UAO-PRO Providing Corporate and Residential Organizational Services   Below you'll find tips for being Uncluttered And Organized.  We hope you find them helpful and that they inspire you to get Uncluttered And Organized! If you would like to submit a tip of your own to be included here, we welcome you to do so - just send it via email.  Being Uncluttered And Organized is a continuous process.  If you work at maintaning this condition day in and day out, you really never have too much to deal with. A place for everything and everything in its place.  This is said so often it's cliche, however it is a great condition to aspire toward.  It's probably what comes to mind when you think about being Uncluttered And Organized, it's also easier said than done.  If you find you can't seem to achive this ideal state, you probably need to remove some items (get rid of stuff, give it away, throw it out) to make room for what you really want to keep.  If you still don't have room - get rid of more stuff.  If you have trouble with actually putting this into action, contact us, we can help you.    Make decisions about what you really want to keep and then where you're going to keep it.  The less stuff you have, the better your chances of maintaining an orderly environment. Sort through your book / CD collection to remove volumes you aren't likely to re-read or listen to.  Donate them to a thrift store or your library.  There are also places that buy used books and music CD's.  This can clear out a surprising amount of space, and maybe put a little money in your pocket.  Two nice bonuses! When contemplating a new purchase, however big or small, know where this new item will reside, and decide what you may have to remove or discard in order to make room for the new items.  If you don't do this, and you keep buying more things, you will definately become cluttered and disorganized.  You will not be able to have a place for everything, and therefore everything will not, and can not, be in its place.  Moral here: you can't put 10 pounds of stuff in a 5 pound sack.

Mail - deal with it daily - or at the least weekly.  Sort it into three piles; "Important", "Discard Immediately", and "Shred".  Separate the important items from the rest.  Throw away anything unimportant, and shred items such as credit card applications, etc. that have your name and information on an application. When sorting through paper-work, don't staple together and file things that you will want to shred at a later date.  Just file them, and if you must, use a paper clip.  Having to remove or tear off staples before shreding is a time consuming hassle. Schedule time on your calendar, in your day-planner, or in your PDA, to have your own regularly scheduled uncluttering and organizing sessions.  Make the appointment daily, weekly, monthly, whatever works for you.  By writing down the appointment, you're more likely to do it.  Be sure to keep this appointment with yourself, it is as important as your others.    List the purpose /activities that a room is primarily used for before deciding what to keep and where to put it.  This will help eliminate unneccessary clutter, and make room for what you really want to keep in there.

Store everything your child uses or wears within their reach.  It will be easier for your child to put these items back where they belong rather than all over their room, on the floor, under the bed, etc.  Also, encourage, praise, and reward your child for their good Uncluttered And Organized behavior and habits.  This will go a long way to ensuring success now, and in their future as adults.  When decluttering, and deciding whether or not to keep something, if you are uncertain about it, pack the item(s) into a box, label it with the date, and store the box in your storage area. If you come across the box more than one year later, and you still haven't opened it, throw it out immediately without opening it.  If you open the box, you'll end up starting the process all over again - so just throw it out.  Recruit help form those you live with or work with to assist with organizing and staying organized.  It's much easier to stay organized when people are working with you - not against you.  Do not start new projects until previously started projects are complete.  Sometimes projects, such as hobbies or crafts can take a lot of space, add a few of them together and you have the makings of a real mess.  Use restraint, work on one thing at a time. Give yourself a break - you deserve it!  Let us do the work for you! Hire UAO-PRO to give you great advice, to Unclutter And Organize your home, and to make your life much easier!  You'll be glad you did! UAO-PRO The Uncluttered And Organized Professionals  Member of NAPO - National Association of Professional Organizers Copyright © 2007 Uncluttered and Organized, LLC. All rights reserved.