Household Organizational Tips: 6 Ways to Stay Motivated

courtesy of Manilla Blog

---

Posted: 23 Aug 2011 08:48 AM PDT

After a long day of working at the office, I just want to come home to a glass of wine and a movie—not organizing your household. So it’s tempting to take on a “let’s not and say we did” attitude. But whether it’s your kitchen sink or your filing cabinet that needs tidying up, there are ways to stay motivated and get the job done. Here are five household organizational tips that work:
Get Inspired
Grab the latest issue of Good Housekeeping or a catalogue from your favorite furniture store. While it might be hard to replicate their picture-perfect living rooms, setting the bar high will help you challenge yourself and give you a lofty goal to shoot for.
Recruit A Support Team
It’s hard to take on a tough task alone, so grab a friend to help out. You can even agree to team up and clean each other’s closets.  You’ll each get dibs on clothes that the other is ready to retire, and you can donate the rest to a consignment shop. Keep things fun by playing music and taking before and after photos.
Try Something New
I used to avoid cleaning because it’s such a tedious and repetitive chore, but making it more glamorous can bring it to life. I like to use nicely-scented cleaning products that come in attractive bottles, so I’ll actually be excited about using them. You can also coordinate a cute cleaning outfit by accessorizing your yoga pants with a knotted bandana headband. That way, you psych yourself into “cleaning mode,” and it doesn’t feel so boring.
One Step At A Time
Large messes are daunting, and it’s hard even to know where to start. The best thing to do is clean in small increments. If you’re cleaning out a closet, start by sorting your clothes into piles for “Keep,” “Donate” and “Toss.” If you’re cleaning your home, start by scrubbing the bathroom today and move onto the kitchen tomorrow. Give yourself a small reward every time you accomplish a step.
Set A Deadline
Procrastination gets the best of everyone. Beat the urge to put off cleaning and organizing your household by setting a deadline. Make sure you stick to your deadline by inviting friends over for dinner that day. You’ll be forced to have a tidy house to entertain your guests.
Think Small
Remember that big messes don’t appear out of thin air; they take time to accumulate. If you remember to do small things like washing your dishes right after dinner or folding your laundry every day, you can prevent clutter from becoming overwhelming. Designating a bin or a shelf in your closet for items you don’t want lets you declutter along the way, instead of saving it up for one huge task you will put off forever.