ORGANISE YOUR LIFE

  Lesson 2: Origins of Clutter   Professional organisers tell their clients that many messes may look alike but be caused by very different forces. Usually, the problem is not a lack of storage space. You may even think that people cause their own clutter problems because they are just sloppy. Not so, organising is a skill that can be learned, like riding a bike. Clutter happens by three levels of disorganisation: technical errors, external realities, and psychological obstacles.   Technical Errors are everyday, clutter- and confusion-producing actions or situations that can be fixed by the organisational equivalent of tightening a screw. Review this area first, because every mess you make contains a technical error.   External Realities are environmental roadblocks you did not create, but that stand squarely in your way. These can include situations such as unrealistically heavy workloads, life transitions, or society's warp-speed expectations. ...

Lesson 1: First Principles   Do you have to wait for the phone to ring before you remember where you left it last? Do you feel like your cupboards make groaning noises? Last-minute car-key searches, hours wandering around parking areas looking for your car, disorganised mail, numerous trips to the supermarket but never getting what you need, -- all of these situations waste time and can put your blood pressure and stress levels through the roof. For those of you who think the only solution for your disorganised home and life is a well-placed bomb, don't give up yet. There's hope for even the most disorganised, uncoordinated, and person.   Organisation is a learned skill you just haven't gotten around to yet. It's a whole new game when you take a fresh look at your methods and then learn some foolproof rules. Organising is active and personal. It's a process, and it's about you. Perhaps you need a little help getting your life into shape so that you can...