One of the most frequently asked questions about pieces of paper I ask my clients is “is it important?” it works like a charm if they know the answer. It either is or it isn’t. Or is it?

Without a hierarchy in place it can be really difficult to know if something is important. Not taking the time to establish your own criteria, based on your own desires will keep you guessing as to whether or not some information is important.

Which one is more important?

The real problem is that there is very little discussion out there about how to establish that hierarchy. So, one mistake leads people to think they should just keep everything, just in case that one scenario happens again. You know, the one where you recycle the article about how to save money on your car insurance the day before your insurance agent calls.

All levels of importance are relative. That means that I don’t know how important something is to you until you tell me. I want you to be able to tell me why the folder in the file cabinet labeled “KEEP” and covered in cobwebs is just as important as the one on the desk labeled “IMPORTANT” and the one on the credenza labeled “VERY IMPORTANT” are being kept.

When you label everything with the same high level of urgency, they lose their importance. So, evaluate against what is currently relevant to you. This is a live in the moment situation. What was important last week is not necessarily important now. You can keep anything you want, you just have to know why.

Good news, your insurance agent is a professional and will tell you what savings options are available through her if you ask. No article needed.

More good news, I’ve got your how to determine if that piece of paper is important info right here. Just ask each question and answer based on your own desires, goals and values. Only then will you know if it is important enough to keep.

What is it?

1. If it is for use very soon keep it until then.
2. If it is for occasional use is there another way?
3. If you don’t even know what you saved it for, it isn’t important.

What does it prove?

1. If it proves an interaction with the government it’s highly important and should be kept indefinitely.
2. If it proves an interaction with someone else, it is only important until that interaction is resolved.
3. If it only proves something you already know, it’s not important.

What is the worst that can happen?

1. If the world will blow up, keep it
2. If you might have to request a replacement, it’s not that important
3. If you will feel anxious about tossing it, lose it. That feeling is only temporary and the clear space can last a lifetime.

Even more good news, it works for stuff that isn’t paper too. Use it in your closet, kitchen, office and computer.

If you are going to keep just the right stuff, you need evaluation criteria.

I paid good money for that… but is it important?

One of the excuses my clients use when we are going through their clutter is “I can’t get rid of that, I paid good money for it.” Yes I said excuse.

The truth is that the amount of money we spend on something does not equate with its true value in your life.  It just might be costing you more to keep it.

A favorite sweater purchased on sale and worn several times a month is more valuable than a designer sweater that doesn’t fit, and bargain is only a bargain if it is something you would have paid full price for anyway.

If you are going to use money, as criteria, for deciding what to keep and what to let go of, focusing on the value to you is a much better way to go.

• Clearing out the garage creates enough room to park the car in there. Saving you the price of a new paint job.
• Clearing out your storage space will save you enough to go to a movie every month, with popcorn and a date.
• Donating all the clothes that do not fit on you or in the closet creates a tax deduction. Enough for a great new piece to complete an outfit, one you will wear.
• Clearing out the clothes piled on the treadmill will save you the dry cleaning costs. Enough to buy new running shoes so you are comfortable using the treadmill.
• Selling the collection you inherited but are not interested in creates the extra cash to buy a special piece for your own collection.
• Clearing the junk you bought off the dining room table creates the space for healthy family dinners and save you the cost of drive thru meals.
• Donating the toys the kids leave on the stairs creates a safer home    environment and can save the cost of a trip to the emergency room

Now that you have an idea of why getting rid of some things is valuable, let’s pick your favorites instead.

There is a good chance your favorite stuff is getting buried by all the other stuff you have.

Do you even know what and where your favorite stuff is? Taking some time to define your favorites – for every category of stuff you own, helps keep clutter in check.

It doesn’t matter if it is a favorite t-shirt hidden between the 2 swag (s*** we all get) shirts from that event at work, or the updated version of a contact list eclipsed by the last version with a hand written note on it, the less favorite options are in your way.

Take a look around. Where does your clutter pile up? Is it paper in the office? Is it too much stuff in the kitchen drawer? How about under the bathroom sink? The closet is another likely place you have some excess stuff.

All of these locations can be cleared of redundancy by using my Favorite or Less Favorite method of elimination. Just work around your space methodically and focusing on one small area at a time.

Here is how it works for any pile of already grouped together, similar and like-minded items:

1. Pick your 3 favorites to keep. Put them away.
2. Pick your 3 least favorites. Get rid of them (trash, recycle, donate).
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until the pile is completely sorted.
4. If the keep pile is still too big to fit in the allotted space, repeat this process, do not go get a bigger space.
5. Congratulations! You have now eliminated 50% of your clutter.

When working on paper the version will be of the information on the paper. Which format do you prefer to get the information in?

In the closet keep in mind how wonderful it will be to not wear your “make do” outfit and turn out as your best self.

No more accidentally using the weird smelling lotion in the bathroom.

Hardly anymore burned pancakes when the best turner is the only one in the drawer.

Remember when you were a kid and only your favorite toy would do? That “just right” feeling is what we are looking for here. Life is too short to use things you don’t love. Keep only the best solution for you.

When new versions creep in, the piles start. So, whenever something new comes in, take a moment to evaluate it against the option you already have.

Know what you value and treat your toys well. Then it won’t really matter how much you paid for it.

Now I want to hear what you think. Let me know if you decided that keeping the article on growing hydrangeas is important if you live in the desert and would rather be hiking than gardening. Just put your comment in the comment box below.

Most challenges are designed to create a buzz and get you excited about the process, but not lasting results. Tips and challenges most often fail to tie the reason for them to your big picture wants, core desired feelings or deeper values. 

In other words, they are someone else’s should and how tos based on arbitrary numbers and end points. 

The media is always full of tips tricks and secrets for getting organized.  

A few years ago someone realized that humans love a challenge, and that overcoming a challenge can help you create change.  

So, a lot of online advice revolves around 30-day challenge games. Lose weight, get fit, get beautiful, transform your relationship and of course get organized. 

There are 3 reasons the challenges won’t work: 

1. The problem with gamifying a life skill is that it doesn’t solidify the habit. The game itself has set up a time line that has an end point. In reality, being organized is a constant and ongoing process of editing the things you own and what you say yes to. 

2. In 30 days it is possible to change some habits, but more likely it will take longer. What happens on day 31 when the online celebrity is no longer available for motivation? Who do you have in place for accountability? 

3. Research shows that the average American home has over 400,000 items. No wonder it doesn’t feel like you are making progress when you are only getting rid of one item a day. Without visual progress, it’s easy to get discouraged. Are there any whole categories of things you can eliminate for a quick visual difference? 

And one reason that get organized tips won’t work either: 

1. A quick tip doesn’t take into consideration your desires. They often only work if 12 (that is an arbitrary number I just made up) other things are already in place. Organized people often assume that what works for them will work the same for others. The fact that you might not already have a trash can under your desk to catch the pieces of paper you no longer want can hinder the effort to clear your desk before you even get started. 

Would you rather feel great for about 2 weeks by putting everything away until this becomes jumbled by everyday life so that you have to reorganize everything every couple of months, or spend a little more time up front so that you never have to reorganize again – ever. 

I thought not. 

For long lasting and easy to use results you will need to do a bit of work. 

The first thing you want to do is to think about WHY you want to get organized. Then write it down. When you want to change your behavior it really helps to know why you are doing it. Tie your actions to a desired result and you make real progress. 

The best reason for getting rid of clutter and simplifying your work or life is to make your dreams accessible. To create the foundation of nurturing support to do the things you would rather be doing. 

Next, use your why to keep you motivated and your projects moving forward. Clear the study of all your old work materials to make room for the painting supplies and spend your retirement slapping some color onto canvas. See, you want to clear so you can do. 

Then, leverage your time by creating systems and routines that will keep your day-to-day maintenance efforts to a minimum so you can enjoy the thing you do. You can also tie the reason you are doing the maintenance to your why. Do the laundry so you have your favorite shirt available to wear on the day of your big presentation. 

The problem is that it is arbitrary. Working really hard for a short amount of time to get your clutter down to a certain number, stored in a certain container, in a certain room, might work for you. It might not. 

The real trick of it is to know exactly what items you need to arrive at the life you want to be living. Keep those things, and let the rest go. 

Meanwhile, they get cranky and catch a cold and complain that no one appreciates the effort they make. They feel overwhelmed. Stress levels go up! I feel bad for them. I really do. Watching overwhelm happen can be heartbreaking. 

If you feel like the only way to pull off an enchanting holiday is by adding events and tasks to your to-do list, there is an easier way! 

I’d like to share five tips with you and show you how to streamline your holiday! 

1. Remove the Extras and Add Rituals 

Instead of thinking of all the extra things you need to take care of, think of how you can make the things you were going to do anyway special. Infuse these things with a little ritual and they become sacred. Share them with others and you are connected. 

Did you catch that? It’s not what you do, it’s how you do it that makes the difference. It will become obvious which things are just extra and have no real meaning and therefore, can go. 

It has taken me years, but I have finally hit upon the holiday rituals that bring me the most joy. My family has followed my lead. A little less stress every year until now, we have fun. Yes, actual fun, and enjoying the holidays! 

We have also gotten to know each other better (although I’m still not sure why my brother likes to disguise his voice most of the time). Maybe I’ll ask him while we are in Sedona this year. 

Turn These Chores into Rituals to Be Shared 

• Do your shopping after dinner on the first Wednesday it snows, after November 1st or the evening before Christmas Eve, whichever comes first. 

• Bake cookies on the Winter Solstice with your friends and family and a snifter of brandy. (See below for more tips to make baking easier). 

• Decorate and undecorate at sundown the day before your regular cleaning day. That way you don’t have to clean twice in the same week. While you are at it, amp up your usual decor instead of overdoing it. Switch the color of candles and linens, toss a wreath on the door and decorate the mantle. If you decorate in the same order every year it becomes routine. 

• Play games with the family. Make it a contest to see who does the dishes after the holiday meal. 

• Wrap gifts to music and by candlelight. 

Bonus tip – if you don’t buy gifts, there are no extra receipts to keep track of and no need for gift wrap. 

2. Deal with Holiday Clutter 

Around the holidays, the clutter piles up. All kinds of clutter. The stuff. The time sucks. The expectations. The projects. The food. The people. The ideas. It’s enough to cause feelings of frazzle. Where will you put it all after the celebrating? 

The trick is to take each aspect of the holiday clutter and apply your own standards and expectations. Keep the best parts (time together, time off work, cookies, candle light). Let go of shopping, cards, over decorating, and obligation parties. 

Has your home office become a dumping ground for extra items? Check your dining table, kitchen counter and entry hall floor. 

During the holiday season it is easy to fall into the “I’ll just set it here for later” and “hide the gift” syndrome. After the celebrating you are left with piles of bags, receipts, lists, addresses to enter and good intentions to catch up. 

Believe me – not one of my clients has ever caught up on updating their card list without my help. In fact, at a certain point, there is no confidence in the list and so cards are not sent at all. 

If you don’t have systems and routines in place, call me immediately! I can save you up to six weeks of frustration a year. 

Don’t treat the stuff that accumulates at the holidays as “different.” Simply incorporate it into your existing systems and routines. 

For example, put your holiday address collection in the same file as your normal incoming business cards. Enter them into your address book (paper or digital) at regularly scheduled intervals. For a couple of weeks there will be a higher volume flowing through but you will stay on top of the receipts and information. 

3. Know That Things Get Better and Faster 

I’m getting ready to bake the biscochitos. For those of you that are not from New Mexico, they are traditional Christmas cookies. They are almost indescribable. A little like shortbread but better, with anise and cinnamon. These are the kind of cookie that many people attempt but few have mastered. Local families keep their recipes close, often under lock and key. 

In my family, I have one of the recipes. Grandma had a secret y’all. The version on the index card with the smears on it – the one Louise inherited – is not the one she actually used. That one is the safe version. I have the dangerous and extra yummy version. 

I no longer make any other cookies. I picked one kind and learned from a master and then added my own spin. People email me months in advance to get on the list. A few friends have claimed not to like them but, they aren’t from around here so, I don’t believe them. Needless to say, I have created a whole ritual about how I bake them. 

It is a system that ensures the cookies are amazing. They are on time, and don’t create extra stress during the busy week before Christmas. 

Five Things To Make Your Holiday Baking Adventure Easier 

1. Pick only one to three recipes to focus on. I make the biscochitos, my friend Don makes the toffee. We are known for them. We create consistent concoctions because we specialize. It’s easier to set up an assembly line when we don’t have to re-tool between batches. 

2. I have been using the same utensils, bowls, rolling pin, canisters, and cookie sheets for many years. Familiarity with your tools creates muscle memory. You can adjust when something doesn’t feel quite right. You also create faster because you know that particular spatula doesn’t get sucked into the mixer. 

3. Rotate your ingredients. Don’t get caught with old baking powder. It won’t kill you, but crackers are not as festive as cookies. (Never again people, I promise!) 

4. Use the mise en scene method. Pre-measure the ingredients into individual ramekins. Once the process starts it is easy to keep track of your place and get the right amounts in the bowl. Fewer mistakes equals less frustration. It is so much easier to remeasure 6 cups of flour when it isn’t already added to the creamed mixture. 

5. Use a large container to hold the results. Then make up the individual “gifts” as needed. That way you don’t get caught needing more or less for a particular event and having to rearrange. This will create fewer things to wash and toss. 

I also have found it helps to put on some music, and to have an adult beverages on hand. That way when someone wants to help, I sit them down where they can’t see the recipe and have them just chat while I cut three sizes of stars. 

4. Review So Things Are Easier Next Time 

Look over your decorations and ornaments as you put them away. Go ahead and toss any broken or no longer relevant items. Note on a shopping list anything that needs replacing for next year. You can either get it after the holiday or early next season when you are shopping for something else anyway. 

The best thing I do, is spend a bit of time before the New Year rotating out last year. I evaluate what worked well and decide to keep it, what didn’t work well and decide to let it go. Then I plan for a better year to come and create the physical space to let it happen. I know that this few hours work at a leisurely pace will save me hours of stress next year. 

5. The Big Secret! 

This secret is my number one tip to reduce holiday stress. It is so easy that I know you can do it. Are you ready? Here it is: 

Do not shop on Black Friday! 

That’s it. Avoid shopping on the busiest day of the year and you will save time and feel better! 

Think about all the waiting you can skip! The time you waste waiting for a parking space. Waiting for salespeople to look and see if they have more. Waiting in line, hunting for the thing you came to the store for. 

Time is money and you can save a lot by not venturing to the box or the mall. 

Instead, use your Friday to relax, eat some more, spend time with your family, friends and self. Envision what you want your holiday season to be like and begin to make it so. 

Now get off the computer and go find some turkey. Let me know what you did instead. What ideas can you come up with to simplify your holiday and make it feel special? 

Streamlining can be a year-round habit. 
Read More >> Squeezing in One More Thing