Savvy Basics: Three Keys for The Cram and Jam Organizational Style

No one ever accused the cram and jam organizer of wasting space. This organizational style probably fits more stuff into less space than anyone else. In addition, these folks don't usually have to worry about remembering where they put something, because pretty much everything is stuffed into the same place. Cram and jam organizers:

• cram things into any available open space, and jam things into spaces even when they are already overcrowded;
• lack an understanding of the concept of "full;"
• rarely have an organizational system, unless it’s for things that are extremely important to them.
• may look organized when they have a lot of storage space - until you open up the closets and look inside the drawers.

Wrinkles and crinkles aside, you've got to give the cram and jammer credit for putting things away. For this organizational style, storage and retrieval are the key issues.

Oh, that's all? you say. Just storage and retrieval?

Yes. But it's not as bad as it sounds. In fact, it's really just a matter of a few tweaks.

• Stick to one-step, one-stop storage. One-stop storage means one-stop retrieval, so go ahead and give in to the urge to put everything in one good-sized place. When it comes to containers, think Goldilocks -- a space that's not too small to fit things into, not so large that things accumulate, but just right for no more than a week's worth of whatever you're storing.
  Whenever possible, use storage that has a little wiggle room (fabric containers work well because of their flexibility), but is compatible to the items going into it (try a legal-sized folder for letter-sized paper, for example). Avoid storing things in small, dark places that tempt cramming and threaten retrieval.

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