4 Keys to getting and staying organized

Many professionals depend on flawless organization for their success. You have to be able to find just what you need without looking— sometimes even in the dark, often in chaotic, time-critical conditions. Why shouldn't you have the advantages of fail-safe organization all the time?

#1 key is to organize for retrieval rather than for storage. Dedicate one drawer for your most frequently needed items, determine what those items are and precisely where they belong and put them there.

Start by arranging your desktop in a way that is comfortable, useful and makes sense to you. Place your frequently used items such as, business cards, staple remover, binder clips (in place of paperclips), tape, and etc. close by. Then implement the same type of system in all your environments, home, office, garage, closet, hobbies etc.

#2 key is standardization. This is one of the things that can make life easier. Make sure you take advantage of your own forms of standardization in your area. ( *A professional organizer may be able to help you determine what forms of standardization best fits your habits and lifestyle.)

#3 key is discipline. Put everything in it's place. When you need your favorite pen or highlighter or staple remover, it will be there for you. The thousands of minutes you may save can amount to days, even weeks over time. Remember: Taking care of the little things can free your mind to work on the big things.

#4 key is not to go overboard. It's good to maintain at least one junk drawer—usually a big one in an out-of-the-way location, where you are free to put things without a thought to organization. Such a catch-all space may help you clean your area and free your mind.