Dear Just Be: I want to be more organized in 2010. Do you have any tips?

That is a great resolution, who can’t be more organized? Below are six steps in getting organized and staying organized.

1.) Acknowledge that it isn’t just fancy boxes and devices that will help you become organized and stay organized, but a change in habit. Like many things in life, you have to change your mind set. You won’t succeed if you don’t really want to change.

2.) Make a plan. Write down which area or rooms you want to tackle. In the plan decide what the purpose of that area or room is. Is it to be an office, a sitting/reading area, craft room, etc.

3.) Go into each room/area and jot down what the problem is (a pile of mail, clothes all over the floor) and why it isn’t working. Is it lack of closet space, tools, items that don’t fit the purpose of the area or room? If you are trying to create a relaxing reading room then a video game console or foosball table is not right for that space. Once you have analyzed the problem then develop solutions.

4.) Implement your plan. Don’t bite off too much; just work on a section of a room or area at a time. Trying to tackle too much at a time can be overwhelming and that will more than likely deter you from becoming organized and staying organized. De-clutter the room or space by throwing away or donating items you don’t use. Don’t purchase containers or dividers that are going to be too difficult to use.

5.) Invite people over. Inviting people over to show off your new space or the progress of the new space will motivate you to get organized. Asking a friend or family member to help with organizing a space can also get you motivated with your project. Like a work out buddy, friends and family are great motivators.

6.) Each day or at least once a week take a few minutes and straighten out areas or rooms. If you see mail or clothes piling up go through it or put things away. This may seem like it will take too much time, but it is not nearly as much time as spending half a day or a whole weekend de-cluttering and reorganizing a room or area.

Again, keep in mind that becoming and staying organized is not something that happens over night. It is a change in habit and way of thinking. If you take little steps and approach your plan with a different mind set you will succeed.