Daily Resolves Tips For The New Year: Boost Productivity By De-Cluttering!

Here is to a very Merry Christmas and a fabulous New Year.  Just seven days left in 2013!   Are you ready to take a look back at what you achieved in 2013 and a look forward at what you would love to be, see, do, feel, have, achieve in the coming year.  No time to wasete.  Pull out your notebook and your favorite beverage and do some dreaming and planning for what you would love to do in the coming year – 365 opportunities to make those dreams real with small daily steps that add up to big results over time!

With that in mind, I continue my 45-day run up to the New Year, by publishing my 'Best Of' columns since founding I Resolve To . . . in 2005. To view the complete list of my favorite articles, please visit Kim Simpson at Ezine Articles. If you plan to do a little daydreaming about the possibilities, feel free to use the I Resolve To . . . Work Sheet. Click this link for another handy brainstorming tool that I created for choosing the right resolution for you!

Today's food for thought . . .

Small Daily Steps Toward Goals & Resolutions Add Up – Boost Productivity by De-Cluttering!  (Re-Print)

"Where in the world is _____________!?!" How many times each day do you ask yourself that question, while at work, at home, at school, or at play? Clutter and disorganization can be frustrating roadblocks for productivity, the joy of accomplishment and peace of mind. When you can't put your hands on the tools you need to achieve, it can be an impediment to success with work and home projects, hobbies, school – and 'yes', New Year Resolutions, dreams and daily goals. Why not make a firm decision today to eliminate 'clutter and disorganization' one room at a time – the office, for instance. If you can't wrap your arms and head around one room because the challenge is simply too daunting, start with one drawer, one closet, or one bookshelf. Tackle 'de-cluttering' one small step at a time, one day at a time, and rack up big results over the long haul!

I intend to 'Maintain A Clutter-Free Office and Home', as part of my 365-day effort to take small, proactive, focused, measurable, manageable, steps toward my dreams, resolutions and daily goals. I view this resolution, as a way to build more serenity into my day and promote productivity with virtually all of my projects. If you are interested in making your own 'De-Clutter Resolution', here are five simple, common sense steps that can serve as a launching pad:

1. Dare To Dream: Open yourself to the possibilities. Imagine what your house, or office, would look like tidy, clean, de-cluttered and organized. With that image in mind, believe that you can 'make it happen' and you will succeed with a practical plan and plenty of elbow grease.
2. Decide: Make a firm promise to yourself to toss the trash (old, worn out stuff that no longer serves a useful purpose); give away, or recycle items that go un-used by 'you', but would be useful to someone else; and organize the rest of your possessions.
3. Define: In one sentence, specifically outline your intention, such as, "I resolve to clean, de-clutter, and organize my home, garage and shed one room, one closet, one drawer at a time by tossing trash, recycling or giving away worthy goods, and organizing the possessions that I use daily, or weekly."
4. Develop A Plan: Do your homework. Room by room, assess the job at hand, then build a simple list that outlines the necessary tasks for each room, as well as the 'what and how' of tackling those tasks. The list serves as a wonderful way to maintain accountability and build enthusiasm and motivation as each room, drawer, closet, or cupboard is checked off.
5. Do It Daily: Don't set yourself up for failure by trying to tackle an entire 'declutter-organize project' overnight. Instead, approach the list systematically, one small project at a time, one day at a time. Each completed project soon builds into a cascade of wonderful results that you can see, feel, and experience. A clean, organized, spacious home, or office, gradually appears over time!

To be fair, most of the rooms in my house are neat and organized because I segregate the piles in specific places like the office, utility room, garage, and family room (where I keep most things neatly stacked). I actually enjoy cleaning and make it a priority most of the time, but there is always room for improvement, especially when I get busy and fall behind. The ultimate goal behind my 'De-Clutter Resolution' is to organize in 2009, so that on-going maintenance in 2010 will be a snap!