Albert Einstein said it best:

"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."

After reading this quote and having started my business as a Professional Organizer in August 2003, it occurred to me that there's more to simply decluttering and giving our things a home and perhaps just buying less. Getting organized and staying organized includes adjusting our thought processes, as well as planning and implementing systems.

The GOPACK® System simplifies the task of getting organized by giving you a step-by-step guide to achieving organizing results. The GOPACK® System provides the components necessary to get organized and STAY organized. It goes beyond a place for everything and addresses habit changes that will help you stick with the new systems.

"Short of hiring a professional organizer, the GOPACK® System is the best I've ever seen for achieving your organizing goal."
Kathleen Schulweis, Ph.D., Business Coach, Confidence Connections
Los Angeles, California

What's the difference between the
GOPACK® System and the GOPACK® Method?

The GOPACK® System is the overall 6-part system of Thinking, Planning, Support, Purging, Time and System, which I'll explain in a moment. The GOPACK® Method is the Group Object, Purge, Assign, Contain and Keep it Up, which is a sub-set of the Purging Stage of the System.

The GOPACK® System is broken into 6 parts:

• Thinking: The first part addresses common issues how our thinking leads us to clutter, the negative self-talk that keeps us stuck, procrastination, resistance, and provides the four critical tools to getting and staying organized.
• Planning: Creating a plan that works, utilizing zones and systems, and planning the space.
• Support: Forming a team, enlisting the help of others, identifying your top organizing priorities, and creating a vision statement.
• Purging (This is where the GOPACK® Method lives): The GOPACK® Method is introduced in this portion of the System, which is Group Objects, Purge, Assign, Contain and Keep it up and how you must identify a reward for a job well done!
• Time: This portion of the System helps you to learn how to regain control of your spaces, learning to say no, how to set limits and boundaries, creating priorities, misconceptions of a to-do list, how to plan your time.
• Systems: The final portion of the GOPACK® System explains how systems work and the importance of setting up routines to maintain your work, including Six Strategies for Staying Organized. There are also more than 20 systems for everyday tasks listed in the book.

  

“I read GOPACK over the holidays and I am so inspired! My bedroom closet has been tackled and I am well on the way toward making time for me!”
Ginny Carson, Owner, Decorum LLC www.decorumllc.com

Let's review the GOPACK® Method
As explained above, the GOPACK® System is the overall 6-part system, whereas the GOPACK® Method is a sub-set portion of the Purge in the 6-part system. This is where the Group Objects, Assign, Contain and Keep it up come into play.

The Get Organized Guide for Busy Women and The Get Organized for New Moms details the complete GOPACK® Method, including What to Tackle First, Mapping out the Project, How to Prepare, How Long it Will Take, and Why You Shouldn't Overdo it.

Group Objects: The first step involves pulling stuff out of closets, drawers and piles and putting like items together. This can be a grueling task, so it's essential to read the How to Prepare so you are ready to get started and complete this stage.

Purge: The lack of purging is why we wind so many of us wind up with clutter. The section in the book on this step begins with explaining why we keep stuff, how to make decisions to eliminate, and provides a list of easy to spot toss items. This part of the Method also breaks down the purge into five categories, to simplify the process: Donate, consign, go home, return and trash, which are all explained in detail in the book.

Assign: Now you decide where things will live, designating zones for the items you've grouped. The book reminds you to keep like items together and how to store temporary projects.

Contain: Now the fun part! Containers. This is where your items will live. Learn what constitutes a container, how to determine the best choice for what you're keeping, and the book provides a list of resources where to purchase fun, functional and affordable containers.

Keep it up: The book includes Keep it up Forms to help you maintain the organization you've put into place. There are Daily, Weekly, Monthly and Annual forms. There's also a useful list of tips to help you maintain your work.

Note: In the book, each section of the GOPACK® Method includes a list of Supplies Needed, Steps to follow, Tips, and Good Ideas!

"The GOPACK® really clarifies the meaning and purpose of getting organized. I love that it focuses on organizing as a process and the goal is the end result. People tend to get bogged down by the 'work' of it which really hinders getting that final result."
Sean Johnson, Professional Organizer who has appeared on HGTV, Organized Bliss, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina

Buy the Books!

The High Cost of Clutter

Seven Tips for Purging

GOPACK® System

Thinking
Planning
Support
Purging
Time
Systems

GOPACK® Method

GO = Group Objects
P = Purge
A = Assign
C = Contain
K = Keep it up

GOPACK® Labels

Donate: Choose a charity and drop off the stuff

Consign: Take to a consignment shop or sell on ebay

Go Home: These are items that do not belong in the space you're working. For example, you may wind up with a pair of your child's socks in the kitchen. They would be placed in this box, along with other items, then taken "home" once you were through.

Return: These are items that need to be Returned to someone who doesn't live in your home or products, libary books, or DVDs that need to go back to a store. Put this box in your car and make your rounds to drop them off.