The mental clutter that stops you before you start

Without exception the mess you find yourself in is entirely a result of what’s going on (or not going on) in your mind, whether you like or hate that idea here’s the upside.  The absolute one thing that you have total control over in your life is your thoughts, with the exception of mental illness cases of course. Really consider that, whilst you may have great influence, be that positive or negative  over  kids, parents or pets, career etc, You do not have ultimate complete and total control over them or over anything else for that matter, in fact that very sense of no control is at the heart of many of our fears and anxieties.  BUT, the upside is we can with practice, control what we think & change our attitudes.

That’s it for this time next episode I reveal the secret weapon of the super organised.

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Organization Tips To Clutter Free Eating Space in the Dining Room and Kitchen By Marilyn Bohn

Whether you eat at your dining room table, your kitchen table or a bar you need to be able to find it to eat there. Is your space having an identity crisis? Is it a collector of things? Things like the mail, receipts, school work, newspapers, magazines, telephone messages, work papers, scrapbooking supplies, groceries, keys, coats, jackets, collections, scarves, gloves, groceries and the list goes on and on. No wonder these areas have an identity crisis. Okay so you want to reclaim your eating space, here are some solutions to finding your table again and keeping it clutter free. Make a goal - what do you want this space to do for you?

• If you want a table that stays clear of ’stuff’ like mentioned above one idea is to keep it set with a nice table cloth and place settings of dishes and silverware so it is not as likely to be dumped on.

• Do you want this area to be one where family members or even unexpected drop-in guests can gather for a chat?

• Would you like a place for all the family to be able to eat meals together without the hassle every day of clearing a space, thereby cluttering up another place in the kitchen or dining room?

• Is this space you would like to use between meals as a place to work on hobbies? After you decide what your goal is for your table then develop a strategy.

• Have a designated basket for mail. Take a moment to sort it and file it as it comes in. If you don’t have time right then it can stay in the basket until you do make the time to sort it. This basket does not go on the table or counter.

• Set up strategic baskets in the home for newspapers, magazines, books and other printed material that in the past came in contact with the table. Do not set something down where it doesn’t belong thinking you will leave it there just for a second. All too often it takes root and lives there. If you don’t have a place for the item, take a moment and make a place and take it to its home.

• Develop an area for children to call their own. Each child has her/his own place for backpack, lunch box, school work etc. Each child is responsible for making sure things are put there and stay neat and tidy. If you have to remove anything of their’s from the table then they have to do a chore to earn it back. (Including the all important backpack and school work).

• A chalk board, magnetic board, or cork board can be used to contain memos, phone messages and invitations, displaying items everyone needs to see. For invitations I like to record the date in my planner and then file the invitation in my FreedomFiler system by date so I can refer back to it when needed and not clutter up space on a board.

• Have a pencil/paper box near the phone to write down messages and then put them on the message board or fridge (if you must) with a decorative magnet.

• If you use your table to do scrapbooking, working on collections etc., use a rolling file cabinet or cart to put projects on and 40 minutes before meal time whisk everything onto the cart or into storage bins, the ones with wheels are nice as they can be easily retrieved when necessary. This way you can still have projects out and handy but not cluttering the table. Teach children to clean up after craft time.

• Have a designated drawer as a resource drawer AKA junk drawer to hold rubber bands, bag ties, candle lighters etc. As you take off the twist ties from grocery items put them away immediately, don’t place on the counter. These do not live on the table or counter.

• Every family member needs to know the expectation is to hang up coats, jackets, and to put away gloves and scarves in a basket in the coat closet. The same goes for sports assessories/equiptment. They go in their designated areas, not on the table or counter.

• Have a designated place for keys. A cup hook inside a kitchen cabinet is handy and practical.

• Designate a separate location for home-office needs. Even if you don’t have an office, keep files and important papers in a separate area of the house. Keeping the dining room, kitchen or the kitchen bar eating area free of clutter is a lifestyle. Set your goals, have containers available and assign items for different baskets, train family members and remember this is not a one time task. It is a system that is used daily or things take on a life of their own and quickly can pile up.

Bon a petit

Marilyn Bohn’s Bio Marilyn is a creative organizer who has been organizing for over 20 years. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and is working towards becoming a Certified Professional Organizer. Professionally she has been organizing homes and offices for two years. She holds a bachelors degree in Social Work. She has reared five daughters and currently lives in Utah. Go to her website http://www.marilynbohn.com where you can find free organizing tips and interesting blogs and helpful articles on organizing. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marilyn_Bohn

Clutter and Hoarding - How Weeding My Garden Helps De-Cluttering
By Beverly E Taylor

So you may be wondering, how can weeding a garden help me with de-cluttering? You can use the concepts in weeding to help make it easier to de-clutter.

At my house, there are too many weeds to pull at one time. Pulling weeds gives me a reason to take a break and go outside to enjoy the sunshine and get a sense of fulfillment.

Do What You Want

[image by dntphotography]

Sometimes I just pull whatever and whichever weeds I want to wherever they are. I just pull the ones I feel like pulling in that moment.

Do what you prefer to do in the moment. It really is ok to do what you feel like doing. Why not? You’re getting something done, and that’s what’s important. It doesn’t mean that you’ll always be doing this. If you find you aren’t getting things done, then doing anything is better than doing nothing.

Do the Easy Stuff

There is one type of weed that is very easy to pull out by the roots. I enjoy pulling these as it’s so simple and easy to do.

In your home, do the easy stuff. This can be done with micro easy steps in which you just throw away one easy thing or move one item to the correct room.

Do What is Urgent

Weeds that are about to flower are more urgent than others. If I don’t pull these weeds now, then they’ll flower and go to seed. This makes more weeds so the problem gets worse.

Some urgent things to do in de-cluttering are to clean up things that make smells or that have a deadline, such as paying bills.

Make Tools Easy to Reach

I have a gardening tool that helps dig weeds out by the roots, so it doesn’t grow back. I use gloves to pull weeds with thorns. I make sure my tools are easy to reach when I need them.

Organizing tools are hangers, boxes, felt pens for labeling, folders, cleaning supplies, and bill paying materials (pen, checkbook, stamps). Make your tools easy to reach in the rooms you need them.

Do What is Most Embarrassing

I live in a community where many people take walks. So I am embarrassed when they can see weeds and sometimes this is where I pull weeds first. I have other people living with me, so I also think about their feelings of having a nice looking front garden.

In de-cluttering, you may want to focus on making the entryway and living room look good. Where do guests go in your house? De-clutter and straighten up those areas. If you live with others, do what makes them feel better, which could mean your shared bedroom.

The “Wandering Butterfly Clean Up Technique” is a wonderful way to make it easy to clean up. It is excellent to use when you don’t feel like cleaning up, yet you get something done! To receive the free document, click here http://www.easykeytoclutter.com

Many clutterers benefit from the gentle, easy and empowering process of hypnotherapy, especially with a hypnotherapist who specializes in clutter. Beverly E. Taylor, the “Clean Up Queen” is the only person in the world who has written a book using hypnosis to help people easily clean up clutter.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beverly_E_Taylor

Now I’m getting organized with this blog! Tuesday is Choose Day! Choose what stays and what goes day. Last week we looked at the Pinball Process and I left you working away at just one spot. Now if the Pinball Process wasn’t necessary for you, your other option

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