Absolutely Essential Organizing Tools Part 2

This is the second article in a series detailing the essential tools necessary to have on hand as you are starting to get organized. Yesterday we talked about calendars. I mentioned that as you start organizing you will find many little pieces of annoying paper that have tidbits of information you need or want to keep. Often the information on those tidbits of paper can be transferred to a calendar or a special notebook and the little piece of paper can be discarded. Today we are going to talk about the notebooks. It will be up to you to decide how many and of what type. You do need a central place to keep addresses and phone numbers. You will need one for a running or Master to-do list. The others really depend on what information you have listed on all of those little pieces of paper and sticky notes. I love books and have one that lists books that I want to read. Maybe you collect quotes. You may want one that you keep dedicated for your grocery list. Let the types of information you come across determine what you need. It really doesn’t matter whether these notebooks are spiral, loose leaf, or legal pads, nor single or multiple subjects. Maybe you collect pictures that you have clipped from magazines and could use a notebook that zips up to hold them all until you can discover exactly how many you have and find another alternative. Commandeer notebooks from your kids at the end of the school year. Those always have tons of blank pages left over. If you are a computer user and have easy access to your computer most of the time, you could use word processor programs or spreadsheets instead of actual notebooks. If you took a look at The Daily Home Planner software I mentioned yesterday, it has an address section and a place for lists, so it really does double duty. If you often have to wait for computer time, go low tech and get the notebooks. I recommend that you gather four or five to start.

Catch the Falling Rain

You will find as you start get more and more decluttered, you will start noticing and thinking all kinds of things. You will recognize specific problems you would like fixed. You will come up with decorating and miscellaneous ideas. The more you clear clutter, the more your mind will start going into overdrive with thought. One friend I helped get organized said that she felt as if her mind was suddenly leaking blocked out information. I have a stack of several 3″ x 5″ spirals that I keep on hand. The little spirals are great to have available to write those “leaks” down. Another alternative is to find a digital memo recorder to keep in your pocket. Both are great to jot down a combination of to do and shopping lists then throw into your purse as you head out for the day. The little spirals have become so handy for all of us that I now keep one in almost every room and in our cars. Now when I pick up the kids from school and they tell me they need something for tomorrow or that so-and-so wants them to do something on whatever day I immediately write it down. This has cut down considerably on the “I told you about…” confrontations just before bedtime. They are really great for all kinds of quick lists and jots.

Go Cheap and Easy

Remember, the notebooks are to help you as you go through the organizing process. These do not have to be forever. Later on you can decide to purchase pretty journals for your book list or quotes. You can get pre-printed checklists for your to-do lists and grocery lists. You may like some of the specific recommendations I mention in later articles. The goal for this assignment is to have a central location to put all of the information on those little pieces of paper so you can get rid of them as you find them and to have a specific place to write down the many, many ideas that will start coming into your head as you work yourself through your house. Dedicate an empty bread basket or shoebox or pocket on the shoe organizer we will be talking about later in the series to hold the little pieces of paper as you come across them throughout the process. Then each night take a few minutes during the commercials to sort through and transfer the information. You will quickly get an idea of what you specifically will need. Do keep a separate notebook section dedicated for each type of information or it will take you months to sort it all out later. One for addresses and telephone numbers, one for to-dos, one for quotes, etc. Find a home for the notebooks and keep them together. Otherwise you will waste time and energy hunting for them or the specific one you want when you need them. You will quickly get into the habit of going to your new reference center when you need something. It will also be helpful if you keep pens that are dedicated to these notebooks so you do not have to hunt for one when you need it. Attach a working pen to each notebook. Make one of those notebooks dedicated to things that inspire you or motivate you. When you get a chance, on the first page or pages write down your goals or your dreams. Begin the next pages with these organizing mantras:

Slow AND steady wins the race.
As long as you continue moving forward, you are not falling behind.
Everything in its place
Also add – Like with like or Birds of a feather…

Continue to write down little sayings like this that help you in any way. Collect titles of songs, movies, anything at all that motivate or inspire you. Write down pamper ideas and treats to give to your self often. Write down your accomplishments so you can look over them during those times when you are feeling like you are not making big strides. Do you already keep random information in a central location? Share your system in the comments.