With Time to Spare

Organize to Make Life Easier

Sue McMillin

Organizing Consultant & Speaker

719-352-5535
sue@withtimetospare.com

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You are here: Home / Articles / Making promises become practices

April 29, 2014 by Sue McMillin

Making promises become practices

In our last post we explored the truth that order and organization bring the promise of balance, harmony and discovery in your life. So how do we turn those promises into actual practices in our lives and get organized? Mastery over our physical space in our office or home all begins with understanding the Five Steps: Remove, Sort, Eliminate, Contain, and Return.

  • Obviously, you begin this process by removing all the items from the space you are organizing.
  • Sort them by making piles of “like” items.
  • Next, you will focus on eliminating everything that you do not need or use. Donate your gently used stuff to someone out there who really needs it. A great place to start this process is with your kids and their stuff.
  • Before returning your stuff to its proper place, use containers to assign a place for everything. Containers can be anything from plastic baskets to drawer organizers to woven baskets to bins.
  • Finally, return all your beautifully organized containers, baskets and drawer organizers to the new clean space.

In Sue’s work with clients for over 30 years, she observed that the two main obstacles to turning promises into practice are our long-held habits and firmly entrenched attitudes.

Available now: Part 2: Our Habits

Filed Under: Articles, Life Lessons, Tips for the Home, Tips for the Office

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Sue’s Story

I've been a professional organizer most of my adult life. Who I am and why I love my work comes from how I was raised and the mysteries of DNA!

From the most humble of beginnings in Kentucky to helping businesses and organizations across the U.S., I always try my best to share both practical and inspirational principles and techniques.

I hope you enjoy your visit here and come back often. And feel free to call or email anytime.

Even though you might reach me on my porch looking out at the Colorado Rockies, a born and bred Kentucky girl enjoys a good chat.

Order out of Chaos

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  • Clear, Clean, Celebrate!

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