Thoreau's Walden, or Life in the Woods was first published on this day in 1854. And, as Alfred notes,"it remains to this day a trenchant criticism of the excesses of technology." Walden also contains some pretty astute observations for anyone needing a little getting-organized-inspiration, and Alfred has included some of the best bits in his article.

Whether it's excesses of technology... or papers... or shoes... Thoreau is worth checking out!

1. “I paid good money for that!” Computers, printers, monitors, laptops, software, upgrades — they all cost money. Lots of it. Getting rid of something that represents our hard-earned dollars is especially painful.
2. Busted! Most of us know just enough to get by when it comes to operating our computers. When something goes wrong, unless you live with, or are friends with, a Techie, getting a computer repaired can be an intimidating and costly process. It can be awfully tempting to just get a new one.
3. "Your computer is so 2009!" Technology changes really, really quickly. If dog years are supposedly equivalent to 7 human years, then computers are more like 20 years! Upgrades are constant and often costly.
4. Private I What if something confidential is still on your hard drive — be it banking information or family photos? Sometimes it feels safer just to hide your old hard drive in the basement rather than risk exposing yourself.
5. "It might come in handy." I know some individuals who are capable of building functional computers out of salvaged pieces. Truly, a skill to be admired. Most of us, however, do not possess this skill. Most likely, we will not "someday" acquire it. Like most "someday projects", hanging onto bits and pieces just distracts and overwhelms us.
6. "That’s ‘Hal’ to you!"  If you know a hard-core geek, there’s a good chance they’ve named every computer they’ve ever had (trust me on this). For them, letting go feels personal.
7. e-Waste. “A global nightmare,” is how Annie Leonard describes the disposal of the 5 to 7 million tons of electronics becoming obsolete each year in her highly-informative, by turns scary and hopeful, book The Story of Stuff " target="_blank">The Story of Stuff.

For most of us, this last reason is probably the main one our basements, office floors, and spare rooms are filling up with old computer equipment — we don’t know how to get rid of it safely and responsibly.

There aren’t any easy solutions to e-Waste. The most effective place to solve the problem, according to Leonard, “is upstream... Producers could introduce vast improvements to make electronics more durable, less hazardous, and easier to upgrade and repair.”

Thanks to consumer pressure, some computer companies (Apple, Dell, HP) now offer take-back programs. Check out their websites for more information. Or check out computer recycling programs in your area by using e-Stewards (e-Stewards.org) to make sure they meet rigorous environmental and social justice standards. If you live in the Metro Vancouver area, you definitely want to pay a visit to the folks at The Hackery or Free Geek.

In the meantime, I'm going to learn a little more about the computer I have, perhaps resist the siren-call of the new and shiny a little longer, and continue to develop a good working relationship with my computer professional!

I came across Julie Morgenstern's book Organizing from the Inside Out: The Foolproof System For Organizing Your Home, Your Office and Your Life ">Organizing from the Inside Out: The Foolproof System For Organizing Your Home, Your Office and Your Life (see Resources). Morgenstern uses something she calls her "Secret Weapon #1: The Kindergarten Model of Organization." She describes how kindergarten classrooms have clearly defined zones of activity:  dress-up, arts and crafts, reading corner, etc., making it easy to focus on one activity at a time. Items are stored where they are used. Everything has a home and it's fun to put things away. The room itself provides a visual menu of everything that is important. 

That one idea was a revelation and completely changed the way I organized things. Far from over-simplifying the complexities of my life, the 'kindergarten model' helped me to define and focus them. 

Today, I apply a version of this method to every room or office I organize. The very first question I ask is "What do you do in this space? People are often surprised by their own answers. For instance, most people say that they use the kitchen to prepare and eat food. But it turns out it's also a place where they like to pay bills, do homework, work on a craft project, bathe a baby, sew on a button, visit with friends, entertain a toddler, arrange flowers, have a meeting, polish shoes, train a new puppy, talk on the phone, write a letter, make-out or make-up, build a webpage, sign school forms... though presumably not all at the same time. 

The second question I ask is "What do you need to do in this space? The truth is, there are very few things that actually need to be done in any specific room. We tend to forget that and assume bedrooms must be used for sleeping, kitchens for cooking, etc. Well, maybe and maybe not. Maybe not for you or, maybe not for you right now. 

And finally, the third question I ask is "What would you like to do in this space?" Yes, if you live with other people, by all means get their input. But never assume that there is only one way to use a space, especially if that way is the default! Closets can be home offices, living rooms can be yoga rooms, empty fireplaces can be art galleries. Decorating books and magazines, television shows, the home we grew up in, our boss' taste in furniture, as well as our own personal style and budget -- all these things influence how we choose to use a space. If you'd rather use the kitchen table than your beautifully appointed home office to pay your bills, so be it. Turn your office into a gym, a playroom for the kids, a bed & breakfast room! The realization that we can choose differently is extraordinarily liberating.

Once you've defined an area's activity zones (e.g. Office: working at the computer, talking on the phone, accessing the filing cabinet), then it's time to ensure the space is organized to support those activities. For one client, whose office door was see-through, that meant shuffling furniture around to provide more privacy for the one-on-one staff meetings that were a regular and important component of her job.

As you focus your attention on creating these zones of activity, something powerful begins to emerge -- a sense of clarity, and with it a more clearly defined sense of who you are and what you do. Your space suddenly reflects and supports the things that are important to you. And that, after all, is the whole point of getting organized.

I'd love to hear about about your experience using the Three Questions. Feel free to drop me a note.

Cynthia

When it comes to getting a wine education, Grumdahl's advice is "simplification... because you have to start somewhere." To that end, she profiles nine major grapes. The result is a manageable, confidence-inspiring, unapologetically-not-exhaustive overview of wine.

But what does understanding wine have to do with getting organized? Well, specifically, nothing (unless of course you are keen to alphabetize your wine rack, and by all means go ahead if that strikes you as fun and useful!) and yet, everything. A new venture, be it the study of wine, the re-organizing of your home or office space, the re-thinking of the way you work and live, can leave you feeling incredibly overwhelmed, as if you don't know where to start.  

Start small. Start with nine grapes... or three things. Just start. In Grumdahl's words, "Don't underestimate the magic and power of starting somewhere."

So welcome to the starting somewhere of the Three Things blog. You'll find something new here every couple of weeks. Sometimes I'll share practical ideas about organizing things, more often I'll do my best to keep you aware of useful resources, and once in awhile I'll get a little philosophical. I look forward to hearing from you!