From the category archives:

De-clutter

Support for Organizing

by Michaeline on September 26, 2009

So did you clear away the one file pile as suggested in my last post? How did it make you feel? If you didn’t, set a goal to do so this week.

The more clutter you have the more overwhelming a task de-cluttering can be and the longer it can take. And yet the rewards of de-cluttering and organizing are significant- feeling energized, in control, light and free.

Can’t get yourself to tackle the file pile…ask a friend or relative to work with you. Having a buddy to support you, especially if you are overwhelmed, can be a tremendous help to get you started on being clutter-free.

So who are you going call to support you in your endeavor to become clutter-free and organized?

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Benefits of Getting Organized

by Michaeline on September 19, 2009

In the article “Out with the clutter, in with…the calm, the money-saving and more. Surprising benefits of getting organized” (Woman’s Day- September 1, 2009) author Denise Schipani indicates that she was surprised at how some purging and neatening made her feel.

I agree that there are benefits to organizing including those listed in the article: saving money, improving efficiency and boosting mood. That is why I was so inspired to focus my life coaching business around clutter busting.

When we accumulate clutter it causes distractions and lethargy as well as costs you money. Constantly looking for things right on your desk, being overwhelmed by piles and repurchasing things you already own really can cost you big.

While organizing is different than de-cluttering one organizing step you can take right now is to start filing. Take ONE pile and just do it! You can also read more about creating a filing system in a previous post: http://clutterbustingcoach.com/2009/04/14/creating-your-filing-system/

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Are List Makers Healthier?

August 29, 2009

In the July 2009 issue of Prevention magazine in the article “Health Lesson Froms Your To-Do List” author Nancy Kalish indicates that research shows that list makers are healthier and happier.
I have always been a proponent of lists. I have suggested list making as a tool for assessment and success. It is also my opinion [...]

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Free Yourself from Clutter

July 7, 2009

Clutter weighs you down, distracts you and causes chaos. Free yourself from clutter with some of these techniques:

Stop paper from coming into your home. To learn how read my earlier post: http://clutterbustingcoach.com/2009/03/28/clutter-control-conquering-the-paper-pile-up/.
Use a landing and launching pad for things that enter and leave the house. A book case, shelf or basket set in the entryway [...]

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Creating Your Filing System

April 14, 2009

Why filing systems don’t work:
• You are trying to adapt someone else’s system.
• You have set up a very complex system (maybe color coded and too many small categories).
• Your file cabinet is not in a convenient location.
• You are trying to keep too much to start with (records versus references).
• You have not set [...]

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Records Versus References

April 11, 2009

I am sure you have heard the statistic that 80% of what is filed is never looked at again.
Do you know the difference between papers that are references and those that are records? Learning the difference can save a lot of work and maybe a few trees in the process.
Records are papers that you need [...]

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The Home Office of Your Dreams

April 7, 2009

I recently posted about handling your papers as they come into your home as a way to conquer paper clutter. In thinking about what information I wanted to provide next I went through a long laundry list of potential topics. And the winner is setting up a home office.
Once you have a handle on the [...]

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Tax Preparation = Easter Egg Hunt?

April 4, 2009

Does the date April 15 stress you out? Does locating the paperwork needed to prepare your taxes seem like you’ve gone on an Easter Egg Hunt? Do you put off preparing your taxes because you just don’t want to deal with all the papers?
Which person are you?
1. I have a system set up and can [...]

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More Paper Clutter Control Techniques

March 31, 2009

I could spend days writing about conquering paper pile ups. And I will continue to share bits and pieces in future posts. I did want to share a few more techniques now that you have your incoming mail under control.
In order to stay on top of paper and prevent it from piling up:

When handling a [...]

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Clutter Control: Conquering the Paper Pile Up

March 28, 2009

The best defense is a good offense when it comes to handling papers. The key to getting a handle on paper is to deal with it starting at the front (or side) door.
Daily when you get your mail, start by sorting it before you get too far into the house:

Pull all the advertisements or junk [...]

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