by April Welch, The Mental Clutter Coach
Here we are, smack dab in the middle of January. The prediction is, you've already failed at any New Year's Resolutions you set out to conquer.
Why?
Habits.
To say you want to achieve a goal is wonderful, to say you want to change the way you've done something is a lifestyle adjustment.
In order to determine what you're facing take a look around your space. What do you see?
More than likely you're faced with last year.
- Last year's projects
- Last year's intentions
- Last year's stuff.
The new calendar year represents a fresh slate in so many ways ~ we physically change the calendar on the wall. But what do you do with all the things still hanging around from last year?
Just as you recycle that calendar, it may be time to recycle some of the rollover.
- Determine what is active right now
- Begin separating out leftovers
- like old business cards
- completed projects that never quite made it to a filing system
- expired opportunities
- Schedule a date with last year
- For example: sit down with your favorite beverage and a stack of old business cards
- Sort what you find according to their purpose:
- what can be recycled?
- add to a contact list
- follow up for future project work
- Take action
Consider evaluating
"How did that happen?"
Are you discovering projects from last school year and realizing they were never "put away"? Was the end of school and start of summer break both exhilarating and exhausting? Could it be you weren't mentally available at the time to focus on necessary tasks? Before you knew it, half the summer was gone and you were preparing for the big family reunion? Darn, who has time to deal with paperwork when there is so much fun to be had?
"What could you have done differently?"
Try giving yourself permission to take a break from decision making during transition time {completing one project or event, picking up the next thing on the priority list}. Having a date with last year can easily become a part of your project management. It just becomes having a date at the end of each project. Once a mental vacation is accomplished {sometimes a few days, sometimes a few weeks} come back to the loose ends. Then take the steps mentioned above for the date.
The likelihood you'll add this process to the end of a system you already have in place is much more realistic than saying "My New Year's Resolution is to stop having so many piles of old stuff lying around!"
Part of adjusting your lifestyle habits is to check in every so often and ask yourself "is this where I want to be?". If the answer is yes, continue on as usual. If the answer is no, stop and consider "what needs adjusting?". Then of course, tweak it and move forward.
I have more information on how to deal with Paper Clutter, Gadget Clutter & The Weekend Project: Your Home Office over on 31 Days of Organizing ~ come on by for a visit and let me know how your decluttering efforts are going!
Thanks for tuning in!
Keepin it Tidy,
April
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April is a Mental Clutter Expert | Mom of 2 boys | Wife to 1 Fireman | Horrible Cook | Loyal Friend | National Public Speaker who gives you permission to be imperfect
