One

Getting your life in order is a lot like weight loss. Gaining weight is usually a process that takes weeks, months or even years and involves complex processes and reasons. So too is disorganization. More than likely, you didn't become disorganized overnight and you will, in all likelihood, not become organized overnight. Take it one step, one piece of paper, one item of clothing, and one gadget at a time. You'll get there and you'll appreciate the effort and journey.

Dr. D. Clutter™

Keep Out!!

Today you get to use your artistic talents. Get a piece of letter-sized paper and write two simple words in BIG, bold letters-KEEP OUT!! No it’s not for your spouse, children or in-laws, it’s for you. Now, post the sign in an extremely conspicuous space so that you have no choice but to see it. This is your constant reminder to keep clutter and disorganization out of your life. Of course the sign without effort is moot, but it's a simple, yet highly effective method. Try it.

Dr. D. Clutter™

Child's Play

When my niece was a little girl we played a game to help her better manage her time and become more organized. I would give her the challenge of beating the clock (or me) in completing a task, such as picking up her toys or books, finishing her homework or chores and getting ready for school and bedtime. That way, she could have fun, while learning great time management and organization skills. She relished getting a star on the achievement chart, earning a treat or reward, but mostly she enjoyed being able to say, " I did it". My goal was to encourage her toward self-fulfillment and increased self-esteem for a job well done. She's a preteen now, so I hope that the games we played still have an affect on her, as she gets older. Take the time to help shape your child today.

Dr. D. Clutter™

The Planning Game

I had the most interesting conversation with an old, dear friend. He asked if people were suffering from the recession in DC as they were in the small southern town where he resides. "Of course", I said. But since we have a large population of high-income earners, it may not appear that the city has suffered as much as the rest of the country has (but many have). I mentioned that money is tight for many people I know, but that some were spared from suffering the full extent due to having planned for such an occasion; you know, the "Rainy Day Fund". He apparently had suffered due to temporary company layoffs and other reasons. Now, he is by no means in dire financial straits, and still has a job (or two), his house and his vehicles. I must have hit the wrong note because he said that people who plan don't live life to the fullest and in some way are missing out on life. You could have knocked me over with a feather. I'm a life-long planner and don't feel that I've missed out on many of the things I wanted to do in life. Sure, there are things I'd still like to do, but my belief is if I can't afford it, I won't go into debt to have it (with exceptions of course for family, health, education and a home). His take was that if he wanted something, he bought it, despite the outcome or consequences. This is my point: life should be fun, full of adventure, exciting and all, but if you live your life believing because you see it, you should have it, you have to be willing to accept the consequences of your choices. Sure this recession and hard economic times have affected some who planned, as it is no discerner of person-it affects who it will. The moral to the story, rethink who your friends are (JUST KIDDING), but seriously, plan for rainy, snowy, sunny, dry, windy, cold, and hot days. Then when those trying times come (and they will) you'll at least have a fighting chance.

Dr. D. Clutter™

How to Start?

I'm often asked how and where to start and my answer almost always is-small and where you want. Yes, I know most people are expecting me to say start here or start there, and I do, after I drive home the point to start small. As long as you view getting organized as a huge undertaking, you'll likely never start. But if you "start small", say a desktop or a dresser top, you'll likely be more successful than if you think of decluttering an entire room at once. Baby steps are in order. Start small.

Dr. D. Clutter™

New Year Goals

You survived 2008!!

You survived New Year's Eve and New Year's Day; so give yourself a well-deserved rest, but don't rest too long. Okay, that's long enough!! Let's hit the ground running and take those steps I wrote about yesterday to start changing your life. What's on your mind today? Well, I'm really thinking about goals especially after the big "no resolutions" pep talk.

So why do we put so much pressure on the first day of the New Year? Well, it's because it's a "blank-slate" type of a day. The year is new, we feel revitalized and we don't have any failures (or what I call successful failures, but more on that later or read my books) to weigh us down. I love the New Year, but why not decide to change because it's Friday, it's May or because you truly want to change? That's the best time to "resolve" to change. By taking change gradually, in stages, you'll give yourself multiple opportunities for success. So follow these steps and see where they take you. Set your goals. Write them down and post them. Tell others about them. Don't be shy-share. Be specific (no generalities allowed here). Be realistic (you cannot lose 50 pounds by February, or at least you shouldn't). Give yourself time-specific frames for achievement (and revisit weekly or monthly to evaluate your success or successful failures). If you break your commitment to change into smaller components (goals), they won't seem as daunting and overwhelming.

Now get to goal setting!!

Dr. D. Clutter™

New Year's Resolutions

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! WELCOME 2009!!

Every year around this time people make their New Year's Resolutions. You know the ones: I will lose weight; I will quit this or that. You manage to stick to your resolutions for a minute and then you return to old habits. Ah, the comfort zone.

Well, this year, let's be different. Don't make any New Year's Resolutions. "What, no New Year's Resolutions??!! Yes, she's finally gone off the deep end". No, I have not, not really. Instead of putting the pressure of changing multiple habits in your life because it's a New Year, focus on one that you really want to change. "But isn't that a resolution"? Possibly, but I don't want you to think about it as a "New Year's Resolution"-that's a loaded phrase and one that might cause you to set unrealistic expectations.

Change your language and your thinking and your behavior will change; change your thinking and your language and behavior will change. It may sound like a simple play on words, but since the majority of people break or abandon resolutions before the month is over, why add the pressure? Instead of saying and thinking, "I will become organized this year", say and think (and do), "I will take these steps to become more organized this year and then list them (and do them). This is a great example: I will join a gym to lose 10 pounds (you know 10 is the magic number for some reason); I will join a gym to lose 10 pounds, go everyday and work out for one hour; I will join a gym to lose 10 pounds and change my eating habits by eating breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks." See, those are very specific and planned goals.

Have a wonderfully organized year-one day at a time!!


Dr. D. Clutter™