Photo created on Canva

Updated April 22, 2020

Posts may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases and collect a small commission at no cost to you. This helps my blog to keep going. Thank you! For more info, read my disclosure policy.

 What does being organized mean to you?

Is it aesthetics or function?  If you have an active lifestyle, do you need something that helps you get your day started quicker, like making lunches the night before, or do you love to cook and want an organized kitchen by reorganizing your cupboards with easy access in specific sections of what you use the most?

Is there a system your husband or partner can follow to keep the garage organized, such as pegboards to hang items on and put 2 X 4’s on the rafters to put Christmas decorations. Do you want a system that keeps the whole family on the same page, where everyone knows and does certain tasks to achieve the organizational goal?

Successful organizing is based on the recognition that people get organized because they, too, have a vision.

~ Paul Wellstone

What Keeps You motivated?

It may seem overwhelming, so getting started can be the hardest part.  You can start by making a daily or weekly task checklist to put on your refrigerator, delegating the family responsibilities, and checking them off as they are done.  This can help you keep focused.

Some people are motivated by tackling the toughest task first.  If there are things that annoy you daily, you might want to start with those first.  This could be washing the dishes, making the beds, cleaning the bathroom, clothes in the dryer, or on a chair that needs to be folded and put away, picking up clutter and putting it in their correct spots… not on the kitchen table where stuff can collect.

Some want to start with the smaller, easier tasks first and work into the tougher projects.  Pick something meaningful and less time consuming, such as cleaning out and rearranging your drawers.  Working to your favorite music or playlist can get you up dancing through those tasks!  Do tasks in small chunks three hours tops.

You Need a Deadline

First off, to make it easier to get organized write down what the project is you want to start with, what your steps are in getting this project accomplished, and write down a deadline to finish the project.

Deadlines keep us focused even it is a small project, and you know you are moving in the right direction as you see things being accomplished. It becomes easier to be motivated to tackle the large projects.  Have the whole family be involved in larger tasks.

Get it out of your house

Find and label several bins where you can put in items to donate, put out for the neighborhood pickup or dump, recycle, sell on Offer Up, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, etc.  You will be doing a good deed and making some money on the side too!

Be sure and get items in the bins to one of the places above IMMEDIATELY!  If you are not good at selling online, see if you can delegate that to one of the family members.  It is easier than you think!

Don’t put things in your closets or another room thinking you will get to it later.  Get in the mind-frame of “Do it Now”!  Make getting rid of stuff a habit and often so you don’t get overwhelmed and lose your motivation! 

Don’t pick the weekend to do the large tasks, when you work a 5 day week, as this could also be overwhelming.  Spending time with family and friends is still important for a healthy life.

Do you have those paper piles that make it hard to ever find anything when you need it? For Paperwork and mail, it is “Touch it Once”! 

Get clear plastic file containers that come with hanging folders and labels at Staples for about $20.  Label the folders, and go through the piles and put the paperwork in accordingly, the junk mail or paperwork you no longer need put in a shredding box.

Label the containers alphabetically or color-code them in categories, and find an area in the garage to put them on shelving or up on the rafters.

Be Aware of What You Bring In New

Ask yourself before you buy something new is it really necessary, or will it sit around collecting dust, move to a closet and then out to the garage. This will help prevent accumulating so much STUFF being an impulsive buyer!

An important part of being organized consistently for the long-term is to develop an awareness of what you acquire and bring in your home. Once you have a system down, try organizing once a month by scheduling it on your calendar.

Partner with Friend or Neighbor

Partner with a friend or neighbor who also wants to become more organized to help keep you accountable. Each of you can write down a plan, and go over them to figure out what will work for your household or come up with ideas to add.

Connect on a regular basis to see how each other’s plan is working, and what is getting accomplished. You can also work together and help each other start and finish tasks. This can help keep you motivated!

Reward yourself for Your Accomplishments

Instead of rewarding yourself with things, do something nice like go to lunch, have coffee, or see a movie with who you partnered with.  You both worked hard and can be proud of your accomplishments!

Take the family out to dinner as they deserve to be rewarded too! They like to be appreciated and rewards can motivate them to help you without asking!

Remember it takes motivation, consistency, seeing progress, and accountability to be organized long-term! A win-win for everyone!

Closing thoughts

Our lives can get pretty chaotic at times, but if you create an organized plan for your family to approach household chores, you can have more time to have family fun and not have to worry about how you are going to be able to get everything done. This is something you can control in today’s world. You will have a happier family!

If you enjoyed this post and found it to be useful information, please share it with family and friends, and social media.

Here are some other posts you might enjoy – Steps To Set Succesful Goals in 2021

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel

Join my email list for my free newsletter and other posts on the right sidebar

Visit my my NEW podcast Health Becomes Fitness

See you soon, Denise

Posts may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases and collect a small commission at no cost to you. This helps my blog to keep going. Thank you! For more info, read my disclosure policy.