So, you have made the decision to put organizing on your New Year’s resolution list. But now you might be asking yourself, “What does that look like?”

Does it appear in your mind something like #organizeme2017?

What areas of your life need the most help? Are you overwhelmed with the idea that your parents need to downsize and declutter? Are you personally trying to manage your time and schedule? Do your paper piles need organizing? How about that closet that you are afraid to open? Do you constantly bring in “take out” because your kitchen is too cluttered? Does your office need some air to breathe? Or, are your children’s toys, books, and clothing all over the place because there are no systems in place?

Clarify just one or two areas that are your most stressful clutter points. Rome was not conquered in a day so do not overwhelm yourself by trying to put too many “To-Dos” on your battlefield at one time.

Steps for Achieving your New Year’s Resolutions (to Get Organized)

Here are some suggestions for accomplishing those New Year’s Resolutions.

  1. Know your enemy.
  2. Decide on a plan of attack.
  3. Visualize the perfect world scenario.
  4. Draw it out, write it out. Get it out of your head.
  5. Come up with a strategic plan.
    a. I will organize ______________ by __________.b. The first step will be to ___________.

    i. I will need the following supplies:____________

    c. The next action will be to __________.

    i. I will need the following supplies:_____________

    d. The next task will be to ____________.

    i. I will need the following supplies:________________

  6. Now get your calendar and put these steps on the dates that are free from any other appointments. Give yourself a 3-hour block of time for each step. Three hours is a good amount of time because it gives you time to start your task, get into decluttering and complete your work without leaving your room in total chaos.
  7. If you feel like three hours will be too long, set aside one hour and see if you can keep going. Do not feel that you must commit to the three hours if that stresses you out. The point of this action plan is to declare peace, not war, on yourself.
  8. Do, however, leave yourself about 20 minutes at the end of your session to do a cleanup so when you come back to the area, it is not more cluttered than when you began the project. Your goal, after all, is to have the place not looking like a war zone, right.

The above steps should help start you on the path to fulfilling that New Year’s Resolution #organizeme2017. If you have any questions, email me at linda@capturedclutter.com or call 678-294-7813.

There is no better time to start than now.