Clutter Campaign - Maintain Your Success

To want in one's heart to do a thing for its own sake; to enjoy doing it; to concentrate all one's energies upon it-that's not only the surest guarantee of success. It is also being true to oneself. Amelia Earhart

Live Clutter-Free Forever. Have you noticed how clutter is like a boomerang--it seems to come back quickly? The best way to prevent the "boomerang effect" is to commit to a way of life that supports your new resolve to stay clutter-free forever. The five-step Clutter Campaign is not a step-by-step linear process. Instead, it is like a circle continuing in an unbroken line. You continue to design your vision, eliminate your excuses, commit your time, select your tools and maintain your success. As each new setting or challenge arrives, you know exactly what to do next.

Here are six options for you to explore:

? Revisit the freedom of your clutter-free, ideal setting. As you continue the circle of your Clutter Campaign, remember your picture of your ideal setting. Remember how that setting helped you feel and operate. Identify some symbol of how good your setting can feel. This might be a set of "before" and "after" photos, a piece of art, a special set of linens, fresh flowers. Revisit this symbol regularly and use it to help you stay committed to a lifetime of living clutter-free.

? Explore holding on and letting go. Record some of your thoughts and discoveries as you have had experiences with holding on to items and letting go of other items in this Clutter Campaign. What were three items easy to let go of? What are three you now have a renewed appreciation for? What are three things you can pass on to others to watch their pleasure in using them?

? Identify other users who will benefit from your surplus. List the organizations and individuals you enjoy donating to. List their contact information and terms of accepting donations from you. Does donating your surplus make it easier to let go of things?

? Schedule time/select plan for regular attention to organizing. Identify specific times for regular organizing tasks and time blocks for the intermittent ones. Is it better for you to set aside one week a year and get everything all accomplished, or do you prefer to do twenty minutes a day, three times a week to keep it all under control? No system is right unless it works for you. Note below the time and plan you will follow.

? Create systems of support and/or accountability. What does it take to keep your resolve strong? Do you operate better from attraction to your vision or from a desire to escape the Clutter Trap? Who encourages you in your process? What method, person or process keeps you on target? Do you use rewards or incentives to keep yourself going? List three elements of support or accountability that work for you.

? Celebrate successes. In every lifetime process, we need to take time out to celebrate our successes. This helps remind us how far we have come and strengthens our resolve to continue. Sometimes the celebration is small and private, sometimes is it extravagant and public. Do you allow yourself to a special pampering, take luxurious time with a friend, take time for a hobby or passion? List some of the ways you celebrate success. Ask other people too, and record some of their responses.

© Barbara Hemphill is the author of Kiplinger's Taming the Paper Tiger at Work and Taming the Paper Tiger at Home and co-author of Love It or Lose It: Living Clutter-Free Forever. The mission of Hemphill Productivity Institute is to help individuals and organizations create and sustain a productive environment so they can accomplish their work and enjoy their lives. We do this by organizing space, information, and time. We can be reached at 800-427-0237 or at www.ProductiveEnvironment.com

---

A Personal Action Plan for Change

There are eight distinct steps to constructing and executing an... Read More

Organization Tips - How to Organise Your Computer Files

Everytime Mary had to find a file on her computer,... Read More

Time for a Clean Out

Time has flown. It's been six months since you came... Read More

Get Organised and Transform Your Life

It takes effort to get results, and not just any... Read More

Get Rid Of The Clutter

You really can have a successful business and a great... Read More

Creative Storage Solutions

When the things in your home start crowding in around... Read More

10 Myths of Clutter Clearing

1) It's easy to have a good clear out: Not... Read More

Five Simple Tips to Get Organized Today!

Take time to declutter this summer...Writing can certainly consume the... Read More

Four Tips For Clearing The Clutter

Spring?. Fresh breezes through open windows, sleeping trees come awake... Read More

Spring Cleaning

Spring is such a refreshing time- we are filled with... Read More

Have an Ugly Day

"Do something every day that you don't want to-do; this... Read More

Organize (and Decorate) Your Home on a Budget with Baskets

What's an item that can help you organize every room... Read More

Making Life Easier, with NLP Chunking!

You know, in psychology there is a rule, especially within... Read More

Organized Living in a Disorganized World

We are bombarded with so many factors that perpetuate disorganization.... Read More

Ten Signs That Your Life Is Cluttered

How do you know if you need to clean out?... Read More

Creating The Perfect Closet

Your closet is often the first thing you see in... Read More

Be More Productive at Work: Avoid These Eight Traps

Obviously, productivity involves producing. Producing widgets, events, reports, sales. The... Read More

Success at Work : Techniques : A Cluttered Desk

I followed my boss to a co-worker's cubicle where my... Read More

10 Common Roadblocks to Getting Organized

1. All or nothing thinking/taking on too much." I'm going... Read More

Mental Clutter- Is It Taking Over Your Life?

Chances are, most of you have a lot you need... Read More

5 Reasons to Organize Your Home Today

Home organization isn't just for neat-nicks or those drawn toward... Read More

Quick Organizing Tips From Assistance For You

Keeping on task and getting organized starts with a basic... Read More

Can Someone Step Into Your Job Or Role And Function Effectively?

Working for one of the top Marketers online (David Ledoux)... Read More

How Much Is Your Time Worth?

Does Your Present Internet Filing System Work?Do You Really Know... Read More

10 Tips to Get Organized and Clutter-Free- Now!

1. THE LOVE IT OR LOSE IT PRINCIPLE: Every item... Read More