Each year on another board I frequent, I host some sort of “organizational challenge” each January. Previously, I’ve done a “Control the Paper Monster” challenge, and a “Closet” challenge. (A copy of which, can be found here.)

This year marks another move. AGAIN. I’ve become somewhat of a moving guru having done my own form of this challenge %^%#! times in the past %#$@# years, I’m inviting you along for the ride with me through the process. Please join me in THE BIG ORGANIZATIONAL PACKFEST! Let’s face it; I would appreciate the company and support, not to mention the accountability!

So, what you might want to know before you join up: this is a long, all-encompassing challenge, with one assignment each week! (I used to shove it all into one month, but I have so much going on, that focusing on one area per week is about all I can handle.) We should be through everything by May, because my move is in June!

I will go into much more detail in future posts – but the premise of this challenge is that you guys will be pretending to join me in my upcoming move!  This is not a “move down the street” kind of move. No, I want you to think of this as a major, life altering move: maybe moving across the country or overseas, or perhaps moving AND downsizing to a MUCH smaller living situation.

As you can imagine, there is a lot that goes into that sort of move, but what we will be spending the bulk of this challenge focusing on will be the prepping for the move – purging, sorting, organizing of our “stuff.” Also, we will deal with planning, organizing, scheduling type tasks – many things I have to do for my own move, but as you will come to see, they will set you up to have a much more organized year and home for the rest of the year! I promise you will enjoy the fruits of all your labors! That’s one of the reasons I start this type of crazy challenge in January, to take advantage of everyone’s “New Year’s Resolutions” enthusiasm and energy.

GET STARTED

A couple of Pre-Assignments:

1) Gather needed supplies. Garbage bags, file folders, boxes, dumpster, whatever. Walk around taking a quick tally of what you are going to need. AND THEN GO GET IT. So you won’t have any excuses. (And hopefully you can get some good deals while things are on sale.)

3) Catch up on the daily stuff and see if you can get ahead. Kinda hard to organize closets and sort clothes if they are all in the dirty pile, right?

FIRST UP: CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

Just to warn you!

HOW TO JOIN

Please feel free to blog about your experience and tasks, and join up with us here by posting in the comments, etc. so we can all commiserate support and encourage each other this month! Don’t worry about starting late, just join in and catch up!

I do not have a graphic yet for this challenge. Does anyone out there want to volunteer their help??

Add your own comments below, to let us know that you’re joining us.