Make Time to De-clutter
By?Cathy Mendler, A New Leaf
Are you a business woman who?s found the first quarter of this new year and new decade already busier than expected? Have you already given up on your New Year?s resolutions? If getting rid of clutter in 2010 is on your list, read on.
Did you know that 80% of clutter in most homes (and offices) is a result of disorganization ? not lack of space? Have you spent a whole day or weekend attempting to sort through your clutter and ended up with a worse mess?
There are many reasons for clutter. Procrastination, perfectionism, traumatic events, indecision and illness are just a few. Does your hectic schedule often leave you feeling like there?s not enough hours in the day? It?s easy for things to get out of control when our lives are so busy. Why does this happen?
It happens because we have become a society that likes to accumulate stuff. Why is there such a high value placed on having so many possessions? This compulsion to accumulate causes clutter. How do you deal with that clutter?
Make a Plan
The first step is to set aside some time to think about what you want to organize. Grab a pen and?some paper. Did?you know that if?you write down?your goals, you?are more likely to?achieve them?
Dream big ? even if you think it?s unattainable. It?s amazing what you can accomplish when you?break a big dream down into small projects.
Create a Master List
Go through your house and think about one room at a time. If you take a picture of the room, you?ll look at it more objectively. Determine what function each room has to fulfill. Create a different zone for each activity if the room has to perform multiple functions.
Your master list should contain all of the projects that you want to complete with a realistic estimate of the time you think each project will take. The next step is to prioritize your list and determine which room you will work on first.
Schedule
You may not be able to complete a room all at once. If necessary, divide it into sections, and work on one section at a time. If you only have one hour, pick a project from your list that you can complete in that time period.