The Effects of Clutter

The effects of clutter is not only about the physical stuff - the mess in our homes - but also about how it affects our mind, body and spirit.

Clutter causes stress! It cauases anxiety. It causes sleepless nights.

Clutter can take over your mind and stress you out.Clutter overwhelms a lot of my clients. It causes dissension among family members. One person wants a neat and clutter free home and another person doesn't see what all the fuss is about.

A clutter free space promotes a calm environment where you can think - you can create. 

An organized space frees up your time and your money. You aren't buying the same thing over and over again - because you didn't know that you had the item - or you can't find what you are looking for so you are buying the item over and over again!

An organized space promotes producitivity. Since you know where everything is - you spend less time having to search for things. You can access everything you need quickly - saving time. Your files are in order - your reports are done on time - your to-do list has all of the necessary tools that you need for your projects.... Your are prepared!

Having a clutter free and organized space gives you more time to spend with your family to do "fun things" - instead of complaining that the house is a mess! 

Start decluttering and organizing now - for a stress free and fun future!

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....   

Paper piles - how to control the mess

 Paper is one of the hardest things to organize. One reason is because there is so much of it! 

We are inundated with paper! Mail, junk mail, bills, announcements, invitations, kids school permission slips, medical information, tax information....and on and on...

Most people have no system in place for handling the influx of paper. 

They walk through the door of their home and just dump the paper on the kitchen table. And then - forget about it. 

And tommorrow - the same thing happens. This time - the mail goes on top of yesterday's pile. And tomorrow - the same thing happens....the mail goes on yesterdays pile...   and on and on and on...

Until the pile falls over and maybe lands on the floor! 

A lot of people don't actually look at their mail until days later. Some people - never look at their mail. It just keeps piling up.

What's in that pile????

Bills - that you might have forgotten to pay. School permission slips that you never signed. Invitations that you never responded to - and at the last minute you are scrambling for gifts for that party or wedding that you have to go to!

Having a system in place for handling incoming mail and paper is crucial - not only for your financial security - but also for your sanity!

Doing some as simple as:

1) pitching all of the "junk" mail into the trash or recycle bin. *besure to get shred identitying information

2) put all of your bills into 1 basket - so that you never lose a bill in the pile of papers

3) put any important mail that you need to respond to or answer in a specific time into it's own bin (or you can combine it with the bills)

4) put any correspondance that you need to look at or keep - that doesn't have a hard deadline - into another bin

The next step - is to plan a time (have it on your calendar!) that you will go through each bin. Whether it's every day - every other day - once or twice a week - weekly.... it doesn't matter as long as you have a dedicated schedule for dealing with each bin

Take each bin - handle each piece of paper - whether it's scheduling a bill to be paid or paying the bill at that moment - or answering a letter/invitation....and then file it in the appropriate folder.

If you don't have a filing system set up - or a dedicated spot for working on your bills and papers - then set aside some time to figure out a place that will work for you. Having a decidated space - that you can use every week - will make a huge difference. Be sure to have everything you need to deal with paper - in that spot. Envelopes, pens, stamps....

By at least dealing with each bin once a week - and then emptying that bin - you will be able to keep on top of the papers that come into your  home.

Step back and take a look at how you deal with papers - and simplify the method to alleviate some of the stress associated with apaper clutter!

Happy Organizing!

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....   

School is Starting Soon.....

 It's that time of year again.....           

Kids will be going back to school. A lot of parents are really happy!

But there is a lot of work to be done before the kids head back. Shopping for school supplies and new clothes. But before you do that - you should declutter & purge your kids backpack - where I'm sure you haven't looked since their last day of school in June!

Empty their backpack and check to see if any of their old supplies are still in good shape for this school year. If not - toss them. Also, toss out any old schoolwork and all of the crumpled papers and candy wrappers that are probably still in their bag. Check if their backpack is still in good, working condition.

Check the list of needed school supplies before you head into the store.

Next - and the most painful part - the kids clothes! Your kids have probably grown a bit over the summer. Go through all of their clothes in their closet and dresser. Yes, all of them. Make them try them on if you aren't sure if they fit or not. They will probably complain - but it will save you time and money later down the road when you need to get them more clothes. You want to avoid the "mom, my underwear doesn't fit" conversation as they are getting ready for school in the morning (after they told you that everything fit).

Make a list of what they need - from socks and underwear - to pants and shirts. Take them to the store with you (they will most likely hate it) and have them try on the clothes. This will save time later so that you don't have to return them (if they didn't go with you in the first place).

Once you get home, find a place for their school supplies, backpack and clothes. Make sure the kids know that it is their responsibility to put their things into their "homes". Kids of all ages - even kindergartners can learn to put things in their prioper place. Start them on their way to success by teaching them organizational skills.

After you have the kids all set for school - do something for yourself! This time of year is usually very  stressful for parents and you deserve to take a break and do something nice for yourself.

Enjoy the last bit of summer....

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....