Are you overwhelmed by clutter wherever you turn? Here are 5 practically painless steps to a clean slate.
1. Begin by identifying the areas which are most impacting your ability to function effectively. Then place 2 cartons at each offending "station," labeled TOSS & SAVE.
2. Each time you walk by, place one item in each - no excuses, one item in each carton.
3. When you can no longer place one item in each box, the remainder either gets disposed of all at once or saved and rearranged.
4. Now take a look at the TOSS carton and divide what should be given away from what is trash. Make the call right away.
5. Your final task is to organize what's left, but that shouldn't take long now - right? Proceed in the same manner which each area of concern.
Depending on the size of the area, the degree of clutter and the amount of time you spend in that environment, i.e., office, garage, bedroom, any one of these projects can be accomplished easily using the same process. Don't try tackling an entire room at one time - break it down, dresser, desk, night stand, silverware drawer, etc. After all, the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time...
Get the whole family involved, but no tossing items that belong to another family member or co-worker, and no scrounging through the TOSS carton to retrieve items. That's how you accumulated so much in the first place! A good rule of thumb is, if you haven't used it in 6 months, and it's not a seasonal item, toss it.
If you seem to be continually fighting clutter in your environment, chances are you are fighting life clutter as well. The external environment we create for ourselves is often a fair reflection of our internal environment.
If that's the case, begin to apply the same process to those areas of your life that seem to be cluttered.
1. Begin by listing each offending area at the top of a separate page of a notebook or journal small enough to carry with you. Leaving the first side blank, divide the reverse side into two columns, TOSS and SAVE. Whenever you have a few minutes, on a break, on the train, waiting for the kids to get into the car, list the elements involved in this particular area. These may be tasks/chores, major responsibilities, or attitudes and behaviors.
2. Once you've completed the first side, begin the process of tossing and saving each one, listing them in the appropriate column on the reverse, once again, placing one item in each column each time you visit the list. It is beneficial to enlist the aid of an accountability partner when this portion of the exercise is completed, providing them with a copy of your TOSS/SAVE list. If you're truly dedicated to simplifying, you won't hesitate to ask. Offer to return the favor!
3. When you can no longer place one item in each column, either toss or save all the remaining items.
4. Now look at your lists and decide which of your TOSS iitems requires further attention or which elements you may be carrying around that don't belong to you at all. If you are carrying the weight of emotions like unforgiveness, anger, bitterness, or resentment, deal with the issue face to face with the person involved. If you have wronged someone, take a bold step and make it right. Whatever it takes to get rid of the item - do it. And don't turn back! Employ your accountability partner for support in these areas.
5. Your final task is to organize what remains. Prioritize your list - it should be much easier to do with all the clutter out of the way.
Repeat this process with each area of your life that is suffering from internal clutter. Begin today, the results will be amazingly liberating and you just might arrive at a clutter free environment and a clutter free life at the same time!
Please note, if your clutter problem is pronounced, it may be necessary to seek professional assistance.
Copyright 2005 So-lu'shunz Management Services
Karin Syren is a certified coach concentrating on women's needs, helping leaders clearly identify issues facing them, coaching them through the steps to gaining, regaining, & maintaining control of juggling the intense demands and transitions facing them. She offers guidance in discovering mission, creating vision and designing goals. For information & to schedule a complementary session, please see her website at http://www.solushunz.com
Sometimes major life lessons come from the most unlikely of... Read More
Are you feeling overwhelmed? Have a to-do list a mile... Read More
Nature loves clutter. Just think of all the stuff that... Read More
When the things in your home start crowding in around... Read More
I recently had a conversation with a friend about clutter.... Read More
After a long winter, this is the time of year... Read More
There are eight distinct steps to constructing and executing an... Read More
Do you feel like you just get too much e-mail?... Read More
It takes effort to get results, and not just any... Read More
Feeling Overwhelmed and Unorganized? - How to Use Index Cards... Read More
1) It's easy to have a good clear out: Not... Read More
1. A calendar is an essential organizing tool ? start... Read More
Working for one of the top Marketers online (David Ledoux)... Read More
What's in a Name?Everything.What do you do with all the... Read More
I recently read an article that had some interesting but... Read More
Your closet is often the first thing you see in... Read More
The store reminded me of a well-worn slipper ? tattered... Read More
Have nothing in your houses that you do not know... Read More
We previously noted that papers must be sorted before they... Read More
How do you know if you need to clean out?... Read More
Whether you are in your own business or an employee... Read More
Decide When And Where To StartDecide when and where to... Read More
Digging out from under stacks of paper might seem like... Read More
Ever wonder how they do it? How a short-order cook... Read More
Are you plagued by clutter in your personal or professional... Read More
Spring?. Fresh breezes through open windows, sleeping trees come awake... Read More
De-Cluttering our lives can be an extremely liberating exercise. There... Read More
Cleaning out can seem overwhelming -- especially if it's been... Read More
Winter is starting to retreat, and hints of Spring are... Read More
What does "quality of life" mean to you? If you... Read More
Today you have almost as many choices of spice racks... Read More
To make room for new things to come into you... Read More
If you look at any major organisation, there is this... Read More
One of my mother-in-law's many oft-quoted and wise declarations was... Read More
Every day I find junk mail waiting for me, whether... Read More
Life with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) can be a constant... Read More
"Do something every day that you don't want to-do; this... Read More
* Cupboards and drawers should contain items that are grouped... Read More
I recently had a conversation with a friend about clutter.... Read More
There are eight distinct steps to constructing and executing an... Read More
It takes effort to get results, and not just any... Read More
Many people have a huge challenge coping with the incoming... Read More
I've noticed that in the two years since the major... Read More
So you've decided to get organized, but you just don't... Read More
If you look at any major organisation, there is this... Read More
Have nothing in your houses that you do not know... Read More
Individuals who are organized in their personal lives most generally... Read More
It may be difficult to relate saving money with organization... Read More
Recently, in an online group, we talked about "balance" and... Read More
? Do you feel overwhelmed by all the "stuff" in... Read More
Life is really all about CHANGE. In order to make... Read More
There is nothing worse then spending ten minutes looking for... Read More
Have you ever felt so discouraged, your life so out-of-control,... Read More
Spring is such a refreshing time- we are filled with... Read More
The store reminded me of a well-worn slipper ? tattered... Read More
Your closet is often the first thing you see in... Read More
"Organize" is a familiar word heard on many of today's... Read More
Time has flown. It's been six months since you came... Read More
Remember when you charged into the office that first day,... Read More
What does "time" have to do with getting organized? Everything!... Read More
Back-to-school time ? what does that mean to you? For... Read More
Ever feel overwhelmed by all the papers, notices, artwork, and... Read More
EVERY HOME NEEDS AN OFFICEYes, it is true that every... Read More
Clutter in any area of your home is a sign... Read More
I like a room you can dance in the middle... Read More
I recently conducted a survey to look at the relationship... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |