Keep Only What Makes You Feel Good…
If you look at an unread stack of books that you intended to read long ago, and feel “bad”, pass the pile along. If you are “happy” at the prospect of reading them, keep the books.
Our belongings elicit emotions. Our emotions dictate how we feel about ourselves, how we treat others and how effective we are.
TIP: If you say “I should keep this”, it may signify you do not really want to save it.
- For items you “can’t” get rid of yet, box them up with a post-it reminding you to open the box 1 year from today.
Avoid “managing” your email inbox…
Does this sound familiar – you need to keep an email for a while yet not forever so it sits in your inbox and you constantly scroll through your emails asking “Can I delete this yet?”
Instead, after responding to an email, drag it into a folder titled the current year “2016”. Don’t waste time agonizing over whether to save or delete. Your computer’s search function can find it anytime needed.
- What remains in your inbox are emails needing response.
TIP: Treat the folders like tax archives – as the newest folder is created each January, delete the oldest.
Deciding Which Papers to Keep or Toss
Ask yourself:
- Can I get this information any other way?
- Is it easy to obtain again?
- If I even remember where I stored this paper, would I actually retrieve it or would I take a different action (look online, make a phone call, etc.)?
- Can I live with the worst-case scenario consequences if I get rid of it and need it later? If so, let it go. If not, keep it.
TIP: Take a moment to examine your habits. Just because you’ve kept papers in the past doesn’t mean it’s effective today.
Can You See What You Own in One Glance?
If you don’t know what you have, you can’t use it. If you know what you have, yet aren’t able to find it, you can’t use it.
- What area of yours needs to be arranged better visually so you can see exactly what you have in one glance?
Placing items strategically in their home ensures you don’t waste time searching for something.
TIP: Instead of a pile, fold your clothes in drawers so you can see each item and access it immediately. These are the same shirts/shorts before and after.
Complete or Cross Out a Task
An unfinished task is a form of clutter that weighs heavily on our subconscious.
• Is there a task you’ve repeatedly bumped to the next day for more than 3 months?
Consider whether it’s time to complete or cross out that task. If you don’t want to do it yourself, who can you delegate it to? The monetary cost of delegating may be less than the cost of distress you’ve already paid.
TIP: Ask yourself “If my schedule was completely clear for the next 24 hours, would I actually DO that task?” If not, release it.
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