You want to know the trick to keeping your house organized on a day-to-day basis? It comes down to two actions you must take:
First, make sure every item — and I mean every item — in your house has a home. Make sure everyone in the family knows where these “homes” are. Label them if family members seem to forget their location.
Second, whenever you get anything out, always put it back when you are done. This is crucial. Almost all daily clutter is stuff laying around your house that has not been put back after being used. And often this is because we have not left enough time to clean up after we have worked on a task.
Here’s a ditty to help you remember this new habit you are going to adopt: Remind yourself throughout the day to take 10 seconds to put it away. Because that’s how long it takes to put the paper back into the file folder rather than leaving it on your desk. That’s how long it takes to put the mixing bowl back in the cupboard rather than leaving it out on the counter.
Teach this lesson to your spouse. Teach this lesson to your children. Watch your house be transformed.
