Time is non-negotiable; how you spend it, IS!
Everyone has the same amount of a time in a day. The difference is how one chooses to fill it. Now, I know what you are thinking - “How can I possibly find the time in my already ‘bursting at the seams’ day to transform the above into realisation?” The answer is simple. You create it. Yes you can! The time you spend on yourself represents the value you place on yourself and you are worthy of every second, minute, hour, day, week, month and year you can create!
My Top 8 Decluttering Commandments:
1. Simplify the Morning Rush Hour
Do you start the day all bright eyed and bushy tailed only to find an hour later you are still in your PJ’s, a cold coffee in hand, a piece of burnt toast between your teeth, herding the kids into the car for the school run wishing you could just go back to bed? You are not alone. It is bad enough battling rush hour on your way to work each morning, let alone in the home as well. Look at what you can eliminate, delegate and consolidate in your morning routine then do as much as possible the night before. By making a few small changes you will take back control of your kingdom immediately and possibly keep your sanity allowing time to do your hair as well.2. Plan for a Healthy Lifestyle
Everyone knows that healthy eating, regular exercise and minimising the effects of stress are essential to mind/body wellness. We also understand how it feels at the end of a busy day to be so depleted of energy, vitality and time that you ditch the workout, reach for the take away menus, frozen dinners, anything fast and veg out in front of the telly. Balancing your wheel of life - work, family, friends, fitness and hobbies without spreading yourself too thin all starts with planning. This book will have given you insights on how to do this already. However if you feel you are still a long way off from finding that balance, invest in a professional. Hiring a life coach or personal trainer for support will be a huge motivator and value will far outway the expense for a healthier, happier you.
3. Triumph over Clutter
Clutter is like dust. Over time, it creeps into very corner, onto every shelf, benchtop, table or desk, on or under the stairs, in every cupboard – kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, study, garage and on any available floor space. All of a sudden you cannot move in your own house, it’s inundated with piles of stuff, mostly unnecessary and useless. Follow the continual process of Elimination, Delegation and Consolidation (EDC) and you can Junk-proof your kingdom.
4. Spring Clean in 15 Minutes
Who wants to spend their weekend washing, cleaning and de-cluttering? Daily spring cleaning in 15 minutes or less the main areas of your home will ensure you stay on top of the household chores whilst minimising the chance of clutter buildup. You will also feel more balanced and in control of your kingdom if, at least, the main living areas look respectable and liveable.
5. Plan your Weekly Meals
Oh those dreaded words: “What’s for dinner, Mum?” If you are like me, I quickly distract the offender whilst madly reaching into the pits of my consciousness to remember what is in the fridge that still looks edible, has the maximum number of food groups and can be quickly assembled for the hungry masses. Thank goddess for “4 Ingredients”. Again, it all starts with planning. Keep a grocery list handy to record when you use the last of something, take 20 mins to think about the week ahead and prepare a weekly meal plan to make grocery shopping a breeze. And invest in a slow cooker, you will not regret it!6. Stick to Your Budget
First things first, do you have a budget? Do you know how much you earn vs how much you spend each week, month, year? Effective budgeting is essential for decluttering your life and creating wealth. We live in an age of high consumerism and there’s a constant pull to have the latest gadgets, technology and stuff on the market and without a plan this can literally deplete your financial freedom. Define your long-term financial goals, set up a budget and put yourself back in control of your spending right now. Do not waste another day.
7. Master Your Paper Piles
Paper, paper everywhere – letters, bills, lists, magazines, junk mail, school notes, children’s artwork, post it reminders, tax receipts, homework, school reports… So much for a paperless office. It seems no sooner do you clear them away, another pile appears. It’s a conspiracy, really! The answer is boycott. Refuse to create another pile. Read it then file it, store it or toss it. Do not stack it ever again.
8. If You Are Not Using It, Store It, Neatly
Your home was built for storage and most rooms come with built in systems – kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, study and garage. With this abundant storage comes abundant hoarding of stuff, a lot of stuff. We all have those chaotic cupboards, messy drawers and overflowing boxes that make us cringe everytime we throw another item into the black hole. Not only do they look bad, they zap your time, energy and peace of mind. Schedule time now to declutter each storage unit and implement the EDC process to prevent chaos from returning.
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