Clearing Out Clutter–Not Just Controlling It
I’m not tidy in my work area (or anyplace else). However, I try to avoid clutter and confusion and spend some time every few days washing my desk top, cleaning the keyboard and reorganizing a bit. I’ve learned over time that reorganizing isn’t as useful as simply tossing some clutter items that add nothing to my life or work–and that may detract from it.
A Peter Walsh book you’ll find very helpful: I just finished reading It’s All Too Much: An Easy Plan For Living A Richer Life With Less Stuff, by Peter Walsh, and was reinforced in my thinking. I wanted to mention it here to say that his book is both insightful and inspirational not just informational. If you have a problem with stuff stuffed everywhere or if you haven’t gotten to that point….yet, I encourage you to buy this book and see how you can apply it. He’s the host of the TV show Clean Sweep and has some excellent perspectives. (I’m not as positive about his line of organizational items at a big name office store. They all seem unnecessary and over-priced to me!)
Finish up your summer feeling lighter and less burdened by the stacks, boxes and shelves of stuff you don’t care about at home, and the clutter and junk that takes up desk space and distracts you and others at work. Walsh doesn’t advocate getting rid of everything you care about. However, he does advocate carefully considering what you do care about. I found it to be an excellent book that I’ll keep on my book shelf–the one with ten less books than it had this morning.
My wife and I got that book a few months ago and recommend it to everyone. It doesn’t say anything brand new but he has a way of helping you see all the stuff in a new way. It has already saved us a ton of money because we really think before we buy! Good suggestion…but I’ll bet that isn’t your cat.
Comment by Mike | July 14, 2009
Tina says: No, Mike, not my cat. 🙂 I’m glad you liked the book. I can see how it could help you save money about purchases. Thanks for the support!
Comment by TLR | July 14, 2009
Hi Tina! I got the book today at Office Max. I agree about the organizer items, at least for me. I wouldn’t have any reason to use any of them in my work. For me, just having some plain colored file folders laying flat in a drawer is perfect.
But the reason I wrote was to comment on the book. You’re right, it’s really inspirational in spots. I haven’t had a chance to read it all, but what I have read makes me want to take tomorrow off and work on my house. Thanks for the information. Phyllis
Comment by P.A.H. | July 14, 2009
Tina, if you think you need to read a book on organizing I would hate for you to come to MY house! Every time I’ve been to your house I’ve thought you had the neatest looking office I’ve ever seen. I’d get the book but I probably wouldn’t be able to find it after I put it down! LOL!
Comment by S.K. | July 14, 2009
Tina says: You’ll really be inspired to de-clutter after reading the whole book, Phyllis!
S.K., I probably tidied up before you came over. I spend time straightening up my office every day, but it still collects stacks of things…and it’s small, so everything shows. I like it though and certainly live in it when I’m home! Thanks for the comment and the vote of confidence! By the way, if you read the book and apply the concepts you won’t have that problem with not finding it. 🙂
Comment by TLR | July 14, 2009
Hello Tina, thank you for your help with the church security material. Todd and I are going to start a security assessment program tonight and we’re really excited about it.
I have the book you mention by Peter Walsh and love it. He has several others that are just as good, but I think this is the best one for getting started. His TV show, Clean Sweep is sometimes sad because of how emotional people get when he helps them finally get things cleaned up and organized. We had almost the same experience when we got the garage cleaned out finally. I almost cried when we were able to put our car in the garage for the first time ever! That was six months ago and it’s still great looking.
I’m glad you write about things like this. And, thanks again for your willingness to help us with our security planning. God bless you! Cara
Comment by Cara S. | July 15, 2009
Tina says: Thank you Cara, for the comment. Let me know how the first part of your security assessment works out. And, congratulations on getting and keeping an orderly garage. I know how good that feels!
Comment by TLR | July 15, 2009