I recently had a conversation with a friend about clutter. She shared that at times there was so much clutter around her home that she simply concluded her home was in a stage that she referred to as CHAOS or Can't Have Anyone Over Soon. We talked further and what she has discovered is that when there is too much stuff in a space, clutter simply cannot be organized. Of course eliminating our belongings can be quite a challenge. Words like, "I may need that sometime" can quickly come to our mind and shut down the activity. Eliminating clutter is not necessarily an easy process if you haven't done it much in the past. What are the top ways to ease the process of eliminating clutter?
1. Identify Criteria (Or Rules Of Thumb) For Sorting Ahead Of Time
This will make the process more of a logical, step by step sorting process without getting emotions involved. Identify how much you want to eliminate -- reduce by 50%, 25% etc. Other criteria examples include if you don't love it or it has not been used in last 6 months, it goes. Things that are used at annual events such as New Year's or Halloween etc. may need some specific criteria for what stays and what goes.
2. Create The Uninterrupted Time To Do It
If you get distracted, you may hesitate and give up.
3. Remind Yourself Of Your Desired State
This is the environment you would rather have. If your vision for this goal isn't very strong, you may begin to feel overwhelmed. Simply recall your desired state and charge back at your clutter!
4. Know What You Are Going To Do With The Stuff That Goes Out
You may donate to a charity, host a garage sale, or take items for recycling. If you know what you will do with the things that you will get rid of, and you can see that someone else will benefit more from the item than you will, it can be much easier to let go.
5. Celebrate Your Success
Recognize that each small step is very much a personal success that deserves to be celebrated. By eliminating (or significantly reducing) the clutter, it can help you feel more positive and energized and that's definitely something worth celebrating.
(c) 2004 Donna P. Lendzyk
Donna P. Lendzyk is a professional coach and creator of the Overcome Overwhelm System. She coaches businesswomen to Overcome Overwhelm and Achieve Their Desired Results. She is the author of the multi-media "Overcome Overwhelm eProgram." To learn more about her eprogram and sign up for more FREE tips like these, visit her website at http://www.overcomeoverwhelm.com.
same day cleaning service Des Plaines ..We hear it every day."Buy this product, and simplify your... Read More
We previously noted that papers must be sorted before they... Read More
1. Sink to their level. Get on your knees in... Read More
Clutter in any area of your home is a sign... Read More
Do you ever sit down at your desk buried in... Read More
Last year I attended a presentation from Parenting Expert and... Read More
You really can have a successful business and a great... Read More
Much of my time as a Professional Organizer is spent... Read More
Spring is here and its time to sweep away the... Read More
There are eight distinct steps to constructing and executing an... Read More
"My job is an endless series of deadlines, I am... Read More
Keeping on task and getting organized starts with a basic... Read More
Back-to-school time ? what does that mean to you? For... Read More
Our children are probably the biggest clutter creators we have... Read More
I've noticed that in the two years since the major... Read More
Color-There Is No SubstituteIn anatomical illustrations you see the brain's... Read More
Does Your Present Internet Filing System Work?Do You Really Know... Read More
Time has flown. It's been six months since you came... Read More
What does "quality of life" mean to you? If you... Read More
Life is really all about CHANGE. In order to make... Read More
What stops you from 'getting things done?'Have you ever started... Read More
In your quest to get 'up and running' so to... Read More
(This is the third in a series of three articles... Read More
I have a huge white board in my home office,... Read More
Staying organized can be a constant battle. The following organizing... Read More
home cleaning services Mundelein ..You start each week with great intentions. You are determined... Read More
What does "quality of life" mean to you? If you... Read More
Winter is starting to retreat, and hints of Spring are... Read More
Clutter is postponed decisions?. Here are some suggestions to simplify... Read More
The National Association of Professional Organizers has dedicated January to... Read More
My mother is one of the most productive people I... Read More
What do you gain if you SIMPLIFY?Dictionary* says:to reduce to... Read More
Obviously, productivity involves producing. Producing widgets, events, reports, sales. The... Read More
I gathered some things you can do this spring while... Read More
Use these 35 sanity savers this year to help you... Read More
There are eight distinct steps to constructing and executing an... Read More
Home organization means being able to find your stuff when... Read More
Do you ever sit down at your desk buried in... Read More
Whether you are in your own business or an employee... Read More
What do your storage spaces look like? Do you know... Read More
Whatever your clutter problem the answer is the same: make... Read More
Remember when you charged into the office that first day,... Read More
Article excerpted from the new book, "How to Do Space... Read More
It takes effort to get results, and not just any... Read More
It is 5:00 pm and Cindy has no idea what... Read More
(This is the second in a series of three articles... Read More
The Mexican VillagerThe American investment banker was at the pier... Read More
We hear it every day."Buy this product, and simplify your... Read More
"Junkyard Wars," a TV series showed two teams of experts... Read More
To want in one's heart to do a thing for... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |