1. Cut down on the glut of paper in your home office by thinking before you print every last email, early versions of documents and web-based newspaper articles; regularly toss unnecessary documents (think of unnecessary receipts, sticky notes, old grocery lists, etc.); eliminate subscriptions to unread publications, you can always buy a specific issue on newsstands; and removing yourself from mailing and catalogue lists, most companies offer online updates too.
2. Determine the areas you want to improve such as filing, clutter control, time management or maximizing storage space. If you haven’t done it by now, chances are you will need to enlist either a professional organizer or an objective friend or family member to help sort through the areas you need to organize.
3. When organizing a garage, pantry or closet modular systems allow cabinets and shelves to be rearranged easily as your needs change. Get everything off the floor so it is accessible. Remember to have a place for all your items and return them to that place when done. Label machines are inexpensive, as are markers and masking tape. Chances are these items are already resting under a pile, in the back of a closet or at the bottom of a drawer.
4. Give away anything you have not worn for more than a year. Certain items, matching neon track suits, acid washed jeans and holiday-specific vests are not coming back in style, and if they do there is no need to repeat past mistakes. If such items were really your style you would still be wearing them regularly, in fashion or not.
Items with sentimental value should be cleaned and stored elsewhere. If you are saving your wedding dress how well preserved can it be at the bottom of your closet?
Get rid of excessive duplicates. How many black sweaters, pairs of tennis shoes or jeans does one person need?
If you have difficulty throwing or giving things away, hire a professional or recruit a friend who can help you organize items so they are easy to find.
Finally, do not leave piles that will one day make it to a donation drop off. Place the items in the car and go or schedule a pick up!
5. Go through your pantry every six months and throw away anything that has expired or is stale. Take everything off the selves, then thoroughly clean and sort. Place always-used goods, like flour, sugar, coffee, tea, crackers, etc., in easy-to-reach spots. Products used less often, or those with long shelf lives, can be stored in the back or on hard-to-reach shelves. Remember that buying bulk is not always a bargain when products go unused.
