{"id":15346,"date":"2023-07-25T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-25T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/?p=15346"},"modified":"2023-07-25T10:12:00","modified_gmt":"2023-07-25T14:12:00","slug":"how-to-organize","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/how-to-organize\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Organize: A Step-By-Step Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/how_to_organizec.jpeg\" alt=\"Pencils in a pen cup near a stack of magazines\" class=\"wp-image-15348\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/how_to_organizec.jpeg 681w, https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/how_to_organizec-480x480.jpeg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 681px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Wondering how to organize your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/decluttering-questions-to-ask-yourself-at-home\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"23 Decluttering Questions to Ask Yourself at Home\">home<\/a> or office?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Are you looking for some step-by-step instruction to help bring order to your space?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learning how to organize items is a skill, just like anything else in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you\u2019re organizing your closet, kitchen cabinet, or paper files, the organization process remains the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And that\u2019s a good thing, because it means you always have plenty of opportunities to practice and hone your skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As they say, practice makes perfect! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this post, you&#8217;ll find a step-by-step guide on how to organize pretty much anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you consistently follow these steps, each and every time, you\u2019ll bring more order to your living and work spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, what are the steps when it comes to organizing items?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It all has to do with a simple three-step process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Are you ready to begin? Let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Organize: A Step-By-Step Guide<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Identify a collection of items to organize.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The first step in organizing items is to identify a collection of items to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/how-to-organize-miscellaneous-items\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" title=\"How to Organize Miscellaneous Items\">organize.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This point may sound rather simple and hard to believe, but it really is as simple as that. Honest!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You have to make a solid decision about the collection of items you want to organize, right here, right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As unbelievably simple as this point is, you\u2019d be amazed at how many people try to skip to the next step (we\u2019ll get to that in just a minute).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And in case you were wondering, vague, general, or weak decisions won\u2019t do you any good. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You have to be explicitly specific when it comes to what you\u2019re going to organize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The more specific you can be, the easier it will be for you to organize those items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Why? Because you\u2019ve made it perfectly clear as to what it is you\u2019re going to work on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>General statements such as, \u201cI\u2019m going to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/15-fantastic-tips-to-for-a-clutter-free-office\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"15 Fantastic Tips to for a Clutter-Free Office\">organize my office<\/a>,\u201d or \u201cI\u2019m going to organize my room,\u201d are a good start. However, you\u2019ll want to dig even deeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>What specifically are you going to organize? Which items are will you pick up with your hands, sort, and store?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s take a moment to go through some general statements and turn them into more specific ones:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>&#8220;I\u2019m going to organize my office&#8221; becomes &#8220;I\u2019m going to organize the stack of papers on my desk.&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;I\u2019m going to organize my kitchen&#8221; becomes &#8220;I\u2019m going to organize the cabinet near the refrigerator.&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;I\u2019m going to organize my room&#8221; becomes &#8220;I\u2019m going to organize the clothes in my clothes closet.&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Can you see the enormous difference between the two types of statements? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The general statements are much too vague and overwhelming, while the specific statements make it crystal clear as to what it is you\u2019ll be organizing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s more, the specific statements make tasks seem that much more doable because\u2026well, they are doable! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019re not organizing an <em>entire<\/em> office, you\u2019re just organizing <em>some<\/em> papers in the office. Phew!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And what if you have elaborate plans for organizing a particular room, or even your entire home or office? No problem!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Start small. Choose a single collection of things to organize, and then organize it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then, once you\u2019re finished with that organizing project, you can move onto your next organizing project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, if you want to organize your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/organize-home-office\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"How to Organize a Home Office\">home office<\/a>, you don\u2019t have to everything at once. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Break down your work into smaller tasks as in the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Organize the stack of papers on my desk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Organize the office supplies in my pull-out desk drawer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Organize the books in the bookcase near the window.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember, there\u2019s no law that says you have to organize large numbers of items or rooms in one sitting or session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This isn\u2019t a reality TV show; this is real life. You can start small and <a title=\"How to Manage Your Time\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/how-to-manage-your-time\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">take your time.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some points to consider when identifying a collection of items to organize:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get as specific as possible.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Be super-specific when identifying what it is you\u2019ll be organizing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you can\u2019t clearly describe the items you\u2019ll be organizing to another person, you\u2019ll need to revise your approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Think about the best bang for your buck.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re going to spend your time organizing items, you might as well spend it organizing items in an area or location that desperately needs some TLC! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What are some frequently used areas in your home or office that could benefit from some organization?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Start with a small project.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Try starting off with a few small organizing projects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These gems will give you the motivation and inspiration you need to tackle and finish larger organizing projects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some example of small projects include organizing a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/3-easy-steps-to-decluttering-pens-pencils-and-markers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pen cup,<\/a> wallet, purse, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/how-to-organize-a-drawer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">drawer.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not only will your work session be quick, but you\u2019ll have an organized space you can enjoy right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sort like items with like items.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The next step in organizing items is to sort like items with like items. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In other words, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/40-thoughtful-ways-to-organize-items\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">similar items<\/a> should be grouped together with similar items. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An easy way to begin the sorting process is to sort items broadly, and then continue to work your way down to a more narrow or fine sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you go about sorting items for the first time, you\u2019ll be working at the most general and basic level of them all: which items to keep, and which items to toss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s take a further look at these two categories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Items to keep.<\/strong> These are items you\u2019ve decided to keep in your possession. You\u2019ll use, enjoy, refer to, or admire these items at some point in the future. These can be brand-new, gently used, or used items. The key here is that you consciously choose to keep these items in your home or office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Items to toss.<\/strong> These are items for which you have no need, interest, or desire to keep in your possession. They can include perfectly new or unused items, or items that are damaged, broken, chipped, stained, torn, soiled, outdated, expired, or unusable, in one way or another. Depending on the condition of the items in question, they can be either donated, recycled, or trashed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This sorting step should go relatively quickly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019re decluttering and going through your belongings to make sure you only have the items you want to keep in your home or office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019ve identified which items you\u2019re going to keep, and which to toss, you can move on to the next round of sorting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This next round of sorting is all about grouping similar types of items together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The idea here is to find items that are broadly similar to one another. What are some examples of these types of items? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How about\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/how-to-organize-your-closet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Clothes<\/a> with clothes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/the-ultimate-office-supply-checklist\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Office supplies<\/a> with office supplies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Books with books<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/organize-kitchen-utensils\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kitchen utensils<\/a> with kitchen utensils<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/how-to-organize-your-bathroom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bath products<\/a> with bath products<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>See how easy that was? You don\u2019t have to overthink the process or complicate things. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just sort items with those items that are similar in shape or form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019ve broadly sorted items, you can take things a step further by organizing these items once again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This final level of sorting makes it easy to find what you need when you need it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The idea here is to organize smaller collections of items with one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What are some examples of these types of items? How about\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>T-shirts with t-shirts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Blouses with blouses<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Paperclips with paperclips<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pens with pens<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Non-fiction books with non-fiction books<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fiction books with fiction books<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hair care products with hair care products<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Body care products with body care products<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s really simple, huh? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And in case you\u2019re wondering, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of ways to organize items together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It all depends on your personal preferences and how you\u2019re going to use items in future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, you can\u2019t go wrong organizing items by type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some points to consider when sorting like items with like items:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Have a clear space to sort items.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You want to be able to clearly see what you\u2019re doing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s more, your workspace should have ample room in which you can comfortably maneuver. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Try sorting items on top of a cleared-off counter, table, freshly-made bed, or even a clear area on the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Designate containers for donations, recycling, or trash.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This step makes it easy to dispose of items you no longer want to keep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019d like, you can label each large box or bag, so you can clearly identify everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Keep your focus when sorting items.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>All you have to remember is like items go with like! Focus on your work and quickly sort through items. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you need to, turn off the radio, tv, or any other device so you can work distraction-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Determine storage solutions for items.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019ve sorted like items with like, the next step is to determine storage solutions and locations for items. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll want to properly contain the items you\u2019ve so carefully sorted so you can find them easily next time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s more, you\u2019ll have a handy place in which to store items in future!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Contrary to popular belief, you don\u2019t have to run out to the store to purchase storage solutions for your needs (you certainly can if you so desire, but this doesn\u2019t have to be your first step).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chances are you\u2019ve got plenty of storage solutions sitting around your home that can be put to use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Why not recycle and reuse what you already have before running out and buying something new?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How about doing a scavenger hunt around your space and see if you can find any empty or unused items like the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Coffee tins<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cardboard boxes with or without lids<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cookie tins<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ceramic or earthenware crocks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Glass jars<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shoe boxes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Plastic containers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Milk crates<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wicker baskets<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shallow plastic or metal containers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Plastic or metal suitcases<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>And while you\u2019re at it, you may also want to check your home or office to see if you have any of the following common household storage solutions laying about that could be put to use right away:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Utensil holders<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Magazine racks or holders<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Desk drawer organizers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Letter holders<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clothes hangers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cereal storage holders<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Electronic storage valets<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inbox\/outbox units<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shower caddies or hanging units<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Purse organizers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Over the door shoe organizers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Under the bed shoe organizers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The last step is to place the items you\u2019ve sorted into these individual containers or bins. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This way, smaller items are safely contained in one location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your next move is to select and store the container in a specific location so you\u2019ll be able to find it when you need it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This could be anywhere, from a drawer, to a cabinet, on top of a desk or counter, or in a closet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whatever area you choose, understand that this will be the home of your organized items for the near future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And what if the items that you\u2019ve organized are fully-contained, as in jars of paint, shirts on hangers, cans of soup, bottles of spices, or office supplies on top of a desk?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Good news, you can carefully arrange these items in a visually pleasing fashion &#8211; no organization products required! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Simply arrange items in a neat and orderly fashion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Organize: Next Steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>So you\u2019ve gone through all of the above steps and have organized your things. Congratulations!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you rest on your laurels, you have to understand one very important point\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your organization work has just begun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Say, what? This might be difficult to grasp at first, but the above statement is the cold-hard truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, you\u2019ve spent a good amount of time organizing items. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the reality is that sometime soon you\u2019re going to interact with your belongings. And this is where the real organization work begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sure, you\u2019ve set up a great foundation for yourself, but you have to practice regular upkeep to keep things looking neat and tidy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some points to keep in mind to keep things organized:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Put items back where they belong.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Preferably, you should return an item back to its storage location as soon as you are finished using it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re pressed for time, make a note for yourself to tidy things up later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just be sure to keep your date and put those items back where they belong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Likewise, if you should see something out of place in your home as you\u2019re moving from one room to another, put it back where it belongs right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t overthink the process: just do it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Create a limit on items in zones\/tipping point situation in your head.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is where you create a limit for the amount of disorganization you\u2019ll tolerate for a specific area.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once things go over this threshold, you know things are too out of control and you\u2019ll need to reorganize things once again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can do this for troublesome areas, such as your office desk, or kitchen counter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When things get too disorderly, you know it\u2019s time to put things back in order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Decide where you will focus your organizing energies.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s important to understand that it takes time to organize items. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s only 24 hours in a day, so choose your organizing battles wisely!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Focus your energies on maintaining areas of the home or office that seem to be magnets for disorganization or clutter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll be better off in the long run if you work on keeping these spaces clear and organized most of the time, rather than trying to do everything all of the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>How about you? Which of these tips did you find to be the most helpful? What steps are you going to take to organize your home or office? Join the conversation and leave a comment below!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wondering how to organize your home or office? Are you looking for some step-by-step instruction to help bring order to your space?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":15348,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"<img class=\" wp-image-15347 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/how_to_organize.jpg\" alt=\"How to Organize: A Step-By-Step Guide\" width=\"472\" height=\"472\" \/>\nWondering how to organize your home or office?\n\nAre you looking for some step-by-step instruction to help bring order to your space?\n\nLearning how to organize items is a skill, just like anything else in life.\n\nWhether you\u2019re organizing your closet, kitchen cabinet, or paper files, the organization process remains the same.\n\nAnd that\u2019s a good thing, because it means you always have plenty of opportunities to practice and hone your skills.\n\nAs they say, practice makes perfect! :-)\n\nIn this post, I offer a step-by-step guide on how to organize pretty much anything.\n\nIf you consistently follow these steps, each and every time, you\u2019ll bring more order to your living and work spaces.\n\nSo, what are the steps when it comes to organizing items?\n\nIt all has to do with a simple three-step process.\n\nAre you ready to begin? Let\u2019s get started!\n\n&nbsp;\n<h1>How to Organize: A Step-By-Step Guide<\/h1>\n&nbsp;\n<h2>Identify a collection of items to organize.<\/h2>\nThe first step in organizing items is to <a title=\"How to Organize Miscellaneous Items\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/how-to-organize-miscellaneous-items\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">identify a collection of items to organize.<\/a> This point may sound rather simple and hard to believe, but it really is as simple as that. Honest!\n\nYou have to make a solid decision about the collection of items you want to organize, right here, right now.\n\nAs unbelievably simple as this point is, you\u2019d be amazed at how many people try to skip to the next step (we\u2019ll get to that in just a minute).\n\nAnd in case you were wondering, vague, general, or weak decisions won\u2019t do you any good. You have to be explicitly specific when it comes to what you\u2019re going to organize.The more specific you can be, the easier it will be for you to organize those items.\n\nWhy? Because you\u2019ve made it perfectly clear as to what it is you\u2019re going to work on.\n\nGeneral statements such as, <a title=\"How to Organize an Office Drawer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/organize-office-drawer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u201cI\u2019m going to organize my office,\u201d<\/a> or \u201cI\u2019m going to organize my room,\u201d are a good start. However, you\u2019ll want to dig even deeper.\n\n<em><strong>What specifically are you going to organize? What specific items are you going to pick up with your hands, sort, and eventually store?<\/strong><\/em>\n\nLet\u2019s take a moment to go through some general statements and turn them into more specific ones:\n<ul>\n \t<li>\"I\u2019m going to organize my office\" becomes \"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/paper-decluttering-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">I\u2019m going to organize the stack of papers on my desk.<\/a>\"<\/li>\n \t<li>\"I\u2019m going to organize my kitchen\" becomes \"I\u2019m going to organize the cabinet near the refrigerator.\"<\/li>\n \t<li>\"I\u2019m going to organize my room\" becomes \"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/how-to-organize-your-closet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">I\u2019m going to organize the clothes in my clothes closet.<\/a>\"<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nCan you see the enormous difference between the two types of statements? The general statements are much too vague and overwhelming, while the specific statements make it crystal clear as to what it is you\u2019ll be organizing.\n\nWhat\u2019s more, the specific statements make tasks seem that much more doable because\u2026well, they are doable! You\u2019re not organizing an <em>entire<\/em> office, you\u2019re just organizing <em>some<\/em> papers in the office. Phew!\n\nAnd what if you have elaborate plans for organizing a particular room, or even your entire home or office? No problem!\n\nStart small. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/how-to-organize-miscellaneous-items\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Choose a single collection of things<\/a> to organize, and then organize it. Then, once you\u2019re finished with that organizing project, you can move onto your next organizing project.\n\nFor example, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/organize-home-office\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">if you want to organize your home office<\/a>, you don\u2019t have to everything at once. Break down your work into smaller tasks as in the following:\n<ul>\n \t<li>Organize the stack of papers on my desk.<\/li>\n \t<li>Organize the office supplies in my pull-out desk drawer.<\/li>\n \t<li>Organize the books in the bookcase near the window.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nRemember, there\u2019s no law that says you have to organize large numbers of items or rooms in one sitting or session.\n\nThis isn\u2019t a reality TV show; this is real life. You can start small and <a title=\"How to Manage Your Time\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/how-to-manage-your-time\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">take your time.<\/a>\n\n\n\nSome points to consider when identifying a collection of items to organize:\n<h3>Get as specific as possible.<\/h3>\nBe super-specific when identifying what it is you\u2019ll be organizing. If you can\u2019t clearly describe the items you\u2019ll be organizing to another person, you\u2019ll need to revise your approach.\n\n\n<h3>Think about the best bang for your buck.<\/h3>\nIf you\u2019re going to spend your time organizing items, you might as well spend it organizing items in an area or location that desperately needs some TLC! What are some frequently used areas in your home or office that could benefit from some organization?\n\n\n<h3>Start with a small project.<\/h3>\nTry starting off with a <a title=\"How to Organize a Personal Care Item Kit\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/how-to-organize-a-personal-care-item-kit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">few small organizing projects.<\/a> These gems will give you the motivation and inspiration you need to tackle and finish larger organizing projects. Some example of small projects include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/3-easy-steps-to-decluttering-pens-pencils-and-markers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">organizing a pen cup,<\/a> wallet, purse, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/how-to-organize-a-drawer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">drawer.<\/a> Not only will your work session be quick, but you\u2019ll have an organized space you can enjoy right away.\n\n\n<h2>Sort like items with like items.<\/h2>\nThe next step in organizing items is to sort like items with like items. In other words, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/40-thoughtful-ways-to-organize-items\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">similar items should be grouped together with similar items. <\/a>\n\nAn easy way to begin the sorting process is to sort items broadly, and then continue to work your way down to a more narrow or fine sort.\n\nWhen you go about sorting items for the first time, you\u2019ll be working at the most general and basic level of them all: which items to keep, and which items to toss.\n\nLet\u2019s take a further look at these two categories:\n\n<strong>Items to keep.<\/strong> These are items you\u2019ve decided to keep in your possession. You\u2019ll use, enjoy, refer to, or admire these items at some point in the future. These can be brand-new, gently used, or used items. The key here is that you consciously choose to keep these items in your home or office.\n\n<strong>Items to toss.<\/strong> These are items for which you have no need, interest, or desire to keep in your possession. They can include perfectly new or unused items, or items that are damaged, broken, chipped, stained, torn, soiled, outdated, expired, or unusable, in one way or another. Depending on the condition of the items in question, they can be either donated, recycled, or trashed.\n\nThis sorting step should go relatively quickly. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/decluttering-questions-to-ask-yourself-at-home\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">You\u2019re decluttering<\/a> and going through your belongings to make sure you only have the items you want to keep in your home or office. Once you\u2019ve identified which items you\u2019re going to keep, and which to toss, you can move on to the next round of sorting.\n\nThis next round of sorting is all about grouping similar types of items together. The idea here is to find items that are broadly similar to one another. What are some examples of these types of items? How about\u2026\n<ul>\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/how-to-organize-your-closet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Clothes<\/a> with clothes<\/li>\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/the-ultimate-office-supply-checklist\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Office supplies<\/a> with office supplies<\/li>\n \t<li>Books with books<\/li>\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/organize-kitchen-utensils\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kitchen utensils<\/a> with kitchen utensils<\/li>\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/how-to-organize-your-bathroom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bath products<\/a> with bath products<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nSee how easy that was? You don\u2019t have to overthink the process or complicate things. Just sort items with those items that are similar in shape or form.\n\nOnce you\u2019ve broadly sorted items, you can take things a step further by organizing these items once again. This final level of sorting makes it easy to find what you need when you need it. The idea here is to organize smaller collections of items with one another.\n\nWhat are some examples of these types of items? How about\u2026\n<ul>\n \t<li>T-shirts with t-shirts<\/li>\n \t<li>Blouses with blouses<\/li>\n \t<li>Paperclips with paperclips<\/li>\n \t<li>Pens with pens<\/li>\n \t<li>Non-fiction books with non-fiction books<\/li>\n \t<li>Fiction books with fiction books<\/li>\n \t<li>Hair care products with hair care products<\/li>\n \t<li>Body care products with body care products<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThat\u2019s really simple, huh? And in case you\u2019re wondering, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of ways to organize items together. It all depends on your personal preferences and how you\u2019re going to use items in future. But, you can\u2019t go wrong organizing items by type.\n\n\n\nSome points to consider when sorting like items with like items:\n<h3>Have a clear space to sort items.<\/h3>\nYou want to be able to clearly see what you\u2019re doing. What\u2019s more, your workspace should have ample room in which you can comfortably maneuver. Try sorting items on top of a cleared-off counter, table, freshly-made bed, or even a clear area on the floor.\n\n\n<h3>Designate large boxes or bags for donations, recycling, or trash.<\/h3>\nThis makes it easy to dispose of items you no longer want to keep. If you\u2019d like, you can label each box or bag, so you can clearly identify everything.\n\n\n<h3>Keep your focus when sorting items.<\/h3>\nAll you have to remember is like items go with like! Focus on your work and quickly sort through items. If you need to, turn off the radio, tv, or any other device so you can work distraction-free.\n\n\n<h2>Determine storage solutions and locations for items.<\/h2>\nOnce you\u2019ve sorted like items with like, the next step is to determine storage solutions and locations for items. You\u2019ll want to properly contain the items you\u2019ve so carefully sorted so you can find them easily next time. What\u2019s more, you\u2019ll have a handy place in which to store items in future!\n\nContrary to popular belief, you don\u2019t have to run out to the store to purchase storage solutions for your needs (you certainly can if you so desire, but this doesn\u2019t have to be your first step).\n\nChances are you\u2019ve got plenty of storage solutions sitting around your home that can be put to use. Why not recycle and reuse what you already have before running out and buying something new?\n\nHow about doing a scavenger hunt around your space and see if you can find any empty or unused items like the following:\n<ul>\n \t<li>Coffee tins<\/li>\n \t<li>Cardboard boxes with or without lids<\/li>\n \t<li>Cookie tins<\/li>\n \t<li>Ceramic or earthenware crocks<\/li>\n \t<li>Glass jars<\/li>\n \t<li>Shoe boxes<\/li>\n \t<li>Plastic containers<\/li>\n \t<li>Milk crates<\/li>\n \t<li>Wicker baskets<\/li>\n \t<li>Shallow plastic or metal containers<\/li>\n \t<li>Plastic or metal suitcases<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nAnd while you\u2019re at it, you may also want to check your home or office to see if you have any of the following common household storage solutions laying about that could be put to use right away:\n<ul>\n \t<li>Utensil holders<\/li>\n \t<li>Magazine racks or holders<\/li>\n \t<li>Desk drawer organizers<\/li>\n \t<li>Letter holders<\/li>\n \t<li>Clothes hangers<\/li>\n \t<li>Cereal storage holders<\/li>\n \t<li>Electronic storage valets<\/li>\n \t<li>Inbox\/outbox units<\/li>\n \t<li>Shower caddies or hanging units<\/li>\n \t<li>Purse organizers<\/li>\n \t<li>Over the door shoe organizers<\/li>\n \t<li>Under the bed shoe organizers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThe last step is to place the items you\u2019ve sorted into these individual containers or bins. This way, smaller items are safely contained in one location.\n\nYour next move is to select and store the container in a specific location so you\u2019ll be able to find it when you need it. This could be anywhere, from a drawer, to a cabinet, on top of a desk or counter, or in a closet.\n\nWhatever area you choose, understand that this will be the home of your organized items for the near future.\n\nAnd what if the items that you\u2019ve organized are fully-contained, as in jars of paint, shirts on hangers, cans of soup, bottles of spices, or office supplies on top of a desk?\n\nGood news, you can carefully arrange these items in a visually pleasing fashion - no organizing products required! Simply arrange items in a neat and orderly fashion.\n\n\n<h2>How to Organize: Next Steps<\/h2>\nSo you\u2019ve gone through all of the above steps and have organized your things. Congratulations!\n\nBefore you rest on your laurels, you have to understand one very important point\u2026\n\nYour organization work has just begun.\n\nSay, what? This might be difficult to grasp at first, but the above statement is the cold-hard truth.\n\nYes, you\u2019ve spent a good amount of time organizing items. But the reality is that sometime soon you\u2019re going to interact with your belongings. And this is where the real organization work begins.\n\nSure, you\u2019ve set up a great foundation for yourself, but you have to practice regular upkeep to keep things looking neat and tidy.\n\n\n\nSome points to keep in mind to keep things organized:\n<h3>Put items back where they belong.<\/h3>\nPreferably, you should return an item back to its storage location as soon as you are finished using it. If you\u2019re pressed for time, make a note for yourself to tidy things up later. Just be sure to keep your date and put those items back where they belong.\n\nLikewise, if you should see something out of place in your home as you\u2019re moving from one room to another, put it back where it belongs right away. Don\u2019t overthink the process: just do it!\n\n\n<h3>Create a limit on items in zones\/tipping point situation in your head.<\/h3>\nThis is where you create a limit for the amount of disorganization you\u2019ll tolerate for a specific area.\u00a0 Once things go over this threshold, you know things are too out of control and you\u2019ll need to reorganize things once again.\n\nYou can do this for troublesome areas, such as your office desk, or kitchen counter. When things get too disorderly, you know it\u2019s time to put things back in order.\n\n\n<h3>Decide where you will focus your organizing energies.<\/h3>\nIt\u2019s important to understand that it takes time to organize items. There\u2019s only 24 hours in a day, so choose your organizing battles wisely!\n\nFocus your energies on maintaining areas of the home or office that seem to be magnets for disorganization or clutter. You\u2019ll be better off in the long run if you work on keeping these spaces clear and organized most of the time, rather than trying to do everything all of the time.\n\n\n\n<em>How about you? Which of these tips did you find to be the most helpful? What steps are you going to take to organize your home or office? Join the conversation and leave a comment below!<\/em>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"p1\">Want Help Getting Organized?<\/h2>\nIf you want help decluttering and organizing your home or office I offer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/professional-organizing-organization-coaching\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">professional organizing services<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/organizing-mindset-coaching\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">organizing mindset coaching.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/work-with-me\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Click here to learn more about how to work with me.\u00a0<\/a>\n\n\n<div style=\"display: none;\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-15412 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/howtoorganize-683x1024.png\" alt=\"How to Organize A Step-by-Step Guide | How to organize your things? Check out this step-by-step tutorial on how to organize almost anything.\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/div>","_et_gb_content_width":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[142,184,16,45,18,19],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15346"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15346"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15346\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25145,"href":"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15346\/revisions\/25145"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15348"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15346"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15346"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theorderexpert.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15346"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}