Organizing Tip: Keep It Simple

Have you ever started an organizing project and gotten so caught up in the details you lost sight of the overall goal? If the goal is to organize your desk, group your writing implements together; don't waste time grouping pencils with pencils or pens with pens. It's easier to start with broader categories when grouping like items together, then expand as you see fit.

Examples:

• Have a file for "Receipts," rather than "Gas Receipts." If you find later on that you'd like to keep your automotive receipts separate then establish a separate receipt storage space.
• Store your electronic gadget chargers (cell phone, camera, IPhone, blackberry, IPod, etc) in one storage space (one Ziploc bag, one drawer)--there's no need to break them up any further unless you are a member of the Geek Squad.
• One afternoon I began breaking up my meager tool collection into Ziploc bags. I own one hammer, two screw drivers and about 10 nails and hooks to hang art work. There's no reason these can't go into one box labeled "tools." My goal was to store the tools, not sort objects I rarely handle.

Bottom Line: Begin with a general organizing scheme; if you find later on that you need more groups, implement them after you've done a trial run keeping it simple.

MORE TOP ORGANIZING TIPS

• Organizing Tip: Spend Smartly!
• Organizing Tip: Organize Storage Spaces by Season
• Organizing Tip: Keep It Simple
• Organizing Tip: Group Like Items Together
• Organizing Tip: Start Small
• Top 30-Minute Organizing Projects