REMOVING THE CLUTTER

Those who know me well would probably define me as “anal retentive”. I hate clutter and strive for neatness and order. To me, clutter in an outward manifestation of inward clutter. My desk is generally neat and orderly, and in my evaluation from my manager recently, she noted that my organization is one of my greatest strengths. Eliminating clutter is so empowering to me. Having a clean house, bedroom, work area, etc. are things I find essential to my personal productivity and peace. Perhaps it’s just a little bit of neuroticism on my part, but even so, I’ve always found it most conducive to my productivity to have everything in its place before I begin a project.

Finding a way to eliminate the clutter in my life is my “project” right now. As I move into a new phase of my life, a phase which includes asking myself difficult questions and making hard decisions. By eliminating the physical clutter from my life, things such as old momentos that have been moved around in storage tubs with me from place to place for years and years. These "things" simply have no use in my current life and I’m discarding them,little by little. Having physical clutter in my life, I feel, inhibits me from living up to my utmost potential. I’ll be honest, it’s easy to procrastinate and not do the things that need to be done. But, I’m reaching a point in my life where I have to move into action. Change is not going to happen on its own.

In addition to the physical clutter in my life—old books, notes, stuffed animals, receipts, unworn clothing items, I have a good deal of mental clutter too. Questions of whether or not I’m living up to my full potential, if I’m doing what I am supposed to do with my life, if I am living my true calling. There is also the mental clutter of decisions and discussions that need to be made and done about various relationships in my life, as well as financial issues, time management.

Here’s my confession: Ridding myself of the physical and mental clutter in my life is a priority as I press towards my goals of a productive and peaceful 2008. It is so easy to sit back and procrastinate about the tremendous amount of work which must be done. Yet, the rewards I’ll receive by removing the clutter far outweigh any benefits of procrastinating these tasks. The old adage is true, we always have time for the things we WANT to do. Remembering that and moving forward is the essential part.