First Steps
Getting over the hurdles that stand between you and organization can be a big challenge. These resources can help.
3 Habits That Can Keep You Safe and Secure 
Keep yourself, your family, your identity, and your computer safe and secure by developing these three simple but critical habits. 3 Steps to More Achievable Resolutions
No matter what your New Year's resolution--from finally getting organized to taking control of your time to living a healthier life--these 3 steps can help put you on the path to success. 3 Ways to Simplify
Too often disorganization and stress result from having too much stuff, too many commitments, and the urge to consume more than we need. Here are three simple, straightforward ways to simplify and reap the rewards of a pared-down life. 5 More Quick and Painless Organizing Projects
Organizing projects don�t always need to be large or time-consuming to have a positive impact, as these five prove. 5 Quick Ways to Visually De-Clutter
Getting organized for good takes time. While you´re at it, though, making small, simple, highly visible changes to the space around you is a great way to stay motivated and reap the rewards of your work. Here are five painless ways to change the looks of your space. A Smarter Way to Make Resolutions
This year, before making another set of resolutions that are driven by "should"s and may be hard to stick to, take some time to think about what you really want from the months ahead, and then set your goals accordingly. Are You Ready for Lasting, Positive Change?
Too often, New Year's resolutions get derailed after a few weeks--if not a few days!--because we don't have the structure and support in place to make them achievable. Here are 5 questions to ask yourself before you set your goals for 2011 that will help you make changes for good. Are Your Shoulds Keeping You from Getting Organized?
Sometimes the things we think we *should* do get in the way of organization. Here are three common shoulds that can trip you up, and ways to get past them. Avoiding Someday-I-Will... Clutter: Clothing
What are you holding onto because it's related to something you intend to do...someday? In this article (part 2 in a series), we look at ways of dealing with "someday I will..." clutter related to weight loss. Avoiding Someday-I-Will... Clutter: Trips & Travel
Clutter related to our intentions, aspirations, and "someday" plans can be among the most frustrating kinds of clutter we face. In this article (part 1 in a series), we look at ways of dealing with "someday I will..." clutter related to trips and travel. Choose Quality over Quantity to Get (and Stay) Organized
Choosing to surround yourself with more meaningful, more useful things--rather than simply with more things--makes it easier to bring order and organization into your life. Check out these ideas on how to choose quality over quantity. Clean-Slate Organizing
Sometimes it's easier to approach an organizing project as a blank canvas, rather than as a completed painting that you need to change. Here's why clean-slate organizing can work so well, and the 5 steps that will help you put the concept into practice. Dealing with Different Organizing Styles
Do you have a different organizing style from your spouse/partner or co-workers? Not everyone defines organization the same way or has the same organizing goals, and it can be challenging to agree on how to get organized. Here's how to bridge that divide. Deciding Where to Begin
One of the hardest parts of getting organized can often be deciding where to start. Read on for four of my favorite options--one of which is sure to work for you. Develop a Decluttering Mindset
Getting organized for good involves more than just sorting, weeding, and finding places to store stuff. It also requires changing the way you think about the things you allow into your home and your life. Developing Organizing Habits
Once you've gotten yourself organized, maintaining your success depends on developing some simple but important organizing habits. Here's why good habits matter, and how to make them part of your life. Get Organized - Create A Vision For Success
Ready to be organized, but not sure how to start? The first step in getting organized is getting clear on why you want to. Creating a vision of your organized life will help you get and stay organized. Learn how simple it is create your own. If you want success, you won't want to skip this step. Getting Organized Means Taking Risks
Getting organized can sometimes be simple, but it´s rarely easy. One hard truth about organization is that it often requires taking a few risks. Here´s what can happen when we try to make organizing risk-free, and why some risks are worth taking. How To Declutter in 7 Simple Steps
Feeling overwhelmed by clutter? Ready to be organized? Help is here! Learn how easy it is to declutter and get organized. Follow the 7 simple steps and you can free yourself from clutter for good. How to Get Rid of Stuff You're Ready to Part With
I recently set out a challenge: can you get rid of the things that are clogging up, bringing down, or otherwise not adding value to your life? Whether you´ve taken that challenge or just need ideas on what to do with things you´re ready to part with, read on for some donation and disposal ideas. How To Simplify Your Life
Does your life ever feel complicated, chaotic or crazy? It doesn't have to. There is an easy antidote. What's called for is some simplifying. It's easier to do than you might imagine. This four step process will guide from start to finish. Here is a hint, you will start by stopping. Life Organizers  [offsite link]
Regardless of what kind of organizing you´re looking to do--from a quick drawer cleanout to a house-wide overhaul--chances are extremely good you´ll find articles, tips, and recommendations on it here. Making Organizing Resolutions that Stick 
Each January, the start of the new year and Get Organized Month, millions of us vow to get organized. This year, set yourself up for success with your organizing resolutions by following these three steps. Messie No More [offsite link]
Written by Sandra Felton, the creator of Messies Anonymous, this book delves fairly deeply into background issues and root causes of disorganization, but it´s easy to read and to understand. Messies Anonymous [offsite link]
Sandra Felton´s Messies Anonymous program is a great way of finding and maintaining the inspiration to clear the clutter from your home and your life. This site features links to MA´s daily newsletter, online support, and books and tapes. My #1 Organizing Tip
Above all else, organizing involves allowing into your life only the things you use, need, love, or find beautiful. Here´s how to determine what those things are, and how to clear out clutter in the process. My #3 Organizing Tip - Organizing Doesn't Require Perfection
It´s easy to think that being organized means having a perfectly neat and tidy home, or a desk that never has piles. In reality, though, organization doesn´t mean perfection. Here´s what it does mean, and how to bring effective organization into your life. My #4 Organizing Tip - Organizing Is a Habit
Getting organized isn´t a one-time event: it requires developing a few habits that will stick with you over time, and that will allow you to make organization part of your everyday life. Here´s how to get organized to last. My #5 Organizing Tip - Focus More on Why than on How
Here´s the last in a series of tips focusing on what´s behind getting organized and what to keep in mind as you bring order to your space. This week, read why it´s helpful to focus more on the *why* of organizing than the *how*. Organizing 101
Regardless of whether you´re organizing things, space, or time, the basic steps involved are the same. Here´s an overview of how to work through the organizing process. Organizing and Green Guilt
There´s plenty you can do to care for the earth and our environment and to reduce waste. But what happens when concern about being "green" leads to holding onto things that just cause clutter and stress? Read on for an overview of "green guilt," why it´s not helpful, and how to avoid it. Organizing Basics--Deciding Where Things Go
Mastering some simple organizing basics makes bringing order to your life easier and more effective. This article, the first in an occasional series, focuses on how to decide where things should go. Organizing Myths - Don't Believe Them
Is an organizing myth preventing you from reaching your goals? Do you think it costs money or takes too much time to get organized? If you do, you are buying into myths. Learn the truth and shed the excuses. You really can get organized if you truly want to. Organizing vs. Decluttering
Faced with an out-of-control hall closet, kitchen drawer, desktop, or calendar? You might think, "I need to get organized!" Before trying to put systems in place, though, there's a critical step you need to take: decluttering. Here's why. Organizing Words of Wisdom
"Every possession is a responsibility." These few words say so much, and offer useful guidance to help determine what things deserve a space in your home and your life. Here´s how to tap into the power of this wisdom. Overcoming Organizing Obstacles : Beat Unrealistic Expectations
As you get organized, chances are you´ll run into an obstacle somewhere along the way. In this article (part 1 of 2), you´ll find some ideas on how to deal with those obstacles when they arise and how to keep moving forward. Overcoming Organizing Obstacles : Start Small and Chart Your Progress
Unrealistic expectations aren´t the only things that can keep us from succeeding with our organizing projects. Part 2 of this article offers tips and encouragement for getting beyond the other obstacles that get in our way. Overcoming Organizing Paralysis
Overwhelmed by the thought of tackling an organizing project? Here's the one thing that's critical to remember in order to get yourself unstuck. Reconsidering Storage Units
Are you spending more on storing your stuff each month than you're spending on yourself? Could the money you spend on storage go to better uses? Does the stuff you have in storage really deserve to be in your life? If you rent a storage unit, now is a great time to reconsider whether you need it. Rethinking New Year's Resolutions
Forget those big, grand, utterly unachievable New Year´s resolutions; this year, you really can reach your goals and make the changes you want to make. These three steps will set you on the right path. Set Yourself Up for Organizing Success this Year
A new year means a new opportunity to bring the benefits of organization to your home, office, family, and life. Get yourself on the path toward a more enjoyable, less stressful year by creating smart, achievable organizing goals for 2008. Here�s how. Setting SMART Organizing Goals
Setting goals is a good way to set yourself up for organizing success--and setting SMART goals is even better. Here´s what makes a goal SMART, along with questions to ask yourself when you´re ready to give your own goals a boost. Show Your Stuff Some Tough Love
Most of us know we have more stuff than we really need or use, but it can be difficult to part with it. Here are three of the most common excuses for holding onto things, as well as ways to get beyond them and show your stuff some tough love. Stop Clutter & Disorganization Before They Start
As Benjamin Franklin said, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"--words that are especially true when it comes to organization. Here are 5 simple, straightforward ways to keep clutter and disorder at bay. Systems & Habits, the 2 Halves of Organizing
For lasting organizing success, you need the dynamic duo of systems and habits. Here are 3 common organizing systems, along with some habits that will help keep them running smoothly and functioning well. The Results of Our Organizing Challenge
The results are in! The recent organizing challenge I set forth inspired many of you to reconsider the things you allow to remain in your life. Here are some examples of things that got the heave-ho, as well as some lessons learned from the challenge. The Rightsizing Bill of Rights
Is stuff taking over your life? If so, it's time to remember your rights. Real estate agent Eric Stewart has written a Rightsizing Bill of Rights to help you do just that. Here are 5 of my favorite passages from that bill. Using Before and After Pictures to Get Organized
You´ve probably seen "before and after" pictures on home makeover TV shows or in magazine articles, but did you know that they can also be useful for simple organizing projects? Read on to learn more. What Causes Clutter?
Have you tried to declutter and been frustrated by your lack of progress? In order to be truly successful at clearing and controlling clutter, it's important to know why you have it to begin with. Discover the root cause (or causes) of your clutter and watch your clutter disappear! What Makes an Effective Organizing System?
There's much more to any organizing system than containers and labels. Here are the parts that need to be in place for an organizing system to work effectively, and why they're important. Why Does Organizing Take So Long?
Organizing projects, large or small, often take longer than we might imagine they should. Here are some explanations as to why, as well as tips on making the most efficient use of the time you do devote to getting organized. Why Is Organizing So Challenging?
Getting organized can often be difficult, and sometimes it feels downright impossible. Why? It has nothing to do with intelligence, laziness, or motivation. Here are 5 reasons organizing is a challenge, along with solutions for getting past these hurdles. Worthwhile Organizing Investments
You don´t need to spend lots of money to get organized, but making a few smart investments can help make the organizing process easier, more enjoyable, and more efficient. Here are four smart ways to invest. Links marked with the [offsite link] designation point to websites not associated with BellaOnline.com. BellaOnline.com is not responsible for the material found there.
Organization Homepage | Editor's Picks Articles | Top Ten Articles | Organization Site Map
Think your link belongs here? Use the contact page to let this editor know.
|
