Organization 101

[jodi]

New idea here...I'm spending this week trying to get as organized as possible before summer really kicks in and I'm outside all day. Anyone want to join in? Everyday I (or someone) will post a task to be done during the next day. Anyone can post to state their progress, how long it took, anything interesting that's relevant to the project. Each project can be anywhere from 5 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the magnitude. Examples: file paperwork, clean out a closet, dust one room, balance your checkbook. etc. Kind of a flylady thing, but without all the annoying e-mails. New tasks can be posted after 8 pm but before 8 am the next morning. Anyone can add a task, but only one per day (let's not overwhelm anyone here).

The task for Monday, 5/28 is to clean off your desk. Could be a workspace, computer desk, whatever - just get it clean. Dust it too while you're at it. This task should take about 10 minutes for me, but it might take more or less time for anyone else. Post when you're done.

Ready, set, GO!

[jodi]

Alright, done. That wasn't so bad.

The weirdest thing I found on the computer desk? A socket wrench. My boys have a tendency to carry around any tool they happen to come across and then leave them in weird places.
The handiest thing I found? My cell phone bill, which reminded me that I still have to pay it, which I am going to do right now.

'Night all.

[mom-from-missouri]

i'm in!!!
I get a daily email from a home school website that tells me what 15 minute chore to do each day. Then, it gives you a back up chore to do incase it doesn't apply to you.
I cleaned off my desk yesterday, per the website, (and found some $$)so today I will wipe down the bathrooms in its place. I find I can easily do several 15 minute jobs if I space them out through out the day.
The website states if it is a bigger job, just spend 15 minutes a day on it till its done.
For me though, the modivation factor has to kick in. I may not do it unless you tell me to do it!!! So please, tell me to do it!

[MonkeyMama]

Funny because I was just doing this anyway. Is taking a good 1/2 hour as I haven't filed anything since about December. In fact, surprised how quick I got through it. Desk is clean - I was too lazy to do more manual labor though the house needs a good scrub.

[JanH]

I'm looking around at my desk and realizing that I definitely need to do this task. I'm going to try to tackle it a little at a time today!

[jodi]

Ok, now we need a task for tomorrow. Let's make it a short one since it's back to work for many.
Tuesday's task: Attack a pile of papers. Could be newspaper, bills, filing, etc. but get it out of the way. I am choosing my"file pile", where all my statements, paystubs, etc. go until I get time to file them. My file pile is getting big, so I am going to tame it. What papers can you rid yourself of?

[jodi]

What, no takers? Oh well, it's good for me to set goals for myself. Tomorrow I am going to weed out the medicine cabinet and get rid of anything I don't need, anything outdated, etc.

My file pile went very quickly - only about 5 minutes to put everything in it's place.

[JanH]

I wasn't home much today, so tomorrow I'll try to catch up. The pile of papers tomorrow will be the shred pile. Then the medicine drawer!

[JanH]

okay, my shredder jammed again. rats. I'll try to catch up tomorrow on the paper one. shouldn't take long if my shredder would just work right. Hopefully, less than 15 minutes.

[jodi]

Ack! I forgot to sort out the medicine cabinet. I'll get to it tonight.

My task for today - catch up the checkbook. I log on everyday, sometimes several times a day - to check my bank account, so I always know what is in there...but writing it down is sometimes another story. I think I'm a few weeks behind now. I will catch it up today. Anyone else?

[tinapbeana]

checkbook: woohoo, just did that yesterday!

[JanH]

Got the shredder working and most of the shredding done. Been working on the medicine drawer and will try to finish it up. The checkbook register I'll start on tomorrow. Seems good timing since it is the first of June. I've been real lax on that lately and I'll start fresh. I used to be so precise...sheesh.

[jodi]

Ok, I'm behind already in tasks...I ran out of room in my checkbook register and can't find my new one, so I'll have to get to the bank to get a few. Then I will catch it up. I've got the medicine cabinet half done - it will be finished before I go to bed tonight.

The task for today, (which I neglected to assign this morning): Go through your e-mail inbox and clean it up. I went from 125 messages to 74. It's a start, at least. I'll have to pare it down further when I get another chance.

Task for Saturday: Empty those garbage cans. I've been staring at the one in the office for days now overflowing with junk mail. Tomorrow, I will get a big garbage bag and make a run around the house. Not exactly an organizational task, but it sure will make me feel better.

If anyone wants to chose the next task, feel free!

[JanH]

I was wondering about cleaning out under the kitchen sink. I used to do it at least once a year. Now, I'm not sure what's under there!

[JanH]

Dumped all the trash cans including the laundry one and the shredder. Going to clean out under the kitchen sink as my next task......