Next in our series of Principles to Live by and to enjoy life more fully I want to give you a new twist on an old thought. I know that you have heard the phrase, “a place for everything and everything in its place” many times, but have you ever considered that you might actually have some of your items in the wrong place?
But what is the right place? In many cases there is no truly right or wrong way to organize stuff, but I often help my clients to more effectively place the correct item in the correct cabinet or space. Today’s article offers two examples.
In the office. Just recently I organized an entire association in Washington, D.C., giving all 60 employees an office makeover — what a trip! I had a ball helping their association find more office space, save money on supplies, increase the productivity of each employee, and lower stress levels.
In particular, one of their closets had brochures piled in it. The closet was actually the correct place for the brochures, but, as you can see with the before and after pictures, they were not organized with accessibility or saving of space. The solution was to use inexpensive cardboard magazine holders to consolidate and organize the brochures, not only allowing more brochures to be placed in the closet, but making them more accessible, as well.
In the home. I see the need for this principle of having everything in its right place all the time as I come alongside my clients in their home organization. It happens most often when I am organizing the kitchen.
Some kitchens have a revolving, below-the-counter, in-the-corner Lazy Susan cabinet. Homeowners use the Lazy Susan to access the deep corner cabinet with ease. However, what most women use that cabinet for is canned goods or spices. Their canned goods or spices might be neatly organized within that cabinet, but I believe that it is the wrong use for that cabinet.
When I mention this to the clients, they literally gasp – no kidding! When I show them the correct items to store in the Lazy Susan – pans, casseroles or pots with lids – they are amazed at the convenience of not having pans and pots stacked or jammed into low cabinets. Try it – I guarantee you will like it!
The bottom line. If you take the time to make a place for everything – and it is the right space – I guarantee your stress level will be reduced and you will enjoy life all the more fully.