30 Super Autumn Organizers

Organizers

Classy Change

Smooth the transition from vacation mode to academic activity to make it easier for both you and your child.

1. There's nothing like a bit of physical housecleaning to get rid of mental cobwebs. Take 20 minutes to trash the junk in your desk drawers. Even tackling one drawer will give you a sense of organization.
2. Students don't plan to fail, but they may fail to plan. Young ones find it easy to get organized with a month-at-a-glance calendar, which allows them to see the "big picture" of how all their personal, academic, and extracurricular activities and responsibilities fit together.
3. Erase the paper chase (and the one for pens, pencils, glue and more) by loading a cleaning supply caddy with homework necessities.
4. Serve up a menu of meal options. Decide as a family on your 20 favorite dinners for a month's worth of weeknight meals. Sparing yourself the hassle of designing new menus each week saves tons of time and increases your chances of providing nutritious and delicious meals.

Wardrobe Wizards

As the seasons change, close the door on messy closets once and for all.

1. As you pack away your warm-weather clothes, set aside the items you didn't slip into once this past summer. Give the same look-see to garments coming out of summer storage. Not likely to wear it this winter? Give it away. Cold-weather gear is especially welcomed by clothing banks at this time of year.
2. Not sure about an item? Keep it, but with the hanger turned backward over the closet rod. In six months it will be easy to spot clothes that haven't been touched.
3. Turn the rest of your closet's contents to face the same way. And as your budget allows, replace mismatched hangers with all one style to give your closet a streamlined, orderly appearance.
4. Polish shoes and reheel if necessary. Protect dressy ones in their original boxes. Label the container, or tape a Polaroid of the pumps to it, so there's no question what's inside.
5. If you have accessories that go with only one getup, store them with that outfitnecklaces and bracelets around the hanger, pins and earrings attached to the collar.

Job Jump Starts

Whether you've made a volunteer promise or a corporate commitment, take this annual opportunity to recharge your work life.

1. Are you using lists efficiently? There are three main types of lists, and you need to know which one to use when. A checklist is a sheet containing information you use over and over, such as a baby-sitting info sheet. A master list notes all of those to-do's that aren't scheduled yet. For example, house projects or a book to read. A daily list should include only what you can complete in the next 24 hours. Each entry should be specific and manageable, and bring you to the next step on a long-term project.
2. Set up a meeting with your superior to discuss mutual expectations. Life is so much easier when everyone is on the same page.
3. Maintain an ongoing list of successes to discuss at your end-of-year review. (You'd be amazed how many you'll forget if you don't record them.) Remember: Focus on accomplishments more than day-to-day activities. You want to show you were productive, not just busy.
4. Schedule priorities around your body's clock, not just the one on the wall. Tackle complex projects when you're most alert; reserve routine tasks for low-energy times.
5. Create a tickler file to handle paperwork that requires future action. An accordion folder with slots labeled from 1 to 31 lets you file according to the date you'll need the document, not the subject it falls under.