As a seasoned professional in the art of organizing, my attention is immediately captured when the topics of ‘decluttering,’ ‘arranging,’ or ‘straightening up’ surface in discussions about efficiency. It’s no mystery to me that the link between being systematic and being fruitful is a close one, yet it’s a concept that often escapes people’s grasp. I understand the skepticism—it may seem foolish to dedication effort to crafting an Instagram-worthy pantry with coordinated containers and elegant labels when your inbox is overflowing, your schedule is packed, and deadlines are looming.
However, the essence of home organization is not about chasing perfection (or the illusion thereof), but rather about establishing practical systems, avoiding space overcrowding, and maintaining a place for everything. It’s about forging habits and prioritizing effectively, which incidentally, is the core of what many books on productivity, podcast hosts, mentors, and experts preach.
The 1-3-5 rule stands as a proven and valuable strategy for enhancing productivity, typically in a professional context—but it’s just as adaptable for tackling the chaos in your home! Even if you’re already familiar with applying this method in your workplace, you’ll discover how easily it can be transferred to your personal environment, making organization an achievable ambition.
Though it’s difficult to trace the origins of this ‘rule,’ it’s widely employed in corporate circles to enhance time and project management. This approach involves categorizing your tasks into large, medium, and small. Daily, you aim to accomplish a set number from each category. By following the 1-3-5 rule, an optimal daily routine might include:
Firstly, tackle one significant task that demands your peak energy and focus.Secondly, address three moderate tasks that are necessary but less intensive than the first.And finally, complete five minor tasks that require minimal effort and time.
It’s often said that adhering to the 1-3-5 structure is key to a successful and efficient day for many individuals. The major task is handled when you’re at your most alert, the subsequent medium tasks become more manageable, and the small tasks are easily knocked off as your energy wanes. This ensures a comprehensive accomplishment of daily goals while optimizing your attention span. Most importantly, it compels you to prioritize and direct your efforts towards what truly counts.
Given that decluttering and organizing encompass tasks of varying complexity, it’s straightforward to apply the 1-3-5 rule to bring order to your home. The initial step is to establish your priorities. Fussing over snack labeling in a pantry where you have no trouble finding things seems like a low priority. Conversely, if key misplacement is a daily issue, or if you’re searching for a critical document in a mountain of papers, or preparing a nursery before your baby arrives, these are tangible objectives to focus on. Decide whether activities like installing a key hook, sorting papers, or preparing a room for a new family member are large, medium, or small tasks.
Before demonstrating how to apply the 1-3-5 rule to organizing tasks, a word of caution: some home projects are extensive and can’t realistically be completed in a day, let alone with additional tasks. For instance, transforming a garage that’s been untended for years has taken me and my team several days. If a space has become chaotic over time, don’t expect an instant fix. Instead, break down substantial projects into manageable pieces using the 1-3-5 rule.
A second note—and this applies to using the 1-3-5 rule universally—is that it’s acceptable to adjust your goals based on life’s unexpected turns. You might plan to switch out your winter wardrobe for spring, but if a sudden snowstorm is coming, it’s reasonable to postpone that big task and focus on another for that day. The goal is to stay adaptable and tackle your goals in the most effective sequence.
Remember, what one person considers a medium task might be a small one to you and vice versa. The more you practice the 1-3-5 method at home, the better you’ll become at assessing tasks in relation to your approach. Plus, the more organized you are, the faster you’ll work through tasks (eventually, decluttering that junk drawer may shrink from large to medium to small as you repeat the process).
Here’s an example of what a day of home decluttering and organization might look like using the 1-3-5 rule:
One large task: Overhauling the pantry by sorting, decluttering, and reorganizing.
Three medium tasks: Managing incoming mail, purging expired beauty products, establishing a designated area for daily essentials.
Five small tasks: Cleaning out your bag, folding and storing a load of towels, emptying the dish drainer, picking up toys, and alphabetizing your spice collection.
For a substantial project like organizing a cluttered garage, spread the work over several days, assigning large, medium, and small tasks each day. Here’s an illustration of the first day’s plan:
One large task: Clearing out and categorizing half the garage’s contents (sports gear, tools, gardening supplies, etc.).
Three medium tasks: Deciding what to keep or donate within each category, loading up the car with donations, and dropping them off at a local charity.
Five small tasks: Sweeping the now-empty half of the garage, cleaning shelves and bins, storing organized items in bins, labeling them, and disposing of trash.
Continue this routine each day with fresh tasks until you’ve achieved your goal of an organized space.
