Welcome to the 30-Day Organize-athon!
In our final 5 minutes we’re going to make our second organizing mindset shift.
Inhale clarity, freedom and order…
Day 30: Get Organized Mindset Shift #2: Make It A Habit To Avoid Clutter
Step 1: Decide to adopt this new habit: Include cleaning up as part of every single task.
Whatever you use, take out, or work on, you put away as part of that activity. Completing a task includes whatever is needed to restore order to the space. As a result, you leave everything at least as tidy as you found it.
Here are some examples:
- Having dinner? That includes stacking the dishwasher when you’re done.
- Working on a craft? Returning your craft supplies to their home is part of the project.
- Watching a DVD? Put all remotes, DVDs and cases back where they belong before you move on.
- Getting home from work? Include as ‘getting home’ the acts of hanging up your coat, placing keys on the hall table and putting your purse or briefcase in the study (or wherever they live).
- Wrapping a gift? Replace the sticky tape and gift wrap, and put the gift in a spot that will prompt you to take it to the party.
- Getting ready to go out? Return discarded outfits to the closet and put away make-up, hair products and the hairdryer.
- Waking up? Open blinds and windows, make the bed, and leave the bedroom looking tranquil.
You get the idea.
Step 2: Read over the examples again to check that your mindset has shifted!
And you’re done!
Got an Extra 5 Minutes?
This works for the kids, too. Explain to them the idea that they need to include cleaning up as part of every single task.
- Playing with toys? Playing includes returning every toy to the toy box, bin or drawer where it belongs.
- Changing out of school clothes? That means putting new clothes on and placing old clothes in the hamper or wherever they need to go.
- Doing homework? Return books, pencil cases and school stuff to the backpack as part of the homework. (Bonus: This also avoids the homework-left-at-home drama.)
They’ll likely need several gentle and encouraging reminders, but with your patience and help they’ll soon incorporate this habit into their behavior.
Note: This post is adapted from my article: Home Organization: My Very Best Life-Changing Tip For A Clutter-Free Home.
Wow – 30 days of decluttering, organizing and mindset shifting. How awesome are you!
Organize-athon FAQs
I’ve put together a special 30-Day Organize-athon | Getting And Staying Organized Q & A post.
Leave Your Comment Below
Please leave your comment below to say you’ve completed today’s task.
And guess what? I’ll see you tomorrow for a surprise bonus task! Don’t worry – it’s not hard and it will make you feel so good. 
[Image by aussiegall]
Completed and posted all 30 days of organizing tasks. I really enjoyed the journey. Great 2 tasks to end with. We should be able to keep much more order in our home thanks to the 30 days of tips. Thanks so much for offering this to all.
This is probably my absolute biggest hurdle. I’m going to try to keep on this mindset!
tTHanks
Also, I have faithfully completed all 30 tasks and am sad to see this end! I’d like a five minute task from you every day of the year!
I love this and do hope to be even better with it. You hit the nail on the head here with the kids. That’s where I need to focus my efforts!
Completed all 30 tasks in 30 days. Thank you for this challenge, I have really enjoyed getting up each morning and finding the days’ assignment. Think I am going to try the 52 missions. Thanks again!
Yes, I’ve completed all missions, all 30 days. I’m bummed that it’s over, but I’ve changed so much in this short month because these were all do-able, not overwhelming and I could SEE the changes, which is motivating and encouraging.
I’ve started the Oi5, so will continue to keep up my good work, thanks to you.
And, oh, yes, my mindset is indeed shifting. I will hopefully keep up this momentum.
Thanks, again, for offering this free of charge; it was invaluable.
Some days were more difficult but I am really glad that I stuck with it and I will continue to do so 🙂
Thank you for the reminder & this 30 day challenge! Where can I check to see if I have completed all days?
I’m so happy I stuck with it! What a difference these small tasks have made in my home! Thank you Michelle!
I have truly enjoyed performing each of these tasks, thank you for making it so simple. A lot can be accomplished in 5 minutes at a time! What a quick 30 days!
Have had a great time working through each 5 minute challenge – and completed them all! Hopefully I’ll be able to work on this last one forever! Thanks so much for the tips, incentives and encouragement to take little steps each day to achieve a wonderful goal.
Thank you for helping me create my sanctuary … I have kept each email in a folder so I can continue the 30 steps every month
I think this task (rather, not doing this task) has been my family’s main mess maker. This one is going to be HUGE to implement but going to be soooooo worth it.
This 1 task would mean that our whole house would be 90% tidy 100% of the time.
I have done each challenge (or a substitute if needed) and have commented on each days post. I am going to miss this challenge but also reading everyones positive comments daily. Reading 100 + positive posts every day sure has been inpiring and uplifting.
Thanks for letting me share my pics too. It has been nice to feel proud about my domestic skills, even if they are only just begining to bloom ♥
I didn’t post yesterday, but i’ve been on the journey 1 through 30, my house and life are organized and not so dirty! My husband not only noticed, but joined in too – we’ve got better habits thanks to you!
This change in mindset will mean that I have to start leaving time between activities to do the clean up portion rather than quickly moving from one thing to the next leaving a whirlwind of clutter behind. I can do this.
I’ve done all 30 tasks, and my home is looking so much better.
Don’t mean to post twice, but I made it all the way through 1 through 30….
I can’t believe I made it through all 30 days!!! Avoiding clutter habit….and I love that so much can be done with 5 minutes!!!!
This is probably my absolute biggest hurdle. I’m going to try to keep on this mindset!
This was a great project to have this month, especially since I’m traveling (today) and hate coming back to a mess!
Cool – end of the month and I am still here!
A post for each daily task too. It’s been a while since I had such focus!
I am beginning to learn the value of little bites often, as you say Michele, do it and then clean it up. I will consider this one done.
See you tomorrow for the bonus 🙂
I include putting things away sometimes (but not often enough!) so will have to work on this. I’m going to put 1 note up in the kitchen & 1 in the bedroom to help keep me going until this becomes a habit.
Michelle, I would like to thank you again for motivating me to do something I didnt think I could or would stick to. I have enjoyed the journey and am a bit sad it has finished.
i have completed all challengesa from day 1 to 30 ( and my house and outlook are looking much better) 🙂