Hollywood (and its many housewives) call him when they want to get organized. Imagine that. John Trosko and his company, OrganizingLA works with clients who have lost touch with their possessions (perhaps they cannot find them?), and encourages them to downsize, organize, and pursue long forgotten hobbies and passions once the clutter is clear. Because organization is constantly on my brain, which I blame on my mother along with Martha Stewart, and Real Simple magazine, I thought John was the perfect go-to guy to talk to about organizing the home since this is the time of year when the pack-ratting begins. Along with John, I’ve contributed a bit by adding some of my favorite products for getting organized – at least half of which I own and use on a an (almost!) daily basis.
Audrey Patton bag and Slicker tote, Fashionable clipboard sets, Smart storage jars, Lorraine plate rack (organizing never looked
so pretty – paint in a bright color or go with crisp white).
decor8: Hi John! I’ve been reading your blog for over a year now and enjoy the many topics you share there on organization. So tell us, how do you help your clients figure out what part of their home should be organized first?
John: All of my meetings start with a ?kick-off? session where I tour a space, meet the family, pitch the value of my service and resources, and come up with a rough timeline to get the work done. I also work to ?size? up the client to make sure we?re a good fit in personality and they have the time to devote to making decisions. In other words, I only want to work with clients who want to ?finish? their project.
decor8: What are the common “problem” rooms?
John: I start in any space that is causing the most frustration, which is usually an office or a kitchen?wherever they spend a lot of time. Unfortunately, these areas are mountainous, and can take lots of time. So if people are hesitant about the road ahead, we may choose a smaller, more confined space like a pantry, dresser or coat closet. That way, the client can gain some confidence, get some decision skills going and learn to keep up the space without me constantly on them. Then, we can finally move onto the next location. The areas of the home that need the most attention are the routine areas, entry ways, bathroom vanities, magazine storage, mail deposits, nightstands?any space you use everyday. Those areas need rather simple systems, but require almost daily maintenance.
Hanging gift tote organizer, White ribbon dispenser box, greeting card case, Vertical gift wrap organizer (or a vintage umbrella stand from your local flea), White greeting card organizer.
decor8: What are your observations when it comes to all these tools we buy — are they helping?
John: The whole organizing supplies industry is exploding. People want to keep the volumes of stuff they already own, but they want it all labeled, containerized and inventoried for use later. I avoid having a discussion about products until a client downsizes and we are both confident what we have is what we need. I have to tell you, most clients have a MOUNTAIN of unused organizing supplies in their homes and offices These include bins, baskets, drawer boxes, racks, hooks, suede letter dividers left sitting around, enough to fill a small shop The only issue with this is that things rarely match. I suggest these items get located in one area and we try and reuse and recycle what is possible. The rest gets donated. Every client gets a conversation about not only buying, but actually using what they buy. The entire process is self-reflective, slightly intrusive, but ultimately rewarding. It should feel like a visit to the dentist and not like a colonoscopy.
decor8: Can you share with us your ten commandments of organization?
John: Certainly. Thou shall not directly worship the Container Store Goddess. The purity of organizing products does not preclude you from clearing your clutter, first. The Organizing ?Secret? is no secret at all; keepith space available brings you untold fortune. Thou shall not commit adultery (however, ?tis honorable to ask for organizing helpith during Spring Fling.) Devote thy days to mess maintainence, but thou nights to wine and dine. Honor thy elders. Thou shall not nag if items are in wrong place; put them back without saying anythingth. Getting thyself organized is easier then staying organized. Avoidith keeping clutter as a yardstick of thy achievements. Thou must not give false evidence against thy neighbor. Stop chasing thy paper chase; lose thy ?to file? box and handle immediately by putting it away in its rightful place. Thou shall not covet thy neighbor?s goods. Thy grass may be greener around thy neighbor?s lawn mover shed, but inside may be a dark surprise. Eat, drink and be merry. Organizing thyself is reflective, but should be funneth.
decor8: I like those but I have to add one – only buyith large bins for attic storage that are clear or else you forgetith what’s inside. Okay, so once a space is organized, let’s use the home office as an example, what are some effective ways to maintain that?
John: The term I use is called ?backsliding.? It?s sort of like a diet. You decide you need to lose that extra 10 pounds before the big party, and you workout like crazy and eat next to nothing for the next 2 weeks. Sure the big party comes, and you look great, but then you drift back into unproductive habits until the next time you need to lose the same weight. So the value in getting organized is not in the act of doing the work to get there, it?s in the act of ?staying? organized. It?s the habit of maintenance that will prove your overall success.
Cloth Storage box for 12 x 12 sheets of paper, photo storage box, Thomas Paul inbox tray, Thomas Paul magazine holder.
decor8: Okay, we hear you, maintenance. Can you share some expert tips?
John: Keep it simple; don?t make your systems too complicated. Store items where you need them. Storage should be accessible, with one or two motions to open/close. Try not to stack things. Place your everyday accessible items in plain, open view, and the seldom used items on lower shelves or cabinets. Label everything, even if it?s obvious.
decor8: What if you live with (cough, cough) others that aren’t so neat (complete slobs)?
John: Be very careful about critiquing others in the house who haven?t subscribed to your organizing euphoria. If things are out of place, reinforce your new system by putting things back without complaining. The concept here is to peacefully stress the importance of the system, without alienating your beloved. Do not think that the time you spend summoning your husband over and scolding him will be an investment. It will only alienate them. If you follow your simple systems and put things back several times each week, you will develop a new ?habit? that will last and last and last. Much longer than that ?diet? crash program.
Large document box, Wicker storage basket, Desktop file, magazine boxes, Hable Construction storage boxes.
I swear by these Hable storage boxes for storing bottled water
in the kitchen or magazines by your desk.
decor8: In my family, my husband is always after me, he is extremely neat and organized down to his sock drawer. Okay, so we buy some containers, downsize, and organize. Now for motivation. Any advice there?
John: The value of my service is about strategy and execution. It?s easier to let items pile up instead of taking the time to make ?discard or retain? decision, right? Most clients have a disconnect between where they are today, and where they want to be next month. This is because they have no action plan to get anywhere. Develop that action plan using your resources, so you will have a coherent approach to managing the execution of your organizing plan. This is why rewards are so important. If you hit a milestone (desk cleared, closet purged, donations leaving the house and at the charity thrift store), give yourself a reward. Because if you don?t reward yourself, who will? ?If I keep the entry way from my front door cleared and maintained for a week, I?ll go buy those flowers, get a manicure, or snag that design book I?ve been hearing about.?
Thank you John for sharing your insights with us. If you have any questions for John, please leave a comment below and he’ll address those for you right here. John’s blog is a great source for organizational how-to. Check it out!
(images from retailers mentioned in above links)
December 4th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
I love your blog and today’s post was especially pertinent to me. I have a question for John: I like to be organized and I was, mostly, until I had kids. Now it seems I’m constantly trying to catch up because there doesn’t seem to be enough time. Living in a big house (3,000 sq. feet) doesn’t help. If it wasn’t for the real estate crisis, we’d move to a smaller house. Meanwhile, I feel overwhelmed by all the messes I need to tackle. I have thrift trucks coming by to pick up large items and bags of clothing and I freecycle, but yet every time I turn around, I’ve piles of things everywhere. How do I go about choosing what to organize and is there hope that I can ever finish?
December 4th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
Thanks! This was most helpful, I’m re-organising my workroom tonight and some things have got to go!!! When you enjoy being creative it’s hard not to take on too many hobbies!
Can’t wait to get started now : )
December 5th, 2007 at 6:23 am
Thanks for your great advice, John. I have experienced the slideback in my filing cabinet at home. Time to eliminate, then file the new stuff. If I want to go “paperless”, how do you suggest I start?
December 6th, 2007 at 3:48 am
Wow– these are fantastic comments!
Anonymous,
Before you go “paperless” I’d suggest hesitating printing anything out at all from your computer. Can you save articles from the ‘net on Delicious or some similar service? Try this for a few weeks and see if you can get your mind wrapped around digital storage. Then, if you’re comfortable, I’d move to your e-mail. Catagorize your e-mail into different boxes as they come in. This will get your head wrapped around main important categories and using your computer to find things (and using keywords to locate important documents.)
If you are starting to scratch, I’d suggest weeding down as much paper as possible. Once you have a system (yes, this is going to take a lot of time) you MUST make sure that any electronic filing system matches your paper filing system. You don’t want to systems- that will complicate your filing.
The act of electronic filing has to be done quickly, and effortlessly, or you won’t do it. So make sure your scanning station is close and handy. And make sure your trash/shredder is closeby too. You want to make as few movements as possible.
The only real way to do this is to start somewhere. There are lots of scanners on the market. I am sure there are document storage systems too, but I don’t have one to recommend at this moment. But before you begin, you must make a committment to finish. There is nothing worse than a 1/2-finished project.
December 6th, 2007 at 3:50 am
Lobster and Swan,
Limiting your hobbies is a smart thing. And since you’ve recognized that you are on your way to the next level: the purge! Get rid of all your unused stuff.
So, you organised your workroom last night, Tuesday, how did it go? Please share.
- John
December 6th, 2007 at 6:36 am
John is a bit tied up at the moment with clients, but he told me he’ll be online to answer your questions soon. Just to let you know!
December 9th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
Hi r8ermom!
So, you like to be organized, but lately, it’s not a priority? That not uncommon. I’ve seen client after client who has that urge to organize but does not have the time, and can’t seem to get motivated or know how to tackle the entire job?
Living in a big house, with children, requires almost constant diligence. But I want to warn you, modern lives are very complicated, much more so than our parents. What with electronic gadgets, cords, usb’s, manuals, the 99-cent store– it’s no wonder.
Chances are:
Things that are out of place is making it worse to keep what is tidy– together.
You have not established a time of the day/week where your family routinely “puts” everything back.
You have onoing, constant projects that you have not gotten to, and they are contributing to the problems.
You have not established permanant homes for things, your entire house is a constant “temporary way-station” for toys, clothes to be fixed, mail to be opened.
You’re probably developing some anger and resentment that others in the house are not helping pick the crap up.
I would think of yourself as a crew chief. Don’t go at this alone. No matter the age of your children, they must pick up after themselves, if they are over the age of three. If they don’t perform their tasks, their toys get taken away for a period of time. So if you say their rooms need to be picked up by 9am Saturday morning, and they don’t do it, you take the toys away and they don’t have them for the weekend. Or you lock the tv room door. Or unplug the games. Children need to learn responsibility, and accountability.
I would also highly suggest that your children have a set schedule. Make them choose whether they want their clothes for school laid out before bedtime, or in the morning (each has their merits– laying clothes out overnight will enable them to sleep late the next morning! Who wouldn’t like that?!
You are going to have to be tough.
Your husband is a different story. Traditionally, men come home from work and they want everything taken care of for them, and they’re terrible at keeping up systems. Obviously, you can’t treat them the same as your children. For him, I’d suggest gently reinforcing the systems by putting things away for him, and not arguing. Chances are, over time, he’ll quietly get the message what you are trying to do, and hopefully contribute to the keeping up.
January is national “Get Organized Month.” Use this special event to motivate your family in the value of systems.
I hope this helps!
- John
December 10th, 2007 at 5:26 pm
John, Thank you so much for your comments and advice. They are so right on, especially the “chances are” part. My two kids are 5 months and 2 years old so it is tough having to clean up after the entire household when so much time is spent just taking care of the kids’ basic needs. My two-year-old is surprisingly neat and enjoys putting things away, when he’s in a good mood! My husband tries but often forgets the “systems” I’ve tried to instill. I will try the gentle approach instead of the nagging one. Also, your advice about having unfinished projects everywhere is quite true. I write, I craft and I refinish furniture! From here on, I pledge to acknowledge my time limitations and refuse to take on any more. I am inspired by the upcoming organization month and am going to write down exactly what I would like to accomplish and what systems I’d like to implement. Maybe not organize every messy drawer (my dream!), but at least tackle the high traffic areas (mail and newspaper piles), front hall closet, etc. Thank you so much for the inspiration and advice!!! I am a new and happy fan of your blog.
December 17th, 2007 at 6:33 am
Hi r8ermom!
What a touching note… thank you for opening yourself up in cyberspace and sharing. I was thinking this afternoon, as I was strolling through the Faifax Swap Meet (a fairly famous smaller LA swap meet,) about some of the things you mentioned above. While I too cannot personnally tackle all the hobbied I’d like (note: space limitations) I find it particularly empowering to know that I am indeed limited. But tommorow’s a new day! When I finish with this one hobby, I’ll gladly go onto the next when I have the time and the space. I’d rather feel that way and not clutter up my workbench with another passion! Ha ha!
All the best–
- John
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Love the interview you guys did. It is wonderful, but even better is the active comments you contributed to the article. I love that your readers could ask John questions and he was there to respond – very impressive.
Megan Gregory
http://tampabayhousemd.com