"Where in the world is _____________!?!" How many times each day do you ask yourself that question, while at work, at home, at school, or at play? Clutter and disorganization can be frustrating roadblocks for productivity, the joy of accomplishment and peace of mind. When you can't put your hands on the tools you need to achieve, it can be an impediment to success with work and home projects, hobbies, school - and 'yes', New Year Resolutions, dreams and daily goals. Why not make a firm decision today to eliminate 'clutter and disorganization' one room at a time - the office, for instance. If you can't wrap your arms and head around one room because the challenge is simply too daunting, start with one drawer, one closet, or one bookshelf. Tackle 'de-cluttering' one small step at a time, one day at a time, and rack up big results over the long haul!
My 2009 mission is to 'clear the clutter' and organize my personal, professional, and creative worlds. I intend to 'Maintain A Clutter-Free Office', as part of my I Resolve To . . . Challenge: 365 Resolutions For Health & Happiness. Why not join me? The objective is very simple: Do at least one thing each and every day to promote health and happiness for 'YOU'. Banish the 'Someday, Someday, Someday Syndrome'. Instead, make every day New Year's Day. Make every day count. The list of possibilities is infinite and can be tailored to your own dreams, resolutions and daily goals. If you need some help - a little nudge, a bit of inspiration, tips, advice, and news about the best ways to make resolutions a reality - please use IResolveTo.Com as one of your resources. Resolve365 in 2009.
So many things in life begin and end with simple common sense. A messy, cluttery, disorganized desk makes me feel out-of-control. It leads to frustration and ultimately crabbiness. This winter all of these feelings were coming to a head for me in my work space. I moved into my current home five years ago. It is more than double the size of my last home and provides a good-sized office where I work most of the time. When I moved in, the house had plenty of empty drawers, closets, cupboards and floor space. I quickly learned, If there is a vacuum, it will be filled in a new home, so I made a promise, last Fall, to fight the clutter. I am working room by room to regain control of my possessions, clean and organize. I am overjoyed about the results: My office is tidy with no clutter, everything has a place, and I can readily find what I need, when I need it!
I view this resolution, as a way to build more serenity into my day and promote productivity with virtually all of my projects. If you are interested in making your own 'De-Clutter Resolution', here are 5 simple, common sense steps - built upon my I Resolve To . . . System for achieving New Year Resolutions - that can serve as a launching pad:
- Dare To Dream: Open yourself to the possibilities. Imagine what your house, or office, would look like tidy, clean, de-cluttered and organized. With that image in mind, believe that you can 'make it happen' and you will succeed with a practical plan and plenty of elbow grease.
- Decide: Make a firm promise to yourself to toss the trash (old, worn out stuff that no longer serves a useful purpose); give away, or recycle items that go un-used by 'you', but would be useful to someone else; and organize the rest of your possessions.
- Define: In one sentence, specifically outline your intention, such as, "I resolve to clean, de-clutter, and organize my home, garage and shed one room, one closet, one drawer at a time by tossing trash, recycling or giving away worthy goods, and organizing the possessions that I use daily, or weekly."
- Develop A Plan: Do your homework. Room by room, assess the job at hand, then build a simple list that outlines the necessary tasks for each room, as well as the 'what and how' of tackling those tasks. The list serves as a wonderful way to maintain accountability and build enthusiasm and motivation as each room, drawer, closet, or cupboard is checked off.
- Do It Daily: Don't set yourself up for failure by trying to tackle an entire 'declutter-organize project' overnight. Instead, approach the list systematically, one small project at a time, one day at a time. Each completed project soon builds into a cascade of wonderful results that you can see, feel, and experience. A clean, organized, spacious home, or office, gradually appears over time!
To be fair, most of the rooms in my house are neat and organized because I segregate the piles in specific places like the office, utility room, garage, and family room (where I keep most things neatly stacked). I actually enjoy cleaning and make it a priority most of the time, but there is always room for improvement, especially when I get busy and fall behind. The ultimate goal behind my 'De-Clutter Resolution' is to organize in 2009, so that on-going maintenance in 2010 will be a snap!
Remember: I Resolve To . . . Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year. It's your choice. Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality in five simple, common sense steps: Dare To Dream, Decide, Define, Develop A Plan, and Do It Daily. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good! Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who makes resolutions, keeps resolutions, and enjoys the journey! Let's Go For It!
Need More Inspiration? Wear Your Resolution By Visiting The I Resolve To . . . Shop At CafePress: I Resolve To . . . Resolutionista Gear And By Joining The Official I Resolve To . . . Group At Gather.Com.
Kim M. Simpson - May 1, 2009
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