Don’t deal with the backlog first

by Jen (October 24, 2007)

Over the years, I’ve made a lot of hearty attempts to get organized… that failed. Eventually I realized what I was doing wrong each time: dealing with backlog first.

Chances are, if you’re feeling a need to get organized, you’ve got some clutter and chaos happening already. When you come up with a system, it’s tempting to start putting the backlogged stuff into the system first, but while you do that, new stuff can pile up so the chaos is never-ending.

• When a new item doesn’t fit into your existing system, drop everything and make it fit. Make a file for it, or set aside a drawer for it.
• Make your system flexible. Don’t use a system that forces you to rearrange everything every time something new comes in. For example, if you love books, it may be great to alphebetize them. But leave some space on every shelf so when something new comes in under the letter “b” you don’t find yourself shifting C through Z.
• Purge! Maybe once a year, you should take a day and purge stuff. This should be a fun thing that gives you a sense of streamlining and letting go of old stuff. If you have papers that don’t need kept, shred ‘em. If you have papers that need kept but you hardly ever touch them, put them in a box in a remote corner of the closet. If you have possessions you never use or enjoy, consider giving them away or selling them.

Subscribe to feed updates or email updates
Save it: Stumble it! | Del.icio.us | Digg
Posted in Organization
Want your tip featured on Bohemian Revolution? Click here!