An organised home is a comfortable one

Getting organised requires a commitment and daily activity to maintain the order you created. The actions you must take are not difficult. In fact, they are pretty easy once you have established an initial order. But, they are boring and repetitive. For those of you who are creative, fun-loving and who crave variety and stimulation, try these steps:

Watch your behaviour

Identify actions that contribute to the problem of being disorganised and commit to changing problem behaviors. Stay away from dropping, plopping, avoiding and procrastinating.

Identify specific places in your schedule

Work and school schedules create a structure around which to arrange routine organising tasks. Use that small window in the morning before leaving for the day to load the dishwasher, laundry and cleaning up breakfast dishes. In the evening after returning home, check mails and messages. Incorporate the most important tasks into routines

Routines create a structure within which specific activities can happen. A morning routine might include getting up, showering, hanging up wet towels, getting dressed, eating breakfast, cleaning up after breakfast, checking email, leaving for work/school. An evening routine might include putting away any items you bring into the house processing mail, checking voice mail, making dinner, cleaning up after dinner, helping children with homework and cleaning up afterwards.

Reward yourself for changed behaviour

It takes repeating a new behavior 21 days in a row before it becomes a habit. Beware, you will resist new behaviors. You may have to start over again several times if you find yourself sliding back into old messy habits. When you reach the 21st day, reward yourself with something you enjoy.

Make organisation a family commitment

Invite family members to participate in the process of maintaining the home and a comfortable place to live. Teach children early that picking up after themselves and participating in on-going efforts. Remember, they will be watching what you do. You are a model for behaviors they need to learn like cleaning up after themselves and regularly getting rid of things they no longer love or use. Visit www.sadecor.co.za for sourcing the ultimate Decor and Design elements

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