Nowadays, you can get a number of medications in patch form – nicotine patch, birth control patch, even a diet patch (and maybe there are others) – or in a single-dose form, like that osteoporosis med. that’s advertised. The popularity of these illustrates one of the key points in getting organized or changing habits – make it as easy on yourself as possible! This principle is behind several of the major “rules” of organization, as well as one of the best tips for forming a new habit.

When organizing “stuff,” things should always be stored near where they’re used, not just wherever they best fit. The things that are used most frequently should be most accessible, with less-commonly used items in the less accessible places. Following these guidelines will, of course, make it easier to get to your things. Additionally, we can be much more effectively organized if we adapt our organization methods to our natural tendencies. Those of us who have a tendency to dump everything when we first walk in the door should set up the proper “dumping place” there near the door. This makes it easier to dump our things where they belong.

When attempting to begin a new habit, it is easiest when the new habit is tied to an old one. If you already brush your teeth every day, it is not too difficult to remember to also floss when you finish brushing your teeth. If, on the other hand, you want to begin a habit of journaling every day, and there is no built-in reminder system, you’ll have a much harder time remembering consistently enough to ingrain it as a habit.

The fact is, we humans are inherently lazy. 🙂 Although we should, of course, strive for diligence, it is also helpful to keep this inborn laziness in mind as we work to change our patterns.