Declutter

with Maria Gracia

Dispelling the Top 7 Myths About Being Organized

• MYTH NUMBER 1: being organized means being neat.
  While you can certainly be neat AND be organized, the two terms should never be confused with each other. While you might have NEAT piles, or NEAT boxes piled one on top of the other, or objects lined up NEATLY in a straight line, you may still not be able to find a single thing when you need it. Being organized means you're using a structured system that allows you to find everything you need when you need it, and you get everything done when it's due--without frustration, chaos or stress.
• MYTH NUMBER 2: to be organized is to be clean.
  Once again, while you can be BOTH organized AND clean, those terms should not be confused. Cleaning means that you're removing dirt, grime and otherwise preparing a sanitary surface. But, you can have the cleanest home or office on the block, and still be disorganized.
• MYTH NUMBER 3: to be organized means to schedule every minute of your day.
  While scheduling appointments, projects you need to complete, chores, etc. is highly recommended, you certainly do not have to schedule 'every moment' of your day to be organized. 'Scheduling is the fine art of packing every day JUST FULL ENOUGH of the most useful activities.' Never overload it. Your schedule should always allow you time for spontaneity.
• MYTH NUMBER 4: only certain types of people can be organized.
  While there are a very small percentage of people who 'don't have the ability' to be organized, such as someone with a serious illness, most people CAN be organized. Being disorganized is not a disease, it is a decision. If you truly want to be organized, there are proven systems to help you. Once you know these systems and apply them every day of your life, you will be organized.

• MYTH NUMBER 5: being organized takes lots of time and effort.
  The truth is, it takes a lot less time and effort to be organized, than it does to be disorganized. Disorganization takes more time than you can imagine, and ensures that huge obstacles are always directly in the path of 'getting things done.' Getting and staying organized is not rocket-science. The systems and ideas, once learned, applied and practiced, can become as simple as brushing your teeth or combing your hair.
• MYTH NUMBER 6: everyone i know is organized, except me.
  Beware of this myth. Being organized is both an outer and inner trait. Unless you really know a person well, you really can't come to this conclusion. For example, someone may have a very neat home, but she is never on time. Another person may have an organized home, but his office filing system is out of control. Yet another person may have an organized home and office, but never reaches any of her goals. You are not alone. There are many, many people in the world who need help getting organized in certain areas of their lives--even if it doesn't seem so on the surface.
• MYTH NUMBER 7: organized people have no fun.
  On the contrary, the people who are organized are getting the very best out of life. They are getting things done. They're achieving their goals. They're not wasting time searching for lost items, or re-doing things, or missing appointments. They're finding the time they need to do the things they love, and to spend time with the people they care about.

The Clutter Buster Options

1. Store it, in its home. Everything in your home or office should have a home--a consistent and appropriate place where that object is normally kept. Some items that you use every day, may be on display and/or readily available for frequent use. Other items, like holiday decorations or out of season clothing, can be stored in an out-of-the-way area until needed.
   When an object strays from its 'home', it can easily be misplaced, thus causing stress and frustration. Clutter build-up naturally occurs when items are not kept and/or returned to their homes.
2. Give it. When you have something that you never use, giving it to someone who will make use of it can really brighten your day. Give it to a friend. Pass it on to a relative. Or put it in a special 'Charity Box' and make a donation to a favorite organization once per month.
3. Sell it. Need a few extra bucks? Consider selling those things you don't use. Hold a rummage sale. Sell them to a consignment shop. Or, try an online auction company, such as E-Bay.
4. Dump it. Items that are outdated, faded, broken or otherwise unusable can often be dumped. If you don't want it, and you don't know anyone else who wants it, dump it today. You'll be freeing your space--and your mind!

Declutter Your Home in 11 Easy Steps

1. Pick a room - any room. Decide on what room to start on. Write it at the top of an 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheet of paper. This will be your Action Sheet.
   Example: BEDROOM A
2. Choose an enticing reward. Designate an appropriate reward to give yourself on the Dumping portion of the job. The reward concept serves as your motivation, so be sure to choose something that you’d really enjoy! Write this reward on your Action Sheet.
   Example: Treat yourself to a massage or go out for a nice dinner -- whatever it is that you love to do. Write it on your Action Sheet.
3. Set a deadline. Set a specific Dumping Completion Deadline for this one room. Write it on your Action Sheet.
   Example: DUMPING DEADLINE: APRIL 30
4. Schedule time to dump. Schedule 3 specific dumping dates (one hour for each). Hopefully this will be enough to complete the dumping portion of the job. Write it on your Action Sheet. Then, post the Action Sheet in a prominent place where you are certain to see it every day, like your bathroom mirror. It will serve as a reminder of your goal, deadline and pending reward.
   Example: DUMPING DATES: APRIL 18 from 8-9A, APRIL 21 from 8-9A, APRIL 24 from 8-9A
5. Keep your appointment. When the 1st dumping day arrives, keep that appointment, just as you would any other important appointment. Bring a bunch of large garbage bags. Play your favorite music in the background.
   

   

6. Time it. Set a timer for 1 Hour -- one that sounds off when the hour is up.
7. Sort through it. Pick up one item at a time, and start dumping. (If you come across items you want to give to charity, designate a special bag for those items) Whatever you are going to keep, just put to one side of the room.
8. Do it until the time is up. Continue doing this until the timer goes off. If you prefer to continue, keep going. Otherwise, stop and follow the same procedures for your next two scheduled dates. Don’t let the garbage bags sit there. Make sure they are thrown out now (or donated), or on Garbage Day at the latest.
9. Celebrate. Once you’ve managed to dump everything you don’t want or need in that one room, it’s time to celebrate. Take advantage of that reward you designated.
10. Keeping it organized. Now that everything in that room that you wanted dumped is gone, you’re ready to begin putting everything you are keeping back in an organized manner. Be very careful not to put anything else in this room that you don’t want.
11. REPEAT. Repeat this process for each of the other rooms in your house.

A Clutter Free Basement or Attic

1. Establish mini-goals. If the basement/attic is just too big of a job for one day, break it up into a few days. Perhaps:
   DAY 1: Toss out anything outdated, old, broken, things you never use, etc.
   DAY 2: Pick up some storage containers and put up some shelving and/or hooks.
   DAY 3: Organize everything you are keeping in closets, on hooks, on shelves, etc.
2. Handling sentimentals. If you haven't organized the basement or attic in awhile, be prepared to take a trip down Memory Lane--old photographs, games that haven't been touched in years, ice skates, granny's silverware, and so on. Try to put these items to one side until you've reached your organizing goal for the day. Then, reminisce with your family later on that night after dinner, rather than right now. This way, you'll finish what you set out to accomplish.
3. Allow for family fun. Get the family to chip in. Make it a game, with responsibilities assigned to everyone. You can even time the tasks with an alarm clock, and give small prizes for getting the task done ahead of time. Play music--fast music--to get everyone in the organizing mood. You can plan a fun, family pizza-party afterwards as your reward for a job well done!
4. Use your space wisely. Don't forget all that wall space. Hang hooks and pegboards. Add shelving. Have a big, empty closet? Put a utility shelf unit inside. Turn an old, unused bar stool upside down and put all of your tall items (baseball bats, curtain rods, etc.) inside. Pick up some translucent, plastic Rubbermaid containers and store out-of-season clothing, holiday decorations and other things you're not using right now inside.
   

   

5. Avoid keeping widgets. Resist the urge to save every little thing-a-ma-jig and what-cha-ma-call-it you come across. If you (and your family) don't know what it is, or what it belongs to, it should probably be trashed.
6. Set up a donation box. Set up a large donation box. As you're organizing, when you find things you no longer have a use for, simply put it in this box. Then, bring the box to the Salvation army the next day. Some GoodWill and Salvation Army headquarters will pick up your donation at your doorstep if you call them. And there will be a lot of people happy and grateful for your gifts.
7. Don't forget winter storage. Squirrels store goods for the winter. You might want to do the same. Basements are great for storing canned goods. If you live in a cold climate, you'll be happy it's there--especially on those icy, cold days when you'd rather stay home than venture out to a supermarket. Keep it all organized with can organizers (available at most home stores). Some hold up to 50 cans that simply roll forward each time you remove one.

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