Boundaries

A key to organization is setting up boundaries, both mental and tangible. The thread that runs through many parts of organizing -- storage, labeling, zones in a room, etc. -- is boundaries. Without distinct areas or designated homes, things spread and multiply. By using containers, for example, you set up and provide a limit of the contents. By designating places or zones for things in your home or office, you provide guidance for others to find and replace things.

When items are without spatial boundaries, they have a tendency to wander. If there is a bin or shelf that has no distinct, delineated purpose, you can put anything there. If you have an hour of time that you are not sure what to do and have no plans, you may do a little of many things or end up doing nothing productive. In fact, if you research 'time management', you will find a lot of discussion of boundaries.

You need to divide up big spaces; put loose items in small containers or sectioned organizers. Everything should have a place so that you know what goes in there and what does not. This helps to avoid the spreading and decluttering of areas (think toys, clothes, books and anything that you find yourself picking up time and time again all over the house!). It makes putting things away easier and more likely to happen.

Aren't large spaces usually overwhelming until you break them up into smaller areas, zones or sections? Or taking a week and planning by day? Doing things in smaller batches is closely connected to why setting boundaries is helpful in organization, task management, and time management.

Here are some examples of organizing products that have this essence of boundaries.

Decluttering in Cyberspace

I just decluttered my website! Here's why I say that: over the holiday, I changed the host/server of my domain, site and email account. As a result, I had to rebuild the website from scratch and enter in all my email addresses again.

I had saved the 5 web pages from my prior website so that I wouldn't have to re-type tons of text, but other than that, every page design, text choice and image had to be rethought. This re-do gave me the opportunity to 'declutter' the old site and really think through what I wanted this time around. I left off some things, and decided to go the "less is more" route for some of the pages. The irony that my professional organizing business website was too cluttered (in my husband's words) was not lost on me!

Don't get me wrong -- there are still plenty of words and information -- but hopefully the new one looks nice and is helpful to visitors. The basics are up at least (no "under construction" sign for my visitors) and I can continue to tweak it more in the days ahead. Hope you like!

To see the revised version, click www.OrderlyManor.com

Did You Know? Get Ready to Celebrate...

...these holidays in January (and you thought there was only Martin Luther King's birthday!)

New Year's Day (Resolution Time!) - January 1st - re-evaluate your goals and priorities for the next year
Clean Off Your Desk Day - The Second Monday in January - get rid of those stacks and piles of paper
Be On Purpose Month - January - do you live the life you want, or one you've been handed?
Clean Out Your Closets Month - January - your choice...avalanche or order
Get Organized Month - January - organizing activities across the nation



(as listed on OnlineOrganizing.com)