I think I can... I think I can...

Thursday
Day 4
Sustain

Sustain: "Keeping the gains and building further progress."

When you have a dinner party, you can't sit back and do nothing. You have to work to keep guests happy, food on the table, etc. The same is true with this marvelous, shiny and clean space that you just created. It takes work to keep it looking that nice. But, you can do it!

You've created systems to help you. I will now pull my bills out of the mailbox, open them, take them directly over to my desk and file it under the date that I need to take care of it. Walla! No more bills all over the kitchen table. No more late fees cause I forgot where I put that darn bill.

Take some time to sit at look at your new space. Isn't it amazing how much you didn't need? All of that was cluttering up your life; not letting you reach your potential. It is now all clean and simplified.

Thank you for joining me on this challenge. Your support helps and motivates me!

I would love to see and hear from you about how your experience was. Please send photos to doubledippedlife@gmail.com. If you are willing, I will post them all here!

Day 3: All Systems GO!

Welcome back! I'm so glad you are still with us!

But...I guess I have all your items hostage in a box...so you had to come back... Anywho...

Wednesday

Day 3

Shine and Store

*A friendly reminder from your overseer...I mean... helper! Even though we are taking this process one day at a time, it is NORMAL to take longer. I hope that we don't lose anyone a long the way. Keep reading, keep planning, and keep on working! We will all come to the same amazing results!

AND... at the end I will be posting before and after pictures! I will add yours whenever you can get them to me!

So... back to work!

Cleaning day!

I assume that you all know how to clean. Do it.

Is your space this clean? :)

Then... Storing time!

It is time to put in place Systems.

I won't be regulating your systems. Do what works for you.

Examples:

In my space, I am hanging up file systems.

I am buying an expanding file folder that goes from 1-31. As I get bills in the mail, I will open them, and then put them in the folder on the date they need to be taken care of.

If you are cleaning a craft room, you can buy bins - or use old cardboard boxes - to store items in.

LABELING is so important! Label boxes if it applies in your system.

You WILL have to WORK on your systems continuously. They, unfortunately, won't run themselves.

Make systems that you know that you can maintain.

Make systems that work for you and your style.

If you find it's not working, change it.

Post your ideas in the comments, and get ideas from others!

HOW TO:

Once you have your files or storage boxes or whatever you are using in place, start emptying your "keep" box.

One item at a time. Find each object a home.

Homework for tonight:

REST!

We will talk more tomorrow about sustaining our systems.

Congratulations on getting this far! Doesn't your space look amazing?

You put the right foot in...

Welcome to Day Two of Organize your Space!

If you missed the first day, it is HERE.

Tuesday

Day Two

1. SORT "Separate the neccessary from the unnecessary."

We are starting the 1st official step of the 5S program. Some steps will be consolidated.

Get out your 3 bags or boxes that you collected last night. Put them in or near the area you are fixing.

1 box for "Garbage"

1 box for "Give away"

1 box for "Keep"

We are going to take each item in the space one by one. Some will be easy to designate to their box; some will not be. If you come across an item that you are not sure about, ask yourself:

*What is the history behind this item?

*Does it hold a special place in my heart/life?

*Would it make someone else happier than it makes me?

*Is it something that I can take a picture of and then give or throw it away?

Consider your answers, and then choose where the item goes. There is NO judging here, no mandatory "throw away everything!" This system is designed to give everything a home. If everything in your room needs to stay, then you will need to find a home for every last item.

When your space is completely cleared, take a deep breath! Clearing the space might take an hour, it might take a day or two. Be patient with the mess you will create. It will all be worth it in the end!

Now, run the garbage out to be disposed.

Put the "give away" box somewhere where you can't see it. You will be keeping this box for a day or two. Why? Because if you find yourself thinking about a particular item in that box, and you know you need it back, then you can grab it. Do NOT keep going through the box. You know what's in there. If you think about something, then you will know that you still need it.

Now, if you can live in this space without putting every "keep" item back, keep them in the box for just a little longer. We want a clear space for the next step.

Step back. Look at your space. Grab your paper from yesterday, and refresh your dream of this space in your mind. Imagine that the room is already complete. Isn't your life grand?

Homework Time!

Tomorrow we will be cleaning, and starting to put systems into place.

If you need to go shopping for cleaning supplies, or for new items to put in your space, do so tonight. (Ex: file drawer, a new shoe rack, etc.)

Remember- you don't want to bring a lot of useless things back into your space. Choose items that will compliment your dream.

Sleep well! You worked hard today, and accomplished quite a bit! Congratulations!

Please comment on how your work is going! If you are blogging about the experience- and we hope you are- then link us!

Organize your space! 1 week series and workshop

This week we will be focusing on organizing a physical space in our home or office.

We will loosely follow the "5S" method that big corporations like Toyota use in their factories. I say loosely, because I will be adding some personal insights, and good tips from other methods as well.

The 5S method states: "A place for everything, and everything in its place, clean and ready to use." Wouldn't that be nice?

If you had a clean space... you could look like her:

We will be following certain steps in our organization. Check back each day to see what to do next. Homework assignments might be given each night as well!

Monday

Day ONE

* Find a space to get under control.

*It could be a bedroom, family room, desk, or even a little junk drawer! You pick!

*Take pictures of your space!

*Come and link your picture or blog here so we can encourage each other!

Okay, now you have your spot. Find a time when you don't have any distractions and look at this space. Have a notebook and pen in hand, and HONESTLY answer the following:

*What is this space's function?

*Is it currently serving that function?

*What amount of time is spent here?

*Would you spend more time if it was clean and organized?

*What do you like and dislike about this area?

Start dreaming. Imagine this area neat and tidy, with a place for everything. Imagine it fulfilling it's life's mission. WRITE DOWN what you think!

That's all for today! You are now armed with a "before" picture, and a list of what you would like to see the space become.

Homework for tomorrow!

Find 3 boxes or bags. If you are doing a full room, you might need large ones. If you are doing a small space, smaller boxes are required.

Go to bed dreaming about a new, functional living space!

We'll see you tomorrow!

Here is my space! Yikes!

My computer is the white one, Hubby's the black. There is a big table in between us that could use some organization! Help!

(Don't worry that it says "Envisioning Beauty" on Mr. Linky! Enter anyway!)