How Can I Get Rid of This?

Greetings:

You won't want to miss Live the Day with Coach Lee radio show this Sunday at 8:30 am on 710 KNUS. I will be interviewing Liz Davenport. Liz is the author of "Order from Chaos: A 6-Step Plan for Organizing Yourself, Your Office and Your Life" and I must say one of the funniest people I have ever interviewed. Liz is also a naturally unorganized person, as I am, and has found ways to keep her life clutter free and manageable. She is the organizer for the rest of us.

I had a major shift when speaking with Liz and she shared her keep secret for keeping clutter to a minimum. I wrote about it in a recent Day (shared below) and I tell you it continues to make a big difference in my life!

So listen in and get rid of that clutter.

Rachelle


How Can I Get Rid Of This?

I recently learned an organizing skill that has changed my life. During my radio interview with Liz Davenport, author of Order from Chaos, Liz mentioned an organizing secret that was revolutionary for me. Anything that can help me stay organized is a blessing. It is one of my biggest challenges. I was thrilled when Liz shared her concept with me.

Liz shared that, when she is filing, she will pick up a piece of paper and say, "How can I get rid of this?" This may not sound like a big deal, but it is a major shift from what most of us do. Most of us, including me, pick up a piece of paper and say one of two things, "What should I do with this?" or "Where should I file this?" Usually I don't have an answer for either of those questions, so the piece of paper moves to the other side of the desk. After going through this process with all the papers in the pile, I have effectively moved the pile from one side of the desk to the other. By asking the question Liz suggested, I actually can do something with the paper. I might scan it and save it electronically or just throw it out. According to Liz only 5% of what we save ever gets looked at again.

I now look at the stacks of paper and wonder how to get rid of them. Amazingly enough I have managed to de-clutter my office in record time just by applying this question.

Coaching

Get out of the mindset that you have to keep everything. There is very little you actually need to keep. If you do throw something out and you need it later, there are usually ways to retrieve it. Clutter keeps you confused and overwhelmed. Getting rid of the stacks of paper makes life less stressful.

Coaching Question

How can you get rid of the stacks of paper on your desk?

Live the Day

Have a clutter removal day. Set time aside during the day, and go through your stacks of paper and ask, "How can I get rid of this?" Be extreme and get rid of most of the paper. You can file it if you wish, but you have to do it right at that moment. You simply don't need to keep everything. Letting go of all that paper will make room for more of what you do want.

Resources

Liz Davenport author of Order from Chaos.