"5S" Your Way to an Organized Life

Many people are overwhelmed with the thought of organizing their home let alone one specific area. A great "workplace" organization methodology you can follow in the home is called "5S", originally employed in Japanese manufacturing plants.

Loosely translated to English, the 5S model is as follows:

• Step 1 - Sort Use this step to purge your life of "stuff" you have accumulated that adds no value to your life and should either be discarded, sold or donated);

• Step 2 - Straighten

• Step 3 - Shine (clean)

• Step 4 - Standardize You might label bins or jars that specific items are to be stored in.

• Step 5 - Sustain Once you have established new standards, be sure you have a system to ensure you are reviewing and maintaining the new standards.

There are many sources of information on the internet for "5S" or maybe even in the mind of your spouse who has been involved in "5S events" at work.

Beyond 5S, simply avoid purchasing "stuff" that truly is not needed by you or your family. Start by understanding "wants" vs "needs". "Stuff" does not define us; it is the things we do and the lives we impact that defines us.

By Geoff Monastra from Cleveland, OH