Are You Leaving a Mess?

This past weekend, I facilitated a discussion entitled "Declutter Your Practice and Your Life" at the NC chapter National Association of Elder Law Attorneys , and I made an interesting discovery.

We discussed the challenges of eliminating clutter from individual desks, paper files stored in file cabinets, storage rooms, and off-site storage from the pre-digital days, digital clutter (especially email), and the clutter that often overwhelms their older clients during downsizing -- especially paper, memorabilia, and photographs.

Several attendees admitted they had lots of clutter but added, "I just don't have the time to deal with it." When one woman said that, I asked, "Do you have children?" "Yes," she replied.

Next, I asked her, "Do you have children?" "Yes," she replied, to which I replied, "Do you want to leave them with a mess?" The look on her face told me the answer.

As I continued to ask that question, I realized that the answer confirms the truth that it's easier to be accountable to someone else than it is to ourselves

In one of the Office Transformation Bootcamps offered by Andrea Anderson CEO Productive Environment Institute , we asked participants to answer, "What is your biggest clutter challenge?"

One participant answered, "Handling paper and mail in a timely matter. Often, there is a pile of 'not sure what to do' or 'this is important, so look at it again.. but when?' So, papers pile up! Bottom line: The important doesn't get priority unless it's an emergency, or I feel guilty or ashamed!"

You should seriously consider this truth: You will collect clutter as long as you live. The longer you wait to implement a SYSTEM (Saving You Space Time Energy Money) to handle it, the longer it will take to fix it -- and the more it will cost in lost opportunities.

When I first began my organizing business, many of my clients were getting organized to sell their home. Often when we were done, they would say, "If I had done this before, I would have stayed here!"

I've spent over forty years helping thousands of individuals, families, and organizations eliminate clutter and train others to become Certified Productive Environment Specialists who implement the strategies I've developed.

We offer customized services, depending on your preferences and budget, virtually or onsite, individually or in groups.

If you're tired of feeling guilty or concerned that you're leaving your family a mess, we should talk. You have nothing to lose and a life to gain!