Clean out your wallet. Cut up expired credit cards. Remove and discard receipts you no longer need. Remove coins (they're heavy) and add them to a piggy bank.

Having an organized household will allow you to spend more quality time with your family. Here are some ways to motivate your family towards that goal.

1) Set the example. Make sure that you get organized before you expect everyone else in your family to become organized. Children follow closely what their parents do and say, so make organizing a normal routine around your home. Setting the example of personal responsibility early will give them a foundation for life.

2) Set clear and reasonable expectations. A good reminder for everyone is to write down each chore and what it entails. Also include the supplies needed for each chore and where the supplies are located. Keep this information in a binder or folder in an easily accessible area of your home. Give your child the appropriate chores for his/her age and capability. For example, do not expect children who are too young to participate in heavy cleaning and organizing. Do not give small children jobs that are out of their reach and are not accessible (i.e. high shelves). One idea is to give the list of chores to the children and have them work together to divide them up. Of course, you would supervise and moderate the discussion. In addition, make sure to teach your children how to do the chores before they start doing them. Demonstrating the skills you want your children to learn and perform is important.

3) Homework needs to be included in the conversation when discussing chores. The type and amount of homework each child is responsible for should dictate the amount of chores that child performs. Create a balance of chores and homework so the child is not overwhelmed.

4) Create a chore chart. A chore chart is an excellent visual tool to remind everyone of their chores and it shows everyone how they are progressing. Gather each family member's input and it becomes a family responsibility. Everyone then knows they play a part in the outcome. There are a variety of ways to create a chore chart. One easy and fun way for children is a sticker system. Post all chores on a board. Then every time a task is completed, the child gets a sticker. Another easy and reusable option is a magnetic board.

5) Set up a reward system. Just as children will have paychecks for motivation to do a good job when they are grown up, rewards for helping to organize the family home are a good motivator. An allowance is a very common reward. On the other hand, you can find out what other types of rewards motivate your children. For example, if your child enjoys video games and he gets his chores done for the week, he can get an extra half-hour of video games on the weekend. If everyone gets their chores done, celebrate with a pizza party or a movie. And do not forget to reiterate the obvious rewards of having an organized home by making the end result of their hard work visible in their minds.

6) Make organizing fun. Turn on upbeat music that everyone enjoys listening to during chores. Turn chores into a game. Having kids toss their clothes in the hamper like they are playing basketball is one idea. Seeing who can put away the most toys is another. Consider setting a timer and making it a race. This will create a burst of energy to beat the buzzer.

7) Keep it interesting. As children get older and more skilled in completing chores around the house, they will usually want different or more challenging things to do. Make sure to change the routine and the rewards as time progresses. For example, once your pre-teen has mastered the task of sorting laundry, consider whether she is ready to begin actually doing the laundry herself. Gather their input and ideas and incorporate them into the routine.

8) Determine where family members are already organized and build upon their strengths. Even though your child's room may be a major mess, he may be good at getting his homework done on time or having his sports cards all in order. Focus on these aspects of organization he is already good at and encourage him to apply those skills towards his chores.

9) Make sure to get on the same page as your spouse. Nothing is worse that being inconsistent with the children with mom saying one thing and dad saying another. Discuss the chores with your spouse beforehand and agree on the rules and guidelines. This will eliminate any frustration and resistance on your child's part when chores are being done.

P.S. If you allow it, the 'clutter monster' will take over your home and your life. Take back control and say goodbye to your clutter today. Goodbye Clutter!

"Hi Maria, Ever since I began receiving your GON in 5 Minutes Ezine, I have been so much more organized, and so has my family. It helps keep all of us on track."
-- Jacqueline M., Dayton, OH

"Hi Maria, No matter how short or long each newsletter issue is, I always benefit from it greatly. My house has never been so organized!"
-- Jenna Kelham

"Your GON in 5 Minutes newsletter is a constant reminder to stay on track. I appreciate each and every issue!"
-- Michael Fillmore


I'd really love to know your thoughts about GON in Five Minutes! Just hit Reply and let me know.

-- Thanks! Maria

To fast-forward to getting organized today, visit:

getorganizednow.com/rd-ifo.html

No matter what your organizing challenges are, they are all causing UNHAPPINESS, STRESS, EXHAUSTION, OVERWHELM, and FRUSTRATION...and those are five things you definitely don't need in your life.

I have the perfect solution for any organizing challenge you're dealing with, and it will help you get permanently and automatically organized.

It's called my 'I'm Finally Organized Toolkit' and it includes literally EVERYTHING you need to get organized now!

I know you want to get started on your organizing journey, and I'm excited to help you begin as quickly as possible. In light of this, when you get your hands on my I'm Finally Organized Toolkit BEFORE FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 11:59 PM, you'll get a whole bunch of amazing, COMPLIMENTARY BONUSES!

For details...visit:

getorganizednow.com/rd-ifo.html

___ 1. Do today's task on my March Monthly Organizing Checklist. The March 22 TO DO focuses on windows. Visit GetOrganizedNow.com to access my March Monthly Organizing Checklist.

___ 2. Back up your computer. If it has been awhile, be sure you're backing up your computer regularly so you don't lose important files and photos if it crashes or catches a virus. Visit GetOrganizedNow.com to read my Organizing and Technology article, 5 digital chores you should be doing daily

___ 3. Clean your mailbox. Check your home's outdoor mailbox for cobwebs, dust, and dirt. If necessary, clean it.

'The cruel irony of housework: people only notice when you don't do it.'
-- Danielle Raine

I'd love to hear from you.

I LOVE GON reader mail! Whether it's a comments, suggestions, or just a note to say hello, REPLY to this email with a short note.

And remember...there's no better time to get organized, than to Get Organized Now!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!
getorganizednow.com

(c) Copyright 2022 by Maria Gracia, Get Organized Now!

* Copyright, contact and reprint information:
getorganizednow.com/contact.html

* You signed up to receive our Idea-Kit and/or our Newsletter at our Get Organized Now! Web site. We never add names unless you have voluntarily opted in.

* We never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone. You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as a result of joining this list.

* If you happen to purchase anything I recommend in this newsletter, or any of my communications, I may receive compensation. Still, I only recommend what I truly believe in and share with my friends and family. If you ever have an issue with anything I recommend, please let me know. I want to make sure I am always serving you at the highest level.

* Received this e-mail from a friend?
             SUBSCRIBE HERE

* To unsubscribe, if you absolutely must go, please click the link below. However . . .

YIKES! - If you unsubscribe, you'll lose all the complimentary organizing resources I share with my loyal GON in Five Minutes! members each week. You'll lose the tips, reader ideas, reader clinics, complimentary videos, ebooks, resource recommendations, and the many valuable bonuses I offer each month. Please don't go. I love sending you all of this free training. If there is something more you would like from my newsletters, then please reply to this email and let me know.
-- Maria Gracia