What’s Stopping You From Getting Organized?

Feb 13, 2017

Disorganization. It’s a common problem that afflicts not only our own homes, garages, and basement workshops but also the warehouses, supply rooms and production facilities of businesses large and small. So what is it that keeps us from getting organized in the first place? Here we tackle several of the biggest obstacles to getting organized and offer expert advice on how to finally make it happen.

Eat the Elephant

The popular saying “How do you eat an elephant?.... One bite at a time,” is sage advice for tackling a problem that might seem too big to handle. This is what many of us face when dealing with getting organized. If the mess just seems too big or like it will take forever to finish, starting small is the best way to go. It’s ok to start with the easiest areas first. Making just a little bit of progress will give you encouragement and the confidence to tackle the next area….and then the next…

A Place for Everything…

There is a pretty good chance that a kindly English nanny is not going to float down from the sky and help you reorganize your garage workshop with magic and song (sad, I know). However, there’s no reason you can’t enlist the tools the pros use for getting organized. One of the most effective tools used in industry is the principle of 5S (Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain). The 5S process is a systematic method of starting and maintaining an organized system for your work area. Check out these resources for more info on starting a 5S process. Another great tool the pros use is this handy Room Reorganization Guide for industrial supply rooms.

Almost Made It

When getting organized, you may experience a common affliction near the end of the organization process.  As you’ve neatly hung tools from every inch of pegboard and filled storage drawers until they’re almost overflowing, you realize that there is still a huge pile of unsorted stragglers and you’ve run out of places to put them away.  Your first reaction is start wedging these items into every possible nook and cranny or testing the welds on those cabinet drawers by stuffing just a little bit more in to each one.  Resist the temptation!  Your problem isn’t too little room, but too much stuff. Avoid falling into this trap by de-cluttering before you begin getting organized. If you still find yourself with overloaded storage areas at the end of the process, the best option is to expand. It’s amazing the relief that just one more shelving unit, wall-mounted louvered panel or storage cabinet can provide to an overloaded space.

For More Information on Getting Organized

For tips on getting organized, read our case studies about how Akro-mils products have been used in a wide variety of organization projects Contact your local Akro-Mils distributor if you would like help selecting Akro-Mils products for getting organized at your home or business.

Do you have any recommendations on getting past those obstacles that keep us from getting organized?  Let us know if the comments section below.