The biggest challenge for me when trying to get organized is keeping it organized. I actually love setting up new organizing systems (I have tried about six different systems just for organizing recipes!), but the maintenance is the challenge for me.

I love to see the nicely organized rows in the pantry, with the soups all grouped together and all the noodle boxes facing out… but what happens the next time I go shopping and suddenly there isn’t enough room for the four boxes of macaroni and cheese that were on sale?

And let’s not even talk about what happens when the laundry finally gets folded (and sits in the basket for days instead of being put into the drawers)!

So I’m not going to lecture you with all the “shoulds” about fixing this problem, but I will share some insights that have worked for me.

•  It’s got to be easy to organize. It has to be as easy for me to put something away as it is to leave it lying around.  Let me explain.  If the perfect home for my super-deluxe hot glue gun is at the back of the closet underneath three craft boxes behind my clothes, it will not get put away.  But if all I have to do is open a drawer and drop it in, you bet I’ll put it away.  So my craft area has a bunch of plastic carts with drawers for Open and Drop(TM) Organizing.

• I need rewards for maintenance.  When I do put something away, I want recognition–or at least a little chocolate!  Yes, I know I should just put my stuff away but it sure feels good when someone notices.
• The first home gets remembered.  The first place I put something is what I remember.  Let’s say, for example, I get a permission slip from one of the kids that needs to be returned by next week.  The first place I put that piece of paper is what I will remember…. so if I “just set the paper down for now” and then put it away tomorrow, there’s a good chance I will remember where I first set the paper down but not it’s new home.  This really motivates you to put your stuff away right away (or you’ll never find it back)!

What are some of your tricks and solutions for getting organized and staying that way?   I’d love to hear how you master the challenge of staying organized!