Spring into Spring

Hasn't time flown? Already we're into the last quarter of the year and isn't it perfect timing to clear out the cobwebs of winter and prepare yourself for the next few months of sun, sand, surf or is it work, work, work?

You know it's time to take action when:

You have difficulty finding things

Your colleagues make comments about your mess

You can't see your desk for the mess

You cut your fingers in the filing cabinet when you try to dig out a file

You have to push your body against the cupboard door to close it.

The bookshelves are beginning to break because of all the weight.

You've forgotten what your office floor looks like because it's buried under the mess

In his bestselling book "Clutter's Last Stand, Don Aslett, America's No. 1 Cleaning Expert says:

"Most of us attain, accumulate, collect, but plenty always seems to require more. Enough is never enough.

Clutter Costs

We have to pay for it, keep track of it, protect it, clean it, store it, insure it and worry about it. This takes energy and effort (in fact, a great part of your life). Later we have to move it, hide it, apologise for it, argue over it.

Clutter Stifles

It requires so much of our time to tend. Not only are our houses, drawers, closets and vehicles so crowded we can't breathe, but our minds, emotions and relationships are crowded into dullness and immobility.

We're so surrounded with stuff, we don't even have time for the people whom mean the most to us.

The Final Revelation

Finally, often too late, we realise that most of that which has surrounded us, choking out good living, squeezing out the physical and emotional life out of us, is just junk - clutter!

Clutter in the Workplace

Clutter is costing businesses thousands, if not millions of dollars!

Here are a five reasons why:

People waste time searching for things. In fact, The Wall Street Journal conducted a survey and reported that white collar workers spent on average SIX WEEKS A YEAR looking for things in the office!

Clutter occupies space. Floor space costs money! One of the most common complaints I hear is "I have no room, there's not enough space.

Extra money is spent on stationery and office supplies which have already been bought. The trouble is people can't easily find them in a cluttered environment so they order more.

Money is wasted on excess office furniture and storage to hoard the clutter.

Clutter makes you feel busy. Combined with a busy workload, clutter will dramatically increase your stress levels. It is extremely easy to be distracted with so much 'stuff' surrounding you.

Time to Take Action

Make a decision to rid yourself of excess clutter. Clean out your workplace and your home. Now is the best time to start. Stop making excuses that you don't have the time?guess what? You do.

About The Author

Lorraine Pirihi, principal of The Office Organiser is Australia's Personal Productivity Coach. She specialises in working with businesspeople showing them how to dramatically boost their productivity, reduce the stress and the mess in their lives and have more time for enjoying their life.

lorraine@office-organiser.com.au

---

Dont Get Lost In The Shuffle

I have a good friend whom (also being in the same business) I often compare notes with.One of the things that I always give him a hard... Read More

Basic Organizing Principles

So you've decided to get organized, but you just don't know where to begin. Here are four basic organizing principles that will help you regain control over... Read More

Organize (and Decorate) Your Home on a Budget with Baskets

What's an item that can help you organize every room in your home, helps create the appearance that you're a tidy housekeeper (even if you're not), and... Read More

10 Simple Steps to a More Organized Household

1. Divide big jobs into smaller jobs. Make a list of all the places in your house that you would like to see become more organized. Now... Read More

Spruce Your Environment, Spruce Your Spirit

After a long winter, this is the time of year to spruce up your environment with a good Spring Cleaning. It's amazing what doing this can do... Read More

Tossing and Turning

"The real question is, why do you want it? What are you going to do with it? That's where you've got to start; otherwise you're going to... Read More

Creative Storage Solutions

When the things in your home start crowding in around you and you're short on cash, it's time to come up with some creative storage solutions. Don't... Read More

It?s Spring Cleaning Time? Let?s Make Room For Abundance!

I gathered some things you can do this spring while you take a minute to smell those roses. There are things we need to do to clear... Read More

Essential Tips for the Kitchen

* Cupboards and drawers should contain items that are grouped together.* Store items where you use them. Put your plates near the table, knives near island or... Read More

Getting Organized For The New Year - Part 1

The following procedures will insure an organized and well run office. 1. Have a daily To Do sheet. This is made up at the end of the... Read More

Six ADD Tips for Organizing Everyday Things

Life with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) can be a constant hassle. Little things like lost car keys, tools that stick or don't cut well, papers that go... Read More

10 Organizing Tips for Road Warrior Parents

Parenting is always a challenge, but particularly so if your work requires that you travel. Don't be too hard on yourself or on them when you find... Read More

Digging out of Paper Clutter - part 2

We previously noted that papers must be sorted before they can be properly filed. Continuing from our last article, your sort has left you with two piles... Read More

Mental Clutter- Is It Taking Over Your Life?

Chances are, most of you have a lot you need to get done.Oftentimes, there are projects on your to-do list that require SEVERAL steps in order to... Read More

Life Lessons - Get What You Want; A Lesson from a Green Sea Turtle!

Sometimes major life lessons come from the most unlikely of sources. As strange as it may sound, I learned one of my biggest lessons about the importance... Read More

Clear Your Clutter and Free Your Life

Whatever your clutter problem the answer is the same: make a decision to clear your clutter and then take action to clear your clutter.Without action, the decision... Read More

Time for a Clean Out

Time has flown. It's been six months since you came back from your relaxing holiday over Xmas and New Year.Remember when you charged into the office that... Read More

Is Your To Do List The Problem?

You start each week with great intentions. You are determined to get a grip of your workload. You are determined to write a to do list, you... Read More

Balance- What Does It Really Mean?

Balance- what a popular topic these days! Finding a work-life balance, being balanced in body, mind and soul, eating a balanced meal, balancing work, play and learning.... Read More

Get Organised and Transform Your Life

It takes effort to get results, and not just any effort, it takes smart effort. You cannot expect to achieve anything without doing something. Unfortunately in our... Read More

The Top 10 Habits of Organized People

Have you ever wondered how some people seem to have "it all together ? all the time," while you struggle with deadlines, misplace items, and run late... Read More

Stress Management: 10 Universal Laws to Get and Stay Organized

1. The Law of the 1st StepA good first step in getting organized is to 3-pile everything:pile one is for those things to throw awaypile 2 is... Read More

Can You Make a ?Torpedo? Out of Personal Junk? How to Optimize What You Have

"Junkyard Wars," a TV series showed two teams of experts contending for a title. The aim of the competition was for teams to construct a torpedo that... Read More

How to Prevent Piles of Paper!

If you have piles of paper all over your desk, you're going to love this article.The method is called FAT. I'm not sure who invented the acronym... Read More

Introducing the Power Hour Concept to Plough Through Mountainous Tasks

Have you ever been totally overwhelmed by a massive task confronting you? Ever felt daunted by the thought of even making a start on such a massive... Read More

Clutters Side Effects: How the State of Your Home Affects Your Life

Each area of your home has a symbolic meaning with which you resonate on a subconscious level. Clutter and untidiness within each of these areas causes constriction... Read More