Clutter equals Chaos.  Here’s 12 ways to reduce clutter, be more productive, feel lighter, and think more clearly.

Categories of Clutter

1. Too much stuff. Not enough space.
2. Too much to do. Not enough time.
3. Too much change. Not enough planning.
4. You’re a slob, admit it.

Clutter Control

A.  Clutter Type: Hoarding

Possible Causes:

Usually psychological: depression, attention deficit disorder, low self-esteem, fear of becoming homeless.

Clutter Control:

1) Reuse it, Sell it, or Recycle it. And if you can’t do any of those, throw it away!

You don’t need:

• those clothes from high school!
• three lawn mowers, two that don’t work.
• 6 potato peelers
• old magazines.  How often have you been able to go back and find that article you liked?
• stuff you haven’t used it for two or more years.

2)  If this is difficult to you, find yourself a good therapist.

B.  Clutter Type: Disorganization

Possible Causes:

Lack of time, psychological (see above),

Clutter Control:

1)  Buy the right tools, like

• storage bins for seasonal clothing,
• file cabinets for important papers,
• spice racks,
• magazine racks and bookcases.

2)  Purge.  See A.

3)  Set aside a regular time each week, both at home and at the office, to “tidy up.

4)  Hire a professional to get you started. Once a system is set up, it’s a lot easier to keep it going.

C)  Clutter Type: Time Management

Possible Causes:

High demands, life changes, such as getting married, or having a baby.

Clutter Control:

1)  Make lists

2)  Buy a daily planner such as a Franklin-Covey Planner. They also have software and classes.

3)  Prioritize your lists into what has to get done by today, tomorrow or next week

4)  Don’t schedule too much. Be realistic.  Rome wasn’t built in a day.

5)  Make appropriate timelines for any projects - that allow for a balanced schedule.

6)  Cut what you have to. Just say no.  If you know you won’t have time to do all that the boss is asking of you, and the boss just won’t listen, schedule a meeting with him.  Show him that the schedule is unrealistic, and ask him to prioritize your work.  It can be hard to push back, but I’m sure that he’ll agree that it’s better for you to get some things done well, than nothing done badly.

Yea, this is one of my “don’t do as I do, do as I say” posts. I haven’t mastered the de-cluttering philosophy yet.  I’m in process.

What are some ways you’ve organized your work, home, or life?

photo credits: PicApp

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