Resources are anything that you have that adds value to your life. Usually, resources are limited so we don’t want to waste or misuse them.
For this writing, I would like to look into two resources: time and space. It’s no accident that I named my company Time Space Organization. If your time is not used wisely then it is highly likely your space will become chaotic. If your space is chaotic, you will probably lose a lot of time looking for items.
Time:
I’m sure you’ve heard the expression “time is money”. But time is worth more than money. Time is life itself. You can always get more money, but you can’t get back time that has passed. We want to use our time wisely.
Our first step is to become aware of how we are using our time now. When we come to the end of our day and wonder what happened and why nothing got accomplished, often it is because we were not tracking what we were doing. I’ve worked with busy moms that spend a lot of their day taking their children to different events and helping them with projects. These same moms may also spend a lot of time taking their parents to doctor appointments or shopping. Someone has a need. They ask for help. And the mom does it. This is a very reactive way of using time.
Organizing your time is important if you want to feel productive and accomplished. Set up your calendar for the week so that you can see what is planned. Some tasks and meetings are non-negotiable. Block those in first. Let others in your family know what is on your calendar. If your children must have your help in getting to an event or if they need help with a project, they need to schedule this time with you. You are not being a “mean” mommy when you say, “no” to some requests. You are teaching your children life skills. The same goes for your parents. If they need to be taken somewhere, let them know what times you will be available to help. Have them plan their appointments around times you are “free”.
When you are blocking out your time for the week, make certain that you have time for all your priorities. Block out time to maintain your physical and mental health. Allow time for relationships outside of your home. Friends are important. Allow time to feed your spirit as well. Have a meditation time or schedule time for your church activities.
Start by organizing your time in 30-minute increments. Put in the times you eat and walk the dog. Put in extra transition times of 10 to 15 minutes between each planned activity. You just can’t stop eating and then go to the store – you need a few minutes to clear your space, get the keys, etc.
Organizing your time will reduce your time stressing over when things are going to get done and having your tasks on your weekly calendar will keep you from worrying about missing appointments or doing important task.
Space:
We can’t control a lot of what goes on in the world, but we can control at least partly the space where we live and work. Organizing your space gives you a sense of order and control.
Clutter is distracting and can keep you from staying focused on what is important.
When organizing your space start small. Work in just one area and complete it before going on to another spot. When you zig-zag around you don’t see as much progress as focusing in on one spot. Start with an area that is really distracting and upsetting you – perhaps your kitchen counter. Make your counter a “no parking” zone. This is not the place to drop the mail, your purse, the dog leash, etc. The counter is your space to prepare your meals.
Start small with the amount of time you work on your space. A large, cluttered area can be overwhelming. Start with that one space – the kitchen counter or one section of the counter– set your timer for 10 minutes and completely clear that spot. Then stop. Repeat on a new space in the kitchen when you are ready. You will be amazed at how much you can do in small units of time.
Make sure that every object you own has a place to be put away. If you find yourself not putting that object away, discover the “why”. Maybe you need to find a better place. The point is don’t just drop things down anywhere when you come into your home.
Work on changing your habits one habit at a time. When one becomes easy, add another. The benefits of being organized within your space and with your time will make it well worth the effort. You will experience less stress and will enjoy life more.
For more help on figuring out how to make the most of the 10-minute work sessions check out the Organize Your Home 10 Minutes at a Time deck of cards. Just pull one of the cards, set your timer, and get to work.
Jonda S. Beattie, Professional Organizer owner of Time Space Organization, and co-owner of Release, Repurpose, Reorganize. She is based in the Metro-Atlanta area. As presenter, award-winning author, as well as a retired special education teacher she uses her listening skills, problem solving skills, knowledge of different learning techniques, ADHD specialty, and paper management skills to help clients tackle the toughest organizational issues. Jonda does hands on organizing and virtual organizing. For more of Jonda’s tips connect with her on Facebook.