De-Clutter any clutter-magnets:  desktops, shelves, drawers, closets and cabinets.

If you have papers and books all over your desk, papers and what-nots on your bookshelf, what-nots and stuff on the credenza, books and more papers on the floor, chairs, etc.,  you have clutter-magnets. 

Clutter magnets are the places that tend to attract clutter.  Empty surfaces (tabletops, cleaned off desks, bookshelves, counter tops) tend to become clutter magnets, because we think “I’ll just put this item here for right now.”   The problem is, right now can turn into forever if you don’t:

a) make the time to pick up behind yourself, and

b) consistently put things in the correct place.

But what if there’s no place for these “temporary” items?

Establish a place for everything.  How?  By simply making a decision as to what belongs where.  Ask yourself the question, “If everything were in the right place, where would these things live?” Then begin the process of putting everything in the place you decided.  How do you do that?  One step at a time.  One item at a time.  This is the process you need to do to un-clutter the clutter magnets.

Action: 

The first step is to take the wrong things away.  Take the papers off the bookshelf, and put them in a “papers to sort” area.  Take the what-nots off of the credenza.  Take everything away that doesn’t belong, and leave only the correct things in place.  Organize each place individually so that everything is truly in its place.

The best solution is to put things in the correct place right away.  Then you don’t have to worry about picking up behind yourself later.

Check out the book:  How Not to Be a Messie : The Ultimate Guide for the Neatness Challenge: :by Sandra Felton

  

Remember the adage: A Place for Everything; and Everything in its Place

Marsha Sims

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