Rule 11: Don't do things "later."
Let's say you just spent an hour picking up in the family room. It's in impeccable shape—splendidly uncluttered by things that don't belong there. You know only too well that it can be turned into a war zone by the family in minutes: discarded clothes, food, dirty dishes, shoes, toys (kids', dogs', and cats'), soft drink and/or beer cans, dirty ashtrays, school papers, newspapers, magazines, cups, and glasses.
THINGS NOT TO DO LATER: A PARTIAL LIST
- If you brought stuff into a room, take it back out the very next time you leave that room (after you're done with it, of course).
- Take things upstairs if you are going there anyway.
- Take things downstairs if you are going there anyway.
- Take everything out of the car that was added this trip.
- Pick up things when they drop.
- Wipe up spills when they happen.
- Vacuum up messes when they occur.
- Wash dirty dishes and wipe off the counters before the food dries on them.
- Fold clothes when they emerge from the dryer.
- Iron clothes while they are still slightly damp.
A lot of clutter in your home will disappear if you follow this rule. It's not much more than leaving a room the way you found it. If there wasn't toothpaste spread on the sink before you came into the room, there shouldn't be any there when you leave it. This rule solves clutter problems without adding one second of time or one ounce of work to anyone's overwhelmed schedule. It doesn't involve any extra time to take dirty dishes to the kitchen if you're going there anyway to get a glass of water. It doesn't take any extra time to carry your shoes to your bedroom if you're going up there anyway to do your homework.
Rule 1: When in doubt, throw it out.
Rule 2: Use it or lose it.
Rule 3: Efficiency counts, so store things accordingly.
Rule 4: Handle something once.
Rule 5: Recycle it.
Rule 6: Pick a number and stick with it.
Rule 7: Use a file cabinet.
Rule 8: Do Something.
Rule 9: A place for everything, and everything in its place.
Rule 10: Items displayed in the house have to pass a test.
Rule 11: Don't do things "later."
Rule 12: Label things.
Rule 13: Call in a professional.