I bet you’d never thought a professional organizer would tell you that owning more stuff saves time! I never thought I’d say that either, but I had an experience last week that convinced me that strict minimalism, in some cases, can work against you.

Here is my story…

I have label-making software on my laptop computer, so I took it to my client’s location to make labels for a large number of file folders. When I got home at the end of the day, I realized I had forgotten the computer’s power cord at the job site – on the other side of the city! I thought about going back for it, but a return trip would take hours in rush hour traffic – time I didn’t have. I decided to go back for it the next day.

But I still had to work on my computer, and I had online meetings the following morning. Fortunately, my battery held out for the meetings, and I retrieved my power cord in the afternoon. If I had two cables (one in my laptop bag and one on my desk), I wouldn’t have been working in crisis mode. Nor would I have had to spend time driving across the city the next day.

The Rule for Owning More Stuff

When I suggest that owning more stuff saves time, that isn’t a free pass to keep everything you own “just in case.” There is an important rule:

Designate a specific location for the tool you need in the area where you need it, and only keep a certain number of that tool in that area.

For example, keep one or two pens everywhere you need to write, such as your desk, bedside table, and purse. This saves time because you don’t have to walk to your desk every time you need a pen. Nor do you have to root through dozens of old, non-functional pens to find one that works.

What Should I Keep and Where?

You need enough of each item to be convenient but not enough to be clutter. It depends on how and where you work and how many people live in your home. If you live alone in a smaller one-level apartment or condo, one pen in each room might suffice. If you live in a large house with multiple levels and multiple people, you might want to have a small box of office supplies at each workstation. Less frequently used office equipment (e.g., 3-hole punch) could be stored in a central location. Here are a few other ideas where owning more stuff saves time.

• First-aid kits and cleaning supplies in each bathroom
• Smartphone charging cables in the kitchen, living room, bedrooms, and car
• Multi-head screwdriver and measuring tape in the office or kitchen (if you store your tools in the basement or garage)
• Computer power cables in your home office and travel bag (I learned my lesson!)

Rather than think about minimalism, think about what is essential. It’s a balance that will vary from person to person. Purge with purpose but keep what you need to be effective and efficient. For hands-on help, book an appointment with the Out of Chaos team.

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