Keep things the same place

Have you ever wasted time looking for something you knew should be there, but it just wasn't? That usually results from not keeping things always in the same place.

Always put things the same place. Habit is the key here. Form a habit of always putting things in the same place. The picture to the right is a simple example of what I'm talking about. Here you see our remotes and our cordless phone. My wife insists on always keeping them in the same order and in the same spot. Because of that, we never have to look for a remote or for the phone. It is always where we expect it to be, unless we are using it in a different chair at the time or charging the phone overnight. Now, granted it is not that hard to find a remote if it is a little out of order, but the principle can be very helpful in other more complicated areas. For example, always keeping tools in the same spot will help you find it the next time you need one. If you have several drawers or places where you keep tools, it can be difficult finding the one you want when you need it. There are several places to keep a garden tool. If it is always in the same spot, it will be easier to find. You won't be kicking yourself when you can't find it. Even simple things such as pencils or pens, note paper, the phone, books, shoes, toys, CDs and DVDs are easier to find when you always keep them the same place.

Don't put off putting things away. One of the major reasons things are not where we expect them to be is because we don't put them back right away. It is so easy to be lazy and not do it right away. I'm guilty of that at times. In fact, one of my wife's nicknames for me is "Lazy Man." Fortunately that is not one she uses real often. She has some much nicer names she usually calls me. The point is, put things away right away and always the same place. If you don't do it right away, you will forget. Out of sight, out of mind. Then the garden tool may still be outside and get rusty from the rain or dew, and you won't know where it is when you need it the next time. Don't be a Lazy Man like me! You won't like the nickname.

Discipline yourself. Teach yourself to put things back right away in the same place. When you catch yourself putting something down instead of putting it away where it belongs, gently remind yourself that is not what you want to do. Then take the extra minute to put it away. You might be surprised how many times you will catch yourself being lazy. Or you might use the excuse that you are in a hurry. It is better to spend the extra minute now than waste a lot of time later when you might really be in a hurry, or lose something for good, or ruin something because it was left out or got broken because it shouldn't have been there.

Reward yourself. When you catch yourself putting things back, compliment yourself. Give yourself a pat on the back, or a good old 'attaboy! or 'attagirl! It's not as good as a compliment from someone else, but it still feels good. And it will help you want to do it next time because it feels good. And it saves time. Why not compliment yourself for a job well done? If we wait for compliments from others, we may never get any, because people get pretty wrapped up in themselves. But there's no reason we can't compliment ourselves a hundred times a day. Maybe I'll start a self-compliment club. Want to join?

Putting things back - examples

Spring work: A couple of days ago, I went over to my son's place to help with some spring stuff. I took some tools along for the spring maintenance on their lawnmower - changing the oil, sharpening the blade, cleaning the air filter. And of course, I had to have my 4-year-old grandson help me. He loves to help Grandpa. As I finished the first task, my daughter-in-law asked, "While you're at it, could you check the weed eater and blower." Then I got in on some trimming that was too high for her to reach. It was one of those perfect spring days, so being outdoors was enjoyable and the work was satisfying. Accomplishment feels good. I ended up spending so much time there that I didn't get my own lawnmower cleaned up. I got that done yesterday.

Put them back: The point I'm getting to is about putting things back when you are done. As soon as I got home I took the tools out of my temporary tool box that I use to transport tools and put them back where I store them. A while back I didn't do that, then couldn't find some tools I wanted to use. I finally remembered they were still in the transport tool box. By taking them out right away and putting them back, I will be able to find them next time I need them. I sometimes feel lazy and want to put it off until later. Then I forget. It is much better to do it right away.

This includes toys: When I came back home, I brought the 4-year-old with me. We played a while until the rest of the family joined us for dinner. Then we went for a walk which included a tricycle and wagon. At the end of the night there were toys out in various places. My wife reminded me that they needed to be picked up. Suddenly that seemed like a lot of work. I was tired from the outdoor work. I wanted to pretend that I didn't know where all the toys are supposed to be. But in the end, they were all put back. Now the grandsons will be able to find them when they come over next time. Because they always expect them to be in the same place. They know right where to go to find something. My wife is very organized, and her "insistence" that the toys be put back helps keep our house neat and tidy. And it is a safety thing. If we get up in the middle of the night, we won't be tripping over toys. So I'm not complaining. (My wife just read this and said, "Not complaining! The whole thing looks like whining to me!") She just doesn't understand. :)