Energy Management: Tackle Your Clutter

Clutter is an insidious form of self-sabotage. Viewed on spiritual level, how we organize and manage our space is an external indication of … how well we support and respect ourselves. Not being able to find things, losing things and working around piles of “stuff” ultimately zaps our energy, productivity and peace of mind.

If you have a big dream and goals to achieve, it's important that you create systems around you that can help you get there. Here are 4 tips to help you tackle clutter, increase your productivity and reclaim your energy.

1. How Big is Your Elephant?

It's said the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. Clutter and disorganization can be overwhelming and some people procrastinate on even getting started because it can be such a daunting task.

Take 15-30 minutes and brainstorm a list of everything that drains your energy or distracts your focus. Prioritize it by the items that bug you the most. Write each item on a sticky note (your “bites”) to make the process more visual and creative. You can easily rearrange them. Best of all, there's a lot of satisfaction to crumpling up your sticky and tossing it once you've completed that job.

Break your projects up into actionable items. “Clean out the shed” is too broad. Identify the sub-tasks such as “Call Goodwill for old clothes pick-up” or “Sweep floors.” As soon as you think of something you need to do, write it down so it's out of your head and on paper. That way you free up your psychic space, not just your physical space.

2. Break It Down By Time, Not Project

Don't procrastinate by waiting until you have “enough time” to get a de-clutter project done. Instead, make your de-cluttering efforts a game. Set your timer and go beat the clock. Put in 15 minutes a day or let your 4 favorite songs play and de-clutter just that long. You'll be amazed at how much you can get done.

When your game is over, take a break and celebrate. Play your game full out while it's on, but when it's over take time to recuperate.

3. A home for everything and everything in its home

The key to success is ensuring there is a designated space for everything in your home. If you have no clue where a particular item should be in your house, you don't just have clutter, you have a squatter! Just as you're mindful of the people you invite into your home, be mindful of the “stuff” you bring into your home.

4. It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

De-cluttering your space is a process, not an endpoint. Don't set yourself up for disappointment by thinking that once you make that big push, you're done. What if your child said, “But Mom, I did a really good job of brushing my teeth last week!” It doesn't cut it, does it? Build in some ongoing maintenance and “clutter-busting” time as part of your regular routine.