Summer is usually a “project specific” time for my organizing business. Clients occupied with kids out of school, vacations, outings, and family get togethers often don’t want to commit to longer term organization projects. So I find myself working more short term projects like organizing the garage or attic, helping prepare for a garage sale, cleaning out closets and kid’s rooms, and move in/out reorganization.

One thing I tell everyone who struggles with managing the “stuff of life” is to think about the power of 3. Whether you are trying to get your home in order, manage paper and projects at the office or unstuff a crammed schedule – use this 3 step approach and you will launch your project with maximum effectiveness and minimum overwhelm.

Studies show that people resonate toward what I call “The Power of 3” – they can easily understand and grasp 3 concepts at one time, 3 goals, 3 projects, etc. That’s why you see so many “3 steps to: (fill in the blank)”. It sounds easy to master – and it is.

So when you’re confronted with a big organization project, don’t panic. And don’t try to take it all in at once. It’s like trying to swim the English Channel – you can only focus on the next stroke – if you look too far ahead you’ll get discouraged.

The 3 steps are:

1.Sort through and assess the clutter pile by pile. Start small if you have to – but start.

2.Eliminate what is no longer useful, workable, wearable, lovable, valuable. You wantto create space around you as quickly as possible. That keeps your motivation up and starts to clear your head. Start a big donation or disposal box. Or consign or garage sale it. The number 1 reason my clients give up on their project is that without creating space they see no progress – so they quit.

3.Evaluate what's left and think about how you're going to store it. In other words: think THEME. Remember kindergarten? There was a zone for dress up, a zone for books, a zone for blox and legos. One place for each type of item. That makes it a no brainer for anyone to retrieve an item and return it – easily.

I guarantee that with this approach you’ll SEE a difference immediately!

For a limited time a 2 hour coaching session is just $100! It's an easy and inexpensive way to get your A.C.T. Together! (Assess-Create-Take Daily Action).

Coaching for specific organizational issues is available by phone, email, or a combination of both. Individual assessments, step by step action plans and "help to get you over the hurdles" is included, along with a copy of my ebook Simplicize It, and a copy of Who Needs It: How to Dispose, Donate, Sell or Recycle Any Item in Your Home.