The Fifth S ~ Shitsuke

The fith S is the 5s System is Shitsuke
   Shitsuke means Sustaining or training, upbringing and discipline. Shitsuke is the final phase in the 5 S methodology and it refers to the maintaining and reviewing of standards. Once you have properly established the other steps in the 5 S methodology, you will maintain this new way of operating. This step will help you eliminate the need for a gradual decline back to the old ways of operating.
   What does this mean to you and your home? The first is training. You will need to instruct and direct your family in their work. Next, is discipline. Discipline is for you, not your family. It is for you to continue in this ever improving organization which will require continual standardization.
   Clear standards allow people to simplify decisions and make the right ones. Red means Stop ~ Green means Go ~ Yellow means 1. Caution  2. Speed up so you can get through. Uncertainty ruins your good standards. It's your job as the manager to remove uncertainty, and simplify the way you run your home. Shitsuke allows the 5s System become a routine way of life.
   This is how the complete 5s System works. Each part works with each other, they don't compete. It doesn't take much time to implement and with a little effort, you will see immediate changes. Your home will not only look nice, but it will help improve its function for your family. The end result will be the home you've always wanted.

The Fourth S ~ Seiketsu

The fourth S in the 5s System is Seiketsu
   Seiketsu means Standardizing or making clear standards. Having a standardized work practice in place will allow your company to operate in a consistent or standardized manner. Everyone in your company will know exactly what their job description is and know how they fit into the 5 S methodology.
   How do you standardize your home? You are the one that has expectations for your home. Your next job is to make these expectations known to yourself and your family. You need to decide what is important to you. Is it important that you or your husband come home to a clean living room and kitchen? Is it important that your children make their beds and pick up their rooms before school? Is it important that dinner be ready every night at a certain time?
    You need to develop routines for yourself and your family.  It's necessary to bring a little structure and order to your day. If you want to get everything done, in what feels like a day that flies by, you need to develop some good, routine habits. This is where you get your husband and children involved. They are going to assigned daily routines and weekly chores. Once these routines have been set in order, it is up to you to see how well they are doing and encouraging them in there everyday tasks, even during the day-to-day messes, like little brothers and sisters tend to make.
   You are the manager of your home. I will help you come up with a daily schedule. I will help you establish routines and good habits in your home. I will have free downloads of daily schedules, weekly schedules, chore charts, menu planning, etc.  We will make sure everyone knows their responsibilities and how to complete their jobs, so no one is creating a messy environment.

The Third S ~ Seiso

The third S in the 5s System is Seiso.
   Seiso means to Shine. Seiso is the sweeping phase or the systematic cleaning of your workplace to keep it neat and tidy. Seiso is the only phase that is considered a daily activity. Seiso should be performed at the end of each shift to ensure everything is cleaned, and restored to its proper place. Seiso makes it easy to know where everything goes and what items are essential to the workplace.
   How do you make your home Shine? This is basically your "Spring Cleaning". Use cleaning as a method of inspection. Cleanliness reveals problems. Maybe the area you are cleaning needs painting, scouring, sweeping, washing, rinsing or scrubbing. Sanitizing means to do everything you need to do to make your home "Shine".
   What problems will my closet reveal? It hasn't been painted or vacuumed since we moved here. I am sure there are cobwebs and dust bunnies that weren't reached. Does my shelf or clothes bar need reinforcement? These and other questions will be answered as soon as I get in there and start deep cleaning.
   By the time I have finished my hundred days, everything essential will be in its place and my home will Shine.

The Second S ~ Seiton

The second S in the 5s system is Seiton
     Seiton means to Straighten or set in order. Seiton is focused on creating efficiency in the workplace by arranging the tools, equipment and parts after a manner that will promote proper work flow. The tools should be placed in an area that promotes work flow and are easy to find for specific job responsibilities.
    How do you go about "setting in order" your home? Everything has a place; everything in its place. At this time you are creating "visual order". You are thinking about where everything will go. The primary reason for this step, is to make sure of the proper placement of your things. This is to insure that all of your items, that have a certain job, are in a specific place so it's easily accessible. How will you arrange your belongings to help your day flow smoother. How do you straighten them so they are easy to find, quick to grab and easily returned when your done.
     As for my closet, my first clutter attack, I plan on having the clothes my husband and I wear easily accessible. Our right sizes need to be wear we can get to them (I have had 5 children so there are a lot of different sizes in my closet). I may even set them in order by work and weekend clothes. I have a few cute ideas for shoes and I will also need to straighten the shelves above the clothes. My closet has been a catch-all for these past 6 years. We have 2 bookcases in my closet, school books and supplies, board games, preschool supplies, luggage and who knows what else I'll find in there. During this straightening process, I will have to make a decision, "What actually belongs in my bedroom closet."
   Most importantly, you will have to think about and establish a routine that will keep your home looking this way when you have finished.

The First S - Seiri

Are you ready to begin? We start in 5 days.

The first S in the 5s System is:
  Sort (Seiri): This refers to the practice of sorting through all the tools, materials, etc., in the work area and keeping only essential items. Everything else is stored or discarded. This leads to fewer hazards and less clutter to interfere with productive work.
  What does this mean for your home? This is the beginning of organization. Before you make a home for your stuff, you go through it all and keep only essential items. Items you love and need, you keep. It can be done in little bites, which is a little easier on you, because you can do anything for a few minutes. You can also jump in and pull everything, say out of your closet, which is going to be my first step, but it is up to your time schedule. Everyone, whether you work outside or inside the home, is super busy, but we can always find a little time for the things we really want or need to do.
   Like I said, I am going to have to pull everything out of my closet (this isn't going to be my approach to every room). I have a house that was not made with alot of storage space, so that's my first step. I am going to have to make room, so I will be able to organize it. I am going to have 3 large baskets; one for things to give away, one for things to sale and one for trash. The items I am going to keep will go back in the closet and items that have no business being in my closet, will be put where they belong. Sorting is part one.