When You are a Piler, Not a Filer

Many people like to have their information within their sight or grasp – hence the pile. Pilers are different from other clutter groups in that their information is organized in piles in accordance to their own technique. This can create havoc on any space and can begin to squeeze the piler out of their home.

Piling is not a bad thing, it is a habit of more visual learners and creative types. According to Lee Silber of Organizing from the Right Side of the Brain there are some creative ways to make piling an art form.

1. Focus on the Positive
Put the most positive item of each item on top of your pile, e.g. the cheapest bill on top of the stack of bills to pay.

2. Get a Spine
Wrap another piece of paper around one stack to create a spine. Label that paper to indicate what's in that pile.

3. Hot, Hot, Hot
Divide your desk into sections and the most active section should be piles that need immediate attention such as read, pay, act, write, etc.

4. Put Your Piles on a Diet
Go through your piles every day or at least every week and remove the items that are not pressing. These should be filed, the opposite of piling.

Lose the Clutter, Lose the Fat?

Peter Walsh of Oprah and Clean Sweep has a theory that people who have clutter are also overweight. The relationship between a dirty house and a dirty or unhealthy body are very close and I agree with him. Most people who have unruly clutter usually give up and just let things go, just like their bodies.

Walsh claims that those people who take the time and effort to keep a clean and organized home will also be more motivated to take care of themselves and lose weight. Hopefully this theory is starting to be tested right now.

Messy = Brilliant?

A very interesting concept. The people at CBS Sunday Morning do seem very intellectual...

The DeCluttered Workday

Thank you to zenhabits for a nice article on how to create a peaceful and productive workday. Remember, we spend over 2,000 hours a year at work. Make that time count.

The majority of the tips talk about decluttering...your desk, your timetable and your work life:

1. Do Less

2. Create a morning routine

3. Prepare the night before


...for more...

The Treasure Hunt

When going through the decluttering process, a fun way to find out what to keep is to go on a treasure hunt through your home to find the items that are most meaningful to you. Put those in a pile or separate place. Whatever is left over is fair game for the garbage or the thrift store.

Five Boxes

I was reading Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui which is a nice little introduction to decluttering, not only your space, but your body as well.

I liked the quick five box rule for decluttering. Items go into boxes or trash cans labeled Keep, Recycle, Trash, Repair or Dilemma, for those items we are just not sure of. The Dilemma box should be sorted through at another time.

Number 4 on the Resolution List

According to FranklinCovey getting organized is the fourth most popular new year's resolution. And like most resolutions only about 8 percent of the 45 percent who make a resolution, end up achieving it.

The habit of disorganization cannot be changed in one day. It usually takes about three months of continuous positive change to create a new habit. Most disorganization and hoarding comes not from a too-small house or not enough time, but from a person's brain. The thought process of hoarding and organization has to be addressed first.

This year, make organizing first on your resolution list and your other resolutions will fall right into place.