This is part 2. Read part 1 here on the 3 ingredients for organising success.

One of the best parts of this book is that Angela identifies the different types of people and then based on your type, she points you straight to the correct chapters to get you sorted.

Not only that, she also has the chapter organised so you can read just the Quick Start if you don’t have a lot of time to read the whole chapter. Yessss!

If you have a difficult time getting organised, Angela says there are 3 different sets of reasons:

psychological - this is procrastination, not being motivated, not making organising a priority, hoarding, having disempowering beliefs like “creative people can’t be organised”, etc.

systemic - this refers to a lack of systems, like there isn’t a system to keep the place organised so two days later, it’s a tip again or having the wrong systems like you design this complicated system that both your husband and kids can’t actually maintain, making you go stark raving mad!

To quote Dr Phil, “how’s that working for you?”

situational – this is when other circumstances like moving house or other people like spouses cause an organised state.

I actually get many questions where people ask how to get their spouses organised. Think I’ll write about that next week


If you find the process of getting organised challenging, what do you think is YOUR main reason?



You can get your own copy here – Angela is a really funny writer too so she gives gorgeous examples of her and her husband, draws cool flow charts to show the difference in their styles

Here are this month’s challenges

Week 1 – Baking stuff, pots and serving dishes
It’s the first week of December!

Organise all your pots and baking stuff so that you’re ready for all the cooking and baking you’ll do later this month.You don’t need two sets of measuring cups or spoons. If you have some old muffin pans, you can use them to plant seedlings or organise a drawer.

If there are serving dishes you’ve had for 5 years but never use, cook or bake something in it (casserole/ lasagna) and give it away as a present.

Take charge tip – Double up on some baking recipes and give the baked goods away as gifts. Arrange biscuits or muffins on some plates you don’t like any more, cover with cling wrap, tie a red bow and there you have it – an inexpensive, useful gift.


Week 2 – Put up decorations and the Christmas tree & finish wrapping gifts
Decorate your house and put up the Christmas tree. Hang Christmas cards from a piece of string or attach to the side of your wall unit.

Finish wrapping your gifts and writing out gift tags. It’s always a good idea to keep a few spare gifts around in case someone pops by and you don’t have anything for them.


Week 3 – Finalise your menu and finish buying food
This is more important if you’re hosting Christmas dinner.

Finalise your menu. If you’d like people to bring a dish, phone them now. Check your pantry and buy last-minute ingredients and drinks. Download your shopping list at http://takechargesolutions.org/downloads.html

If you’re having Christmas dinner elsewhere, make sure that you know what the host wants you to cook.

Merry Christmas!


Week 4 – Sort out your planning tools