Finding Time to Organize

Few people thrive on chaos - I mean, who in their right mind likes spending time looking for lost keys, important papers, or the ice cream scooper (when there is a hot, hot date on the line with Ben and Jerry?)

Each day is already jam-packed with so many things to do, we may feel there is no time or energy leftover to get things in order. But the next time you spend 20 mins looking for Bobby's left shoe, think about what is NOT working with the current system and how you can come up with a solution that does work. If there's always one shoe getting lost, do you need to tie the laces of the shoes together so they stay together? Do you need a large tray for shoes near the entrance to the house? Would a container with sides work better? How about a low lying rack with multi teired shelves? Cubbies for each child? Would it help to have a little bench or stool there for the kids to sit while shoes come on and off? A well thought out solution could save you oodles of time and frustration down the road.

Sometimes it's a matter of stealing a minute or two from another task. For example:

• While you're waiting in line at the grocery (or on hold with Muzak) you can organize your coupons, clean out your purse or wallet, meditate, file a chipped nail, etc.


• When the toddler is splashing around in the tub, you can wipe down the mirror or counter.


• While the coffee is brewing you can do mindless chores such as throw in a load of laundry, empty the dishwasher, water the plants, prepare breakfast.


• When in a waiting room at the Dr. or sitting in a parking lot waiting for your kids to get out of school, read an article in the paper, plan the next day, make an appt.

Sometimes getting organized is about rearranging the ORDER of your tasks. For example, I have a life long habit of being late for appointments. I tend to do things around the house, and put off getting myself dressed until the last minute. I'm not sure why I do it. But I'm always early and relaxed for the appointment if I get ready first.

You can choose to live life with your adreniline pumping, always running behind, careening from one fiasco to the next. But why live in a constant state of crisis management? Every little step you take towards some semblance of order is an investment in the peace of tomorrow.

P.S. Here's an example of what 10 mins of stolen time can do: while on hold with the utility company, our medicine drawer went from this . . . .

















. . . . to this . . .