Hands up of you feel completely organised in your home and schedule?

If you’re like me you’re sitting on your hands right about now! No one – not even Professional Organisers like me – can be completely organised.

What if I said there were eight traits that a Mum could use, when she felt the need, to improve the overall organisation in her life – and shimmy her way across the organising jungle gym until she reached the top?

Feel free to dive in and out of these eight traits as you need, trusting that with a small mindset shift you will get more organised and feel more together.

Trait #1 – Balancing Home and Work

Picture a set of old fashioned scales. Ones where there are trays on either side, with an arm suspended across the top and the stand in the middle to hold the scales on a flat surface. When the trays are empty they sit perfectly straight and balanced.

Using the same set of scales picture this.

Work is on one side and Home is on the other. If you were to remove Work, Home would go down, and the scales would be completely unbalanced. The same would happen if you left Work on and removed Home.

But if you were to clear the scales, add a little bit of Work, then a little bit of Home, then a little more of each, you would be able to keep the scales in balance. Yes there would be times when one weighed more than the other – but if you make the decision to swing the scales back the other way you would be able to rebalance them.

And that’s the learning from this trait of an Organised Mum. IF you make the decision to rebalance your life THEN it will happen. It’s a choice only you can make.

Trait #2 – Getting Things Done

As busy Mums we have a lot to do. So how do we get everything done that we need to? And how do we find time to do everything when our time seems so limited?

1. Focus on what’s important. This may change at any given moment in a busy household and that’s fine, but if you were to look at your day/week/month are there things you are doing that aren’t that important?

2. Enlist help. Work out where you can get help, what tasks you need help with and make it happen.

3. Avoid perfectionism. This is a real toughie for some people and can really prevent you from living your best life. If you know you have this trait please try to release yourself from it.

Trait #3 – Organised

There are two key areas to being Organised.

The first is in your Space.

The second is in your Time.

Organise these two areas and you’re likely to be more organised in your mind as well.

But where do you start? Not by buying lots of organising products – that’s like putting the cart before the horse! You need to analyse what’s going on for you and then come up with a plan or strategy before actually getting in and organising the space. If this sounds too daunting ask a friend or professional for help.

Trait #4 – On Time

If you were to ask organised people one of the benefits of being organised they would undoubtedly say it saves them time. Time finding what they’re looking for, time to add other fun things to their day, time to get out of the door and to their appointment on time.

There are two concepts to consider here:

Respect for others. I firmly believe that if we respect others the world will be a better place. And by being on time for our appointments is a good place to start.
Good time management skills can be learnt. If you decide to focus on learning these skills you will have a greater chance of being on time. Only you know where your weaknesses are so go out and work on them!

Trait #5 – Right Tools For The Job

There are a few tools that are essential for any organising job. They are:

A tape measure
Rubbish bags
Something to make labels. (We use a label maker but you can also use swing tags, sticky labels or cardboard/paper to make your own.)
A ladder
An open mind

Before buying anything else get in and start decluttering. Once you’ve sorted all the stuff and purged all unwanted items you will be ready to arrange and containerise – and that’s when you will know what organising products you need. Chances are you will have items around your home that you can repurpose but if not at least you’ll know what products to buy when you head to the shops!

Trait #6 – Helpful Kids

I firmly believe that if you want your children to grow up and move out of home you need to teach them organising skills.

So how do you get your kids to be helpful? It’s simple!

You have an expectation that they need to help.

And you need to model good behaviour.

Remember that I said this shift in mindset may not be easy?

Small children absolutely love helping Mum and Dad. The simple task of helping and spending time with their parents brings them so much joy. So why not take advantage of that? Studies have shown that the earlier you start this process the better.

Trait #7 – Time For Family And Relationships

As busy Mums we all know how important it is to spend time with family and friends without children.

So what’s the key to making this time happen?

Focus on what’s important. I know there are things we have to do but if you can reduce some tasks from your life that aren’t that important it will make room for quality time with family and friends.
Good time management skills. If you take time to really look at where you spend the 168 hours you have each week you will find you have more time than you think. Focus on only on what’s important to you and will help you achieve your goals.

Declutter people in your life who make you feel miserable and surround yourself with people that make you feel good.

Trait #8 – ‘Me’ Time

I know you’ve heard this a hundred times before from all kinds of places but really – you know it’s true. I know it’s true. But do we have enough ‘me’ time? Maybe yes, maybe no, given your circumstances.

With 168 hours in the week, if you were to give yourself permission every day to have one hour of ‘me’ time you would reduce this down to 161 hours to do everything else. Sure you might have to reschedule or change a few things around but you can do it, I know you can!

I know that these eight traits of an organised mum will help you lead a more organised life. Give them a try – and then let me know you went!

Owner and Director of Clutter Rescue, Helen Butler is an Accredited Expert Professional Organiser who works with Mums to organise and declutter their space and time. Visit the Clutter Rescue website to do the Mum Organising Style quiz and sign up to receive a free copy of the Eight Traits of an Organised Mum and to learn about Clutter Rescue’s new definition of BUSY.