Decide When And Where To Start
Decide when and where to start. You have the same amount of time each day as did Thomas Jefferson, Einstein, and Mae West. It's all in where you choose to focus your attention.
If you still catch yourself thinking, "This will never work," or, "I'll never succeed," you are right.
If, however, you can focus on three liberating words, you are closer to your clutter-free future. Those words are: FROM NOW ON...
It all starts now. From this very moment you commit to:
? Sort today's mail as it arrives, instead of stacking it in a pile till later
? Question every new purchase to be sure it deserves space in your life
? Hold to the vision of your ideal environment and reject any excess that intrudes.
Focus first on today. Don't let another thing in your door without choosing to do so. Once you have stemmed the tide of "stuff" flowing in, you will have more time to go back and clear out the past accumulation. Recognize that this campaign against clutter will have setbacks. And get up again the next day and say to yourself, "From now on...."
Here are six options for you to explore:
? Reclaim the time you spend looking for things - Some of the time for your clutter campaign can come from the time you save by not losing things. Identify three things you often have to look for and assign each one a specific "home."
? Track the actual time organizing takes - Most people postpone an organizing project for fear that it will eat up several weekends. Then they are surprised that they have either overestimated or underestimated the amount of time needed. Start recording the time needed for specific tasks so you will know when you have time to do them.
? Break projects into bite-sized pieces - Even the largest project requires some research or preparation tasks that can be done ahead of time. Or an entire household or business can be organized one closet, one shelf, one drawer at a time.
? Schedule a Marathon Mania - Sometimes you just need to plod in and get it all done. Block all distractions, bribe yourself with a few appealing incentives and wade in and do it.
? Hire a professional - There's more help available than you ever thought of. There's even a National Association of Professional Organizers, people who can offer expert services.
? Exchange services - There's someone in your circle of friends or contacts who might be very talented at exactly the help you need. And maybe you have some way to assist them. Explore trading services with someone. Put up a notice at your office, church, gym and explore the possibilities.
The now is always new. Start now.
? Barbara Hemphill is the author of Kiplinger's Taming the Paper Tiger at Work and Taming the Paper Tiger at Home and co-author of Love It or Lose It: Living Clutter-Free Forever. The mission of Hemphill Productivity Institute is to help individuals and organizations create and sustain a productive environment so they can accomplish their work and enjoy their lives. We do this by organizing space, information, and time. We can be reached at 800-427-0237 or at www.productiveenvironment.com
reliable home cleaners Lincolnshire ..In one of my favorite books, First Things First, written... Read More
What does "time" have to do with getting organized? Everything!... Read More
Recently, in an online group, we talked about "balance" and... Read More
Buried under mountains of paperwork from your company? Do the... Read More
Each area of your home has a symbolic meaning with... Read More
"The real question is, why do you want it? What... Read More
Are you plagued by clutter in your personal or professional... Read More
The Law of the 1st StepA good first step in... Read More
You start each week with great intentions. You are determined... Read More
Cleaning out can seem overwhelming -- especially if it's been... Read More
What's in a Name?Everything.What do you do with all the... Read More
? Are you embarrassed when you walk into your home... Read More
You really can have a successful business and a great... Read More
I've noticed that in the two years since the major... Read More
Remember when you charged into the office that first day,... Read More
Many people have a huge challenge coping with the incoming... Read More
"My job is an endless series of deadlines, I am... Read More
The true definition of an organization is one that is... Read More
The following procedures will insure an organized and well run... Read More
Everytime Mary had to find a file on her computer,... Read More
I'm sure most of you have heard of Zig Ziglar... Read More
Do you feel like you are running around in circles,... Read More
Chances are, most of you have a lot you need... Read More
It takes effort to get results, and not just any... Read More
It may seem far-fetched, but by organizing your desk, your... Read More
house cleaning near Northbrook ..After more than 20 years as an entrepreneur and a... Read More
It is 5:00 pm and Cindy has no idea what... Read More
De-Cluttering our lives can be an extremely liberating exercise. There... Read More
I recently conducted a survey to look at the relationship... Read More
Do you feel like you just get too much e-mail?... Read More
In your quest to get 'up and running' so to... Read More
There are eight distinct steps to constructing and executing an... Read More
What's in a Name?Everything.What do you do with all the... Read More
Does Your Present Internet Filing System Work?Do You Really Know... Read More
Today you have almost as many choices of spice racks... Read More
Have you ever heard that having a cluttered home can... Read More
One of the most basic ways to find papers when... Read More
Sometimes major life lessons come from the most unlikely of... Read More
You know, in psychology there is a rule, especially within... Read More
Each area of your home has a symbolic meaning with... Read More
Clutter costs you time, money, space, and peace of mind.... Read More
In most homes, paper causes clutter. And it seems to... Read More
My mother is one of the most productive people I... Read More
(This is the third in a series of three articles... Read More
I'm cheap and proud of it.I use and re-use things... Read More
Everytime Mary had to find a file on her computer,... Read More
What do you do with those special items that have... Read More
Have you ever felt so discouraged, your life so out-of-control,... Read More
Q. I have several projects going at once -- but... Read More
Coping with clutter is rarely easy. There's more involved than... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |