Endless to do lists that exhaust and overwhelm you, and keep you away from friends and family should be considered chaotic clutter.
A lot of us keep to do lists. One that seems to grow longer, rather than shorter day by day. A list that never seems to give you the satisfaction of being finished. It can seem exhausting, frustrating and only those who live and die by to do lists will ever truly thrive. The rest of us just try to do our best and ignore the feelings of hopelessness slowly seeping into our lives. Sounds depressing, right? Luckily, there is an easier way...
1. Write a list of your priorities.
What is really, truly important to you? Your health? Your children? Your spouse? Your career? What are the things on your list that make you feel happy, energetic, productive or have real consequences (like not picking up medication on time)? Once you know what's important to you, it's a lot easier to identify what needs to be accomplished immediately and what can wait.
2. What can you outsource or delegate?
Many tasks can often be done by someone else. Whether that means telling your kid that he's now responsible for weeding the garden, asking your spouse or roommate to do their share of the housework or hiring a cleaning company - often we're taking on too many to do's at once. If you don't like the activity, don't have time or simply aren't good at the task, it's always smarter and easier for you to outsource or delegate it to someone else. Asking for help doesn't mean you're weak or helpless. No one is superhuman and we all need help. The most successful, happiest people simply surround themselves with a support team that helps them accomplish their goals...sometimes that's just by taking a task away from them so they have more time to focus.
3. What can you postpone or simply throw out altogether?
Many things don't necessarily need to be done immediately. If there is food on the table, a place for you to sleep and clothes on your back, usually that means you're doing well. However, if you wait an extra day to do your laundry, sew on a button or mow the lawn, probably nothing catastrophic will occur. Let it go for now and do it when you have the time and/or energy.
Ditching projects or objects that you don't like/love/enjoy can help you increase your productivity and happiness levels!
In fact, sometimes you can completely let go of a project altogether. Are you really going to fix that broken table leg or would just buying a new table be an easier solution? What about that shirt with the stain on it that's been sitting in your closet for a month? By now the stain has set really well and you're probably better off buying a new one. Sometimes you just have to be honest with yourself that a to do seemed doable at the time but is either no longer feasible or a priority any longer. Let it go. You'll feel better.
4. Pick your battles.
This is your life, your time and the decisions you make is going to affect what happens next so make good decisions. Sometimes it's smarter and easier to make choices to take on less in our lives so we can have more of what we want..health, happiness and a productive life and maybe even some time for a little fun!
Not all of us are natural organizers. If you know you'd benefit from learning some new skills that can transform your life or think you may need the guidance and support of a decluttering expert helping and encouraging you along on your new life path then visit: http://www.ackorganizing.com/transorm to help you get....
