Saturday, October 03, 2015

I envy individuals who seem to just flow through each day with everything they need for home, family and work magically located exactly where they need it, when they need it.

But it wasn't until a blog from Taylor Flanery at home-storage-solutions-101.com defined how to overcome one of the most frustrating difficulties many of us have - simply getting ourselves out of the house on time every morning.

One way to solve this dilemma, Flanery says, is to create a launching pad for each family member. A launch pad is a designated space close enough to the door to keep the daily stuff you and your family members will need when they leave the house.

Examples of common items frequently included in a school kids' launching pad include:

• Backpacks (it is nice, if possible to get these off the floor where you're prone to tripping over them, such as by having them hang on hooks or from a rack)
• Lunch box and/or snacks, drinks
• Permission slips and other papers to return to school
• Books, including library books
• Sports equipment, or other hobby equipment needed for school or after school activities
• Coats and other winter or weather gear

For an adult's launching pad, consider including:

• Keys
• Mobile or smart phone (make sure it is charged by keeping a charging station nearby)
• Mail (such as in your home mail organizer)
• Purses and briefcases, and/or diaper bag
• Coat and other weather gear (gloves, hat, umbrella, etc.)
• Packed lunch for work
• Items to return, or for errands
• Dry cleaning

Create a space for all these items around the exit to your home using cubbies, hooks and pegs, baskets, or whatever else you can think of that can compartmentalize each launch pad.

Finally, as with most organizational systems, Flanary says a launching pad won't actually help in the mornings if you don't use it. So get yourself and your family members into the habit of actually placing their stuff in this space as they come in the door, and taking it with them when they leave the house.

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