(photo from bhg.com)
The Free Dictionary's definition of a Command Center is :
A facility from which a commander and his or her representatives
direct operations and control forces.
It is organized to gather, process,analyze, display,
and disseminate planning and operational data
and perform other related tasks.
While the definition might be military related, it certainly applies to our everyday lives. We all need a spot to direct operations in our home.
Command centers are an excellent organizing system to
corral all the "stuff" coming in and going out of the house.
There are several essentials you need in your
command center, although you need to personalize
yours to work best for you and your family.
The main step is figuring out what you want your
command center to do.
What information do you want to be able to
have for easy access?
What things or information are getting lost that would be
good to go into a command center area?
Here are a list of some of the things I consider essentials in a
command center area:
1. Calendar - the place where all appointments and
events are scheduled and recorded.
2. A mail bin/wall organizer.
3. A bills to pay bin/wall organizer.
4. Frequently used office supplies: pens, pencils, stapler, tape, scissors, paper clips, notepads and rubber bands.
4. A small basket for keys and other small essentials.
5. A pending bin/wall organizer.
6. A place for things going out of the house.
Here are some of the organizing "tools" to use in the command center.
magazine holder can be used for mail, bills, pending, or papers
needing to be signed
mail, bills or pending basket
wall organizers for papers going in or out
or for mail, bills or pending basket
The key to a command center is a convenient location,
keeping it clutter free, teaching everyone exactly what
goes where and the whole purpose of the area.
Now is the time to take control and set up a place to "direct operations and control your forces" so it is not directing and controlling you!
