I recently heard about an on-line help that would prompt you to stay organized. At the time I thought, "hmmm sounds interesting, someone telling me what to do each day - one chore at a time - to keep organized at home."

However the clutter in my life quickly removed the idea from my head.

Then today I was reading an article about ways working women can organize their lives and I read about this on-line organizer again. So I figured I had better check it out.

It's called FlyLady and it offers a free daily email nudge that keeps you on track for ensuring that your life is organized.

Each week has a different focus, each month a new habit to learn and reinforce. There are on line tools and best practices tips and it's all done with a sense of humor.

Here's what she says about being a SHE (Sidetracked Home Executive) and how to overcome the bad habits of a lifetime:

First, you join as a FlyBaby. You will receive your e-mail Welcome Letters from FlyLady instructing you on how to get started. You will also receive regular e-mail reminders from FlyLady about zones, decluttering, laundry, shoes (honestly - shoes are very important here!) and more. Don't feel overwhelmed! FlyLady will keep you on track using small baby steps. And FlyBabies - no peeking at all of the routines, etc. shown on the FlyLady website. You are just getting started!

Now, as you progress, Flylady will send you e-mail to help you develop routines to get you going in the morning and to send you off to sleep in the evening. She's tough here - routines are very important! It takes 21 days to form a habit, but for SHEs, it takes 28 days. FlyLady is going to insist you shine your sink too - you'll soon find out why!

Decluttering is next. FlyLady will help you declutter your house using Hot Spot Fire Drills and the 27-Fling Boogie. If the thought of decluttering your home is overwhelming - don't worry - Flylady has been there and knows what you are going through! In fact, FlyLady still has her own "dungeon" of clutter that she is working on!

It doesn't matter whether you are a male or female, single or married, working in or out of the home, have kids or not, this can work for you. You can easily adapt FlyLady's system to fit your own lifestyle. You will find that with time, your house and life will pull together.

Has anyone given this a try? My first thought is - one more email everyday. But then if it truly is baby steps then perhaps what needs to be done will actually happen. Maybe I'll finally get around to dusting the baseboards.

So, I'm going to give it a try and I'll keep you posted. I know that if I were more organized at home, then my brain would be free from clutter which would allow me be to more productive and enjoy life more.

Deborah Chaddock Brown
Writer, FlyBaby