Organizing THINGS IN and SPACE

In 1998 I was led to learn organizing information in paper and electronic forms, a year later to organizing projects and project execution, and now to organizing things and space.

In organizing information, we are told that the methodology should enable us to find what we are looking in 10 seconds. That the mindset should go like this: (aaa) What do I need? (bbb) When do I need it? and (ccc) Where can I find it?

In project organizing and execution I learned that the process shall be: visualize, plan, implement and close.

In organizing things and space, I learned that the way is to mimic the Kindergarten Model of Organization.

What makes it work?

1. The room is divided into activity zones.
2. It is easy to focus on one activity at a time.
3. Items are stored at the point of use.
4. It is fun to put things away-everything has a home.
5. Visual menu of everything that is important.

This is what Julie Morgenstern in the book Organizing from the Inside Out says about the Kindergarten Model of organization,

"Walk into any kindergarten classroom in the world, and you will behold the perfect model of organization. Think about what makes it work.

First the room is divided into activity zones: the Reading Zone, the Dress-up Zone, the Arts & Crafts Zone, the Music Zone, and the Snack Zone.

Second, it is easy for a child to focus on one activity at a time. Each zone is well defined and fully self-contained, so that the child can concentrate 100 percent on a given task; nothing else competes for his or her attention.

Third, everything needed for each activity is right there at the child’s fingertips because items are stored at their point of use. For example, if the child is doing arts and crafts, all the paper, crayons, markers, paints, brushes, and smocks needed for creative session are gathered in one convenient location.

Fourth, in a kindergarten classroom it is almost as much fun putting things away as it is playing with them. Every item has a clear, well-labeled home in a container that is the perfect size to hold it. There are sliding trays for the puzzles. Wooden blocks have holes in them for scissors (points down, handles up). Cubbies and hooks have the child’s name on them, maybe even the child’s picture. As a result you seldom see a kindergartner trying to figure out where to return something or struggling to shove fifty paintbrushes into twenty-five brush container. Cleanup is fast and easy. The teacher rings the bell, and in a matter of moments, the room is in tiptop shape once again.

Fifth, and most important, it offers a visual menu of everything that is important to the people who inhabit that space. A child can walk into that classroom, look around, and decide what to do and where to do it based on a set of clearly defined cues.

The beauty of the kindergarten model is that it can be applied to anything: from the whole home or office to just one room or a single drawer. By following this model, you will design your space for easy access and retrieval of any item. The space will be inviting and enjoyable to use and allow you to concentrate on one activity at a time. Your surroundings will give you visual cues as to what there is to do, and when life gets busy, and priorities get confused, a glance at your very environment will help keep you focused on who you are and what is important to you."

I submit to all of you (Architects, Engineers, Interior Designers, Space Planners, Homemakers, Office workers) that the above model fits beautifully well too with information and project organizing.

If you are interested in a more detailed treatment of the methodology of the above organizing system visit Julie Morgenstern's Organizing Institute.

To see Ms. Morgenstern and some of the other works that she is doing, watch!