Getting organized is simple with the i DEAL LiFESTYLE® method. The method I developed helps you not only get organized, but remain organized, long-term. When I started my business in 2010 I read every book on organizing I could get my hands on, and found that none of them really addressed the challenge of staying organized, for good. Most of the books were all about making piles and getting “rid” of things, and I did not see the correlation between people’s stuff and becoming organized. Getting rid of things does not make you organized. A clear method for knowing what to keep, and for arranging and storing all of your belongings is the #keytogettingorganized for the rest of your life.
The first step in the i DEAL LiFESTYLE Method is to figure out what you love to do. Knowing what you value in life leads to knowing what to keep in your life. You want your objects to sync with your lifestyle. So if you love to knit, you will have your knitting ready and accessible. If you used to love to knit, 5 years ago, and you’ll never knit again, why is the yarn and needles still occupying your space? It doesn’t pay rent! If you used to do carpentry, but you have zero interest in carpentry, why is your garage stuffed to the gills with saws and tools for carpentry? Some things can be deemed sentimental, but usually stuff that has gone stale for you will also create guilt, and confusion about what to do with all the stuff you paid for, collected, and then stashed away. The motivation to sell, donate or find someone to give the stuff to, is met with thoughts ranging from “I should get back to that activity” to “What do I do with it all?” The answer is simple, be honest with yourself about the fact that you will or will not return to that activity. When you understand what your current interests are, you will sell, donate or gift the items with grace instead of regret.
Getting your space cleared up for the activities you currently love to do is a smart idea. Having things around that will be used, that serve a purpose, that you love, and that are sentimental makes perfect sense, and will supports the activities you currently love to participate in.
Step 2 of the i DEAL LiFESTYLE Methods is to categorize every single object you own into broad categories. So, for example, office supplies, books with books, knick knacks with knick knacks, kitchen items with kitchen stuff, and bathroom items with bathroom items, shoes with shoes and paperwork with paperwork. That may seem overwhelming, yet most people, once they start, find it completely therapeutic and eye opening. You end up re-visiting all things by category, and you will realize how much you have of every single thing you own. When you are not capable of such a project, due to health reasons, or lack of time, hiring a professional i DEAL LiFESTYLE Method® professional organizer will be a great option.
Step 3 is to go through all your stuff with the i Deal Lifestyle criteria:
1. Will I use it?
2. Does it serve a purpose?
3. Do I love it?
4. Is it sentimental?
With this simple, and to the point criteria, you will determine what stays in your life, and what goes up for sale, to donate, and or to gift. Some things may end up in the trash, or to e-Waste, but always dispose of things responsibly.
Step 4 is to fine tune the categories. So take a look at what you are keeping in your space, and fine tune every single object you own. So office supplies will break down into paper clips with paper clips, staples with staples, phone cords with phone cords, pens with pens and by color and type, paper work defined into categories, for instance banking with banking, invoices with invoices, receipts with receipts, and by date, and purpose, business cards with business cards, stationary with stationary, and so on. Putting the time into fine tuning is the biggest #secrettostayingorganized.
Step 5 is containing the categories, however big or small the amount is. You can use plastic zip bags, bins, decorative boxes, file cabinets, shelves, drawers, and whatever containment you choose, it becomes the permanent home for your separated, finely tuned categories. There are “No mixed venues” in the i DEAL Lifestyle method. So, no putting simple standard paper clips with binder clips in this method. They are two separate animals. No putting ladles with large serving spoons into kitchen drawer inserts. Keep everything find tuned in their own separate space, and in some type of containment.
When you find there is a lack of space to store your belongings, you may seek cabinets, shelving, file cabinets, bins and racks for the garage, or #closetsolutions.
Then once everything is i DEAL LiFESTYLE organized, kick back, and feel the great flow and energy of your #perfectlyorganized space.
