to ask how you become organised and together? Seriously how??

[inatrance]

This is a question for any of you who used to be disorganised/flaky and are now organised and sorted. I have been like this for so long and I drive myself and everyone around me crackers. I'm unbelievably forgetful, I am late a lot and I'm rubbish with finances. I'm so fed up of cringing because I'm so bloody rubbish and make stupid mistakes all the time!

I've got an 8mth DS and a 10yo DD and while I've always had disorganised tendencies, since I had DS, it's gone from bad to ridiculous and I feel like I am constantly trying to catch up with myself.

I'm self employed (which is for the best as even I'd have sacked me by now) and have somehow managed to run my businesses haphazardly over the last ten years without fucking up too massively. Well, not often anyway...

Well, no more, I've had enough. I am using the New Year to kick me up the arse and I need your help.

If you used to be crap and are now brilliant and incredibly organised, please, please tell me how you did it. What changed in your mind and where the hell did you start?

I'm pretty inspired, I've just read the whole thread, and while i was reading I actually went and bought some baby wipes that I had run out of (online) and ordered my mum's birthday present, and presents for three others all online and they will be delivered soon and all I have to think about is DH birthday at the end of the month and a friends which will only require a text mesage on the day :) I have just put a reminder on my phone so I hope not to forget that. I'm feeling good. I didn't send out my homemade christmas cards this year and I'm a bit gutted about that, I am thinking I will send them along with thank you letters and Happy New year cards, i just got busy with my dd (9 months) so just didnt post them!

What do organised people do with christmas presents and remembering who sent you what? (for thank you cards/letters)

I'm hoping to get to the newsagents today and buy a diary and some new folders. I also must buy a sunhat for dd.

oh I can so relate to that blue! My kids always complained that I never let them do things their way () but it often created a lot more work for me and teens aren't the best at listening. Contrary to their complaints, I let them do A LOT of things 'their way' - I could write a long list of the things I left them to do 'their way', precisely because it was agony to stand by and say nothing.

tea-towel and pillowslip ironer here too. About the only things I do iron though. That said, I have a friend who has some fabulous clothes but doesn't iron anything and it does rather spoil the effect. She's also haphazard about how she dries clothes too - she's not a shaker-outer and also once hung a sweater on the line pegged up in a random place and the weight of the wet wool pulled a giant 'nipple' out of it. I'm a bit erm tense about hanging out clothes Properly though I consciously resist choosing matching pegs.

I have the DCs open Christmas presents from family on Christmas Eve after dinner, and while they open gifts I keep track of who sent what in a notebook. I ask what each gift is and who sent it, quite tacky really if you think about it, but it means I can make the quick note and the DCs know I'm not doing it for comparing and contrasting purposes. Then after Christmas they send a little thank you, nothing fancy or hand made, just a note from a packet I buy before Christmas, that they write themselves.

military operation on christmas day, that's how I keep track of what presents from whom! ie piece of paper and a pen, I write it down as we open them. We write the thank you cards during the slobbing-around-watching-endless-DVDs-and-pigging-out between Christmas and NY.

Can I add some "mummy" organising tips as well, that I use? There are lots here about organising homes/paperwork/diaries but wondered if these might be helpful to someone:

*do tidy up time together with your DC before bathtime. Make sure all the bits of jigsaws etc are put away together. Doing this every night means you won't lose bits of things, or time in your evening putting thier toys away! Again, it's little and often that stops it becoming an impossible task!

• sticker everything that you lend out with stickers saying "please return to X family, thanks!" <a class="break-all" href="//www.www.mynametags.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">I get mine from here, they are on Quidco and you get 11% cashback atm, they go through dishwashers/washing machines fine so far and log items lent/items borrowed in a nice notebook.

• have an amazon wishlist for gifts for your DC's so that when people ask what they'd like, you can just point them to the list. It's a very clever bit of technology and you can "wishlist" things from any website by using a little button which it adds to your toolbar so it's not just for items for sale via amazon. I can't recommend this shopping tool highly enough! :)

Oooh, springydaffs, perhaps it's time we had a Hanging Out The Washing thread - I don't think there's been one for a bit! I like matching pegs. I also hang items out in The Right Order and socks have to be paired on the line.

Just wanted to say thanks for all the tips. My house is looking the best it has for months, plus I've also sorted my work to do list out and actually finished some of the hanging round jobs that have been on there forever!

Blue, I don't know what The Right Order is but I do hang socks in pairs so I can fold them into pairs before taking them off the line. See, shortest possible route, least possible work, me.

Bit overwhelmed by the technology in Blondies post but also bow with respect. I keep a list in the back of my trusty moleskin notebook for such things as kids' wishlist. I also label eg DVDs with a bog-standard address label with our name and phone number. I thought of sewing nametags into all my kids' things, sick of stray socks going missing In Other Peoples Houses (I once went to a party at one of those houses and my bathsheet was hanging in their bathroom) but I cba when it came down to it.

One tiny thing i do - have a plastic bag on the kitchen door handle, for stuff to go to the charity shop. Whenever I see anything that can go, be it clothes, shoes, toy, book, pot/pan, anything, big or small, it goes in there and when the bag's full put in car and take it to the shop when i next pass.

Then replace the bag!

Oh another thing, I love it: bought a DYMO LetraTag labelling machine (eg WHS, ?Lakeland?). Can get different 'tape cassettes' for it: paper, iron on, yellow plastic, metallic...

You type in the text you want (lots of different sizes/formats), print out as many as you need whenver you need them (eg child's name for snack box/pens&pencils/water bottle etc). I also them on the plugs so i know which is PC/printer/ipod dock etc. And I've got them on the remote controls as i can't remember how to set up telly source for DVD/satellite/etc.

And my iPhone, especially 'weekcal' app is STUPENDOUS. I use two different colours for every family member, one 'every week normal stuff' eg clubs, and a brighter one for specials eg dentist/playdates. It has totally changed my life. Everything goes on my phone, notes, photos of things i see in shops, dimensions to note, present ideas etc. Good luck!

To be honest I don't understand people who are disorganised, late etc as to me it comes as second nature to be sorted!! I also have an absolute fear of forgetting something or being late and so letting people down. Afterall no matter how good a friend they are there is only so much they will put up with.

I have a diary with a "Week-to-a-view". I tried a "single-day-to-a-page" but I found it too confusing as I like to be able to see a whole week at a time.

I write EVERYTHING in it (i am completely stuffed if I ever loose it!!!). Be it things that happen every week (eg ds cubs) or irregular stuff eg hospital appointments.

This ensures I don't clash with anything.

Every-time I get a newsletter from school (even if I have previously had dates) I check that I have them in my diary.

I have post-it notes ready to use for lists eg ds birthday party is coming up so I make a list of stuff I will need to sort eg cake, candles, invites and tick it off when done. I also make a note in my diary a couple of weeks before the event to ensure I have got all that I need.

Loving this thread. My head is spinning though!

I am a procrastinator extrordinaire. And really struggle with finishing things. Or even knowing where to start! I can wander from room to room aimlessly trying to decide what to do first. Also want the perfction angle as someone else mentioned!

I don't tend to forget appointments and only have one DC to organize. DH sorts all the financial stuff.

House is very cluttered. We moved back to UK last summer after 15 years overseas. 10 years were spent in houses with basements so we kept far too much stuff because we could. I decluttered a lot before we left but still ended up with tons of crap. I have charity shopped lots so far but still a long wY to go. DS's room is a mess as is my wardrobe. Dining room also.

House was overwhelming me so I got a cleaner and I make sure everywhere is tidy before she comes. DH laughs at me for this but I want her to be able to clean and not have to tidy. We are also still decorating and still have builders etc around on and off.

My aim is (and I am writing it here to clarify it all in my head really):

Every room tidy and a place for everything.
Regular routine for things like emptying bathroom bins, sorting recycling etc.
Declutter each room.
Have guest room ready for guests and not have a mad panic each time.
Sort out all bedding/duvets etc and restock what is necessary.
Clear out my emails
Have a regular time each day to do any admin and reply to emails.
Download home routine app. Have something similar -motivated moms- but it's not great.

I also want to join Weight Watchers this week and want to get organized with meal planning around that.

Wish me luck! Just need to figure out where to start!

I have some tips:

1. Crates in the utility room next to airer and tumble dryer. One for each family member. Put clothes in when dry - when the crate is full, carry upstairs and put away. Usually ends up little and often, avoids having 3 full washing baskets of dry clothes waiting to sort, and works on a one-touch system.

1. Colour code your children. So X always has the red towel/bag/label. Get a lot of kit bags in that colour. One with swimming kit, another with football, one for Brownies. Hang on hooks in utility room, fill directly from airer.

1. Make a list of what kids need in their bag each day. Monday = piano music for A, French book for B. Make it their responsibility to pack each day.

1. Get a large wall planner/calendar from www.kitchencalendars.co.uk. Add every birthday (it saves them and pre-populates next time you order) and term dates, school trips etc (our school publishes list of assemblies/trips/parents evenings 1 year in advance)

1. I have a fear of running out of stuff and having to pay full price so once every 2-3 months I do a Tesco order of shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste, toilet roll, washing powder etc on BOGOFF.

1. One touch system with book bags: I empty every night: write cheques, sign forms, RSVP to parties (and add to calendar)

1. I have a present box containing 2-3 months worth of birthday cards and presents, b/g various ages and wrapping paper. Bought when I see something on offer rather than for specific children. I also have a Moonpig pre-pay account and plan to sit down 1x6 months and order all family cards.

1. Write a list on Saturday morning of all the jobs I want to do, places we have to go. Get DH to add his list, then decide who is doing swimming/party/B&Q run with which child. (I do it all during the week otherwise I would divvy that up to)

1. When something is used up it gets written on a whiteboard and added to Ocado order. We have a weekly meal planner (only 7 meals the kids will eat and they are on school dinners anyway) so it's pretty much the same shopping list every week (Ocado weekly slot, they pre-fil the basket) plus the extras off the board.

10. One touch system with Parentmail - I either print it off/action there and then or forward to DH from my phone and ask him to print it off.

11. Theoretical One touch system for post - open immediately and put in action or file basket. DH files the File basket when it is full, we both do the action one when it's full. So little and often.

12. I also empty bins every Thursday regardless of what is collected on Friday. Friday is sheets change/wash day and Saturday is towel wash day.

Great thread, will read this whole thread in coffee breaks to keep me motivated.

This thread is fabulous. Going to make myself a cuppa and sit and read it properly.

I have just bought a whiteboard from Asda for £3.50. Have stuck it on to the side of the fridge with the included sticky pads, and I got a pack of pens for £1. It's working well so far.

You see, this is all a revelation to me still. I had no idea that organised people actually do all this stuff. I just thought that it all just magically happened and that they somehow just manage to remember everything!

I've done great this weekend so far, loads of decluttering, cleaning and sorting. I even went through my finances last night (with a pounding heart) and even though I'm still in the shit, I at least know where I am now!

Tescos have a very cheap 5-6 column whiteboard with days of the week printed onit, next to their pin boards and magnetic boards. They also do a combined pin/wipeboard but it's a little small for us.

You will be glad to know that I have finally sent the email I was talking about on Friday. I was actually shaking when I sent it! I have really got to get my act together because my procrastination is going to be my downfall.

There is lots going on at the moment and yet it is the little things that are my undoing.

A couple of years ago I helped my friend with an employment dispute. I was really chuffed with the outcome and proud of my achievement. I managed to negotiate a very attractive settlement for my friend. Her previous employer had a well known law firm acting for them and yet I felt confident in my ability and at no time did I feel out of my depth. I had been dealing with the issue with a new born baby and no childcare. My friend took me out to lunch to celebrate and asked me what was on my mind as I was subdued. I had to admit that I was anxious because my library fine was £20 and I had received a letter threatening legal action because I hadn't paid for the photos that were taken in hospital when ds was born.

Why was I able to deal with something that required a lot of research and consideration and yet I let two insignificant matters turn into problems?

YAY about the email Hazie

maybe you are not the type who 'sees' the minutiae, more of a high-level, broad strokes person? I have worked for people who are gifted visionaries but blind to the daily running of the business.

I've sometimes wondered if I should have been born with 'staff'...

well done Hazie - do you feel better now? What is your plan for dealing with the two payments? Can you pay online? Do you have the funds available? If so, do it now (online, or write a cheque). Then that will be three things you've dealt with which were taking up head space for no good reason . Can't help with the seeing big picture stuff as I'm a small details but massive procrastinator type sadly.

But I have managed to make the DDs clear their bags/shoes/general crap out of the hall, and have hoovered both there and in the lounge (which hadn't been done for a few weeks, although we were away for Christmas, New Year so I'm not totally a slattern ). Now I need to clear the ironing pile ad make sure everyone has clothes for the week (which saves so much stress at 7.40am when DD2 remembers she has PE and her kit is still mouldering somewhere in her room...).

Ishall wearmidnight - how old is DD2 - if old enough she should ensure it is put in the laundry basket to be washed.

Midnight it was a couple of years ago now so thankfully sorted now.

I haven't learnt my lesson I regularly miss payment deadlines

Marking my place. I use Flylady to organise my house, but this thread looks like it has loads of useful tips. Will read it properly when I get a free moment.

Absolutely inspired by this, I am delighted to say that I have spent about 6 hours today dealing with festering paperwork.There's more to do (would you believe) but I feel massively lighter.

On the down side,I haven't even got dressed (saving on the washing ) and I now still need to do DC's reading with them,sort their bags and uniforms for tomorrow,finish stripping then re-making their beds,more laundry etc etc.
Never mind,those things will get done,because they have to,and I'm a good step further forward.