MaryAnne Bennie is Australia’s number one professional organiser. She’s been whipping businesses big and small into shape for years and she is regularly sought to speak at conferences and discusses all things organisation with the media.
I can personally vouch for her methods. Paper Flow, which she co-authored, is the reason I can see the surface of my desk! For this I will be eternally grateful.
MaryAnne has returned with a new book, From Stuffed to Sorted: Your Essential Guide to Organising, Room by Room. It’s is a straightforward, no nonsense (and no excuses) guide to organising the main rooms we live in. For us messy folk the very idea is akin to climbing Mt Everest but everything is broken down into such practical steps that getting organised becomes achievable for everyone.
MaryAnne recently had time to share with us her 5 top tips for organising every room of your home:
1. When tackling any organising project, break it down to manageable chunks so you complete lots of small tasks that can be completed around the demands of your family and lifestyle. So don’t start doing the bedroom the day before a party, instead do a general tidy up and maybe organise just one drawer.
2. Be systematic in how you approach your organising. Use a system and follow it regardless of how large or small the current project is. Once you get used to using the system it will come very naturally and you will feel very calm and confident about organising anything.
3. Have your tools ready at all times. There is no point doing an organising job only to waste precious time hunting around for containers, cleaning tools, label maker and the like. Keep your tools together in containers ready for action any time you are.
4. Turn off all distractions, phone, front door, computer and even facebook. Let then wait until you have completed the task at hand. Many an organising task has been totally upset by a rude unnecessary interruption. It’s hard coming back to a half-finished job and getting back into the grove is more difficult than staying in the groove!
5. Set limits on everything you keep, your limits will set you free. You really don’t need huge quantities or varieties of most things. Work out what you need and how much of it will work for you and cull the rest. Less really is more!
From Stuffed to Sorted is available now.
