10 Habits of Organized People

I don’t know about you, but now that the holidays are officially wrapped up, I’m ready to get into a solid routine for a productive year ahead! Today I’m sharing 10 simple habits to add to your routine that will promote order in your home, mind, and heart! Here’s to a productive and organized 2024!

1. Don't put it down, put it away

Instead of putting an item down, only to have to deal with it later, try putting it away in the correct spot off the bat. Having a system in place for all the belongings in your home will make this step a breeze! If the thought of creating all those systems from scratch feels daunting - our Bellingham and Seattle organizing teams can give you the ultimate home reset to set you up for success in 2024 and beyond!

2. use the “one minute” rule

If a task takes one minute or less to complete, don’t put it off - do it right away! Delayed actions are the greatest contributor to clutter and overflowing to-do lists. By simply devoting a minute to complete tasks as they arise, you will free up hours of catch up later on!

3. Time Block

Feeling like you can’t keep up with your home? Try breaking large tasks into smaller, more manageable tasks. For example, instead of cleaning the whole house once a week, break it up into smaller more manageable tasks. Clean your floors on Mondays, do a couple loads of laundry on Tuesdays, dust on Wednesdays, etc.

4. Create spots for things that don't otherwise have a permanent home

Try creating bins for categories such as returns, repairs, or donations! These are the categories we often see in our clients homes that contribute to piles of clutter. By simply designating a space for these items, piles will be prevented!

5. Clean your kitchen at night

Taking time to clear the counters and reset the kitchen each and every night creates peaceful mornings that lead to a successful day ahead! I know after the kids have gone to bed, often the last task I want to devote time to is cleaning, but this simple practice is one of the healthiest habits in creating a positive morning which translates to a productive day!

6. label all the things

A system only works if everyone can follow that system. Labels are like a roadmap for your home, and will keep everyone on the same page. When every item in your home has a labeled and designated spot, things are easy to find and even easier to put away.

7. follow the “one in, one out” rule

When systems are at their max capacity, following this rule becomes extremely important. If you bring a new item in, donate an old one. And don’t forget to make the time to declutter regularly!

8. write things down

Set clear and achievable goals each morning and cross them off as you go! I am a big believer in list making. Not only does the practice of writing tasks down clear my head of “mental clutter” but it allows me to stay focused and productive. I mean, who doesn’t love the satisfaction of crossing things off a list?!

9. practice good time management

Multi-tasking or procrastinating might seem like a good idea at the time, but you’re only setting yourself up to become stressed and overwhelmed in the long run. Prioritize tasks from most important to least important and keep distractions to a minimum.

10. outsource what you don’t have time for

Remember, this is going to look different for every family! Whether it’s hiring a house cleaner, a lawn company, or even a team of organizers, there is so much value to outsourcing things outside of our expertise or mental bandwith to complete. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!

If you’re local to the surrounding areas of Bellingham or Seattle, Washington, The Orderly Space would love to organize your home and get some systems in place! Establishing the systems is often the most time intensive part of the organization process, but as soon as things are setup, maintenance is the easy part!

Happy New Year from all of us at The Orderly Space! Thank you to those of you who have welcomed us into your homes, and helped make 2023 so special and memorable for our team. Wishing you and your families a very happy and healthy year ahead!