wanting to get organised, where do i start?

[tan32]

Hi all

I have decided that in 2010 I want to be organised.
I need to de-clutter this house, get a good diary and workout a budget

But where oh where do i start.
How do i get the kids to get rid of some of there stuff, its overtaking our house.

Any suggestions would be great.

[AnyDream]

Step number 1 - go down to your public library and borrow any or all of Peter Walsh's books.

He's the home-de-clutterer (aussie) that Oprah has on all the time. He sets out the steps you need to follow, and helps keep the motivation up.

[Oorki Galoorki]

*runs off to the new library to check out these books*

i think get a good diary then sit down do your budget and then de clutter.
decide if you can sell it or donate or bin.

[Lolli]

Ooh MD I'm gonna haveto check that out.

Try Googling FlyLady- I love her. just a warning- for a clutter guru, her website is atrocious Start at the 'Beginner babysteps", and work from there.

HTH

[ladybird11]

As for the de-clutter I've heard them talk on Oprah that if you haven't used / worn it for 6 mths, out it goes into a pile...

Two piles - rubbish and recycle (St Vinnies or another charitable organisation, or even friend that may get some use out of it).

You're inspiring me to do the same Tan!!

[~Kim~]

Tan, 15mintues at a time. Never ever get out more than you can remove/put back in 15 minutes. That makes it less arduous. Do a bit every day. Be it a drawer/cupboard/toybox whatevre.
Unless I really love it or it's in constant use - give it away/bin it/recycle it.
I'm also a fan of flylady, but it's taken me a couple of years to really get into it.

I really like the government budget webiste. It has a really clear and easy budget and info that goes with it.

I'm not a diary girl - I find I buy them and start, but never actually look at it again, so the comp or a wall calendar works better for us. That way everyone can see what's coming or wirte their stuff on.

[ktgirl]

I second the Peter Walsh books. I have just finished reading one and it makes a lot of sence. Some of the tips are really good.

I find if I make a to do list in my diary of day to day stuff that needs to be done and I cross them off it seems to motivate me to get the list finished.

And just try to make things a habit. The fly lady thing is good if you can handle all the emails I have put some of her practices into place like make your bed first thing when you get out of it, and cleaning the sink at night so you don't wake up to dishes the next day.

[Bathsheba]

I also want to like FlyLady but her site is so messy and hard to navigate... and her little cartoon image of herself is just so aesthetically unappealing LOL I have wondered about making an Australian version of her concept... including how to work with kids/while pregnant etc because so many of her tips are impractical with small children around, sleep deprivation etc. And of course I would make the site nice and TIDY!

I plan to do the same thing Tan. I kind of know what I have to do. I have a good diary (The Master Plan) and I will have 4 child-free days each week (business hours) in which to work at home on this and a few other projects.

I suspect the first thing to get right is your sleep actually. You can't think straight and work hard if you aren't up to it energy-wise.

Then i think you need to group tasks... have a flexible routine than involves you doing the essentials daily in the most time efficient order.

Also i think you need to make sure you don't bite off more than you can chew.... and find a reason to be motivated.

Goodluck!

[Astrid]

I also want to like FlyLady but her site is so messy and hard to navigate... and her little cartoon image of herself is just so aesthetically unappealing LOL I have wondered about making an Australian version of her concept... including how to work with kids/while pregnant etc because so many of her tips are impractical with small children around, sleep deprivation etc. And of course I would

Feel the same way. I have an ex friend who goes on about it, but her only child is school age and she does not work. So she has all day to follow FL, she has completely forgotten how to do things with a little one around your legs and has not idea about doing anything with two children. Hey that is always a business idea for your Bath Make your own site.

[Bathsheba]

Yes, if only I had the skills to design a web site!

I'm filling out my new Master Plan diary tonight. The more I think about it the more being organised depends on an efficient, easy and satisfying documentation system. You have to co-ordinate everything ahead of schedule in writing or electronically depending on preference. You need visual maps of each day all in one place. Ideally you have the shopping list, the To Do list, appointments and other goals all together... or at least in the same place.

Today I moved my cook books out from the pantry and put them on a shelf right next to the dining table where I fill out my diary (which is also near the phone). A simple thing but it means that I don't have to get up and down and walk between the pantry and dining table every time I want to meal plan. I didn't really meal plan much last year. Just kind of "wung it".

I got a new iphone for Christmas... apparently you can download nifty shopping lists etc. It will be interesting to see if I weave this into my routine. I'm basically a lazy person... but when I do actually do something it's done properly or not at all. I swear that if I do ever concoct a system anywhere as near as popular as FlyLady it will appeal to people who like it simple!

I also think it helps to know whether you are a morning, afternoon or night person and push yourself a bit harder at "your" time. My most productive times are between 9am - noon (at which time I have to stop to watch the ABC's Midday Report) and then from 7pm - 9pm. I like to be in bed at 10pm to read. I like to turn the lights out before 11pm. I'm not a night owl like I used to be. The late hours are good for creativity but I have to be practical ATM until the house is more organised.

Getting back to the productive hours... I conceed that I am a mess in the afternoon. My energy is low and the kids are extremely demanding. I also want to devote more time to helping my teen DD with her homework this year so I know that realistically it's best not to push myself on the domestic front too hard at this time... it just ends up in despair.

Sorry to hijack thread with my own life... just reflecting on what has worked and what has not for me.

[tan32]

Thanks ladies I will def check out those books.
My main times to try and get everything ready seem to be in the morning, although i tend to be more productive when Lachlan goes down for a nap as its hard when you are putting things away and he is dragging them back out, otherwise I find when all the kids are asleep at night a great time, but i also like to use this time to re connect with DH .
However Dh is on holidays for another week so I am going to get started tomorrow, first on the list is getting Lachlans toddler bed set up and his room and toys sorted, then its on to Hamish's room and painting the other bunk bed and putting that up and sorting through toys again.

Then I will go through and make a pile for the local op shop and a pile to bin and a pile to try and sell either on ebay or a garage sale... Well thats my plan anyway