Creating Order Out of Disorder

By Cyndi Seidler

To exist in a clutter-free environment, one must think of systems in which to operate.  Systems are methods of doing something, a way of carrying out a task or operation.

Take paper clutter, for example. To transform a disorderly area into an orderly one, it is necessary to first clean up the area of all loose paper and either put it away or throw it away. At this point one can establish and implement a method to control (manage) paper that comes across their hands and/or desk.

Think about how the paper got homeless in the first place. What did you do with it when it arrived? If you glanced at it and put it down at the nearest table or desk near you to deal with it later, chances are it got lost in the pries of "paper to do something with later."

The correct thing to do when paper crosses your hands and/or desk is to:

1. Have it come in at a designated tray basket
2. Look at it when you're ready to deal with it (respond to it) and, when done with it;
3. Place it in either a project file or action file, put it in a filing tray basket to be filed, put it in an out basket, or throw it away.

The above paper flow system is one method to manage paper so that it comes in, has a place to go until it is dealt with, and has a place to go when done with it. This particular system maintains order and creates a happy work place.

The same way of thing applies to cleaning up any disordered environment. You can tackle a room, a closet, or a drawer by first putting order into it and then taking a look at how it got that way so that a system can be established to maintain the order you've put in.

Acquiring the necessary "tools" is often an essential element to creating order.  There are many storage-type items in discount and specialty stores.  If a disordered bedroom came about as a result of no place to put items, than it would be important to see what you could get that would solve the messy, build-up problem of things lying around.  A system could then be enforced to ensure that items are put in the proper "home" its been designated.   This takes discipline.

Although the majority of us look for an easy way out of a situation, you can't get your life more simple than to get it organized!   Simple solutions is the key and that involves a simple approach to overcome a problem area.

Overall, take a systemized look at how order can be maintained and then do everything possible to keep it enforced.  You'll be glad you did!

Copyright © 1997 Cyndi Seidler.  All Rights Reserved.

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