Drowning in Detritus (SOS)

I suspect this plan has been forwarded so often that it’s starting to seem like SPAM. But in the middle of a mighty, seemingly futile struggle to organize my office, it sounded so inviting, so deceptively easy that I decided to re-post it into my own blog for further consideration. From ArtBizCoach, by way of several blogs:

“I have, what I call, a Clean Slate week between Christmas and New Year’s. During this week I clean my office, clean out files and cabinets, set up new files for the New Year and wrap up any loose ends. I also review my business and marketing plans and update them with my new goals for the New Year. And, of course, I make a new prosperity board that pictures what my goals and aspirations are for the New Year. Doing all this helps me start the New Year with a clean slate.”

I wish I could figure out, once and for all, how to clean up my clutter. Every once in a (long) while, I tackle the piles that accumulate on my desk, floor, and credenza…but they regrow and mutate into archeological digs in no time flat. My office is clean (that is, no spilled food or beverages, and no dust to speak of), but it’s filled with stacks of books and scattered papers.

I need a quick-and-dirty (ha!) method to get to that Clean Slate, then a system keep things in order afterward. If you’ve got ideas, I’d love to hear them. I tried FlyLady, but she just buzzed around my ears, leaving trails of unread emails in my Inbox.. And books on the subject…well, they just get added to the stacks, unread. If you’ve got some practical suggestions for getting organized once and for all, help a girl out, will ya?


Site Meter

33 Comments

  1. I have no suggestions for you because I am your Clutter Twin.

    I actually do have files and such … but I hate filing.

    I end up doing a big sit-down in my office once every three months or so, where I file, chuck, or move to a new spot.

  3. One big rule I’ve been trying to follow is if you haven’t touched a piece of paper in a year, you probably don’t need it. If you can’t bear to part with it, at least file it away so that it’s not cluttering the desk/table/top of computer/top of printer/top of dog (you get the picture).

    • It sure does! Thanks for the link; I enjoyed reading the article!!!

      But honestly, the article doesn’t wipe the slate clean for me…I still feel guilty and restless whenever I look at my mess (which is always).

      Favorite line from the article: “It’s also nice to remember, as Mr. Freedman pointed out, that almost anything looks pretty neat if it’s shuffled into a pile.” Therein lies my current strategy. Snort.

  5. I’m not the most organized person either, but one tip I found helpful was to have a mini file system near where you do the mail, that way whenever you open something, all the junk can go immediately in the recycling, and the rest can be filed in your temporary file. Once a month, go through and file them properly (or whenever you have time).

    Of course this only works for anything new coming in, not what’s already piled up, sorry 😉

    • That’s a great idea for later…for now, however, I need to deal with the huge piles that need to be sorted and tossed or files. Sigh. There’s no escape, is there? I just need to plunge in and do it. (Notice the future tense. ha!)

    • That’s a great idea for later…for now, however, I need to deal with the huge piles that need to be sorted and tossed or files. Sigh. There’s no escape, is there? I just need to plunge in and do it. (Notice the future tense. ha!)

  6. I’m starting to take this seriously. I think has the best idea. Personally. For me. I’m sure I don’t need any of this stuff but I can’t bear to let it go. Anyone have a match? Can anyone light it for me? {} (Did I just reveal my phobia re: lighting matches? Oh yes I did.) ;>

    Here’s another set of advice I found on my internet travels. I believe it pertains more to the mess of one’s life and not the literal dust, paper, and file mess. However, I can’t help but think there’s a trifle of a correlation. I stop cleaning and caring when I’m in the mood to be a dark, moody hermit. When I’m feeling magnificent, the house looks like a page out of Home Semi-Beautiful. (And what came first? The good mood or the clean house? Hhhm? Hmmm? Dr. Freud, I need you!)

    Here’s the list from a life coach posted on the ABC/ Good Morning America website:
    http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/NewYearsGuide/story?id=2754464&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312
    ____________________________________________
    Conduct Your Own Year-End Inventory
    Follow This Checklist to Get Perspective on 2006
    Dec. 28, 2006 — – The end of the year is an ideal time to do a personal inventory.

    Before going into 2007, take some time to acknowledge the accomplishments and lessons of 2006, and identify some new goals for the coming year.

    Below is a personal inventory checklist based on life coach Cheryl Richardson’s tips. Save and print the list to help you do your own inventory.

    Gather together photos, journals, calendars and date books (or PDA entries) to help jar your memory as you review the year.

    Start a year-end inventory notebook and, using a news analogy, review the materials above and ask yourself, “What were the headlines for 2006? What was the good news? What were the inspiring stories, accomplished goals, important events, life-changing decisions?”

    As you’re adding to your notebook, remember lessons to be learned. Learn from the reality of what happened and what did not happen. Ask yourself, “What was the bad news? What didn’t you accomplish that felt important? What were the setbacks, failures or disappointing decisions?”

    Use your news to improve your life. Choose one success from the information you gathered and continue to build on it in 2007. (For example: You eliminated debt in 2006 and now you’ll create a savings/investment plan for the coming year.)

    Choose one mistake that you’ll plan to avoid next year. (For example: Get support from a career counselor or complete a resume to finally move on from a dead-end job.)

    Ask yourself how you can stop from repeating whatever mistakes you felt you made in 2006. Note ways to avoid setbacks in 2007 and look forward to the new year.

    Copyright © 2006 ABC News Internet Ventures

    • Pamela:
      I like this a lot.
      My plan for the year has been to Maintain and Move Forward.

      Maintain what I have (take better care of health, finances, etc.) and Move Forward with the things that are most essential to me.

      This fits very well into that.

      Thank you ~
      Laura

      • Laura,

        I also like what Pamela shared. Maintain and Move Forward sounds great…First, though, I’ve got to Pitch the things I don’t need to maintain or move with me. Heh.

      • Laura,

        I also like what Pamela shared. Maintain and Move Forward sounds great…First, though, I’ve got to Pitch the things I don’t need to maintain or move with me. Heh.

    • Pamela:
      I like this a lot.
      My plan for the year has been to Maintain and Move Forward.

      Maintain what I have (take better care of health, finances, etc.) and Move Forward with the things that are most essential to me.

      This fits very well into that.

      Thank you ~
      Laura

    • Another great article — thanks! As I work through my archeological dig (er, I mean office), I’ll work through some of these suggestions.

      And yes, I also need a match. Or maybe a torch. Or a bonfire. Or…you get the idea.

    • Another great article — thanks! As I work through my archeological dig (er, I mean office), I’ll work through some of these suggestions.

      And yes, I also need a match. Or maybe a torch. Or a bonfire. Or…you get the idea.

  7. Someday someone may very well find me buried under the piles of my clutter. I’m not sure I’ve found ‘the answer’ – but I’ll tell you how I’m spending this week. Each night before retiring, I’ve targeted one area of my house to be de-cluttered the next day. So far I’ve gotten through two full rooms (including the closets therein) and am currently focusing on a third room (with two more to go.)

    Well ok – I’ll admit I have some motivation…Philip will be back out here mid-February, and I want all the clutter dealt with before then. Also, my son is in the process of moving out – so I get to take over his space.

    Once the house is done, the office is next!

    • Congratulations on your progress! I do a mine-sweep now and again, but the piles start accumulating almost immediately after I’ve gone through and filed/tossed things. That’s why I need to figure out a system.

    • Congratulations on your progress! I do a mine-sweep now and again, but the piles start accumulating almost immediately after I’ve gone through and filed/tossed things. That’s why I need to figure out a system.

  8. I’ve been struggling, literally, with my office clutter all year since I moved into my new place a year and a half ago….My clutter has even become a conversation piece (it’s in one corner, but I live in a STUDIO apt.).

    A friend of mine made a good point, since I also have the New Year’s deadline. He said simply, “I’m bringing a garbage bag over (make that three) and we’re going to toss your papers that you haven’t opened – mail,etc. – it’s clearly junk. That helped. Not everything there is precious or requires much thought.

    So here’s my plan that I’ve already started and will finish by Sunday – so far I’ve made it through 1/3 of the stacks and stacks of paper….

    PREP:
    1. Put on music or DVD – in my case it’s boxed sets of TV shows to keep me and my mind in one place and in a good state of mind (why sort in silence??)
    2. Make room in the file cabinet, (toss stuff or put it in the sort pile) Don’t put much thought into it. Just go.
    3. I purchased two accordion file briefcases, the crafty type, not leather: one for financial stuff to put next to the file cabinet; and the second one for CURRENT writing that sits in my writing basket next to my desk (large Pier One basket that has discs, notebooks, notecards, journals – only to be used for current writing)
    4. Go to an office supply store, Pier One, etc., and get files, labels, oil for the shredder, storage bins, great writing pens while you’re at it. *I have some storage stuff that’s visually appealing so when it’s out on my desk – it’s nice and I feel compelled to leave everything around it worthy of Martha Stewart*

    THE STUFF:
    5. Quickly sort papers by what needs to be tossed and kept.
    6. Go through toss pile and shred, recycle, and resist the urge to open mail that you really don’t care about (do you really need more free address labels with a charity you don’t support, but you’re on their mailing list?)
    7. Go through keep pile:
    a.) Make a pile of things to box up and go into storage for the future. Use your colorful new labels to mark it.
    b.) Sentimental stuff: set aside to frame it, put in another bin, etc.
    c.) Divide financial from writing –
    -For each one, divide them from current to past.
    -Put them in each place where needed:
    -old papers in file cabinet
    -current stuff in easy to access place: drawer,

    REWARD:
    I have a beautiful end table hand-painted w/ designs and colors I love, but it’s lost under the papers. That’s going to take the place of the heap of paper.
    Find something that’s equally rewarding for when you’ve done the most amazing thing you’ve been putting off. 🙂

    • I like your plan…music and other motivations will help me sort through things, and I think I need to do it more quickly, rather than belabor every single piece of paper’s worth. I think I need to buy a huge box of Hefty bags and just start tossing things!

      How’s your progress coming, by the way? Will you make your Sunday deadline?

      • Hi there:
        I’m going to make the deadline. Taking a break from it.
        It’s amazing what I’ve found so far, and tossed!

        I will make the deadline, since I need to find the title for my car to renew my tags by midnight tomorrow 🙂

        How about your progress? Does it feel manageable?

  9. I’ve been struggling, literally, with my office clutter all year since I moved into my new place a year and a half ago….My clutter has even become a conversation piece (it’s in one corner, but I live in a STUDIO apt.).

    A friend of mine made a good point, since I also have the New Year’s deadline. He said simply, “I’m bringing a garbage bag over (make that three) and we’re going to toss your papers that you haven’t opened – mail,etc. – it’s clearly junk. That helped. Not everything there is precious or requires much thought.

    So here’s my plan that I’ve already started and will finish by Sunday – so far I’ve made it through 1/3 of the stacks and stacks of paper….

    PREP:
    1. Put on music or DVD – in my case it’s boxed sets of TV shows to keep me and my mind in one place and in a good state of mind (why sort in silence??)
    2. Make room in the file cabinet, (toss stuff or put it in the sort pile) Don’t put much thought into it. Just go.
    3. I purchased two accordion file briefcases, the crafty type, not leather: one for financial stuff to put next to the file cabinet; and the second one for CURRENT writing that sits in my writing basket next to my desk (large Pier One basket that has discs, notebooks, notecards, journals – only to be used for current writing)
    4. Go to an office supply store, Pier One, etc., and get files, labels, oil for the shredder, storage bins, great writing pens while you’re at it. *I have some storage stuff that’s visually appealing so when it’s out on my desk – it’s nice and I feel compelled to leave everything around it worthy of Martha Stewart*

    THE STUFF:
    5. Quickly sort papers by what needs to be tossed and kept.
    6. Go through toss pile and shred, recycle, and resist the urge to open mail that you really don’t care about (do you really need more free address labels with a charity you don’t support, but you’re on their mailing list?)
    7. Go through keep pile:
    a.) Make a pile of things to box up and go into storage for the future. Use your colorful new labels to mark it.
    b.) Sentimental stuff: set aside to frame it, put in another bin, etc.
    c.) Divide financial from writing –
    -For each one, divide them from current to past.
    -Put them in each place where needed:
    -old papers in file cabinet
    -current stuff in easy to access place: drawer,

    REWARD:
    I have a beautiful end table hand-painted w/ designs and colors I love, but it’s lost under the papers. That’s going to take the place of the heap of paper.
    Find something that’s equally rewarding for when you’ve done the most amazing thing you’ve been putting off. 🙂

    • I don’t know if I’ll figure it all out…I think I just need to DO IT rather than talk/think about it.

      Want to set some goals and deadlines with me? I think I need an accountability plan to make it happen.

Comments are closed.