How to Prevent Backsliding
By Jodi Granok
Creating an organizational system is a great way to improve the quality of your life - but it does not last forever. As we grow and change, our systems need to be modified to match those changes, or else backsliding occurs. Once you have organized your area, you need a system for maintaining your newly organized space. Here are some tips to prevent backsliding and stay organized:
1) Label your spaces and items - When you first set up an organized system, live with it for at least 1-2 weeks to ensure you are happy with the placement of your items. Make changes if needed, and when you feel the area is "right", start labeling! In playrooms and family areas, visible written or picture labels are helpful. For more adult areas, place labels on the inside of cabinets so they do not distract from the decor.
2) Create and post a schedule to maintain a new system - For example, if your goal is a weekly schedule for housekeeping, create a chore chart that lists who cleans each area, and on what day. Post the chart in a visible area, such as the front of the refrigerator. With younger children, a reward system, such as stickers, helps reinforce new behaviors.
3) Spend a few minutes each day putting your things away - It doesn't matter how messy your space gets during the day, if you are organized. If everything in the space has a "home" where items live, putting things away never takes more than 5-10 minutes. Be careful - several missed days in a row, and your space feels overwhelming again. Make a game out of it by setting a kitchen timer or playing 3 favorite songs on a CD. Have fun and stay organized at the same time!
4) Don't let perfectionism hold you back - Remember, your goal is for your space to be functional and efficient, NOT perfect. Ask yourself, "Is it in my best interest to spend time perfecting this, or is it workable the way it is right now?" Let go of perfectionism and embrace the serenity of a peaceful, organized space!
5) Make an appointment with yourself to review your system every 6 months - Knowing that the needs of a space change, make a date on your calendar for 6 months from now and review the area. Take everything out of the area (just like when you organized it the first time) and review what you want to keep, sell, donate, recycle, pitch, or move to a new location. Remember - this is not the first time you have organized this area, so the time needed to reorganize the space should be a lot less than when you worked on the initial organization!
6) Give yourself permission to ask for help - Let's say that you organized your home last year, but now, your space has gotten out of hand, and you feel frustrated and ashamed. Backsliding is completely normal! We're all human! Even I backslide with my own paperwork at times. Backsliding is not a sign of failure; it is only a reminder that it is time to get organized again. Don't be embarrassed - just get back on the wagon! Ask friends, family, or a professional organizer to help you - you won't be disappointed!
© Organizing Magic, LLC - 2009. All Rights Reserved. (return to the article archive)
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