The Best Organizational Products and Techniques for Classics (ESFJ, ISFJ, ESTJ, ISTJ)

In order to find the best organizational products and techniques for the Classic Pixie Type, or the following Myers Briggs personality types (ESFJ, ISFJ, ESTJ, and ISTJ), you must first figure out whether or not you fall into this/these categories, and go from there. This article will explain a bit about what the Classic Type is and how the Myers Briggs types correspond to that. Then we’ll get into the nitty gritty of managing day to day organizational tasks as a Classic type, and the tools and tips you’ll need to maintain habits that will work specifically for you.

First off, the Pixie Types are separated into four categories. Out of all the categories, the Classics are the most naturally adept at creating organizational systems — almost to a fault. Their only real challenges are communicating their systems with others, and making sure they delegate tasks, rather than doing them themselves for fear they’ll be done in a ‘wrong’ way. They also tend to shove clutter out of sight instead of either storing it away or getting rid of it.

In Myers Briggs language, Classics are representations of four different types:

ESFJ- Sociable, warm, harmonizing, caring, orderly, conscientious

ISFJ- Warm, sympathetic, factual, detailed

ESTJ- Organizer, logical, assertive, fact-minded

ISTJ-  Systematic, factual, organized, logical

Do we see a theme here? All of these types, whether warm (Feeling) or logical (Thinking) have orderly and organized and fact-based as character traits. As such, they organize systematically and are detailed in the way they create systems. Where some other types might not enjoy this process, Classic types thrive on it. To be honest, these types really don’t need all that much help getting motivated to organize their living and work spaces — they just need the tools and suggestions to organize smarter, and in light of their pitfalls.

So, just how do they achieve this?

Classic Organizational Techniques

1. Purge systematically and regularly – this could mean annually or monthly, or seasonally. Just make sure you have a purge schedule set in place.
2. Clutter free is the way to be – in other words, having clutter out of sight is helpful to your sanity, so invest in bins with lids, ottomans with storage built-in, and opaque filing systems. Oh, and make sure your kitchen has cabinets that you can close (as opposed to the ‘open shelving’ technique.
3. Invest in a label-maker, and label everything.
4. Have a To Do List and Calendar System – These are how you run and manage your life, so make sure you have a calendar and To Do list system that you can live with.
5. Keep Your Work Surface/Kitchen Countertops as Clean as Possible – This means structuring your cabinets, drawers and shelves as much as possible with separators, lazy susans, and pull-out drawers.
6. Buy Fridge Bins and Separators – These keep your fridge looking clean and tidy.
   
7. Keep your Dining Room Formal – This means having a few tasteful storage holders for any clutter, and keeping the rest of it neat and sparse. If you live in an apartment, invest in a drop leaf table that you can use at dinnertime and set aside as a regular table during the day.
8. When it comes to your living room, have everything match, eliminate all clutter and piles, and use it only as a sitting room. If you need help achieving these goals, hire a professional decorator or interior designer to help you.
9. Purge your closet of all things you never wear, and organize the rest by garment type.
10. Store your jewelry in a traditional large jewelry box. Only Classics will be able to keep this organized the way it ought to be. And when it comes to Classics, traditional is king.

Classic Organizational Products

Bins with Lids: You can find these at any container or home goods store. When it comes to storage, you need it to be covered, opaque and closed so that it looks neat (even if there is clutter inside it). Use this bin as a hamper or for sweater storage.

Storage Ottomans: Wayfair has a number of fairly neutral and classy ottomans with storage.

Opaque Filing Systems: The key to buying a filing cabinet that works for you is that it needs to be opaque and equipped with drawers you can close. This is due to Classics’ hatred of visible clutter or disarray. When buying folders, make sure you grab some that you can label with your label maker.

Label Maker: When it comes to label makers, you don’t need anything fancy, fanciful or color-coded. What you need is a good, solid machine that will hold up for a while. A number of font choices can be helpful when labeling different things, but chances are if you’re a Classic, you’ll use the same font for everything.

Again, nothing fancy or colorful is needed. A basic, effective and efficient organizing system is perfect for your type. If it fits on the desk in your home office, all the better.

Kitchen Organizing Systems: Separators, drawer dividers, and plate holders: this system has everything you need to keep your kitchen clean and pristine.

Drop-leaf Table: This one from Ikea looks just as fancy as a “normal” dining room table, and is perfectly designed for smaller spaces.

Traditional Jewelry Box: Try this on for size.

And there you have it. Again, staying organized as a Classic Type is not difficult. You just need to know where you might struggle and where you excel, and work with both of those areas to create the perfect home or work environment for you.