Five Steps to Declutter Your Mind

By Theresa Frasch

Do you ever have one of those days (or weeks, or months) when you know you have so much to do but you can’t seem to get FOCUSED? Do you ever feel like your thoughts are swirling out of control? Do you ever feel emotionally drained just thinking about all the things that need to be done? Then it’s time to DECLUTTER your mind.

A HIDDEN ENERGY LEAK

We all have an allotment of energy, energy to do the things in our lives that need to be done. But often that energy is devoted to THINKING about the things that need to be done, or thinking of all the things around you that are half done, or all of the things you know you "should" be doing. You may not be thinking of these things consciously but these thoughts are an undercurrent, churning away, DEPLETING your energy source.

RECLAIMING YOUR THOUGHTS

How can you gain back that energy? How can you get focused? How can you gain control of what seems to be out of control? Just follow this SYSTEM. Get out a pad of paper and a pencil. At the top of the first four pages, write out one of the four steps. On the next page write out, "Action List". Now, put these steps to work for you!

FIX IT

Just the other day I found myself getting dressed at the last minute for an appointment. As I put on my pants the button slipped off. It had been loose the last few times I wore them. I’d been meaning to fix them, but I kept putting it off. Now I had to change my socks and the sweater I’d already put on to match the other pants I now had to wear. Now I was late! Take a look around your home and around your office, check your garage and your closets. Make a note of all the things that need to be fixed. These things can drive you crazy, and you usually REMEMBER that they need fixing when you NEED them most. Take the time right now and write down everything around you that needs fixing. Keep your list with you over the next few days and jot down everything else you find. Pick out three things to do this week and write them down on the Action List.

DO IT

What do you know you need to do -- that keeps lingering in the back of your mind, DISTRACTING you from your priorities? For me this week it was this article. I was sick at the beginning of the week, working the rest of the week, but all along it was there in my mind. I needed to get it done. Now that I am in the middle of writing it, it feels so good. I can cross it off my list. What do you need to do? Balance your checkbook? Get the oil changed on your car? Put on your snow tires? Return the library books? Get your holiday shopping done? Order the ham (I’m writing that one down right now!)? Write a letter? Make a phone call? Discuss something with somebody? Write down everything you can think of that you know needs to be done. It doesn’t matter how TRIVIAL it may seem. Write it down even if you think you will remember it later, or if it just came up. Add things to your list as they come up during the week. Pick out three things to do this week and write them down on the Action List.

DROP IT

There are many things in our lives that we find ourselves doing that are no longer NECESSARY. Are you involved in a project that no longer interests you? Are you pursuing a goal that no longer makes sense? Are you on a committee that means nothing or very little to you? Did you make a commitment that you now regret? Are you in a relationship that drains your energy? Knowing what you now know about this situation, if asked, would you participate? In other words, would you still do it if you thought you had the CHOICE? Guess what? You do have a choice. Write down all the things in your life you would like to drop. Pick out one and write it on your Action List.

GO FOR IT

Pick up your Action List. Pick a place to start and go for it. You will be amazed at how quickly these things get done as soon as you make a COMMITMENT to do them. Work on your Action list until ALL of the items on it are completed: You fixed three things, you took care of three nagging chores, and you dropped one no longer needed commitment out of your life. When you are done with the whole Action List (maybe one day, maybe one week) make a new Action List from your main lists. Go for it again and again until all of your lists are complete.

RECLAIMING YOUR TIME

Doesn’t it feel great to be back in CONTROL? Doesn’t it feel wonderful to be able to stop for a moment without your head whirling with all the things you know you should be doing? Keep up the momentum of a clear head by writing things down as they come up and taking action as soon as you can. Remember to enjoy the feelings of completion and SATISFACTION. You owe it to yourself.

Content provided by OnlineOrganizing.com -- offering "a world of organizing solutions!" Visit www.onlineorganizing.com for organizing products, free tips, a speakers bureau, get a referral for a Professional Organizer near you, or get some help starting and running your own organizing business. (http://www.OnlineOrganizing.com)