Clear The Clutter

It’s so easy to let it get out of hand; there’s so much to do. We’d rather do anything than get organized, promising ourselves we’ll get to it — someday. But that day never comes, and before long we’re sitting in a heap of clutter — This is something I call Pile Crisis Syndrome©

Here’s how it happens (please excuse my direct approach:)

Excuse	Reality
I don’t have enough time. I’m too busy.	You’re not making enough time.
There’s nowhere to put anything.	There’s a home for everything.
I’ll do it later (intentions).	It’s our actions, not our intentions, that matter.
I don’t know how to organize.	You can learn.

Clutter follows us into our cars, jobs, closets, desks, our relationships and every other area of our life. It undermines our positive energy and causes stress that permeates our affairs from top to bottom. We look around and see the mess — the piles of paper, clothing, disarray — and feel overwhelming anxiety, fear and frustration. What do these feelings create? In most cases, denial, indecision and paralysis. In addition, some of us have the challenge of living with limited space. We’re out of closet, desk, drawer and cabinet space and square footage, so the piles start growing everywhere. It’s a common problem but often, quite solvable. There are actions we can take to bring balance and serenity into our environment.

Practice and patience is the mantra. Just as we manifest chaos, we can manifest order. What we think is what we are. All that’s required is a change of attitude and a little discipline, and you too can have the confidence to clear the clutter and make space for a more productive environment.

There’s a caveat to all of this: If you don’t have a file cabinet, please do yourself a favor and get one — a good one, don’t compromise. It’s one of the best investments you’ll ever make. Get one that’s well-built and has good drawer glides. Try them out and find one that feels good to you.

Remember, getting organized is a continual process. Take it seriously, and give yourself the lifestyle you deserve. For further information on how to create organizing and lifestyle systems that will decrease your stress and increase your productivity, contact Cindy Faith at help@theworkorganizer.com

NEED HELP SYSTEMIZING? Cindy@TheWorkOrganizer.com

TOP TIPS TO KEEP CLUTTER CONTAINED

1. Spend 5 minutes DAILY to open mail: Throw envelopes away!
2. Spend 5 minutes DAILY to file papers
3. Spend 5 minutes DAILY to maintain: Put clothes, papers and stuff away

Many of my newer clients operate in pile crisis management mode - it’s not pretty or necessary. Here are a few things you can do TODAY to stop this insanity:

1. Use a letter opener
2. Invest in a shredder
3. Spend a few minutes each day OPENING AND LOOKING at your mail
5. Shred and recycle what you don’t want immediately - make sure to shred or ‘black out’ address information
6. Flatten papers
7. Start file folders with the following headers

Immediate Action

To File

To Do

To Read

Taxes

Projects

Credit card / Applications

Step Files and Polyview tabbed folders make a winning combination, and are my ABSOLUTE favorite and a ‘must have’ for my business clients. Important documents are right in front of you and with clearly marked printed labels, you’ll manage paper flow better. Don’t get stuck in a rut looking through clutter and papers in a stack. Keep your work in front of you - on the firing lines. Help@TheWorkOrganizer.com

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