POM Prescription for January: Space Organization

P. Peace of mind for space organization. See january

P pull everything out and define the space
E evaluate and classify
A action keep here keep elsewhere donate toss
C. Contain and display
E everything has a home


E evaluate and classify priorities

Take out a piece of paper or sign up for our newsletter and receive the activity template. Now make the headings personal Home / family work other. Write down all of your priorities and tasks associated with each category. Example under work list out your priorities when it comes to the working you list your job responsibilities and other tasks you perform on a daily weekly monthly yearly basis. Now look at all of the categories and circle the items that you love to do. Now look at what is left on your list. Can you Delegate, Delay, or Delete all together any of these tasks? Place them under the appropriate headings and start focusing on what is important.


A. Action - eliminate unnessary paper and create a method for easy retrieval of paper. 1. Limit what comes into your office in the first place. Remove youself from catelog magazine and credit card mailing lists. You will recieve more information on how to do this by signing up for our newsletter.
2. Create action files by taking your piles and asking yourself if you need the paper and secondly what action needs to happen around this paper. That is how you create the action file appropriate for the paper. Examples. Bills would go into an action file called to pay. Newsletters that you do want to keep would go into a file called to read and so on. Again the objective is to eliminate as much paper as possible to free up your desk space for generating business and being creative. Don't let paper stifle your creativity and success.

C. Calendar and time management

Decide on a calendar system that works best for you and stick to it. Whether it is a handheld electronic device or a day planner the important thing to remember is to limit yourself to one solution that is right for you. Too many calendars creates opportunities for doubling appointments or missing them all together. Now take your list of priorities and schedule them into you calendar. Remember to keep balance in your life by scheduling some activities from each category onto your calendar so that you are sure to have time to do what you love.


E. Establish systems and routines

Create an arriving to work and leaving work routine. Remember to do the least desirable thing first and set your timer for fifteen minutes and before you know it you will be finished with the project that you were most stressed about. Don't give it the head space robbing you of your creative energy. Show up for work with pma positive mental attitude do what needs to be done in the morning to start your day off right. Take a break after a few hours of work to step outside for some. Fresh air.

P – Pull out and define the space

When organizing a space, ask yourself, “What activities will take place in this space?” We call this step “defining the space.” Defining the space is the first step to creating an organized space. You need to determine what you want to do in the space, what you want the space to look like, what you want the space to feel like. Then we take all items out of the defined space. For example: if we are working in the kitchen, we would create a list of the activities that take place in the kitchen, a list of who uses the kitchen and in what capacity, and what we would like the kitchen to look and feel like. Then we remove all of the items off of the counter and break each part of the kitchen into sections, moving around the room until all items are out of their original space.

E – Evaluate and Classify

While we are removing the items, we determine what each item is by evaluating its use and classifying it. For example: in the kitchen we would remove all items from the counter. Most would be classified as small appliances and would be put together (Coffee pot, blender, toaster). As we go through each drawer and cupboard, we may be surprised to find plastic containers or linens in every space. Our job during this step is to put “like” items together. Small appliances, silverware, dishware, utensils, pots and pans, food, paper products, etc.

A – Action

We take action on each item as we are classifying.

Keep Here – These are the items that we keep because their purpose fits the definition of our space. (If you try to keep something that doesn’t fit the definition you need to go back and redefine your space.) This category will be divided up into subcategories depending on the space and its definition.

Keep There – These are items that you want to keep but do not fit your definition for the space. Put these items in a box to be delivered after the initial sorting process. You don’t want to lose your momentum during this process, so please stay in your space and stay focused. When the sorting process is finished, you may deliver your “Keep Elsewhere” items.

Donate – These are items that are in good working order that you do not need or love that someone else could use.

Garbage – These are items that are of no use to anyone. Make sure to use your guidelines for recycle, shred, and trash.

C – Contain and Display

This is the fun part! Now we take the subcategories for the “Keep Here” piles, determine where they will go and how they will be contained or displayed. For example, the client wants her counters clear, so we will need to determine how to contain the small appliances (appliance garage, under the counter that has the outlet, closest to the sink, etc.) 

E – Everything has a home

This is very important when trying to control clutter and create a peaceful environment. To determine where something’s home is, each client needs to answer the questions:

1. How often do I need this item?
2. Where do I use this item?
3. Where will I go looking for it?

By answering these questions, you are more likely to remember where any given item is and won’t have to call me and say, “Where did you put my spatula?” This is what Peace of Mind means when we say that we work with you and your unique learning. Together we create an individualized plan that will work for you and that will be easy to maintain.