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Simplified Interiors e.Zine
Dear Kathie,
De-cluttering can have the same 'feel' as losing
weight. You have to find the method that works
best for you. What motivates and keeps you going
may not work for the next person; each of us is
inspired and encouraged differently. While de-
cluttering methods differ, the end
result remains the same – peace of mind, less stress,
freedom, more time and energy, finding things when
you need them. This month clients shared with me
the de-clutter strategies that work for them.
Hopefully their stories will encourage and inspire you
on your de-clutter journey.
Motivators to help clear clutter
Clients share their secrets
Chunks of Time and Stars. De-cluttering in
chunks of time with visual rewards keeps Glenda
motivated and inspired. “It may sound kind of grade
school, but stars on the calendar work for me,” she
explained. With long hours at work, it's hard to come
home to a de-clutter project, so Glenda finds that
scheduling 'chunks of time' works best. Then she
rewards herself with a blue star for 3 or more hours,
a red star for 2-3 hours of clutter clearing, and a gold
star for less than 2 hours. She says seeing the stars
fill her calendar reminds her how much she's actually
accomplished because when the job is so big and you
still have a long way to go it's easy to forget how
far you've come. Try Glenda's strategy when it's hard
to see progress.
Setting a Generous Deadline.. The end of
summer break before school started again is what
worked for Peggy. 'Taking your class last spring is
the best thing I ever did,” she reported. Inspired,
she implemented the 3-priority tickle system, de-
cluttered her linen close, and donates or recycles
two bags a week. And since this is the last year of
teaching after 24 years, she plans to give away
materials and books to new teachers and
students. “I want to walk out of there next
spring,” she proclaimed, “with a couple of tubs, not a
garage full of stuff like many of my colleagues.”
Trusting Kathie's Promise: “You can find anything and
everything in 30 seconds or less when everything has
a home and is always living there,” Peggy made
homes for her stuff. She says knowing exactly where
to look for something is great. She takes the teasing
from her family in stride -- “that took more than 30
seconds Mom.” She's ready to go back to school
now with a de-clutter plan through next spring.
Sell Clutter for Something Special. “I
wanted a computer so I could email and use the
web,” said 73-year old Francis. After poor health
halted her antique business, Francis was left with a
basement, guest room, and garage filled with
products she could no longer sell in her booths.
Letting go of items for less than half of what she'd
paid in a burgeoning antique business ten years ago
was paralyzing. But once she decided on the goal of
buying herself a computer with the money she
earned, the letting go was easier. Using eBay and
other antique sources, she started making decisions
and letting go even though she was getting a
fraction of what she remembered paying years ago.
As the money from sales began growing, she
accepted that 'something is better than nothing.' In
July she had enough money to buy a new computer,
scanner and color printer and take computer classes.
Selling your clutter (stuff you don't love, use, or
need) for something you can use is a great motivator.
Putting paper in its place
When you can manage paper, you can manage anything in your life
You won't want to miss this opportunity to
Put
Paper in Its Place. At this workshop learn to
create systems to simplify and organize your paper,
eliminate the chaos it creates, and generate time
and
energy for the things you love to do! Visit our web
site at www.simplifiedinteriors.com for details,
directions, and registering on line. Save $100 when
you register by September 5.
Englewood golf shop uses Feng Shui to improve business
Clearing clutter the Feng Shui way
On July 13, 2006, Yourhub.com printed my posted
article on Tim and Tracy Grove's Swing Shop at the
Englewood golf course.
“Looking in the door and windows as you passed by
this business, you might never know that inside you
could learn to play the best golf you've ever played
in your life. And it would be easy and effortless. In
fact, you'd never guess that a professional golfer
was waiting there to give you one-on-one affordable
instruction that would make your game the envy of
your next foursome. Many passed by and never
stopped in to learn. That's when Tim and Tracy
Grove called me. My name is Kathie. I'm a Feng Shui
practitioner.”
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