So, as the New Year is upon us, many moms are thinking about organization. As I glance at my messy desk and office, I know I am. One of the organization sites I frequent is The Clutter Diet and I was fortunate enough to pick the brain of the founder Lorie Marrero.
Before you read the interview, go sign up for her newsletter and follow her on Twitter for GREAT tips that you can apply to your messy busy life immediately. :)
1. What is the easiest way for an overwhelmed mom to get organized?
Get
a Motivation Partner! Hands down, this is the best way to get organized
for good. If the person is local, you can even buddy up to trade
organizing favors at each others’ homes. Getting organized is just like
any other personal change effort—it requires education (knowing how to
do it), motivation (being clear and focused on why you want to do it),
and support (the “keep on going” encouragement you need). Usually the
missing link for people in their change efforts is this support. Your
Motivation Partner can keep you accountable to your goals!
2.
What is the most cost effective way for a mom to begin getting
organized? I know for me, sometimes I don't feel like I can get
organized because I don't have money to go out and buy all new
organizing materials.
Organizing
doesn’t always mean going out to buy new supplies. We always try to use
what people already have when we work with our clients in person. We
teach people that they should not usually go out and buy things until
they’ve already waded into the project to see what they really need,
and you should always measure shelves and spaces before you go out to
minimize costly purchasing mistakes. Your local thrift store almost
always will have containers, shelving units, filing cabinets, and other
supplies if you are up for it. Focus on the money-SAVING aspects of
getting organized, too! You will not be buying duplicate items because
you can’t find them, you will make better purchasing decisions because
you’ll know what you have, and you’ll save on late fees and other
charges when you have your bills and financial information organized.
3.
At the end of the day, many moms are completely overwhelmed after
managing house, kids, work, etc. What would be your top three tips
(time management or otherwise) to help moms manage the day to day grind?
First, Morning & Evening Routines—super important and easy to implement!
1) You can start with the basic morning “To D.E.W. list”—Dishes
(empty the dishwasher to be ready for the day), Eating (plan what
you’re going to eat later today), and Wash (take the laundry to the
next stage). Add in whatever is important to your family’s particular
needs.
2) In the evening you can focus on the “Triple S” routine—Start
the dishwasher (so the dishes are ready to put away in the morning),
Straighten up (do “clutter patrol” of flat surfaces and the floor), and
Set for tomorrow (gather whatever you need for the next day).
3) Thirdly, delegate whatever you can.
Don’t be shy about hiring a neighborhood teenager (or your own) to run
errands, wash your car, or take care of something on your computer like
data entry. What if you got this kind of help addressing your holiday
cards this year? Or even doing some shopping for gifts? Remember that
it’s important to take care of yourself so that you can keep serving
others.
About Lorie:
Certified
Professional Organizer® Lorie Marrero is the author of The Clutter
Diet: The Skinny on Organizing Your Home and Taking Control of Your
Life. She is also the creator of ClutterDiet.com,
an innovative program allowing anyone to get expert help at an
affordable price. Her organizing books and products are sold online and
in stores nationwide. Lorie has been a spokesperson for Microsoft,
Brother label makers and FedEx Office, and she is a sought-after expert
for national media such as CNBC, Good Housekeeping, WGN News and
Woman's Day.