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.
recurring maid service Buffalo Grove ..Are stacks of papers, mail, newspapers, and growing "to do"... Read More
Questions come my way all the time regarding my God-given... Read More
A daily journal will save you time, reduce stress and... Read More
? Are you embarrassed when you walk into your home... Read More
Whatever your clutter problem the answer is the same: make... Read More
I recently had a conversation with a friend about clutter.... Read More
"I don't have enough room!" -- this is a common... Read More
My mother is one of the most productive people I... Read More
One of the most basic ways to find papers when... Read More
? Do you feel overwhelmed by all the "stuff" in... Read More
Laundry. You sort, you wash, you fold, you blink ?... 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
Individuals who are organized in their personal lives most generally... Read More
Do you ever sit down at your desk buried in... Read More
You know, in psychology there is a rule, especially within... Read More
I like a room you can dance in the middle... Read More
The true definition of an organization is one that is... Read More
What method do you currently use to organize your family?... Read More
Everytime Mary had to find a file on her computer,... Read More
1) It's easy to have a good clear out: Not... Read More
There is nothing worse then spending ten minutes looking for... Read More
Clutter in any area of your home is a sign... Read More
Getting Things Done (GTD), is a productivity methodology designed by... Read More
The store reminded me of a well-worn slipper ? tattered... Read More
premium house cleaning Glenview .."I don't have enough room!" -- this is a common... Read More
In many of the companies I have worked in, there... Read More
I have a huge white board in my home office,... Read More
Clutter costs you time, money, space, and peace of mind.... Read More
One of the most basic ways to find papers when... Read More
Much of my time as a Professional Organizer is spent... Read More
Feeling Overwhelmed and Unorganized? - How to Use Index Cards... Read More
Spring is here and its time to sweep away the... Read More
A lot of us grew up with Mom taking care... Read More
It is 5:00 pm and Cindy has no idea what... Read More
Everytime Mary had to find a file on her computer,... Read More
I know I have a problem when I have to... Read More
3-Step Clean Sweep Program 1 -... Read More
Coping with clutter is rarely easy. There's more involved than... Read More
I recently read an article that had some interesting but... Read More
Clothes. Check. School supplies. Check. No doubt you've got to... Read More
Professional organizers and helpful-hint sources often recommend storage solutions such... Read More
The true definition of an organization is one that is... Read More
Some people would say I'm the last person in the... Read More
Your closet is often the first thing you see in... Read More
I talk about the mail a lot in my newsletter,... Read More
The store reminded me of a well-worn slipper ? tattered... Read More
We previously noted that papers must be sorted before they... Read More
So you've decided to get organized, but you just don't... Read More
Finish each day and be done with it. You have... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |