Do you ever feel like no matter how hard you try, you just can’t have a neat home?
What if it’s just not your personality to be organized? Or maybe you’re just lazy?

In this episode, Leah talks with Yael Wiesner, professional organizer and author of the book “How Does SHE Manage?”, to reveal the secret.

Good News … 
Being organized can be a learned skill! In fact, people who learn it often end up more organized than those who come by it naturally, because they really get the challenges involved!

It’s a step-by-step process — it’s not about laziness! It’s about skill sets and strategies. Everyone has different processes that work, but there are certain basics to start with.

But what if you’re already feeling overwhelmed? Where do you even start?

Yael’s Foolproof Method:
Beware the False Start: Don’t go out and buy organizational things right off the bat!

To be successful, follow the steps in order!

1. Declutter
2. Organize
3. Buy
4. Time management/Maintenance

Step #1: Declutter
Get rid of permanent clutter (things that you never used, opened, etc.).
Not sure how to know what needs to go? No worries!
Click here to download Yael’s Top Ten Decluttering Questions!

If you’re doing this on your own (without a professional), don’t start with the hardest or the easiest spots. Find a place that’s somewhere in the middle so it isn’t too intimidating, but still really gets you in the groove!

A good first step in the bedroom: Start with the night table! It’s a small space, so it’s not too intimidating. Plus, so much of what ends up there doesn’t really belong there and might be permanent clutter or make more sense somewhere else. Remember, function comes first!

What about your kids’ projects? Is that considered permanent clutter?
If it takes a place in your life and your heart, it needs a place in your home.
Use what works for you in your space, whether it’s high-up display shelves, a bulletin board, or whatever. When they get full, the kid chooses what to take down — you are teaching them how to declutter too!

Still not sure if you should keep it or toss it?
Give yourself a time frame: If I haven’t used this by this time next year, I’ll toss it.

But what if you’re in full declutter mode, and the rest of your family (read: YOUR HUSBAND) is still all over the place? You do your part and stay quiet and ignore all of your husband’s stuff. When he sees how well your process is working, he may get onboard on his own!

Another tip: It can help to have a clutter buddy — switch off helping the other get rid of what doesn’t work in your space anymore!

Step #2: Organize
There are several important organizing concepts to help with the process.

• Motion mindedness — The amount of motion it takes to put something away will determine how likely it is to be put in the right place. In other words, it needs to be as easy (or easier) to put things in the right place as it is to put them in the wrong place.Sometimes you have to choose between what’s motion-minded for you versus for anyone else. For example, would you rather the laundry basket be easy (motion-minded) for your kids to put their dirty clothes in, or motion-minded for you to put it in the washing machine? Those are all choices you can judge for yourself and your home.Sometimes that can be solved with having more than one of the same items (For example: one hairbrush in your daughter’s bedroom and one in the junk drawer in the main part of your house).
• Prime real estate — Spaces that are super easy to reach and access. Prime real estate should be reserved for items used most frequently.
• Grouping — Put items used at the same time, together, and close to the area where they are used. For example, group all baking items on one shelf near the oven. Again, sometimes it may be worthwhile to have more than one of the same items if it is often used with more than one group.

Step #3: Buy
Yay! Now you get to go shopping!
Buy what legitimately makes sense and is necessary based on all the work you’ve done in step #2.

Step #4: Maintenance
What time of day works best for you to deal with x (as they happen, all at once, throughout the day)? For example, do you prefer to do the dishes as they get dirty, or once at the end of the day?

Still feel like procrastinating? Stop thinking, and start moving!
You don’t have to be inspired to do something.
You start, and then once you start seeing results, you get inspired to continue!

Try This at Home:
The first step of organizing is NOT going to The Container Store!
Declutter!
Walk into any room (not the messiest, not the least messy) and decide what you are getting rid of.

Additional Links:
https://ladiestalkshow.com/organized-life-happy-wife-with-tracy-bowers/

Yael Wiesner’s book, “How Does SHE Manage?” can be purchased here:
www.amazon.com/How-Does-SHE-manage-Expanded/dp/1598268325/

She can be reached at yael@yaelwiesner.com