Working with a client this morning, I was reminded of an article I recently read on ApartmentTherapy.com similar to this one (edited and updated, July 2020).
In the comments for an article about creating an entry way in a small space, a reader asked if the solution to the problem was to “Change the habit or the house?”.
This is a powerful and useful question as we get organized! And… what does that mean?
Let’s say I notice that, when I walk in the door every day, I consistently put my keys on the same side table and toss my coat over the same chair or the back of the sofa.
Leaving my keys and coat exactly there makes the space look cluttered or disorganized, so I could elect to try and change my HABIT and come in a different door, or walk down the hallway and hang things up in a closet, etc. However, since I am consistent about where these items fall, I can find them in an instant and be out the door efficiently.
So the HABIT is a good one, but the entry way of the HOUSE doesn’t support the HABIT well. I could change the house to support the habit by adding a decorative bowl in the entry way for keys and phone, setting a chair in the entry way for our coat and bag, or perhaps adding a coat tree or some wall hooks.
Another example. This morning’s client has 2 school aged daughters, and they both consistently drop their school backpacks and sport bags in the same places in the living room / dining room. This can drive a parent crazy, let me tell you!
Yes, the piles in these living spaces are unsightly. However, these students have good and consistent habits that helps them keep track of their school work and team uniforms. So, the question we asked this morning was “Is it easier to change the habit or the house?”
My client didn’t actually mind the location of the piles, merely the appearance of them. So, de- 
cluttering the pile contents and adding attractive large wicker baskets to hold the bags and gear in the habitual drop zones seems a better solution than trying to establish new habits and drop zones elsewhere.
Years ago, I organized with a real estate agent who had a lovely home office, but she didn’t really like to work in there. She preferred to work in her kitchen – it was warm and cozy, had great light plus coffee! So, instead of trying to change her preferred habit of working happily in the kitchen, we instead set up a work space in the kitchen and reserved the home office for meetings with clients, and file and supply storage. We helped her home better fit her good work habit.
Again, the question: Do I need to change my house or change my habit?
Is there is a space in your home or office that regularly causes you frustration? A place that has 
just never seemed to “work” right for you?
If your habit is a problem – you drop stuff where it becomes unsafe, you neglect client files, you are inconsistent with your stuff and the habits around it – then consider changing your habits.
If, however, your habits are sound but the space doesn’t support the habit, consider what you can do to Support the Good Habit and Change the house around it!
Thanks for reading!
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