My Top 10 Organizing Tools

My Top 10 Organizing Tools

Here are my top 10 organizing tools for the trade. Everyone needs these to get and stay organized.

  1. A planner or calendar – It doesn’t matter whether you use a paper-based or electronic calendar; everyone needs one.
  2. A to-do list – Paper or electronic work well. You can use what works best for you.
  3. A file cabinet – Everyone needs to keep some paper. Make it simple.
  4. A bill-paying system – Stay on time and up to date.
  5.  A timer – It will help you focus on the task at hand.
  6. Matching hangers – Keeps clothes oh-so organized in your closet.
  7. A hamper – Everyone needs a home for their dirty clothes.
  8. A grocery and menu plan – Make this daily task easier with a customized system.
  9. Cooperation from all family members – Get everyone on board!
  10. Advice from an expert – If you want to improve what you are doing now.

 

NAPOBasic Organization is your organizer in Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia. We provide organizing services for families, busy professionals, seniors, and home-based business owners. Our passion is helping people achieve peace and simplicity in their lives by organizing their homes, routines, and lifestyles. Let our team help you regain control of your environment by organizing your living and storage areas. We work in all areas of your home, including the garage, kitchen, basement, office, bedrooms, and closets.

Our experienced home organizing team members are affiliated with the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO). We prioritize education to stay ahead of trends and provide better service for our clients.

NAPO-WDC awarded Janet the 2023 NAPO-WDC Organizer of the Year. She supports the organization within the community and other businesses.

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Janet Schiesl

Janet Schiesl

Janet has been organizing since 2005. She is a Certified Professional Organizer and the owner of Basic Organization.

She loves using her background as a space planner to challenge her clients to look at their space differently. She leads the team in large projects and works one-on-one with clients to help the process move quickly and comfortably. Call her crazy, but she loves to work with paper, to purge what is not needed and to create filing systems that work for each individual client.

Janet is a Past Board Member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals and a Past President of the Washington DC Chapter of NAPO were she has been named Organizer of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

Janet Schiesl

Janet Schiesl

Janet has been organizing since 2005. She is a Certified Professional Organizer and the owner of Basic Organization.

She loves using her background as a space planner to challenge her clients to look at their space differently. She leads the team in large projects and works one-on-one with clients to help the process move quickly and comfortably. Call her crazy, but she loves to work with paper, to purge what is not needed and to create filing systems that work for each individual client.

Janet is a Past Board Member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals and a Past President of the Washington DC Chapter of NAPO were she has been named Organizer of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

14 Comments

  1. Linda Samuels on December 2, 2024 at 7:24 am

    What a great list! At first I thought you were going to focus exclusively on organizing products. While you did include several recommendations, you also included system-based essentials. I like how well-rounded your suggestions were.

    • Janet Schiesl on December 2, 2024 at 8:37 am

      Thanks Linda. I come across many people who think that products will get them organized and we both know you can get more organized with systems that work.

  2. Janet Barclay on December 2, 2024 at 8:47 am

    I have all of these except the matching hangers. I think I did have that once upon a time, but since then new ones have been added and they are a bit of a mess.

    • Janet Schiesl on December 2, 2024 at 9:16 am

      I think matching hangers make an aesthetic difference but also they are much more efficient.

  3. Diane N Quintana on December 2, 2024 at 8:58 am

    I use most of your tips. When I need new hangers I buy the slimline ones to match what I already have. I used to meal plan but now it’s just as easy for me to grocery shop for a couple of meals at a time – depending on how busy I am that week. I agree with Linda’s comment – it’s all about using systems that work for you and the way you live your life.

    • Janet Schiesl on December 2, 2024 at 9:17 am

      I agree Diane. Small changes in your systems can make a big difference. Changing one small thing and mastering that before moving on to the next change.

  4. Sabrina Quairoli on December 2, 2024 at 9:47 am

    I love this list of organizing tools! Great job! It’s important to know that if any of these areas are lacking, there are ways to get help, and professionals like you and me can quickly and easily get them started on the right foot.

    Most of my bills are electronic now, but a few bills still come in paper, and I pay electronically. So, having a monthly paper binder for bills works nicely since we do bills twice a month, and these papers have a home when I need them. It also helps when there are reminders for yearly tasks, like registering the car with the state. This gives us a heads-up that this unique annual bill will be coming in.

    • Janet Schiesl on December 2, 2024 at 10:03 am

      My list is just a suggestion. Choose what you want to work on.

  5. Florena on December 2, 2024 at 10:54 am

    Oohhhh, great list! I think all organizers who are starting in the industry or who even ones who have been in the industry for a long time could benefit from this article!

  6. Seana Turner on December 2, 2024 at 2:01 pm

    Great List! I love all of these.

    My planner is definitely top of the list, both for my calendar and tasks. The matching hangers do make a big difference. I’m slowly converting my client to one type. It makes me smile!

    I do also love the clear, mix and match drawer organizers. They come in so handy for desk drawers.

    • Janet Schiesl on December 2, 2024 at 2:29 pm

      Seana, I’m with you. I live and die by my calendar and task list. They keep me organized.

  7. Julie Bestry on December 2, 2024 at 4:40 pm

    What a nifty list. Most of my favorite tools would be the same except for #8. I rarely cook, and I always buy the same things for breakfast and lunch, so I never even have to think about shopping, and I don’t do a meal plan (because, again, I don’t cook). But I couldn’t live without my planner, my financial system, my filing set-up, and wow, do I love timers!

    As an organizing expert, I know that sometimes I can get in my own way, so even #10 is key, and I’m always getting support and body-doubling from my fellow professional organizers. Your list of faves is close to my own. Two things I’d add for my own needs: Command-brand hooks on the back of the front door, bathroom doors, laundry door, etc., and a label maker. I love being having neat, uniform labels for everything!

    • Janet Schiesl on December 3, 2024 at 6:17 am

      Julie, I forgot my label maker! I do love mine.
      I joined a group that meets twice a week over Zoom for a “Power Hour.” We set aside time to get things done, so it’s kind of like body doubling. I usually work on something I’ve been putting off or a big project that I can move forward one hour at a time. It’s very motivating.

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