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.
best cleaning company Lincolnshire ..Life is about maintaining a balance of all aspects. At... Read More
Time has flown. It's been six months since you came... Read More
(This is the second in a series of three articles... Read More
1. A calendar is an essential organizing tool ? start... Read More
What do you do with those special items that have... Read More
Parenting is always a challenge, but particularly so if your... Read More
? Are you embarrassed when you walk into your home... Read More
Have you ever wondered how some people seem to have... Read More
Your closet is often the first thing you see in... Read More
Q. I have several projects going at once -- but... Read More
Do you like storing your papers on top of your... Read More
What do your storage spaces look like? Do you know... Read More
I have a good friend whom (also being in the... Read More
The Law of the 1st StepA good first step in... Read More
Buried under mountains of paperwork from your company? Do the... Read More
Dennis is working as a factory worker during the day... Read More
You start each week with great intentions. You are determined... Read More
In part 1, we discussed a system you could use... Read More
An organized living lifestyle can cause you to weed out... Read More
In most homes, paper causes clutter. And it seems to... Read More
What do you gain if you SIMPLIFY?Dictionary* says:to reduce to... Read More
Cindy looks at the calendar and sighs. Ah, the end... Read More
In your quest to get 'up and running' so to... Read More
Life with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) can be a constant... Read More
Take a look around you right now. Look away from... Read More
on demand house cleaning Lake Forest ..Each area of your home has a symbolic meaning with... Read More
It wasn't long ago that you spent an entire weekend... Read More
Do you feel like you are running around in circles,... Read More
Whether you are in your own business or an employee... Read More
Time has flown. It's been six months since you came... Read More
The Productive Environment Scorecard?Read the statements below and rate your... Read More
I know I have a problem when I have to... Read More
Paper1. You may already be in the habit of filing... Read More
Do you use to-do lists? Do you find it satisfying... Read More
There are 3 kinds of clutter: Inner (between our ears);... Read More
Have nothing in your houses that you do not know... Read More
Have you ever felt so discouraged, your life so out-of-control,... Read More
Feeling Overwhelmed and Unorganized? - How to Use Index Cards... Read More
I have a good friend whom (also being in the... Read More
Article excerpted from the new book, "How to Do Space... Read More
The true definition of an organization is one that is... Read More
What do your storage spaces look like? Do you know... Read More
The store reminded me of a well-worn slipper ? tattered... Read More
Studies show that 80 percent of what we use comes... Read More
Have you ever heard that having a cluttered home can... Read More
We are bombarded with so many factors that perpetuate disorganization.... Read More
What does "time" have to do with getting organized? Everything!... Read More
Clothes. Check. School supplies. Check. No doubt you've got to... Read More
Q. I have several projects going at once -- but... Read More
Many people have a huge challenge coping with the incoming... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |