Do you struggle with clutter and productivity? I got some tips to help you get rid of excesses once and for all.
Clutter and productivity don’t work together.
In fact, a messy environment is the source of distractions, another efficiency killer.
Probably, you’re reading this and you’re thinking:
Where’s the big news, Debbie?
Well… The “news” is that we all know it way too well, but still, we keep on hanging on stuff just for the sake of it.
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What’s clutter
It’s easy to detect clutter when things aren’t organized.
For example, back in the day when I had the (HORRIBLE!!!) habit of opening letters and just leaving them on the table, guess what?
Our living room table was cluttered!
However, it isn’t the only way to spot messy things.
The bigger the home, the more room you have to store stuff.
But if it’s away from the eye it’s OK, isn’t it?
WRONG!!!
It’s surely much better to have all your clothes hanging in your wardrobe than lying on the floor.
But how many dresses do you really need?
What about all those pairs of shoes?
Collecting things creates extra work nobody got time to organize.
You can always delegate it to someone else.
But wouldn’t it be better if you’re transferring more productive work?
7 practical tips to kiss clutter goodbye starting now. #MindfulPlanning #coaching Click To TweetHow to declutter your life
There are very simple steps you can take on a daily basis that will help you get rid of clutter.
Some of them are:
- Put it back
- Recycle
- Throw it away
- Organize your bed
- Do the ironing regularly
- Go paperless
- Don’t buy it!
Put it back
Duh, Debbie!
It isn’t so obvious if you tend to leave things all over the place as I used to.
Yes, I’m talking to YOU. I know I wasn’t the only one who did that.
Your hand will feel the urge of dropping that pen, sheet of paper, or even piece of clothing on the couch or chair closer to you.
Just fight it back! You can do it!
Mindfully put it back once, twice, and as many times as it takes until it becomes a habit.
After that, you won’t think about it anymore.
Recycle
Have you been collecting more containers than you’ll ever need? Why not giving them some other usage?
The same goes for other utensils, old clothes, and what-not.
It’s so easy to recycle these days.
You can:
- Take your items to a second-hand shop.
- Swap things with friends.
- Give excesses to charity.
It’s a win-win situation.
Besides, you’ll never know the difference you might be making.
It isn’t because an object isn’t useful to you anymore that someone can’t benefit from it.
Throw it away
I know, I know, I know it isn’t always that simple.
I myself still struggle with sentimental clutter, but it has to happen whether you (and me) like it or not.
But I must say that it helps a lot to take a picture of whatever old item I was holding dear before tossing it away.
And if it’s something broken or that you don’t need anymore, it’s a no-brainer: get rid of it!
Still not sure about it?
What about the extra unnecessary work it is to clean up and organize something that has no use anymore.
Spring cleaning is an excellent period to feel the pain and take action.
Don’t go renting an extra storage room for stuff that should be in the garbage can!
Organize your bed
It begins with one piece of clothing and suddenly you have your “office” on your bed.
I’ve heard of people who started sleeping on the couch or even on the floor just because there was no room on their bed anymore.
Believe me, those things don’t happen only on “reality” shows.
To get back on track, all you have to do is to consciously put everything away.
I like the 15-minute system.
It isn’t a long interval and you can get a lot done.
Set a timer and go for it!
Do the ironing regularly
Since it’s only my boyfriend and me, doing the ironing once a week is more than enough for us.
Some people don’t mind going through their pile(s) once a week, not mattering how long it takes.
If it’s not your case, spread it twice a week or delegate it.
Another option is giving preference for fabrics that don’t require ironing.
Finally, why not cutting down your wardrobe?
Have you ever heard of the Project 333?
I started it this summer and I love it.
As my inventory of my wardrobe progresses, it’s getting clear to me:
- The clothes I really wear.
- What doesn’t fit me anymore.
- What I want to keep and what not.
There isn’t an easier way to cut down your ironing than a capsule wardrobe.
Go paperless
Whether it’s a drawing from your kid or a recipe from a magazine, you don’t need to keep a hardcopy of everything.
When you scan and store your memories, not only they’re easy to find but you also avoid clutter.
Once you get into the groove of going paperless, having an empty desk will be a piece of cake.
Among the many applications I give to Evernote, I use it to:
- Collect recipes
- Storage invoices
- Save important emails
- Organize my wardrobe inventory
Yes! I’ve been taking a picture of each and every piece of clothing I own and saving it to Evernote.
This way not only I know exactly everything I have, but also facilitates the process of getting rid of excesses.
Don’t buy it!
Plain and simple.
If you don’t NEED it, save your money for something else.
I’m a collector myself and it’s sometimes easier said than done, but it’s worth the exercise.
While I’m not ready yet to say goodbye to some items, I haven’t acquired anything new in ages.
It includes:
- clothing
- stationery
- gadgets
- shoes!!
The only is when replacing something that is broken or that doesn’t work anymore.
Yet then it’s one in, one out.
When I see something I’d like to have, I ask myself if I REALLY need it.
This short reflection is more than enough put me back on track.
Wanting and needing are two entirely different things.
Modern society standards conventionalized they’re the same. But they aren’t!
You can benefit a lot more from a stable financial situation, peace of mind, and no clutter.
Start clearing clutter today
While my intention to keep this post light, clutter isn’t a joke.
You may use Einstein’s desk as an excuse for your behavior as much as you want. Yet, we both know deep inside that there’s a downside to it.
It’s way more than a messy desk.
It’s also about the mental clutter that causes stress and, in some extreme cases, anxiety and depression.
Besides, clutter is a waste of money, time, and kills any efficiency efforts.
Put the tips above into practice.
Block time in your calendar for larger projects such as decluttering your garage or attic.
If you want to join other like-minded people for accountability and support, come on over to our challenge today.
Add simple clutter-free habits to boost your productivity. #MindfulPlanning #coaching Click To Tweet52-Week Challenge For A More Productive You
I’m hosting a 52-week productivity challenge on my closed Facebook Group.
You can read everything about the challenge here.
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How the 52-week productivity challenge works
First of all, grab a copy of the list [ninja-popup ID=11356]52 Things That Are Killing Your Productivity[/ninja-popup].
After signing up, you’ll be invited to join my closed Facebook group.
On the group, I’ll share daily prompts during the 52-Week Challenge For A More Productive You.
I’ll guide you through a brand-new topic each week.
From Monday through Friday, you’ll learn how you can use Mindful Planning™ to:
- Become more efficient
- Save time
- Manage stress
- Achieve your goals
You can start the 52-Week Challenge For A More Productive You at any moment of the year.
And you choose whether to follow every single week or to focus on your personal pain points.
If you miss anything, you can always refer to older posts for catch-up or review.
All that FOR FREE!
See you at the challenge
The method I apply to the challenge is exactly the same one I use with my clients: Mindful Planning™.
It’s a 5-step method you can use to all aspects of your life become more productive one day at a time without added stress.
Come and join the 52-Week Challenge For A More Productive You today.
I’m looking forward guiding you towards a successful year and beyond!
Disclaimer: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link. However, when you order through my link, it helps me to continue to offer you lots of free stuff. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. Thank you, in advance for your support!