How to Organize So That Others Won't Spoil Your New Order

I unlocked the shed, opened the door, turned to the left and reached for my organizing toolbox.

It wasn't there. Eek! Where is it? I searched high; I searched low. I moved items, dug around in piles. I KNOW I put the toolbox right there because that's the items' "home." It was gone. 

"Blast," I said. "My landlord must have moved it."

Leo and I share the shed with our landlord, who seems to keep tossing in unwanted items from his house, in no particular order. Last spring, Leo and I reorganized what we could, trying to keep his stuff to one side and ours in another area. But it has since lapsed.  

Now, as we prepare to begin a new year, you're probably resolving all sorts of great things about getting organized. But one thing you haven't thought about is the people around you. While it's OK for you to conduct some self-improvement, it's tougher to push those changes on everyone else. 

But as you change your habits, how can you make sure the people around you don't accidentally undo your reordering? Here are some ideas: 

• Alert them in advance. Explain to the people in your home or office that you're making some changes. Depending on the situation, you might try a casual tone, or something more firm. Either way, be sure to inform them that while you don't expect them to change, too, you need their cooperation, and you appreciate their respect of your items and space. 

• Be patient. They may not remember your earlier mention. They may not think of it when they set down the stack of papers on top of your ordered pile or move your briefcase from its new home by the door. A few polite reminders will probably be required later. 
  

• Use labels. I can't stress this point enough. As you try to change your habits, it will be difficult for others and even for you to remember your plans. Labels can be made of various materials, small and large, pretty and simply functional. They can alert you to the "call" file on your desk, remind you to put your mail in its bucket and inform your landlord that the toolbox belongs in the left corner by the door. 
  
  

• Look for opportunities. If your office mate asks you, "Where is the ________ ?" Say, "Oh, I'm trying to be more organized so I now keep it in the top drawer. You'll see a label there, so when you're done, please put it back." Maybe your child or spouse at home is asking you where his/her _____________ is. You can say, "I put it away where it belongs in the closet. Can you please help me be more organized by returning it there when you're done? You'll notice a label inside to tell you where it goes."

  
  

Of course, sometimes that's going to sound a bit silly. The key is to be consistent. As time passes, if you continue to put the shared manual in the same place in your cubicle, others who need it will know to find it there and return it to the proper location. Same with home. 

Now, off to tell my landlord that I'm reorganizing our stuff ... Good luck!