There are hundreds of excellent articles on how to organize, and you no doubt have quite a few useful books. But have any given you one of the strongest tools to use when you want to organize something? Have you learned How To Organize? Sounds like an odd question, doesn't it?

Everyone's home, their personal taste and style, and how they literally live their lives is unique. Those things really need to be taken into consideration if the person has any chance at maintaining a change. Not because that person is lazy or is too busy, but simply because how we organize things and places needs to reflect the type of people we are and what we want out of that thing/space.

What we're after when we organize an area of our home or office is to make something the way we personally want it for the way we live or work there, and what we think is beautiful, peaceful and productive. For each of us, this is a different answer, and once we know that answer, the rest really does fall into place. Then we take it just one step at a time.

NOT JUST A MENTAL SWITCH

How many times have you heard, "Set your mind to it and just do it" Doesn't that make it sound like you can turn that desire & knowledge on and off in your brain like a light switch. Just looking into our minds, finding the right mental switch, (among how many?) and turning it on (exactly how is that done in a purely mental, non-physical way?) doesn't work for most of us. We need something a little more concrete.

There is one thing you can do, however, that will ensure almost every effort at organizing a space in your home and/or office has a successful outcome. And, if you are in the middle of a project and have lost your way, this one thing can help you find focus again and point you in the right direction.

What is this one thing? It's a Road Map, and I'll show you how to make one.

START WITH A ROAD MAP - HERE'S HOW

Before you start physically moving anything, take a few minutes to think about two things. This will by your compass. It will keep you on track when you lose focus later on, (notice I said when, not if) and will ensure that your space is easy and more natural for you to maintain later on.

You are going to write down all the good, and all the bad about this closet. You'll also include any emotions you feel as you write these things down. Why? Because later you are going to be in the middle of a project you may be tired of, and struggling through, and you'll want to get it done as soon as possible. In that state of mind you may very well forget what you envisioned as the outcome for this job will be sorely tempted to wrap it up prematurely, leaving you with a space that still doesn't suit you, will continue to frustrate you, and will make it back on your "to-do" list in no time at all.

You want a space that doesn't frustrate you and even better, is actually enjoyable. Is that even possible? Absolutely! And this is how you get it! So, go on and grab that pen and paper and let's get writing. It will only take a few minutes. We're going to start with clearing all the clutter out of your head and I'll use the example of a closet for you to follow along with.

THE BAD

What is it that you don't like about this closet? Its location? Its size? Tripping over shoes every time you need something from it? Write down everything you can think of and, yes, include emotions if you have them.

Why the bad emotions? Well, later when you are trying to make choices (for example, putting your shoes in shoes boxes and stacking them, versus hanging a behind-the-door shoe holder to put them in) you'll have personal proof as to which one supports peace in your life, and you'll have the confidence to not go the cheap route if one way costs a little more than the other. When you are tempted to cut a corner, or not spend just a few extra bucks on yourself for your peace of mind, this will give you strength and confidence to make the right choice for you - the choice that considers who you are, how you live your life and how these things make you feel.

Remember, material things are just material things. It's how we use them that will create harmony or frustration in our lives.

Now, go back over your bad list and circle, underline, or somehow indicate what you absolutely do not want to see in, or about, this closet when you are done organizing it. This is very important. Mark those things with "out" or something like a big red check mark.

What you are doing is separating your bad list into what you can and cannot live with. Most of us don't get everything we want and we are reasonable about that and willing to compromise. Just know what means the most to you before you start.

If you want to cross over to enjoying this space, you have to identify the absolute "outs" and put some effort in to removing them. If something isn't an active part of your life, has no possible use for its present location, and isn't something beautiful that you just like looking at, remove it. Put the otherwise treasured items in longer term storage or a place better suited for them (attic, basement, a different closet, garage). Of course, if something meets the criteria above, and its presence honestly doesn't bother you, then leave it. We are catering to your personality here, so do what makes the difference for you.

THE GOOD

Now you get to write the good stuff. What do you like about this closet? It's location? It's shape and roominess? That you can grab things on the way out the front door, or as you pass through to another room? What do you want to keep about this space?

After you have identified everything you like, then add all the good things you would like to be able to say about this closet (like a wish list). For example, "I want to be able to find the exact thing I am looking for when I come to this closet." "I want to be able to grab my shoes and go, not search forever through a pile on the floor." "I want to see all my choices for (xyz) and not have to sort through boxes." "I want my shoes in boxes so I never have to clean the dust off them."

Just keep envisioning the closet, and writing, until you are done. When you can't think of anything more for a few seconds, don't force it, you're done. Later, though, if another "good" or "bad" comes to you, go ahead and add it to your list.

YOUR ROAD MAP - Let's Get Started.

Now you have a road map! Really, that's it. I bet you have all sorts of ideas now as to what you want to do with that closet and how you are going to set it up. You are now ready to dig in. Where do you start? Anywhere you like!

It is often easier if you give yourself some room to work, so removing all the "out" items on your bad list is a good place to begin. You can place the items on the opposite side of the room or walk them right on over their new homes. There is no exact order, or right/wrong, with this. Then, you might take some time to clear out any trash that has accumulated, or anything you would like to donate.

When you are left with those things that are going to remain the closet, it is time to decide how they will remain there. There are hundreds of options to store your material things in closets and this is where your good and bad list comes in! You are going to change the bad things into good things.

Just pick one thing, or a related group of things (like hats, or hair products) from your space and start there. Just concentrate on that one item, or group of items, until you are pleased with the outcome and then move on.

Let's use the example of shoes. Every now and then I straighten my shoes at the bottom of the closet, but they always end up in a big pile that eventually spills out and sometimes even prevents me from closing the closet door. Alright, obviously for me, keeping my shoes straight on the floor isn't working, but I definitely want my shoes in this closet.

There are all sorts of products that will help me create an arrangement that works for me. And that doesn't mean I have to spend a lot of or any money! If a left over box in the corner of another closet will work for me, I'm going to use it!

Let's switch back to you and say this is your dilemma - how to better arrange your shoes in a closet. Well, if you don't mind rummaging through a pile of shoes, you just hate it when they spill out of the closet - then go for a spare box and call it done! You've gotten rid of your frustration and kept the shoes in the closet where you want them.

However, if rummaging through a pile of shoes is part of your frustration, and you don't want to prematurely cause wear and tear on them, then that won't work and you'll want another option. Shoe boxes? Great! An over the door hanger? Super! Built in, or portable, shelves? Get them.

How to decide? Close your eyes. Picture yourself walking over the closet, opening the door, and grabbing a pair of shoes. What do you see? Try and "see" the shoes set up one way, and then another, and then another; and which of those ways do you see yourself using well, and actually appreciating? If you can name one - that is your answer!

Does that answer cost a little more than the other options? Don't go cheaper just for the sake of money! But you still have some options here in deciding whether something less expensive would still make you happy.

Take a look at your bad list. Is there anything on this list or in the emotions written there, that getting any of the cheaper products would cause? If not, then by all means if your budget is tight, or you just value being frugal (great attribute by the way!) then you might choose a less expensive, second or third choice. But, if you can "see" how you would interact with one of the lesser expensive items, and it isn't pretty - don't go there. It isn't worth it!

Do you see how, by holding each possible solution up to your good and bad list, you'll end up with a closet that you can actually enjoy and is easier for you to maintain?

Your job now is to go through the items in the closet one by one and decide the following:

Is this how I want to see and interact with this item when I come to this closet? If it is, great! Move on.

If it isn't, consider if you already have something else in your home that could work for you, (sometimes I take a walk around my home or office and try to envision other things that are already in use in a new way, especially when the budget is tight.) If there isn't, see what is out there in our big, big world. Think outside of the box. Almost all items sold for organizing and storage can be used for many different purposes. While you are looking around, envision what you want to see when you go to that closet searching for something that you'll store in it. You can find great closet storage ideas in an office supply store. There is no rule that says you can only use a file tray for your desk top, or a show box for shoes. The only limit is your own imagination.

If you ever get to a point where you are lost and don't know what to do next, first take a step back and admire how far you've already come. Then, take a look at your good and bad list again and that will tell you what still isn't done - keep removing the frustrations, replacing them with what matches what you want.

Take as long as you like to organize your closet. If you know what would really work for you, and you can't afford it right now, save up for it. Either wait to complete the job, or do everything else except this one part. Or, decide on somewhere in between.

You are changing more than just things behind a door. You are removing frustrations and adding more peace to your life! Make it yours and have fun with it!