5 Tips to Banish Clutter From Your Life For Good

Studies show that 80 percent of what we use comes from 20 percent of what we own. That means that 80 percent of the things in our homes are rarely or never used. Follow these tips to de-clutter your life.

Start the process of de-cluttering. Divide a room into sections. Pick one section (like one drawer or cupboard) and begin de-cluttering. Ask if you consider each item beautiful, useful, or loved. If not, you can probably get rid of it! If you're still not sure if you should get rid of an item, ask yourself, "What's the worst thing that could happen if I toss this?" The answer may help give you the power to discard the clutter. Also be aware of the size of your space, as smaller spaces obviously hold less stuff.

Work with a buddy. If you're having a hard time letting go of the clutter, enlist the help of a friend or professional organizer to offer an objective viewpoint. She can offer support and ask the tough questions like, "Are you really going to use that?" and "When will you ever wear that again?"

Try to touch things only once while going through this process. Quickly make a decision to keep or toss. It will be helpful to have large, dark-colored garbage bags, plus two large boxes on hand: one for items to donate or give to friends, one for items that need to go to another room in your home. The bags are for items that need to go the dump. (The dark garbage bag will keep you from seeing the contents and having "tosser's regret.")

Find an appropriate home for the items you want to keep. Once you've removed all the items that are not beautiful, useful, or loved, you are left with a room full of things you'll use and appreciate frequently. Assign a space (a "home") for each item and make sure to return it there after each use. Remember, if you don't return each item to its home after use, it turns back into clutter and disorganization will occur.

Give yourself a reward. At the end of a de-cluttering session, give yourself a pat on the back and a little treat, such as a bubble bath, a cup of tea, or a professional massage. Also take some time to relish the calm and tidy space you've created.

Copyright 2005 Time to Organize. All rights reserved.

Sara Pedersen, veteran professional organizer, is the author of the FREE e-newsletter "Organzing Dreams." Sign up today at http://www.time2organize.net to receive your FREE quarterly subscription. Then, make YOUR organizing dreams come true by visiting http://www.time2organize.net where you'll find dozens of organizing tips, before and after photos, an interactive quiz and much more.

---

Google News Updated : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 02:08:49 GMT Falcons head coach: ‘Matt did a very good job’ - Atlanta Journal Constitution Canada.com Falcons head coach: ‘Matt did a very good job’ Atlanta Journal Constitution - 38 minutes ago By CARROLL ROGERS Q. How did the third play - the touchdown from Matt Ryan to Michael Jenkins - develop? New Falcons head coach Mike Smith said of Matt Ryan, ‘It was a great way to see our rookie quarterback throw his first NFL pass. In-game analysis of the Lions' loss in Atlanta Detroit Free Press Lions' poor tackling about talent, not coaching MLive.com Sports Network - The Canadian Press - DetNews.com - FanHouse all 475 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:30:18 GMT Populists Gain Seats in Election in Hong Kong - New York Times Radio Australia Populists Gain Seats in Election in Hong Kong New York Times - 36 minutes ago By KEITH BRADSHER HONG KONG - Chinese national pride after the Olympics and growing distress over inflation combined to produce a leftward shift in legislative elections here on Sunday. Hong Kong Democrats Retain Veto Bloc in Legislative Elections Voice of America Key wins for Hong Kong opposition BBC News AFP - Aljazeera.net - International Herald Tribune - The Associated Press all 341 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:32:36 GMT Prime Minister Chances Early Election in Canada - New York Times Prime Minister Chances Early Election in Canada New York Times - 1 hour ago By IAN AUSTEN OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper, putting aside the date he had set by law, formally propelled Canada into a federal election campaign on Sunday. Canadian PM calls October election Financial Times With economy slow, Canada to hold early elections Christian Science Monitor United Press International - AFP - Aljazeera.net - The Associated Press all 1,873 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:06:35 GMT Patriots overcome injury to Brady, top Chiefs - Sports Network CBC.ca Patriots overcome injury to Brady, top Chiefs Sports Network - 53 minutes ago Foxboro, MA (Sports Network) - Randy Moss had six receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown as New England overcame an early injury to quarterback Tom Brady to escape Kansas City, 17-10, in the season-opener for both clubs at Gillette Stadium. Patriots QB Brady out of opener vs. Chiefs The Associated Press Cassel comes through for Patriots Boston Globe SportingNews.com - Reuters - ESPN - Newsday all 1,861 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:15:11 GMT Veteran Financiers to Head Fannie, Freddie - Washington Post Times Online Veteran Financiers to Head Fannie, Freddie Washington Post - 22 minutes ago By Thomas Heath and Dina ElBoghdady The new chief executives at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have long histories in the financial services industry. Video: Feds Take Over Mortgage Giants AssociatedPress FDIC to help small banks with Fannie, Freddie exposure MarketWatch Reuters - New York Times - Forbes - CNNMoney.com all 5,434 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:46:18 GMT Health Highlights: Sept. 6, 2008 - Washington Post TheMedGuru Health Highlights: Sept. 6, 2008 Washington Post - 9 hours ago On the heels of the huge nationwide salmonella outbreak that caused more than 1400 illnesses from Mexican peppers, a regional Oregon alfalfa sprout distributor has recalled its product in Oregon and Washington state after the sprouts were linked to 13 ... Salmonellosis outbreak prompts sprout recall Forbes Salmonella outbreak traced to alfalfa sprouts Seattle Post Intelligencer Seattle Times - eFluxMedia - TheMedGuru - HeraldNet all 81 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 16:31:13 GMT Cage's 'Bangkok' tops worst movie weekend since 2001 - USA Today E! Online Cage's 'Bangkok' tops worst movie weekend since 2001 USA Today - 9 hours ago By Scott Bowles, USA TODAY After a record $4.2 billion in movie ticket sales this summer, the industry suffered its worst weekend in seven years, with the top movie at the box office doing less than $8 million. Video: 'Bangkok Dangerous' - Not a Safe Bet AssociatedPress Fall box office off to slow start Variety New York Times - Los Angeles Times - Reuters - New York Daily News all 261 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 16:23:28 GMT Make Money Online RSS to HTML

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Organized Living in a Disorganized World

We are bombarded with so many factors that perpetuate disorganization.... Read More

Simplify Your Life! No Really...Simplify Your Life!

We hear it every day."Buy this product, and simplify your... Read More

Get Organized - Stay Organized

My mother is one of the most productive people I... Read More

Have an Ugly Day

"Do something every day that you don't want to-do; this... Read More

Improve Your Workplace to Make Your Life Better

What does "quality of life" mean to you? If you... Read More

Getting Organized For The New Year - Part 2

In part 1, we discussed a system you could use... Read More

5 Easy Steps to Making Housework More Manageable

Sometimes the task of keeping a clean, tidy house just... Read More

Success at Work : Techniques : A Cluttered Desk

I followed my boss to a co-worker's cubicle where my... Read More

Saving Memories Without Losing Your Mind

The summer is flying by for Cindy and her family.... Read More

Change the Way You Think and Change Your Life

Dennis is working as a factory worker during the day... Read More

Tired of Endless Chores and To-Dos? Stop Running Around in Circles and Enjoy Life Again

Do you feel like you are running around in circles,... Read More

Can Someone Step Into Your Job Or Role And Function Effectively?

Working for one of the top Marketers online (David Ledoux)... Read More

Clutter is Postponed Decisions?

Do you ever sit down at your desk buried in... Read More

Get Rid Of The Clutter

You really can have a successful business and a great... Read More

The Magnificent 7: Tips for Cleaning Up Clutter

Clutter is postponed decisions®. Here are some suggestions to simplify... Read More

10 Simple Steps to a More Organized Household

1. Divide big jobs into smaller jobs. Make a list... Read More

Spruce Your Environment, Spruce Your Spirit

After a long winter, this is the time of year... Read More

Organizing Tips to Help You Conquer the Laundry Monster

Laundry. You sort, you wash, you fold, you blink ?... Read More

A Personal Action Plan for Change

There are eight distinct steps to constructing and executing an... Read More

Daily Systems Keep You Organized

Ever wonder how they do it? How a short-order cook... Read More

Your Organizing DNA

Do you like storing your papers on top of your... Read More

Without a Plan, You?re Doomed to Failure

"My job is an endless series of deadlines, I am... Read More

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

Each area of your home has a symbolic meaning with... Read More

Organization Tips - How To Get Things Done

What stops you from 'getting things done?'Have you ever started... Read More

Get Organized -- Every Home Needs An Office

EVERY HOME NEEDS AN OFFICEYes, it is true that every... Read More