I've noticed that in the two years since the major de-cluttering of my apartment, clutter has been creeping back in.
So what DO you do after you've cleared the clutter? If your day-to-day routines are continuing to create clutter, then you'll always be one step behind it.
5 Steps to a New Daily Routine
1. Identify the problem. Think of things that tend to "sneak up" on you in your life - annual things like tax time, monthly things like invoicing clients, weekly things like running errands or daily things like meal times. For this article, we'll use the example ? "I'm always rushed in the morning".
2. Identify the costs. If the costs aren't that high, you probably won't be motivated to do anything to change it. The costs of being rushed in the morning may include: poor choices for breakfast or no breakfast at all, poor digestion from eating too fast or perhaps not eating at all and having coffee on an empty stomach. Then, getting to work in a rush results in stressful travel, impatience and unpleasant interactions with fellow travelers. This will affect your whole day.
3. Back it up. So you're rushed in the morning ? what choices did you make up to this point that resulted in being rushed?
4. Experiment with some changes in your routine. Don't be rigid; you're in the "lab" here. One day you can try going to bed a half hour earlier and waking up a half hour earlier. The next day try laying out your clothes the night before. The next day try putting your lunch (and any other lunches you have to prepare) together the night before. The next day try a 5-minute meditation break in the morning.
5. Commit to a new daily routine. Once you've experimented for a week or so, look back and reflect on which strategies made the most difference to your morning (and the rest of your day). Use structures as reminders (tack up a list of your routine), inspiration (post a photo that represents the kind of relaxing morning you'd like to have) or tracking (give yourself a gold star or another fun and visual marker on the calendar for every day that you implement your new routine).
Remember that it's not about keeping a perfect routine or beating yourself up for straying from it ? it's about making healthier choices every day. If you slip, your very next choice can set you straight again.
(c) Copyright 2005, Genuine Coaching Services.
Linda Dessau, the Self-Care Coach, is the author of "The Everyday Self-Care Workbook". To receive one of her free monthly newsletters, subscribe at http://www.genuinecoaching.com/newsletter.html
car service from Midway Burlington .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareA daily journal will save you time, reduce stress and... Read More
What do you do with those special items that have... Read More
'A well-ordered life is like climbing a tower; the view... Read More
The true definition of an organization is one that is... Read More
Take time to declutter this summer...Writing can certainly consume the... Read More
Clutter costs you time, money, space, and peace of mind.... Read More
The summer is flying by for Cindy and her family.... Read More
Do you like storing your papers on top of your... Read More
Spring?. Fresh breezes through open windows, sleeping trees come awake... Read More
"Organize" is a familiar word heard on many of today's... Read More
Everytime Mary had to find a file on her computer,... Read More
1. THE LOVE IT OR LOSE IT PRINCIPLE: Every item... Read More
Laundry. You sort, you wash, you fold, you blink ?... Read More
The following procedures will insure an organized and well run... Read More
Coping with clutter is rarely easy. There's more involved than... Read More
Do you ever sit down at your desk buried in... Read More
One of the hardest things for most individuals working from... Read More
Some people would say I'm the last person in the... Read More
The Productive Environment Scorecard?Read the statements below and rate your... Read More
Article excerpted from the new book, "How to Do Space... Read More
Clutter is postponed decisions?. Here are some suggestions to simplify... Read More
I talk about the mail a lot in my newsletter,... Read More
Nature loves clutter. Just think of all the stuff that... Read More
Have nothing in your houses that you do not know... Read More
In one of my favorite books, First Things First, written... Read More
Granger limo Chicago ..1. THE LOVE IT OR LOSE IT PRINCIPLE: Every item... Read More
Are you overwhelmed by clutter wherever you turn? Here are... Read More
If you look at any major organisation, there is this... Read More
Clothes. Check. School supplies. Check. No doubt you've got to... Read More
Do you use to-do lists? Do you find it satisfying... Read More
Whether you are in your own business or an employee... Read More
I recently conducted a survey to look at the relationship... Read More
I'm sure most of you have heard of Zig Ziglar... Read More
Spring?. Fresh breezes through open windows, sleeping trees come awake... Read More
I gathered some things you can do this spring while... Read More
Life is really all about CHANGE. In order to make... Read More
EVERY HOME NEEDS AN OFFICEYes, it is true that every... Read More
When you embark on a life transition, the skills that... Read More
Helping people clean out their closet is something I love... Read More
Spring is here and its time to sweep away the... Read More
Sometimes the task of keeping a clean, tidy house just... Read More
Home organization isn't just for neat-nicks or those drawn toward... 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
Ever wonder how they do it? How a short-order cook... Read More
Individuals who are organized in their personal lives most generally... Read More
Today you have almost as many choices of spice racks... Read More
What stops you from 'getting things done?'Have you ever started... Read More
Your closet is often the first thing you see in... Read More
De-Cluttering our lives can be an extremely liberating exercise. There... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |