Have you ever lost your keys? Of course, it only happens when you’re in a BIG hurry! The other times – when you aren’t on a deadline – they’re right where they need to be. Searching for keys is never fun. It’s a waste of time and definitely causes stress levels to rise.
But here’s the thing – you don’t need to look for your keys ever again if you follow one important principle –
always put your keys in the same place
I think everyone knows that. So why don’t we do it? Here are a couple of reasons:
1. The place we’ve chosen isn’t a good place. It’s either out of the way or doesn’t make sense.
2. We have more than one place for our keys.
3. We haven’t chosen a place.
Life is filled with all kinds of frustrations and irritations we have no control over. But this isn’t one of them. We don’t need to deal with lost keys when the solution is so simple. So let’s fix it.
1. Think about all the places your keys end up: purse, briefcase, kitchen counter, entry table, desk, dresser, ignition (not recommended – even if you park in the garage).
2. Now think about the path you take when you come into the house. I park in the garage so I always come in the door between the garage and the kitchen. Sometimes I dump my stuff briefly on the kitchen counter so I can turn off the alarm. Then I grab my purse and take it to the office where I hang it on my desk chair. That’s pretty much how I come in every time. What’s your route?
3. With your route and all the places you currently put your keys in mind, think about a location that would be EASY and CONVENIENT; a place where you would be willing to put your keys EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU COME IN THE HOUSE. If it’s not easy and convenient, you won’t do it.
Some people have little hooks on the wall and they put their keys on the hooks. But maybe that’s too much trouble for you. It seems easy but it requires an extra step of putting the keys on the hook. Maybe you’re more of a “dropper”. In that case, a basket or dish strategically located might work better. The bottom line is to choose a location that’s EASY and CONVENIENT. Then start putting your keys there EVERY SINGLE TIME you come in the house – no exceptions. If you make exceptions, it won’t work. Choose a location that’s SO EASY you’d be dumb not to put your keys there.
4. If all else fails and you just can’t make yourself put your keys in the same place every time, make an extra set of keys (or even two) and keep those in a safe place as a back-up. Extra sets of keys aren’t an ideal solution because eventually you’re going to have lost keys all over the place. But as a last resort, this strategy will reduce your stress level. But once in a while you’re going to have to stop and round up all those extra keys.
So now it’s your turn. Where will you choose to put your keys EVERY TIME YOU COME IN THE HOUSE?
We had our kitchen remodeled several years ago and at the entrance is a small corner cabinet that is really not big enough to store anything. That is our designated key spot!
I agree totally. When we first got married we were always looking for my husband’s keys (and wallet). We once found them in the trash because he had tossed them with the trash he had brought in from his car. I put a little table just inside our front door. He drops his pocket stuff there 98% of the time. If I find them elsewhere I move them there. It really has made our mornings less hectic.
Mornings are hectic enough without having to look for keys! Great idea having a table by the entry door. That makes it easy & convenient. Thanks for sharing.