Don't Put It Down, Put It Away

The moment you set something down "just for now," it becomes part of the landscape. That jacket on the chair, the mail on the counter, the shoes by the couch — each one is an unfinished action. Train yourself to carry things the extra ten steps to their actual home. It feels like more effort in the moment, but it's far less effort than a weekend spent tidying up dozens of "temporary" piles.

The rule is simple: if it takes less than two minutes to put it away, do it now.