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
executive chauffeured services Bradford .. Madison to Airport carYou start each week with great intentions. You are determined... Read More
What method do you currently use to organize your family?... Read More
There is nothing worse then spending ten minutes looking for... Read More
After more than 20 years as an entrepreneur and a... Read More
How many of us have enough time to do everything... Read More
"Organize" is a familiar word heard on many of today's... Read More
(This is the third in a series of three articles... Read More
If you have piles of paper all over your desk,... Read More
Do you like storing your papers on top of your... Read More
De-Cluttering our lives can be an extremely liberating exercise. There... Read More
One of my mother-in-law's many oft-quoted and wise declarations was... Read More
Cindy looks at the calendar and sighs. Ah, the end... Read More
Are you feeling overwhelmed? Have a to-do list a mile... Read More
3-Step Clean Sweep Program 1 -... Read More
We previously noted that papers must be sorted before they... Read More
One of the most basic ways to find papers when... Read More
Decluttering is a simple-to-learn process, once you break it down... Read More
Many people have a huge challenge coping with the incoming... Read More
Article excerpted from the new book, "How to Do Space... Read More
In one of my favorite books, First Things First, written... Read More
It may seem far-fetched, but by organizing your desk, your... Read More
You know, in psychology there is a rule, especially within... Read More
What's in a Name?Everything.What do you do with all the... Read More
When the things in your home start crowding in around... Read More
Whoever thought you'd be able to get organized in just... Read More
O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..I know I have a problem when I have to... Read More
Questions come my way all the time regarding my God-given... Read More
We previously noted that papers must be sorted before they... Read More
1. The Law of the 1st StepA good first step... Read More
Our children are probably the biggest clutter creators we have... Read More
1. All or nothing thinking/taking on too much." I'm going... Read More
The Productive Environment Scorecard?Read the statements below and rate your... Read More
Collections are the outward manifestation of a deeply-felt principle or... Read More
Parenting is always a challenge, but particularly so if your... Read More
Digging out from under stacks of paper might seem like... Read More
When I tell people what a FREEING experience moving is,... Read More
In a speech entitled "Organized Living in a Disorganized World"... Read More
Many people have a huge challenge coping with the incoming... Read More
Much of my time as a Professional Organizer is spent... Read More
For some reason, Americans think they have something to prove... Read More
I have a good friend whom (also being in the... Read More
Clutter is postponed decisions?. Here are some suggestions to simplify... Read More
Are you plagued by clutter in your personal or professional... Read More
Some people seem to be born organized. You probably remember... Read More
Decide When And Where To StartDecide when and where to... Read More
The following procedures will insure an organized and well run... Read More
Last year I attended a presentation from Parenting Expert and... Read More
Nature loves clutter. Just think of all the stuff that... Read More
Back-to-school time ? what does that mean to you? For... Read More
Have you ever been totally overwhelmed by a massive task... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |