For years I have been maintaining my home using a Zone Plan. This plan has me touching everything in my home at least once a year. When I work in my designated zone each month, I declutter and get rid of anything I no longer need or love.
The first zone I work on each year is my office. After a year, files are way too stuffed. Project bins are still hanging around even if the project has been completed. Some new items have been added and not enough stuff has gone away. So now is the time to look open-eyed at the office and work my plan.
What is bothering me in this zone?
Clutter
Too much on the desk top
Files too full
Too much paper lying around screaming “do me”
2. How do I want my office to look and feel?
Uncluttered
Clean
Welcoming
I want to feel productive and happy
I want empty space to allow for growth
3. What do I need to do to meet this vision?
Clear our all desk drawers and the desk top
Purge files and remove what is now archival to another place
Clean out bins of completed projects and ready the bins for new material
Clear all surfaces – leave out only what I need and love
Declutter and organize bookshelves and the storage credenza
Deep clean room
4. Schedule times to do each task.
Pull out calendar and see what times are available to work on zone
Write on calendar what tasks I plan to do on available dates – not only date but also time of day
By the end of the month, I will say “good enough”. Daily and weekly maintenance are scheduled but I won’t have to visit this zone again until next January. I reward myself with fresh flowers on my desk and make my plan for the next month in a new zone!
Jonda S. Beattie Professional Organizer