Real Solutions For Living...5 Quick Organizing Tricks

Whether you lack the time, energy, or desire to do much organizing, these quick tricks will make a difference when you know something needs to be done.

1. Stash the trash. Go around your office or home, room by room, with trash bag in hand. Quickly grab any trash in sight. Just clearing the trash can make things fresher.

2. Clear the way. Remove all items on every surface that don't belong in any particular room of your choice. Take a quick minute or two to return these items to where they belong.

3. Lose the losers. Open a coat closet and remove three items that are total losers - you no longer love them, use them, or need them. In a clothes closet remove eight items. If these items are in good shape, donate to a charity.

4. Play detective. Your mission is to go to your pantry, refrigerator and freezer. You are to search for any and all foreign items no longer resembling anything edible or past its "Best if used by" date. Destroy all evidence upon contact.

5. Take five. Set your timer for five minutes and start organizing one shelf, one basket, one drawer, one surface, or one pile. Begin by pulling out as many items as you can that are not worth, nor deserve, your time and attention - you no longer use, need, love, or want these items. Next, pull out all of the definite "keepers" - items you treasure, love, use, or need. Continue setting the timer for five minute intervals every so often until you have sorted through an entire bookcase, cabinet, desk, and so forth. See what you can do in five minutes!

Happy organizing!