It can be difficult to keep your family motivated to keep the home organized. But with the right tools, strategies and communication, it is possible! 

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Let's jump right in with some tips for motivating your family to keep the home organized.

1. Understand your family's needs: It is key to understand why your family may have trouble staying organized. Do they struggle with time management? Are they disorganized and need advice on how to improve the system? Ask your family what their biggest obstacles are and work together to create a system that works for everyone. - Build a shared system of expectations and roles: Develop an action plan with clear responsibilities, expectations, and rewards. Make sure that each family member has specific tasks that are tailored to their abilities. This will make the process easier and more enjoyable for everyone.  The best way we have found to implement this is by using a "Family Command Center". We walk you through creating one step-by-step below.‍
2. Lead by example: Setting a good example is one of the best ways to inspire motivation. Show your family how maintaining an organized home can be beneficial - it can reduce stress, save time, and create a peaceful environment.‍
3. Communicate and coordinate with each other regularly, offering support and advice: Make sure to check in with your family often so that everyone is on the same page. Encourage each other, offer support, and communicate openly about the challenges you face. 
4. ‍Offer rewards and incentives, group v.s. individual rewards: Offering rewards for a job well done can be a great motivator. Consider offering both individual and group rewards. For example, if the entire family completes their tasks, you could reward them with a fun night out, but the opposite should also be true - if one doesn't take care of their responsibilities, the group is affected. This creates more of a team mindset and helps everyone be invested in each individual's success. 

The Benefits of a Family Command Center:

• ‍Staying organized becomes easier: A family command center can provide a central location to store important documents and to-do lists. This makes it easier to stay organized and keep track of tasks that need to be completed. 
• Reduced stress and confusion: With a family command center, everyone can easily refer to the same shared information. This eliminates the confusion and hassle that can come with miscommunication. ‍
• Improved communication: With a family command center, family members can easily write notes and reminders for each other. This can help improve communication and ensure that everyone is on the same page. 

Components of a Family Command Center:

• ‍Wall calendar: A wall calendar is a great way to keep track of important dates and appointments. Look for a wall calendar that is large enough to accommodate everyone's schedules. 
• ‍Message board: A message board is a great way to share thoughts and ideas among family members. Look for a message board that has space for notes and reminders. 
• ‍Chalkboard or whiteboard: A chalkboard or whiteboard can be used to write down to-do lists, grocery lists, and more. Look for one that is easy to erase and update. 
• ‍Pocket organizers: Pocket organizers are great for storing bills, receipts, and other important documents. Look for an organizer that can easily be hung on the wall. ‍
• Caddies and bins: Caddies and bins can be used to organize smaller items such as pens, paperclips, and other office supplies. Look for ones that are labeled, so items can be easily identified. 

‍Having a system for collecting and distributing mail is the key to staying organized and preventing the pileup of mail that can quickly get out of control.

Set Up a System for Collecting & Distributing Mail:

1. ‍Create a designated spot for collecting mail: Start by selecting an area in the home that can be set aside as the designated mail area. This can be a basket, bin, or even a desk. The important thing is that it is accessible to everyone in the family and clearly labeled “mail.”
2. ‍Create a system for sorting and distributing mail: Once you’ve established a designated mail area, the next step is to create a system for sorting and distributing mail. This can be done by setting out color-coded folders for each family member, or it can be a simple as a basket for each person. This system should be tailored to fit the needs of your family. 

Establish rules and guidelines for use:

Once the system is in place, make sure that everyone understands the rules and guidelines for use. For example, let family members know that it’s important to check the mail each day and that they should sort and distribute mail regularly. 

Create a System for Dealing with Clutter:

1. Establish rules and guidelines for the types of items that can stay, go or be donated: Start by setting clear rules and guidelines for the types of items that can stay in the home, go to another family member, or be donated. This helps everyone understand what is and isn’t allowed in the home and helps keep clutter under control.
2. Decide on a place to store items that stay: Once the rules and guidelines for items that can stay have been established, decide on a place to store them. For example, you may decide that certain items should only be stored in a certain closet or cabinet.
3. Create a system for regularly reducing clutter: Finally, establish a system for regularly reducing clutter. This can be as simple as setting a calendar reminder to go through closets and drawers every month and donate or discard items that are no longer needed. This is an important step to help maintain an organized home.

Living in an organized home will bring great benefits to your family, but it can take time and effort to make it happen. In this blog, we discussed some tips to motivate your family to keep the home organized. From understanding your family’s needs, creating a shared system of expectations, to leading by example and offering rewards and incentives, there are plenty of things you can do to get your family on board with living the clutter-free life. In addition, we discussed the benefits of having a family command center, mail system and staying on top of the clutter.

If you’re looking for additional support, Clutter-free Solutions can offer professional services to help you get your family on the path to organization.

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