Organizational Systems to Help You Tackle Home and Work Like a Boss

lifelong learning

Organizational Systems to Help You Tackle Home and Work Like a Boss

By Haley Huchler

It’s just a fact: Your days run much smoother when your home and work life are organized. But both things can be hard to achieve, especially on your own. Here are some of the most popular organizational tools and systems to keep your outer and inner spaces calm and collected.

Organization for the Home KonMari™

“Life truly begins only after you have put your house in order.” - Marie Kondo Many people know Marie Kondo and her magical organizational system through her Netflix series, Tidying Up With Marie Kondo. On the show, Kondo helps clients reduce clutter by using her KonMari Method. The main goal of the KonMari Method is to put an end to overflowing possessions by slowing down and choosing to keep only what “sparks joy.” Her method stresses carefully choosing every item you keep in your home. Instead of cleaning and organizing room by room as most people might think to do, Kondo encourages people to tidy by category instead, beginning with clothes, then moving to books, paper, miscellaneous possessions, and finally sentimental items. Each item should be evaluated based on the criteria: Does it spark joy? Kondo says, “Joy is personal, so everyone will experience it differently.” She believes by only allowing items in your home that you truly love, you’ll create an environment that is easy to maintain and brings you happiness. To learn more, visit konmari.com.

Clutterbug®

“Organizing isn’t one size fits all, there are four different organizing types. I call them Clutterbugs.” - Cassandra Aarssen Cassandra Aarssen created the Clutterbug® Organizing Philosophy based on the idea that everyone has different styles of organizing their belongings. Organization is not one size fits all and believing that prevents people from achieving their organizational goals. Aarssen identified four different organizing styles. After taking her online quiz, you will be identified as either a Bee, Ladybug, Cricket or Butterfly. Once you know your type, you can create a personalized plan that works best for your organizational style. On the Clutterbug® website, Aarssen offers a multitude of resources for those wishing to declutter their home, including a course, books, a podcast and free printables. To learn more, visit clutterbug.me.

Organization for Work Getting Things Done®

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” - David Allen David Allen established the personal productivity system Getting Things Done® in 2001 after publishing a book of the same name. The Getting Things Done® methodology begins by encouraging people to “collect what has your attention.” This means to write or record everything that is taking up your attention. Then, break these into actionable steps you can accomplish. The two main pillars of GTD® are control and perspective. Allen suggests that by removing everything from the mind to an external system, one can gain control. Being able to control stress levels brings forth the ability to have a better perspective on life. Allen believes that by gaining control of everyday tasks, individuals will then be able to free up their minds to explore bigger picture goals. To learn more, visit gettingthingsdone.com.

The Pomodoro® Technique

“One day we will be more creative, more productive and yet more relaxed.” - Francesco Cirillo. The Pomodoro® Technique is a time-management method created in the 1980s by Francesco Cirillo. The premise is so simple and versatile that anyone can implement it quickly and easily. The idea is to use a timer to break work in 25-minute intervals, interspersed with 5-minute breaks. The method is called Pomodoro, the Italian word for tomato, because Cirillo used a tomato-shaped kitchen timer when he was a student. The Pomodoro® Technique aims to cut down on distractions. By setting aside 25 minutes specifically for work, you commit to focusing until the 25 minutes is up. Cirillo claims that by using his technique, users can “transform time from being an enemy to being an ally in order to achieve your goals.” To learn more, visit francescocirillo.com/pages/pomodoro-technique. Now you’re armed with options for optimal organization and productivity. Cheers to your best year yet! Haley Huchler is a contributing writer for Prince William Living. Reach her at hhuchler@princewilliamliving.com.