Phase 1 of Organizing is normally the most difficult.  Now the steps may sound a little complicated, but I am trying to emphasis the importance of taking the project seriously, so that you will finish it.  Once you have completed your first project, you truly look forward to doing the next one and the next one, and the real FUN begins!

Rule # 1 – Please don’t buy anything until Phase 1 is complete.  One of the biggest mistake that people make is that they think that if they buy a whole lot of plastic bins and “organizing” products they will get organized.  It really doesn’t happen that way and you have spent money unnecessarily.

After you identify the area, you need to determine the following:

• who currently uses the area
• who may use the area in the future
• how the area is used now and how to you want to use it

  The other thing you want to understand is, is there another area of the house that is used for the same purpose or holds the same items.

Ask the rest of the users, how best to utilize the space.  Yes, I know you just want to do it and get it over with, but unfortunately, you will not be able to maintain the organization of the space without their input.

Consolidate the items, if necessary, from the other areas of the house that are used in the same manner.

Depending on the answers to these questions, Step 2 begins….

Don’t forget to “Name Phase 1”!