For the next few weeks I will be providing tips on bringing more order to your home and work space. As with most of my Tips for Living with ADD, each tip is intended to be read in about two minutes. Please let me know if there are particular areas you want addressed. Your input and feedback are always welcome!

Whether you are a single adult living alone or a member of a household of 8, you probably have at least one room in which a lot of activity occurs. This living or family room is our focus for today.

Begin by asking yourself: “What is my goal?” Somewhere between the aftermath of a tornado (level 1) and Martha Stewart’s living room (level 10) is the level of tidiness you are probably seeking. Many are perfectly content with level 2 or 3. Others might want level 10 but are not likely to get there without a full-time housekeeper and interior decorator! So, give some thought to the level of tidiness you want to achieve before launching a de-cluttering campaign. Then remind yourself of my favorite mantra: “Any is better than none.”

Organizing by Zone: Stand at the doorway of your living room to identify different areas or zones (e.g., TV Zone; Computer Zone; Reading Zone; Games/Play Zone; Social Zone). There is usually a lot of overlap, but if you begin thinking of different Zones, it will make it easier to decide which Zone you want to target first. By focusing on one Zone at a time, you will be less overwhelmed. To tidy the Games/Play Zone, for example, you may only need a bin or two for joysticks, headphones, and game cartridges. Enlist the kids to help organize this area by using the Reward System.

When you find yourself getting distracted by the other Zones, take a slow, deep breath and remind yourself to “stay on target”. As you bring order to one Zone, you will be inspired to move to another.

Maintenance: After you have brought some order to a Zone, you can keep it tidy by using the 2-Minute Rule. Taking two minutes or less, tidy a Zone. If you have children, assign each a Zone of Responsibility as part of their Reward System. Those who most use a particular Zone are the most logical ones to tidy it.

Have fun! Almost any task can become less burdensome when we approach it in a playful way. How can you and your family have fun while bringing some order to the family room?