1. Set Your Goals. Include a list of projects or rooms and areas (i.e. the junk drawer) that you want to change in 2009. Also, try to make a plan on how to accomplish your goals and get things checked off the to-do list. Without a plan, your goals are only dreams.

2. Keep realistic goals. Don’t set too many and don’t make them too difficult to where they become unreachable. Start with small and easy tasks and work your way up. Big or overwhelming tasks can make your workload seem impossible.

3. Have a vision. The best way to get organized is to have a clear idea of what you want your space to look like and what it will be used for.

4. Treat your space with respect. Peter Walsh says that your home is a reflection of you and the space where you live should reflect the life you want to live. Getting organized and decluttering your home allows you to enjoy the space you have take control of your life.

5. Give yourself due dates. Arranging your tasks by due date help relieve the heat. By prioritizing your to-dos by date, time or event, you can knock off the most urgent items and hold off on less pressing ones.

6. Have a routine. When you get in the habit of doing things a certain way and set some limits, it becomes easier to stay organized and you become an example for the kids and other family members.

7. Lists, lists, lists and more lists. Having a daily or monthly organizing list will keep you on track and help establish a routine.

8. Keep it together: Tasks scribbled on scraps or Post-it Notes are fine—until you want to check back and verify that something got done. With a dedicated notebook or spiral pad for to-dos, you can always consult old lists and even track the date it happened.

9. Set Limits. You only have so much space to fit everything so you will need to set limits on what stays and what goes. Establish designated places or zones for like items and keep them in the same place. And put things back where they belong.

10. Teamwork. Partner with a spouse, friend or child to keep you motivated and on track to reach your goals. If you have someone to encourage and cheer you on, you are more likely to be successful.

11. Plan and Purchase. Get a grip on your tools and supplies, what you really need and use and what you already have. If you are organizing your sweaters, shop for sweater organizers. If the garage is your goal, search for those storage solutions, tool racks, bike lifts, sports equipment organizers and lawn equipment organizers.

12. Trash or Treasure. Donate or get rid of anything that you haven’t worn or used in the last year. Your junk drawer is a great place to start. It will be a much cleaner and neater space when you don’t have 30 pencils or pens that don’t work. Trash the items you don’t use! One way to do this and make it easy on yourself is by using a service that will come right to your home and do all the loading and pick up for you. A good one to try is 1-800-GOT-JUNK. They are the largest junk removal service, and have on-time service, will remove anything from old furniture to appliances and electronics and will take single items or entire truck loads. Just call (1-800-468-5865) or go online (www.1800gotjunk.com) to schedule a pick up. You can always do a Google search for “junk removal services” in your area to find other organizations to come to your home. Be a leader and get your neighborhood involved to make it a group effort and donate all unwanted items to charity.

13. Dream or Disappointment. Having the right tools is the most important first step for any organizing project or job. Just as you would make a checklist and take inventory of the tools needed for painting a room, do the same for organizing the cabinets under the sink, clearing clutter on your office desk or adding order to the kids’ playroom. Having the right tools and resources can be the defining difference between creating your dream closet and a disappointing afternoon.

14. Go vertical. Get maximum usage of the space at the top of your closet. Storage bins and baskets are the key to mastering what little or limited space you have. Use stackable storage bins or baskets that can hold hats, sweaters, gloves or miscellaneous items that wouldn't normally work on a shelf. Not only will this look much nicer than the having the stuffcrammed at the top of your closet, but you'll be able to fit more up there and find things easier.

15. Label your baskets, boxes, bins and shelves clearly so you don't have to dig through each one to assess the contents. Labels also help other family members know where things are supposed to go.

16. Take advantage of doors and cabinets. Over the door organizers can help de-clutter and give you more space when it comes to towels, purses, caps/hats, shoes and so much more. Storage caddies and hooks used on or the inside of cabinet doors also help store and organize. Under the cabinet organizers for pots, pans and cookware keeps everything organized and in one place.

17. A wall-mounted shelf with hooks can clear clutter on dressers and counters and create an attractive display.

18. Divide and Conquer. Drawer organizers and drawer dividers can help keep clutter at bay by separating school supplies, batteries, pens, paper clips, lint rollers, bills and just about everything else that gets shoved in a drawer.

19. Organization doesn’t have to be boring. Unique organizers, fun patterns and bright colors can make a huge difference in storage. Stylish changes, no matter how small, can change the look and feel of a room. Storage comes in all colors, shapes and sizes. Color coordinate necessities and have some fun along the way.

20. Stash it. An office, workspace or kitchen can quickly become clutter free by using inexpensive storage boxes. Clear boxes offer easy access and are a distinctive addition to an existing collection.

21. Nest it. Stackable or nesting boxes work great to organize small spaces. They make for easy storage solutions and when empty, they can also act as decorative additions to the room.

22. Charge it. Charging stations are perfect for keeping all your electronic devices organized and in one place. Not to mention the order it brings to unruly cords and charging cables.

23. Add Drawers to Cabinets. By adding stackable drawers to cabinets you can utilize cabinet space that might otherwise go unused. Assign each drawer with specific contents so you will spend less time looking for things you really need.

24. Clean the cleaners. Cleaning supplies and tools can become a bit cluttered and disorganized if they don’t have a designated place when not in use. A wall-mounted rack that holds the mop, broom, duster and dust pan can come in handy. It will also help extend the life of your mop and broom by preventing them from being ruined as they are tossed in some corner.

25. Prioritize. When organizing shelves and cabinets, place commonly used items within arms reach so you have easy access and stash the seldom-used items up high or in covered.

26. Have an organized filing system. When you have a sea of papers that result from an endless stream of bills, receipts, school papers and other important documents, you will live in a world of clutter. An organized filing system puts you back in control and live clutter free.

27. Creative Sorting. A well-ordered linen closet is an easy way to clear clutter. Divide sheets, towels and other linens into categories and color coordinate. It is easier to keep them in view and identify each item. Separating the towels and sheets by size and color makes it simple to know which bathroom or bedroom they belong in. Use linen closet organizers to stop the towel avalanche every time you open the linen closet. Another clever trick to keep sheet sets together, is fold a pillow case lengthwise and wrap it around the fitted and flat sheet.

28. Versatile Storage. Try to go for furniture that can be used as storage, will fit anywhere and can adapt to different needs. Open storage is best, such as modular units and cubbies. They can go in the kitchen, craft/hobby room, kid’s room or laundry room.

29. Mental Clutter. Professional Organizer, Maria Gracia, says that the most important things to toss at the end of the year are any preconceptions and limiting ideas you may have. “If you see yourself as always being overwhelmed and in a state of constant crisis or chaos, you will be. If you always feel that you are behind the eight ball, it's time to move the ball. Your confidence and positive attitude are your most valuable assets. Before you can have a clean home and an organized life, you must be convinced that you CAN. Never forget that being organized means having your life functioning in an efficient manner. It's not about having your stuff in perfectly matching, color-coordinated boxes. It's about having your things in a place where you can find and easily access them. It's about having systems in place that allow us to pay our bills when they are due, make it to appointments on time and prioritize our obligations in a way that best benefits ourselves and our families.”

30. Rely on the Experts. We have created a must have check list for every room or area of your house. Refer to them to make your project run smoothly.