Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Clutter Cleaning Adventure Complete!

I am proud to announce that my recent Clutter Cleaning Adventure was successful

It’s been two whole weeks since I decided to start tacking clutter again and began talking with a professional, making a plan, and setting aside time to do it.

I started with the living room since it’s the common area (and also the worst affected room). 

In the beginning this project seemed way too daunting, but with a little help and some dedicated time, it wasn’t so bad.

It’s been a week and we are still clutter free! (If you know me, you know this is a big feat.)

I’m actually enjoying this more than I thought I would! (I’ve involved the kids too, and their rooms look quite nice, if I might say so myself.)

I had mentioned in an earlier post, about a woman named Karen, who’s a professional clutter and organizing specialist.

She helped me see things through her eyes and below is a few other tips that she shared with me.
I thought they made complete sense and wanted to share them with you.

Top 3 Reasons to Hire Help :

1)  You hire a professional workout coach...so why not a professional organizer. If you need someone to motivate you to work out...what's wrong with hiring someone to motivate you to get organized?
2) Organization is not your strong point. By hiring a professional organizer such as a NAPO member (National Association of Professional Organizers) or an ICD member (Institute of Challenging Disorganization - works with Chronically Disorganized & Hoarding).... you are hiring a professional that can meet your specific needs.
3) You hire a professional to show you how to organize your space (or life) in the most efficient manner to make the best use of your space.
 
5 things you can do on a daily basis to avoid getting into the clutter-trap again:
1)  Do a little each day....  15 -20 minutes each day
2) Never leave a room without taking something out of it (and putting it back where it belongs)
3) If it doesn't fit....get rid of it
4) Don't buy things because they are on sale...only buy it if you REALLY need it. Also, if you don't have the space for it...don't buy 20 of one item
5) Have a place for everything...or get rid of it  

Here are two things I’ve realized myself-If I want to stay clutter-free:
1)      Use the touch-it-once strategy; put everything in its place and address items as soon as they are brought to your attention so as not to have a heaping pile of ‘procrastination’.
2)      Have good time management; leaving extra time to tackle the problems of paper clutter, to-do-lists and filing.
I hope you were inspired to join me in clutter cleaning an area of your home or office, and I am very optimistic about your success.

Please share with me what area(s) you chose and what one thing you learned.
Additionally, please visit Rowdy Kitten's blog I follow. Her guest blogger wrote about how to deal with sentimental items.

From my clutter-free living room to yours,
Truly,
Amber


To contact Karen Fried:
Karin E. Fried, CPC
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) &  National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD)
Certificate of Study in Chronic Disorganization
Certificate of Study in Basic Hoarding Issues With the CD Client
Certificate of Study in Understanding the Needs of the Elderly CD Client
Certificate of Study in Basic ADD Issues with the CD Client
Certificate of Study in CD Client Administration
CD Specialist - Level II Certificate
NAPO, Quantum Leap Trainer
NAPO in the Schools Trained Provider