These methods are only a few in a sea to choose from. If they do not resonate with you, do some research and find a method that does. If you\u2019d like help organizing and standardizing your electronic files (i.e. emails, documents, photos, etc.), Servoss Virtual Services can help! Contact us for a Free consultation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n GTD is a productivity method that was created by David Allen, which he first published in 2001. According to an article on www.lifehacker.com titled \u201cProductivity 101: A Primer of the Getting Things Done (GTD) Philosophy\u201d by Alan Henry, the goal of this method is to \u201cspend less time on things you have to do so you have more time for things you want to do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Capture<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For everything you gathered in Step 1, ask \u201cis this actionable?\u201d If the answer is no, then toss, file or delegate the item. If yes, and the action will take 2 minutes or less, do it! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Collect what has your attention, such as to-dos, projects, and things that need handling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Clarify<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Organize<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For those items that will take longer than 2 minutes to accomplish, place them where they belong for easy retrieval. Use a list system to note what actions need to be taken (i.e. emails to send, calls to make, errands, etc.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Reflect<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Review the lists frequently to be reminded what needs to be done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Engage<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Act with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Created by Marie Kondo and explained by her book, \u201cThe Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,\u201d this method was all the rage a few years ago with the Netflix show \u201cTidying Up.\u201d This method places great importance on mindfulness, introspection and looking forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marie Kondo stated in an interview on www.abcnews.go.com that it is \u201chard to let go because people associate their identity with their possessions.\u201d Her method allows people to keep only those items that spark joy, and to let go of the items that no longer bring joy after thanking them for their service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Commit to Tidying Up<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Set aside time to focus on tidying<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Imagine your Ideal Lifestyle<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Identify the life you want after tidying up. Do you want a more minimalist lifestyle? Do you want more space to get more things? <\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Finish Discarding First<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Remove items that need to be discarded. Do not just store items; get rid of them by recycling, donating or tossing them immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Tidy by Category, not Location<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Gather the same types of items from all the different locations around the house or office (i.e. all magazines or books from the various places they were dropped). When I did this, I found that I had two of the exact same books!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Follow the Right Order<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Clothes, books, papers, miscellaneous, then sentimental items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tidying in this order allows you to practice and perfect your technique as you get closer to cleaning out sentimental items. You will be less likely to waste time reminiscing. It is very difficult to let go of some items because they become part of your identity, even if you no longer use them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n 6. Ask Yourself if Each Item Sparks Joy<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pick up each item and ask yourself if that item sparks joy. If it does not, thank the item for its service and place it in the discard (donate, sell, or toss) pile. If it does spark joy, place the item in the keep pile to be stored neatly later. Remember that you are deciding what to keep, not what to discard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a www.cnbc.com<\/a> article titled \u201cMarie Kondo: How to Organize Your Workspace to be Happier and More Productive<\/a>,\u201d Marie explains that an organized office space results in increased productivity. Offices often have a lot of paper that has \u201cfinished their duty\u201d and can be discarded, either immediately or after digitizing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rather than asking if each item sparks joy, in the workspace, ask if each item contributes to you feeling more positive, and to your efficiency. Again, thank items for their service before discarding. Using the KonMari Method at work \u201crequires a comprehensive review of your priorities,\u201d which is where the magic happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe best way to find out what we really need is to get rid of what we don\u2019t.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nMarie Kondo<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n This process has been around for many years and is summarized by Sarah Aguirre in the article, \u201cConquering Clutter with the 4-Container Method<\/a>\u201d on www.thespruce.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To declutter using this method, you will need 4 containers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Trash<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For items you do not want and those that are not worth donating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Donate\/Sell<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For items that you do not need, but someone else may. This should be the largest container.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Storage<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Items that you cannot part with, but you do not need regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Keep<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This should be the smallest category containing items that you regularly use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The process for this decluttering method is to sort items into the appropriate container room by room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Go through each storage space, closet, dresser, cabinet, etc. and sort the items in each location within the room. Do not stop until that room is completed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Throw out trash immediately, place items for donation in the garage or other location to be delivered. Store the items in the storage container where they are out of the way yet accessible immediately upon completing each room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Each item that will be kept should be given a home quickly and placed there when not in use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t keep items just because you \u201cmight need it someday.\u201d Keeping only those items that you use now will free up space for other possessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is not one method that is right for everyone. Each person must choose the system that works best for them. There is also nothing that says you can\u2019t try more than one method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Easy to Store<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Easy to Find<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Reusable<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, you\u2019ve chosen a method, gone through your home or office, and organized and decluttered everything. Wonderful! You feel really good; you\u2019re proud of your space and you look forward to being productive. But how do you keep that space organized in the future?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are the steps to forming a new habit, as noted in the articles, \u201c7 Steps to Developing a New Habit<\/a>\u201d on briantracy.com<\/a> and \u201cHow to Form a New Habit (in 8 Easy Steps)<\/a>\u201d on developgoodhabits.com<\/a>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. <\/em>Decide what you want to do<\/em><\/strong> and strategize on how to reach those goals. Work on one habit at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Be mindful of your choices.<\/em><\/strong> If you want to form a new daily habit, commit to doing that task every day for 21-30 days. Studies have shown that doing something for at least 21 days helps to ingrain that task into your mind so it becomes second nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Resist temptations and stay on course.<\/em><\/strong> Take small steps, increasing them as you become more familiar. prepare for possible obstacles. These stumbling blocks can include time, pain, weather, space, self-consciousness, and costs. When you know what obstacles may arise, you can better prepare to overcome them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Create accountability<\/em><\/strong> <\/strong>by telling others about your goals. You\u2019re more likely to follow through on goals if you know others are watching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Reward milestones.<\/em><\/strong> <\/strong>Do not forget to celebrate your accomplishments, even the small ones! Positive reinforcement is a great way to remember things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The methods listed above are by no means comprehensive. There are hundreds of styles to choose from! This is but three popular methods right now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Each of these styles requires you to <\/p>\n\n\n\nGetting Things Done (GTD)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Steps of the Getting Things Done Method:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nKonMari Method<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Marie](\"https:\/\/servossvirtualservices.com\/staging\/6081\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/kondo-book.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMarie\u2019s Rules of Tidying<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Using this method at Work<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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4 Bin Method<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/m3HGS_dk2v79O12Yz0Zugza1sPvIO4REZXGwOPFdrmiZIrlWbjjrNCDRB0M_dbzeIuKnDW6fP1Yus31xayTBLzmqkApinq0cd8iehWVd5PtUA-TgczTIqzNVN-lSaDW_vKY_OhI1h4qm0SOP2KOSPg\")
Things to remember<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Choosing a Method<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/servossvirtualservices.com\/staging\/6081\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Pause-Breathe.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nGoals of a good system<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Creating a Habit of Organization<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Create a Habit of Organization!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n