The Original
Get Organized Now!
Website - Since 1997
by Maria Gracia
The Original
Get Organized Now!
Website - Since 1997
by Maria Gracia
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Featured Article
Don’t Get Bit by the Clutterbug
by Maria Gracia
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It starts off as small as a sticky note. Soon, it's a pile of stuff. Then, just
when you least expect it, you discover that the clutterbug is running amuck,
all over your home and office.
If you don't watch out, you'll get bit. The consequences are stress, lost time,
lost productivity, embarrassment, arguments, depression and environmental
chaos--just to name a few.
Swat that clutterbug now, and take back control!
LOOK AROUND.
What damage has the clutterbug already caused? Do you see piles of
paper? Are there magazines all over the place? Is your laundry out of
control? Do you have 10 times more stuff than what you really need?
Consider yourself bitten!
Assess your situation. Make a written list of the specific problem areas.
Don't just say, “everything is disorganized.” That's too difficult a problem to
solve. Instead, list things like, “coffee table has 3 piles of paper on it” or “2
hampers full of laundry to be washed.”
FOCUS
The clutterbug is strong, and needs to be attacked with very focused efforts.
Choose the problem area that bothers you the most, and then focus your
time and efforts on that one area. Once that area is taken care of, you can
then move on to your next focus area.
Zap! Clutterbugs are too weak to withstand this focused approach.
Want to get organized and eliminate clutter? Focus is the key.
CHECK YOUR FRAME OF MIND
The clutterbug knows when you're not up to the challenge. If you're thinking
about something else, like what your weekend plans are, the clutterbug will
gain even more strength. The only words that should be going through your
mind are, “I'm going to get that clutterbug, no matter what it takes!”
By the way, a little bit of bribery helps. Bribe yourself. Promise yourself a
nice lunch out, or a visit to a movie you've been meaning to see--WHEN
you're done attacking the clutter bug.
PLAN OF ATTACK
Be sure you know how to attack the clutterbug. Read this web site and my
organizing books. Tell a good friend, or two, what your plan is. Doing so
helps make you more accountable.
The clutterbug has a trick he plays on us. He makes our clutter seem
insurmountable--too much to tackle at once. It's easy to outwit the
clutterbug, if you simply break your organizing project up into small pieces.
For instance, if you want to organize a table full of paper, mentally break that
table up into 4 sections (upper right, upper left, lower right, lower left) and
focus on one section at a time.
DATE OF ATTACK
Don't think you're going to deal with the clutterbug, “when you get around to
it.” That time rarely comes. Set a specific date, mark it on your calendar, and
wake up prepared and ready to fight. By the way, if you attack the clutterbug
first thing in the morning, before anything else, he won't have a chance to
multiply.
CHARGE!
When the scheduled date arrives, play some motivational music, grab all
your weapons (trash bags, donation boxes, cleaning sprays, etc.), eliminate
distractions (ask someone to watch the kids for you, switch your phone so
calls go directly into voicemal, etc.) and charge right into attacking the
clutterbug with all your might.
With a little bit of effort and determination, you should be able to overcome.
The clutterbug will put up a good fight, but he's not unbeatable. You can do
it!
CELEBRATE!
Every time you overcome the clutterbug in any area of your life, it's time to
celebrate. Reward yourself for all of your efforts. Tell the world about your
victories. Give yourself a “chore free” day. Do something nice for yourself.
You deserve it!
And watch out . . . don't become complacent. Because the clutterbug always
wants to return for a rematch!
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By Maria Gracia - Get Organized Now!™
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