TABLE OF CONTENTS
BEFORE WE BEGIN
Why Disorganization Prevails
Why This Book Was Written
Getting the Most from this Book
Looking Forward
Chapter One – UNDERSTANDING ORGANIZATION
Why Organizing and Systems Matter
Systems Criteria
Typical Home Functions
EXERCISE: My Organizing Concerns
Chapter Two – SYSTEMS FOR DAILY LIFE
How Functions Identify Systems Needs
Bathing
Cleaning
Clothing and Laundry
Cooking
Communications
Expressing Creativity
Managing Belongings
Managing Career / Work
Managing Health and Well-being
Exercise
Medications
Mental Health
Nutrition
Managing Learning
Managing Outings
Play
Relaxation
Shopping
Sleep
The Secrets of Creating Systems
Creating Fail-Safes
EXERCISE: My Essential Systems
Chapter Three – UNDERSTANDING CLUTTER
What is Clutter
How Clutter Happens
Dealing with the Influx
Creating Harmony
Evaluating Value
Strategies for Changing Cluttering Behaviors
Understanding Decision-making
Anatomy of a Decision
Strategies for Improving Decision-making
Pro’s and Con’s Analysis
Feature Comparisons
Study Reports
Impacts Analysis
Scenarios
Understanding Decision-making
Methods of Analysis
Strategies for Making Decisions Easier
Tools for Change
Difference between Clutter and Hoarding
Organizing Supplies and Resources
Support for Organizing
EXERCISES: Belongings Priority Assessment
Item Homes
Where Do I Have Clutter?
Chapter Four – ORGANIZING YOUR SPACE
Designating Functions
Organizing Steps
Defining Use
Organizing Skills and Techniques
Where to Begin
Universal Principles for Organizing Any Area
Decide What to Keep and What to Discard
Creating Categories for Organizing
EXERCISE: What Functions Belong Here
Chapter Five – ORGANIZING ESSENTIAL ITEMS
Understanding Information
Controlling the Information Avalanche
Organizing Information
Organizing Paper
Organizing Digital Information
Organizing Books
EXERCISE: Information Systems Organizing Plan
Chapter Six – USING STORAGE WELL
Understanding Storage
Types of Storage
Optimal Storage for Specific Items
Resources
Storage for Tight Spaces
EXERCISE: Optimizing My Storage
Chapter Seven – USING TIME WISELY
Time Management Essentials
Values
Identifying Priorities
Balancing Priorities
Planning
Goals
Objectives
Action Plans
Juggling Competing Demands
EXERCISES: My Time Management Improvement Needs
What Matters – Values and Priorities
What Do I Really Want – My Goals Plan
Getting What I Want – Objectives for Achieving Goals
Making It Real – Identifying Action Steps
Constant Progress – Implementation Plan
Overcoming Obstacles Plan
Chapter Eight – TIME MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES AND SKILLS
Calendars, Planners, and Scheduling
Managing To-Do’s
Multi-tasking
Staying on Track
Making Things Easier
Interruptions
Crisis Prevention
EXERCISE: Time management Techniques Choices
Chapter Nine – USING MONEY WELL
Money Management Essentials
Making the Best of the Present
Budgets
Cash Flow
Banking
Managing Credit
Scams, Identity Theft and Security
Cleaning Up the Past
Planning for the Future
EXERCISE: My Budget
Chapter Ten – OVERCOMING BARRIERS
Understanding Barriers and Procrastination
Approaches to Changing Procrastination
Transforming the Emotional Roots of Procrastination
Organizing Yourself for Organizing
Stress Prevention
EXERCISE: Pain vs. Pleasure Analysis
Benefits Of Overcoming Procrastination
My Behavioral Engineering Plan
Chapter Eleven – KEEPING YOUR GAINS
Change and Structure
Maintaining Order
Trouble-shooting
EXERCISE: My Daily Structure Plan
My Organizing Accomplishments