Overwhelmed with the clutter in your home? Is it uncomfortable to invite friends to your home and difficult to get things done? Wasting time trying to find things you need? These organizing challenges and more are the reasons for this channel. I’ll be sharing field-tested solutions, including clutter control, paper management, organizing systems and time management. My focus? Make life EASIER. I’ll share how to make getting and staying organized easier with a central approach: CIRCULATION. This is the subject of my book "The Circulation Solution." By “circulation” I mean a plan for movement. Life is constantly moving, so the best organizing systems are the ones that move with it. I’ll be addressing the most common organizing challenges from our clients, but I want to hear from YOU. Let me know if you like what you are seeing or if there is a subject you would like to hear me cover. Sound good? If so, please subscribe and I’ll see you around!
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Hi Matt, thank you for another great video. I was able to whittle down my parents memorabilia to about two large bankers boxes. I am now working on three scrapbooks: one for myself, and one for each of my sisters. I have thrown away several photos of large classes for both of my parents, in favor of hanging onto other photos that I deemed more memorable. also my mom and dad had a lot of pictures of scenery from their travels, so my boundary has been if they are in the picture and it is a clear sharp picture, I will keep it and put it in the scrapbook. If it is just a picture of scenery, I can let it go. thanks again. This was a really helpful video. I look forward to watching more of your practical and doable tips.
HI Christine, Good for you! You've made great progress, better than me! Good decision to set a boundary on the scenery pics. They meant something to your parents in the moment they captured them, but that moment has passed and so has the value.
Hi Matt, I recently found your channel and I really appreciate all of your tips, tricks and practical solutions. Intuitively, I had always declutterred in a space away from the room that needed decluttering. Somehow that helped me think more clearly and the space I was processing in wasn’t as overwhelming. Seeing that you set up your processing zone in your wife’s library was helpful and validating. I have watched many organizing videos, but yours by far are the best because they are actually doable. I have subscribed! Thank you so much.
Thanks so much, Christine. Sounds like you’ve got great organizing instincts!
GREAT VIDEO MATT!!! THANKS FOR SHARING. I LEARNED ALOT.
Glad it was helpful!
Do you sort by subject then break those down by year?
No. Other way around. First sort by stage, then by category. The dead stage goes straight to discard. The sleeping stage just gets sorted by year. Don’t waste your organizing time and energy here. Once you have isolated the sitting stage, that is statements from the current year, current information and easily accessible records, THEN it makes sense to sort by subject (or category). Running files are the ones you need to make a point of acting on and they should be considerably smaller, but once they are identified THEN they should also be broken down by category. If you try to sort category and stage at the same time, you will run out of processing space, focus, energy and momentum.
@@MattBaierOrganizing Thank you!!!!
this guy is seriously underrated
Thank you for putting this all in one video! I'm a SAHM & I've found your method of organizing FAST by size/category not only helpful when dealing with paper, but also in other areas around our home!
Thanks! I'm definitely covering things I’ve done before, so I was debating the value of repeating some advice. Glad to hear it was helpful all in one video. Hopefully this made it easier to take on the big project in manageable, reliable stages, and to resume the project when you need to take a break from it.
Thank you, Matt!
My pleasure Charlene. Hope you’re finding these helpful.
Just can say ot over and over again.... I just love your methodes and way to teach them
Thanks so much! Glad you’re finding these videos helpful.
Your method have helped me so much! Now I can organize my papers fast and have a tidy office. I'm very grateful, thank you!
Great! I’m so glad these videos help you feel like decluttering and organizing can happen fast. The key is to do it in manageable, reliable stages. You got this!
So I read your book and I was wondering with your transition to personal organizing whether you were born organized or whether you had to learn that. I wonder if it's your personal opinion that people can change into having more orderly homes and offices or if you think people are what they are and it's only a matter of time before the mess returns.
I suppose I was born with organizing abilities because I certainly didn’t come from my parents (both accumulators). Still I believe organizing can be learned. The key is seeing organization as the vehicle you drive, not a destination. Seek movement in manageable, reliable stages, not perfection.
Lol. I feel like this video was exclusively for me bcuz I spent one day watching your videos an insane amount of times. Until I stopped being defiant and actually followed your decluttering process. I made my own signs. I'm making a ton of progress with my project. I started with papers over a month ago. You're RIGHT! Don't start there. Now, I'm building momentum with the non-paper items. Thank you for sharing your expertise with the world. Matt, you are probably one of the only organizers who actually has the best method for decluttering and organizing an office. Keep up the great work. Truly appreciate your integrity and dedication to all that you do. Cheers from Canada!
Thanks so much! So glad to hear you are building momentum with your organizing. Movement is the key. When you declutter and organize in manageable, reliable stages, you’ll be able to get where you need to go. Keep up the good work!
Hi Matt. This has been really helpful my friend. Could you tell me what is the type of plastic boxes that are in this video. They are the exact size for files and arquives and have a 90° angle. Most of the ones I find are 120°ish. They are ok. But the ones displayed here are perfect.
Glad it was helpful. The box is the Staples Hanging File Box, Snap Lid, Letter/Legal Size, Clear (TR57620)
Hey Matt can you please do some videos for the following topics: -organizing and decluttering emails -organizing google chrome bookmarks -digital files (using tags for Mac files?) I love all your videos and have bought the circulation solution. I really like your methods! -Christian
Thanks for the suggestions Christian.. While I don’t offer digital organizing services, I can apply my methods to the topics you suggested. Stay tuned!
Bigger than my closet!
Yeah, mine too!
I love this channel.
Thanks so much!
Thank you very much for all thoses quality videos. It helps a lot.
@@laurencelaherrere8815 And thank you for all your great comments on my downsizing series Laurence! I’m so glad these videos have been helpful.
Thank! I already saw the videos on papers management but I plan to watch them again. So clear and useful!
Looking back as I move forward in life, a few keepsakes are no longer useful as a reminder. The souvenir is in the heart. The objet has done its job. It will be a very special category to deal with anyway. It deserved a special vidéo indeed! Thank!
All paint in white it's really great in fact! Very shiny and bright rooms and... it's easier to see the annoying moskito 🦟🦟🦟 . Seriously, nice visual video. And as usualy, advices at each second. No unuseful blabla. Thank +++
Thank for advices ! Let's go to #7 vidéo now.
Zone signs is a great idea especially if we are 2 or 3 to declutter, and one day to the next to remember and star organized. I already saw that signs in an other vidéo of yours and I already made them to start the work. Thank you for those advices +++
I start to downsizing my stress... Let's go to #5. Thank!
Fewer emotional difficulties with earing method and organizational advices. Thank! Let's watch #4. Thank !
Common sense and positive encouragements ! Just what I need. Thank +++ From France ^-^
Now that i'm concerned with the sujet, i'm timing notes ! Thank you for this great séries of vidéos. From France ^-^
For the freezer (it's big) I have a plastic sheet. With permanent market I write the categories and items (VEGETABLES: spinach, etc... MEAT & FISH: saussages, etc., DESSERTS: etc...). With a erasable marker, the quantities with '' vertical line'' and I erase one when I take an unit of quantity. Or else, I don't remember and I buy again the same things. I can see what I have for meal prep without opening the freezer too. Bonjour from France. I ❤ learning english with your great videos. Thank +++
On my wall office, I have special little lists : the things I remember I have but I have ''lost'' in my house that I have to find (thank you mess !) and the things I have to return or take back to have an overview and act. Waiting to act, things are in my cellar in a big bag. But I don't have a lot, it's often loaned books between friends. Bonjour from France and thank you for the video !
You’re very welcome! Sounds like you’ve got some good systems for the type of things that are easily forgotten in a household.
Hey Matt what scanner are you using at 2:08?
I keep the nicest of all the bags in a big one for the next ''garage sale''. Then, I can give a bag to people buying things especialy for the clothes. People doesn't always come with a bag or basket. In France we have ''garage sale'' in common in gymnasium or big market area. Bonjour from France and thank so much for yours videos!
You are intentional about why you keep your bags and that’s the most important thing, not just with bags, but with everything. If one keeps bags that can be used for anything then odds are very good. they’re going to be used for nothing and they pile up. I love your garage sale reason. You keep the bag circulating. Thanks for your comment.
As I declutter, facing the ''money'' I had to let go teaches me to pay more attention in my futur purshases. Real need or just want it? What's the aim, the benefit?... I should have realized it sooner, but better later than never. Bonjour from France ^-^
@@laurencelaherrere8815 So glad this was helpful. Probably the biggest message is that the value of an item is finite. Circumstances change and value changes with them.
They way you went so fast and to the point is why i like this video. I can alway go back and pause. Thank you for all the categories you added to the screen really help like super speed power point. Now filling doesn't feel so intimidation kinda excited to go file my families documents. GREAT VIDEO KEEP THEM COMING*
Thanks! Momentum makes magic. When you organize in manageable, reliable stages, there should be no detail that slows you down. This is because at each stage, you create context and context, drives decisions. Good luck with the process!
Matt, I"m trying to figure out how the clipboard/task list works with the running files. Is this explained in the book? Thanks for the great work!
My pleasure! Yes, I cover this in chapter 4. Maybe I need to do another video if that doesn’t help
Matt do you know where I can purchase the book? I can't find it available anywhere. There's one on ebay selling for $4,995!
I am implementing your setup in my office. Question: I have the red page in front of the see-through envelope. I will be moving client documents through these folders as I work on them. Folders for Smith, Jones, etc., will be processed and dealt with. Should I label each envelope by client and then just make a new label for new matters? Does your book deal with this? For office? Thanks!
in an effort to keep ongoing projects as minimal as possible, I don't include client files with ongoing projects. Clients come and go, so what's most important is to be able to find them reliably as needed. Therefore I keep them in a "sitting files" in a file cabinet. And since they are all basically the same type of file and there are so many, this is an example of when it DOES make sense to file alphabetically. I do keep a running file (in a clear envelope) for prospects that I need to make a point of following up on. The goal is to get them onto my calendar, so that they become part of my schedule and then a client with a sitting file. For individual client tasks I have to make a point of doing this week (email, call, research, etc.), those go straight to my very visible task collector.
@@MattBaierOrganizing I keep my client files electronically but thought I’d use the running files for projects within a file that require my current attention. Thanks for the great information!
It's awesome to see how these simple tricks can make a difference. Comments from other people confirm. Thanks Matt!
You’re very welcome. Thank YOU for the kind words.
Thanks, Matt! This was awesome and just what I was hoping for!
Excellent. Glad to hear it. Thanks for the inspiration Christine!
Hi Matt, one project per clear envelope?
Yes, that’s right.
Nice work Matt. Hey from Nottingham, U.K.You've some great ideas I've begun to implement and takes a little time yet I'm getting there. It is a mammoth effort to get set up after clearing up but I know once set up it'll save me bundles of time in the future. Keep the view coming sir, you're great thanks
Thanks so much for the kind words Colin. Time management is at the end of the organizing journey. Only if you’ve gotten the clutter and paper under control does it become possible to effectively manage your time. By removing the less important barriers first, you can focus on your most important priorities. Your decluttering efforts will be empowered by determining what your top priorities are first. That may not be the easiest first step, but it’s the most important. Best of luck and please don’t hesitate to let me know if there is another organizing subject you’d like me to cover.
Hi from Leicester. Have you tried GTD method from David Allan?
@@TheBuslaefff Oh yes! Read it years ago. My favorite takeaway is that the key to getting things done is to get everything that’s swimming around in your head OUT and into a system you TRUST. I know he preferred writing things down on full sheets of paper. For me, I trust writing single tasks on small, adjustable little Post-its. But I totally agree that ultimately the right time management system is the one you trust that you will use
Thank you! ❤
I just found your video, great content. Looking forward to watching more of your videos. Subscribed.
Thanks so much. Glad you found it useful.
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Great video! I am 29 and have been given the task to go through family photos. Not only the ones that me and my parents have, but also the ones that my grandparents had (which include my great grandparents, great great grandparents and so on). I am a bit of a Genealogy lover. I have most of them organized in the moment in boxes. I finished a Scrapbook for my Mom and also am working on one for me and also my Dad. I hope to do some more albums with the older photos. My big plan in the future is to do a family history style photo book with the majority of the pictures. I have been slowly going through the pictures from time to time, tossing bad photos and giving duplicates away to family. It will be a task but it will get done someday.
Wow, Jacob, that’s no task. That is a major PROJECT. Good for you, for taking it on. It’s helpful that you enjoy genealogy. It’s fun learning how our ancestors are so much more than just parents. You truly honor their memories by doing this. Glad this video was helpful. Keep up the good work!
Thank you for all your great tips and solutions. Do you know where can I get the book that you recommended, File anything and you can find it?
Thank you. Unfortunately, no. It seems to be out of print now.
I've been binging your videos all weekend - they are incredibly helpful! About your small Post-Its headlines: can you explain your cross-referencing system and what your notations mean? Thanks so much.
Thanks for the kind words. Glad you’re finding these helpful. Cross referencing is for connecting to other text that would elaborate on the first text, you read. The Post-it note headline is simply to connect you to something bigger then what’s in front of you. For example, if you want to make a point of working on your taxes, you might write a post that says “ add up home office expenses,” (the more specific the better). You would want to organize your filing system so that you are reliably connected to statements and tax documents, rather than have them piling up on your desk as a reminder. The goal is to completely avoid keeping piles as reminders on your clear desk (your number one organizing tool.) That’s the job of the post-it headline. Another emergency task may come along and you won’t have time to work on your taxes, so rather than having to move your tax pile off your desk back into your organizing system, you simply move the post it to another open part of your schedule and focus on the priority at hand, on your reliably clear surface.
@@MattBaierOrganizing Thanks for your quick reply! So, the letters on the Post-it headlines refer to other locations?
Oh, sorry. No, the letters in the upper left corner are shortcuts for regular actions I use like C for call, E for Email, G for research(Google), R for review, etc. Sometimes I put a number in the lower right corner for the amount of time I want to devote to this task. The idea is not to be too restrictive, but to just make you more time aware. With well organized project corrals and sitting files, you will know exactly where to look for the bulkier documents, but if they take some getting used to, then you would write a little reminder, maybe PCW for project corral, website folder, or SFT for sitting files, taxes.
@@MattBaierOrganizing Wonderful! Thanks for clarifying. I'm a freelance performing artist and I'm constantly juggling different kinds of projects and the business around them. I also do my work in various locations, so I love the idea of surveying my current projects in the morning and simply putting doable task post-its in my day planner to take with me, so I love the shortcuts shorthand. Maybe this can be the topic of a new video...?
I think so too, Christine,. Would you mind if I mentioned you as the inspiration for it?
This is SO HELPFUL thankyou!!
You're so welcome! Glad you found it helpful.
Thank you! More paper organisation videos please!! 🙂
Always happy to talk paper organizing. Is there an aspect of paper management that you haven’t seen in one of my other videos? Let me know and I’ll do a video on it.
Can you please do some videos on the best, easiest and quickest ways to declutter and organise vast quantities of paperwork into a sensible filing system. I am in the UK and prefer paper to digital. Thankyou.
During our power outages (after the next hurricane!!) I'll be organizing my library...I like your ideas! I've really GOT to get rid of a few of my books...but some are my history, as you said, of your lifes' journey...like old friends....thank you!
Thank you! Glad this was helpful
I printed out your circulation solution book on paper. I'm going to read it again. Paper is not as essential as it used to be, but it still serves its purpose.
It sure does. Thanks!
You just helped me more than the last 2 hours of videos I just watched. I’m really excited to start where I left off in my home office, because I had no idea what to actually DO! Most other videos give generic advice and focus on aesthetics. I needed practical help on how to tackle this huge project!! Thank you! Subscribed!
Wonderful!!!
Thanks Nicky!