Thursday, January 3, 2008

12 get-organized habits for 2008

Over at Flylady.net, where Marla Cilley acts as a personal online coach to untold thousands, there's a nest full of get-organized ideas.

Among them are 12 monthly to-do's to bring peace and tranquility to your home. Practice them over and over for 30 days (each) and they're bound to catch. Here's the rundown:

--January/Shining your Sink: Clear the sink nightly, treating it like the epicenter of the storm in your home. From this, all good things arise.

--February/Decluttering for 15 minutes a day: Make it a habit to run around, sorting and tossing, particularly in areas where stuff accumulates (your hot spots!

--March/Getting Dressed to the Shoes: Not a few hours after coffee, but right when you get up, and be sure to do hair and makeup, something especially key for those of us who work at home or stay at home with the kids.

--April/Making your Bed: Okay, so you're dressed to your shoes, ready to rumble. Quick-like run through the bedroom. Look at the bed like it's the sink -- another eye of the storm. Once tamed, everything else can follow.

--May/Moving: Flylady's big on self-care and with good reason: If we're not operating on all cylinders, neither will our homes. So give yourself 15 minutes a day to move it -- yoga, a brisk walk, a bike ride, etc. Just do it.

--June/Drinking Water: Make it easy to stay hydrated by finding a system that works for you, whether that means refilling a water bottle that stays on your desk or (like me!) placing a pitcher of water on the desk or coffee table every day.

--July/Swish and Swipe: Eeew! The toilet! Flylady sees this as another epicenter, and to keep it in check, suggests routines swipes. See her web site for details.

--August/Laundry: Keep clothes from becoming monstrous with routine load-switching, folding and putting away.

--September/Before Bed Routine: Crucial for those with busy routines (and small fries): lay out clothes, check calendars, load the launchpad (office stuff/backpacks), and get yourself to bed on time for a good night's sleep.

--October/Paper Clutter: Deal with incoming paperwork as it arrives; toss the rest. Be sure you have good systems in place to handle bills, schoolwork, etc.
--November/Menu Planning: Think ahead about what you're having for dinner, lunch, snacks.

--December/Pampering: Take time out to renew your spirit, body and soul, even if it's just 15 minutes a day.


Sign up, and Flylady will remind you repeatedly every day by email of routines and habit, but expect loads of mail.

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