When Can I Stop Organizing?

I get this question A LOT. Someone writes to me and wonders when they are done organizing? When are they finally considered organized?

The truth is that organizing is like a lot of other things in life. For example, once you work out several times a week are you considered healthy and in shape? Possibly. But does that mean that you can stop working out. Probably not.

The trick, if you want to call it that, to getting organized for life is to do it 'right' the first time.  Now, by 'right,' I mean in a way that works for you and the life you live.  It is really important to organize to your own style (as I mentioned last week).

I'm sure you will always be adding new things to your life and hopefully removing things you no longer need as well.  That being said, the actual act of organizing can come to an end, but the process never does.

Things may get messy and out of control from time to time. But when everything has a place where it belongs, clean up is quick and easy. You just need to put it away, not decide where it goes. The deciding is the time consuming part. If you do that right the first time then the hard part has been done.

The systems you put in place when you organize will also need to be maintained.  This maintenance and the addition of new items is the never-ending part of organizing.

You can have the most incredible filing system in the world.  You can always find what you're looking for.  It is easy to put things away.  It is absolutely perfect for you in every way.  However, if you keep using it and filing into it, eventually the drawers will become stuffed.  That's when the piling begins!  That's when it feels like it's not working.

The thing you have to realize is when you set up systems in your office or anywhere else you need to maintain them.

More on maintenance later... 

Happy Organizing!