Go Organize: Conquer Clutter in 3 Simple Steps Read Online Free Page A
Author: Marilyn Bohn
Tags: Ebook, EPUB
magazine rack.
Eliminate Distractions
Remember Paula's story from the beginning of the chapter? She had the desire to organize, but she didn't get far because she got distracted. When she uses the principles of the Green Light, she will be able to stay focused and finish her work. Knowing where to start and how to approach the work will help you get started, and eliminating outside distractions will help you finish. I'll give you tips to help you stay in the Green Light to stay focused.
Organizing is like climbing a mountain; standing on the top isn't the only reward. There are a lot of beautiful things to see on the climb to the top.
Collect four containers . Before you begin any organizing project, be sure you have four essential containers with you: one for trash, one for recycling, one for items you plan to donate, and one for items that belong in another room. This last container is your “belongs elsewhere” (BE) basket. Put items that belong in other rooms in this basket and carry on with your organizing. Don't leave the room to put things away. If you find a broken item that you want to repair, place it in your BE basket and continue organizing. Don't stop your work to make the repair. Finish the task at hand first. You can deal with the items in your BE basket when you are finished organizing for the day. If other people live with you, distribute the items and let them help.
Ignore the phone . When the phone rings (it will), let the answering machine pick it up. Have a planned time when you will listen to and return messages, say at 10 A.M. , 1 P.M. and so forth. This will save you a lot of time and you will quickly get more done! Let your family and friends know you will be returning calls at those times.
Take your organizing tool kit (see page 22) with you.
Use your timer . Take your timer in the room with you, and set it for the length of time you initially plan on working. If you have to leave for a break, take your timer with you and set it for five minutes to remind you what you are doing so you don't do what Paula did. Make it your goal to stay in the room for the entire designated time. Your energy will be focused and you'll make the most of your time.
Take your drink and treats with you, that way you won't have to leave to get them.
Wear clothes to get you in the mood to organize — comfortable, everyday clothes.
Use a slow cooker to make dinner, or order out so you don't have to think about fixing dinner. This will help you to stay focused.
Tell someone else what your plans are and then report back to her with your success. You will also get encouragement from her.
Keep your written goals with you and cross them off as you complete each one.
Get up one hour earlier or work after the kids are in bed to eliminate distractions.
INCREASE YOUR WATTAGE
As you organize, you'll find you need to make lots of decisions. Here are some guidelines to help you make the brightest choices based on your situation.
To Keep or Not to Keep, That Is the Question
Keep only the things you love, things that light you up, things that you use and enrich your life . As you look at an item, trying to decide if you are keeping it or getting rid of it, give it a rating from 1 watt to 10 watts on the wattage scale (see page 15); 1 watt is low voltage; 10 watts is high voltage. If you give an object a wattage of 7 or above, it is a keeper. If it is at 4 watts or below, let it go. Ask yourself questions like: Do I love this or do I just like it? Do I like it enough to keep it? Can I live without it? Will I miss it if I don't have it? Will someone else love it or get more use out of it than I do? Is the space it takes up worth it to me? How does it make me feel? Am I lit up about it? Am I keeping this out of guilt? Am I keeping this out of fear? What is the worst thing that would happen if this item was removed from my life?
Let go to lighten up.
What is the best thing that would
Eliminate Distractions
Remember Paula's story from the beginning of the chapter? She had the desire to organize, but she didn't get far because she got distracted. When she uses the principles of the Green Light, she will be able to stay focused and finish her work. Knowing where to start and how to approach the work will help you get started, and eliminating outside distractions will help you finish. I'll give you tips to help you stay in the Green Light to stay focused.
Organizing is like climbing a mountain; standing on the top isn't the only reward. There are a lot of beautiful things to see on the climb to the top.
Collect four containers . Before you begin any organizing project, be sure you have four essential containers with you: one for trash, one for recycling, one for items you plan to donate, and one for items that belong in another room. This last container is your “belongs elsewhere” (BE) basket. Put items that belong in other rooms in this basket and carry on with your organizing. Don't leave the room to put things away. If you find a broken item that you want to repair, place it in your BE basket and continue organizing. Don't stop your work to make the repair. Finish the task at hand first. You can deal with the items in your BE basket when you are finished organizing for the day. If other people live with you, distribute the items and let them help.
Ignore the phone . When the phone rings (it will), let the answering machine pick it up. Have a planned time when you will listen to and return messages, say at 10 A.M. , 1 P.M. and so forth. This will save you a lot of time and you will quickly get more done! Let your family and friends know you will be returning calls at those times.
Take your organizing tool kit (see page 22) with you.
Use your timer . Take your timer in the room with you, and set it for the length of time you initially plan on working. If you have to leave for a break, take your timer with you and set it for five minutes to remind you what you are doing so you don't do what Paula did. Make it your goal to stay in the room for the entire designated time. Your energy will be focused and you'll make the most of your time.
Take your drink and treats with you, that way you won't have to leave to get them.
Wear clothes to get you in the mood to organize — comfortable, everyday clothes.
Use a slow cooker to make dinner, or order out so you don't have to think about fixing dinner. This will help you to stay focused.
Tell someone else what your plans are and then report back to her with your success. You will also get encouragement from her.
Keep your written goals with you and cross them off as you complete each one.
Get up one hour earlier or work after the kids are in bed to eliminate distractions.
INCREASE YOUR WATTAGE
As you organize, you'll find you need to make lots of decisions. Here are some guidelines to help you make the brightest choices based on your situation.
To Keep or Not to Keep, That Is the Question
Keep only the things you love, things that light you up, things that you use and enrich your life . As you look at an item, trying to decide if you are keeping it or getting rid of it, give it a rating from 1 watt to 10 watts on the wattage scale (see page 15); 1 watt is low voltage; 10 watts is high voltage. If you give an object a wattage of 7 or above, it is a keeper. If it is at 4 watts or below, let it go. Ask yourself questions like: Do I love this or do I just like it? Do I like it enough to keep it? Can I live without it? Will I miss it if I don't have it? Will someone else love it or get more use out of it than I do? Is the space it takes up worth it to me? How does it make me feel? Am I lit up about it? Am I keeping this out of guilt? Am I keeping this out of fear? What is the worst thing that would happen if this item was removed from my life?
Let go to lighten up.
What is the best thing that would
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