Her day begins with a sense of calm because she knows where everything is — her keys, the bill she needs to mail today, her daughter’s lunch money, and the tickets for the show she and her husband will attend tonight. When she sits down to work, her desk is clean and tidy, with all necessary tools within reach and only the papers she needs for the project she is currently working on. She effortlessly navigates through her daily tasks, leaving her plenty of time to relax and enjoy the evening’s concert with her husband.
Tom, on the other hand, wakes up to a relatively clean house- not overflowing with junk but not what anyone could call organized. He spends his mornings frantically searching for his car keys, misplaced bills, even his phone charger. He realizes at some point that tonight was the show he wanted to treat his wife to, but didn’t get tickets in time. His dinner table is stacked with disorganized piles, and his work desk is strewn with papers, pens, and half-empty coffee cups. By the time he sits down to work, he’s already exhausted and stressed, making it difficult for him to focus or enjoy his time after work. And no, he and his wife won’t be going to that evening’s concert.
Now, pause for a moment and ask yourself: Which one do you most resemble?
Why Be Well-Enough Organized?
The idea of being “well-enough organized” doesn’t mean striving for perfection. It’s about finding a level of organization that works for you — a balance that allows you to navigate your life with less stress, more efficiency, and greater ease. Here’s why achieving this balance is crucial:
- Find What You Need When You Need It
How often do you waste time looking for your keys, wallet, or a specific document? When you’re well-enough organized, you know exactly where your belongings are, which saves you time and reduces the stress that comes with last-minute searches.
Less Stress: Knowing where things are allows your mind to be more at ease. A cluttered environment often leads to a cluttered mind, making it difficult to focus on important tasks.
Less Time Spent Looking for Things: Imagine the time you could save if you didn’t have to rummage through drawers or overturn couch cushions. Those extra minutes add up, allowing you to spend more time on what really matters.
- Avoid Unnecessary Purchases
Have you ever bought something only to discover later that you already had it? Disorganization leads to wasteful spending because you can’t find what you need when you need it.
Save Money: By being organized, you avoid purchasing duplicates of items you already own but can’t locate. This not only saves you money but also reduces the clutter that unnecessary purchases bring.
- No Missed Bill Payments
Piled-up paperwork and misplaced bills can lead to missed payments, late fees, and even damage to your credit score. A well-organized system for managing bills and important documents ensures that you never miss a payment deadline.
Financial Peace of Mind: Knowing that your bills are paid on time and that important documents are in order allows you to avoid the anxiety and stress that come with financial disarray.
“Cleanliness and order are not matters of instinct; they are matters of education, and like most great things, you must cultivate a taste for them.” ~ Cynthia Braun
Benefits of Becoming Well-enough Organized
Let’s delve deeper into the benefits of becoming well-enough organized:
You Save Time: The average person spends about 2.5 days a year searching for misplaced items. When you’re organized, that time can be reclaimed for more meaningful activities.
You Save Money: Not only do you avoid buying duplicates, but you’re also less likely to incur late fees, rush shipping charges, or waste money on things you don’t need.
You Gain Peace of Mind: There’s something immensely satisfying about knowing where your belongings are. It brings a sense of control and order to your life.
You Reduce Stress: Disorganization is a significant source of stress. By reducing clutter, you eliminate one of the most common triggers of daily anxiety.
You Gain Storage Space: With less clutter, you’ll find you have more space to store the things you actually use and enjoy.
You Have an Attractive (Not “Perfect”) Home: A well-organized home is more inviting and pleasant to live in. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should be a place where you feel comfortable and at ease.
Simple Steps to Becoming Well-Enough Organized
Using Tom as an example, let’s explore some practical steps to help anyone transition from a state of disarray to being well-enough organized.
- Start Small
Tom’s entire home is a cluttered mess, which makes the task of organizing feel overwhelming. But instead of trying to tackle everything at once, Tom could start with one small area, like his kitchen counter. Clearing off this one space and keeping it clean can give Tom the momentum and confidence to move on to other areas.
Action Step: Choose one small area in your home or workspace and focus on organizing it. Once that area is tidy, maintain it (your Zorro Circle) while you move on to the next.
- Sort and Simplify
Tom’s drawers and closets are filled with items he no longer needs or uses. By sorting through these spaces and getting rid of things that no longer serve him, Tom can reduce the clutter and simplify his life.
Action Step: Take a day to sort through one area of your home. Create piles for items to keep, donate, or throw away. Be realistic in your decision-making — if you haven’t used something in the last year, it’s probably time to let it go.
- Create a System
Tom’s disorganization is partly due to a lack of systems. He doesn’t have a designated place for his bills, his keys, or his paperwork. By creating a system where everything has a place, Tom can keep his home well-enough organized with minimal effort.
Action Step: Designate a specific place for your most-used items. For example, keep a bowl near the front door for your keys, a folder for bills, and a drawer for important documents. Once everything has a home, make a habit of returning items to their designated spots.
- Declutter Regularly
One of Tom’s biggest challenges is that clutter builds up over time, and he doesn’t take the time to declutter regularly. By making decluttering a regular habit, Tom can prevent his home from becoming overwhelming again.
Action Step: Schedule regular decluttering sessions, whether it’s once a week, once a month, or even once a season. Use these sessions to go through your belongings and get rid of anything that’s no longer needed.
- Embrace the “One In, One Out” Rule
Tom has a tendency to bring new items into his home without getting rid of old ones. This habit contributes to the clutter. By adopting the “One In, One Out” rule, Tom can prevent clutter from accumulating.
Action Step: For every new item you bring into your home, make a commitment to get rid of one old item. This rule helps keep your possessions in check and prevents unnecessary clutter.
- Use Storage Solutions Wisely
Tom’s storage spaces are crammed full of items, making it difficult to find anything. By using storage solutions like bins, shelves, and organizers, Tom can maximize his storage space and keep things tidy.
Action Step: Invest in storage solutions that work for your space. Use clear bins for easy visibility, drawer dividers to keep small items organized, and shelves to make the most of vertical space. Remember, the goal is to make your belongings easy to find and access.
Your Next Steps
Now that you’ve seen the benefits of being well-enough organized and have some simple steps to get started, it’s time to take action. Consider what area of your life or home could benefit most from organization and take the first step today.
Will You…
- Start Small? Pick one area, like your desk or kitchen counter, and focus on organizing it this week.
- Sort and Simplify? Go through your closet, drawers, or storage spaces and get rid of things you no longer need.
- Create a System? Designate a home for your most-used items and start putting them back in their place.
- Declutter Regularly? Schedule a regular decluttering session to keep your space organized and clutter-free.
- Embrace the “One In, One Out” Rule? For every new item you bring into your home, commit to getting rid of an old one.
- Use Storage Solutions Wisely? Invest in the right storage tools to keep your belongings organized and easy to find.
Becoming Well-Enough Organized
Becoming well-enough organized is not about perfection. It’s about creating a space that works for you — a space where you can find what you need when you need it, where you can save time and reduce stress, and where you can live comfortably and peacefully. It’s about achieving a balance that allows you to focus on what really matters in life.
So, ask yourself again: Which one do you most resemble — Sarah or Tom? If you’re more like Tom, take a step today toward becoming more like Sarah. Start small, be consistent, and watch how a little organization can transform your life.
Take action today — start with one small area, and let that success motivate you to keep going. Soon, you’ll be enjoying the benefits of a well-enough organized life, and that’s one step in embracing your Excelerated Life™!
Have you ever experienced the benefits of being “well-enough organized”?
Share your tips or challenges in the comments below — let’s learn from each other!
Excelerated Organization™ — being clutter-free and well-enough organized (able to find what you need when you need it) — is one practice for creating your Excelerated Life™, a life of flourishing and well-being, and a life of meaning, purpose, and service.
Read more about the Excelerated Life™.
This blog post includes research information and suggestions provided by ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. The content was generated with AI assistance and is intended to provide information and guidance. Please note that the suggestions are not official statements from OpenAI. To learn more about ChatGPT and its capabilities, you can visit the OpenAI website.