How Can I Deal With It All?

Are you feeling overwhelmed? Have a to-do list a mile long? An in-tray that's about to collapse? Closets that are jam-packed with junk and a stack of family photos?

Now school is starting and things are just going to get worse! How can you deal with it all?

Often when we look at all there is to do, it can seem and is overwhelming. But if we chunk it down into smaller tasks the world starts to look a lot brighter. Try this 4S strategy.

Sort it.

First review the four areas you want to tackle and determine the following: 1) tasks you enjoy and only you can do such as attend to personal appointments; 2) the things you don't like doing and can transfer to someone else; and, 3) those items you've been meaning to do.

Start it.

Stop procrastinating. Start doing what you find fun and only you can do...now. Don't undertake everything at once or set unrealistic deadlines. Just do one small task to build momentum. Baby steps will turn into giant leaps. Remember make it fun. You'll have a good time and feel a sense of accomplishment.

Share it.

The items you designated as "don't like to do" are the ones you should delegate. If you really don't want to do these things then it's time to find someone else to do them. There will always be something else you prefer to do. So, those items that you are the least enthused about will continue to be a source of frustration and an energy drain for you. Find family members who can help out or hire someone to do the job.

Stuff it.

If there are tasks that continue to show up on your to-do list year in and year out, it may be time to drop them. All the magazines you've been planning to read, get rid of them. That fancy photo album/baby book you've imagined with stencils, calligraphy and witty comments might need to be replaced with a simpler version. Old baby clothes and toys, could be passed on to others. Make some choices and give yourself permission to let go. You'll feel great and get rid of clutter at the same time.

Lisa Martin, PCC, is the author of the acclaimed

recurring maid service Buffalo Grove ..
In The News:

The iconic Mary Kay pink Cadillac goes electric with the Cadillac Optiq, available only to the company's top 1% of sales force performers.
Cybercriminals abuse trusted Intel driver to gain kernel access and shut down Windows Defender, enabling undetected malware deployment since July 2025.
Using email aliases for online shopping and subscriptions can protect your privacy by preventing companies from linking your activity across websites.
New research shows AI overlap does not equal job replacement, with knowledge-based roles seeing most integration while physical jobs remain least affected.
Scammers target seniors who avoid social media by exploiting public records like obituaries and real estate filings to steal personal information and money
Recovery team in Italy use AI-enabled drones to detect missing hiker's red helmet, leading to successful recovery after months of ground searches
Google Salesforce system breach exposes business data while scammers use incident to target users with fake security calls and phishing attempts.
Google announces Pixel 10 lineup with Tensor G5 chip and Gemini Nano AI, introducing Magic Cue, Pro Res Zoom up to 100x and satellite emergency support features.
C San Diego study reveals 86% of school safety companies monitor students 24/7 on personal devices, raising privacy concerns.
Users can now add their favorite outlets' coverage to the Top Stories section of Google search results by utilizing the 'preferred sources' feature. With just a few clicks, you can add Fox News.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Interstellar object 3I/ATLAS shows an unexpected frontal glow that Harvard's Avi Loeb says cannot be explained by sunlight reflection or standard cometary outgassing.
Receiving order confirmations for purchases you never made could mean your email address is being exploited in fraud operations targeting multiple retailers.
First wireless brain implant works with Apple's official protocol, enabling hands-free control of iPhones, iPads and Vision Pro through thought alone.
Data brokers sell personal details that scammers use to target retirement funds through fake financial advisor calls and convincing phishing attempts
Ten innovative tech solutions from gait sensors to smart pill dispensers help adults 65+ track fall risks and prevent injuries before they happen.
Meta AI internal documents revealed chatbots were allowed to flirt with children and engage in romantic conversations until the company was exposed by Reuters.
ChatGPT will avoid giving direct mental health advice under new OpenAI rules following instances where the AI model provided harmful or misleading responses.
Your phone tracks you in more ways than that little GPS icon suggests. Here’s how to find and clear hidden location logs on iPhone and Android.
Authorities in France and the Netherlands have been notified. Meanwhile, impacted customers are being told to stay alert.
Apple just rolled out a redesigned Blood Oxygen feature to specific models, following a recent victory in a legal dispute.
Kidney dialysis provider DaVita experienced a ransomware breach by the Interlock gang affecting 916,000 people in the second-largest U.S. healthcare attack of 2025.
A Chinese-made Unitree R1 robot walked Manhattan streets and shopped for shoes as part of KraneShares' $28 million AI robotics fund promotion campaign.
The ShinyHunters cybercriminal group breached Google's Salesforce system through vishing attacks, stealing business contact details and customer data.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Balance- What Does It Really Mean?

Balance- what a popular topic these days! Finding a work-life... Read More

3-Step Clean Sweep Program to Organize

3-Step Clean Sweep Program 1 -... Read More

Escaping The Clutter Trap? - 5 Steps For Increasing Productivity And Decreasing Stress

? Do you feel overwhelmed by all the "stuff" in... Read More

How Clutter Affects Your Love Life

Clutter in any area of your home is a sign... Read More

10 Easy Tips for Digging Out Your Desk Today

Has your polished mahogany (or modular plastic) desk been buried... Read More

Ending The Morning Madness

Back-to-school time ? what does that mean to you? For... Read More

Common Clutter Culprits- How to Bust Through Clutter

Paper1. You may already be in the habit of filing... Read More

Clutter Clearing Tips that Work

Coping with clutter is rarely easy. There's more involved than... Read More

Home Organizing Tips & Gizmos

Staying organized can be a constant battle. The following organizing... Read More

Getting Organized for Achievement

Getting and staying organized is critical to achieving your goals.... Read More

Keep, Get Rid Of, Or Not Sure?

Cleaning out can seem overwhelming -- especially if it's been... Read More

Technology...The Culprit and the Tool

Technology has given us the tools to reduce routine tasking,... Read More

How Can I Deal With It All?

Are you feeling overwhelmed? Have a to-do list a mile... Read More

Organization Tips - How to Organise Your Computer Files

Everytime Mary had to find a file on her computer,... Read More

New Business? Changing Careers? Youve Got a Whole New Ball Game

When you embark on a life transition, the skills that... Read More

Stress Management: 10 Universal Laws to Get and Stay Organized

1. The Law of the 1st StepA good first step... Read More

What Balance Looks Like For You

Recently, in an online group, we talked about "balance" and... Read More

Taking Care of You: De-Clutter

De-Cluttering our lives can be an extremely liberating exercise. There... Read More

9 Simple Strategies for Home Organization

Home organization means being able to find your stuff when... Read More

The Clutter Campaign - Design Your Vision

I like a room you can dance in the middle... Read More

Organization Tips - How to Set Up Your Database

What's in a Name?Everything.What do you do with all the... Read More

5 Tips to Banish Clutter From Your Life For Good

Studies show that 80 percent of what we use comes... Read More

Give Up Control to Get Control

For some reason, Americans think they have something to prove... Read More

Declutter for Sucess

Finish each day and be done with it. You have... Read More

Compartmentalize

The word "compartmentalize" means to separate into distinct parts. I... Read More

premium house cleaning Glenview ..