Get Organized: Check Off Those Summer Organizing To-Do's -- Here's How

The weather is great, you’re feeling energized from all that extra solar energy you’ve been absorbing and you’ve got some extra time off. Now is the perfect time to tackle one of those big organizing projects you’ve been wishfully thinking of. First, let’s review a few tips that will help you to get started and maximize your productivity.

1. Pick one project. Yes, just one: Focus and stick with that project until it is done. Now is not the time for multi-tasking, even though it may be second nature. Often that really big job can be accomplished in one day as long as you develop a laser-focus.

2. Research and prep: Take some time before you start your project to research how others have successfully tackled similar projects. You can find a wealth of ideas online for what to do – and what not to do as well. If you know that you will need baskets, boxes, shelves or other types of equipment, shop ahead of time to get the best bargains and have it all ready when to begin your project.

3. Break the job into small pieces: This makes it easier to organize, delegate and keep you from feeling overwhelmed.



4. Reward yourself: If just the thought of having a clean, organized space isn’t enough, set a reward for yourself to look forward to when you’re done, such as a massage or a nice dinner out that night.

Now that you have the basics down for your big project, let’s take a look three common organizing hot-spots that are great for this season and several ideas and inspirations for keeping the clutter under control.

Gardening Workspace

• Mount a large piece of lattice, found at any home and garden store, behind your potting bench. Large s-hooks can be easily used to hang tools, gloves and bags to keep your seeds in. (It looks super-cute, as well!)
• Keep a medium-size galvanized bucket full of clean sand on your potting bench as an easy place to store your garden tools. The sand helps to keep the blades clean, stops  rust from forming and will even help maintain sharp edges.
• Buy a garden or tool belt tote that fits securely around a 5-gallon bucket. You can find these at most garden and home supply stores. Just like a tool-belt for a bucket, this handy multi-pocketed belt will keep all your supplies organized while leaving plenty of carrying room in the center bucket.
• Use a small clean pot to hold plant markers and a Sharpie for creating quick labels for your flowers or veggie garden.

Storage Sheds

• This is a great project for a beautiful weather day. Drag everything out of your shed, create piles of keep, throw out and donate items and sweep and clean out the entire shed.
• If it’s dark inside, install an inexpensive shop light that will encourage use of the space more often.
• Purchase simple, heavy-duty storage shelves or racks and use them to place all the smaller items on, getting as much off the floor as possible.
• And don’t forget the beauty of simple nails and s-hooks for hanging things out of the way. The more you get off the floor, the more efficient and attractive using the shed will be.

Pool and Beach

• Wet towels, swimsuits and piles of toys all cause organizing distress. Moving from the pool to the beach and back again complicates things as well. For use at home, head to your nearest dollar store and invest in a few plastic laundry-type baskets or milk crates. Label them with bright colors and using water-proof materials to make it fun. Water will drain out, toys will dry and you’ll have one easy place to grab towels or suits from when it’s time to dry them out.
• Get a pop-up mesh laundry bag to store towels and toys in when moving from pool to beach and back again. You can just shake it out to get most of the sand out of the bag and keep it out of your car and home.
• Always have a large zip lock bag with you for cell phones and electronics. And take a tip from the surfer crowd, always carry a bottle of baby powder. It’s an absolute miracle at getting all the sand off and keeping it out of your car and home.

© 2011 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com