IT'S ALL ABOUT THE RULES!
Creating rules can help you meet
your organizational goals.
Rules help because you don't have to stop to think about how to handle a situation because you've already decided what to do when it arises. In other words, rules allow you to take the guesswork out of how and when you will get things done. Below are examples of rules to help you meet your goals for organization in a variety of areas.
Bill Paying
Some people tell me they pay their bills only when they get a sinking feeling that something is overdue or when they start seeing cancellation notices! It's really helpful to set a rule for when you will pay bills. For example, pay bills as they arrive, or on the 15th and the 30th of the month, or set up bills to be automatically deducted from your checking account or charged to your credit card.
Note: Whenever possible, pays bills online - it's a huge time saver!
Screen Time
For many people, surfing the net, checking Facebook, and playing computer games drains a lot of time. If you spend more time on these activities than you mean to, you may want to create a rule that you will limit your computer leisure time to a particular timeframe or circumstance. For example, you could decide that you will spend leisure time on the computer only from 7:00 - 8:00 pm., on the weekends, or only after your work is completed.
Putting Things Away
Wouldn't it be nice if everyone in your family immediately put things away after using? I've never been in anyone's home (including mine) where that happens. Clutter can build up quickly so use rules to keep things in place. Here are some ideas for rules to help you keep your home in order:
Spend 20 minutes putting things back in place every morning (and/or at the end of the day), set a timer for 5 minutes every night before bedtime and have kids put their toys away, hang up clothes in bedroom every morning before work (or before bedtime or after work, etc.), designate a time over the weekend where everyone works together putting things away.
Newspapers/ Magazines/ Catalogs
For some people, getting rid of magazines, catalogs and newspapers can be difficult even when they are not current. Setting a rule for when to recycle these items avoids having them build up in your home. For example, you may want to set a rule to recycle newspapers if they are over 2 days old, magazines if they are over 2 months old and catalogs immediately, unless you are ready to buy.
Clothes Shopping
Is your clothes closet full but you can't find anything to wear? If so, try setting a rule that you only go shopping for new clothes after you omit from your wardrobe the clothes that don't fit, that you don't like or that you know you won't wear.
Paper Work

Paperwork is a necessary activity but one that many people put off. I strongly recommend setting a regular time(s) each week to sit down and do it. Pick times when you know you will be available and have the least amount of distractions. Write it in on your calendar, treating it like any other appointment that you wouldn't think of missing.
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